Most of the Broncos' Draft Picks in the John Elway Era Have One Thing
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Most of the Broncos’ draft picks in the John Elway era have one thing in common By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Feb. 20, 2018 Von Miller has said that he knew he would be a Denver Bronco when he met with Broncos general manager John Elway for 15 minutes at the 2011 NFL scouting combine. Miller’s performance that week, still mind-boggling seven years later, said plenty. But it was in that meeting that Miller said he knew where he was headed. He was right. In 2014, when the Broncos were just weeks removed from their Super Bowl XLVIII loss, more clues were dropped about the Broncos’ draft intentions when Elway spoke of the value of “athleticism” and “numbers” in evaluating prospects at the combine. That year he drafted cornerback Bradley Roby in the first round, one of the fastest players at the combine and someone who would eventually become a key piece of Denver’s remade defense. And in 2016, Elway continued to reveal more hints at the combine when he spoke of Peyton Manning‘s impending decision to retire and Brock Osweiler‘s then uncertain future with the team. Elway would lose both quarterbacks a month later, and, after a failed attempt to acquire Colin Kaepernick, out-bid the Cowboys to nab Paxton Lynch in the first round. While the NFL scouting combine has morphed into an annual spectacle for the league, with around-the- clock coverage and increased fanfare, it has been a constant for the Broncos’ draft selections. Of the 54 players drafted by the Broncos since Elway joined the front office in 2011, 47 have been NFL combine invites. “I think with 15 minutes there are certain things that you can do. You can’t hide,” Elway said at the combine in Indianapolis last year. “You put a play up on the board and ask them to explain the play or put some tape up there and have them walk you through a play. You can generally find out how much they know about football. There is no question that they are prepared for everything by the way.” Linebacker Corey Nelson (2014); nose tackle Darius Kilgo, quarterback Trevor Siemian, cornerback Taurean Nixon and safety Josh Furman (all in 2015); safety Will Parks (2016); and quarterback Chad Kelly (2017) are the only picks by Elway who were denied combine invites. Ironic considering Elway skipped the combine as a player back in 1983. When the Broncos return to the combine this year (Feb. 27-March 5), they’ll do so armed with a different perspective. They have more information, thanks to a week in Mobile, Ala., in late January. The Broncos’ staff coached more than 50 draft prospects on the Senior Bowl’s North Team, including quarterbacks Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield. Unlike in years past, where their close-up with players entailed brief combine interviews and pre-draft visits, the Broncos received hours of access to many players expected to participate in Indianapolis. “They get to know the players. I think that is the biggest part of it. You get to spend time and spend a week with them. Usually you go to the combine and you get 15 minutes with them. Pre-draft, we get 30 visits from young players,” Elway said in Mobile. “This way we get to see 50-55 of them and be around them and coach them a little bit. It’s a big plus to spend a week with them.” With so much access in Alabama, the Broncos not only head to the combine knowing more than most teams about some of the prospects, but they can also spread out their allotted 60 interviews among players they know less about. And those 15 minutes, while brief, can reveal much about players’ readiness for the next level. The Broncos have numerous roster holes to fill after a 5-11 finish. And if history is a guide, they’ll see most players of their future in Indianapolis. Who to Watch Five prospects to keep an eye on in Indianapolis at the 2018 NFL scouting combine: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA The Broncos received an up-close look at quarterbacks Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield at the Senior Bowl. The combine will provide a good look at Josh Rosen, the standout from UCLA who is regarded by many analysts to be the most starter-ready quarterback in the draft. Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California Of the four QBs projected to go in the first round, most eyes may be on Darnold at the combine. He has the size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and arm strength, and has even drawn comparisons to Andrew Luck. But will his throwing motion and turnovers (13 turnovers and nine fumbles in 2017) turn away NFL teams? Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame Though many analysts have the Broncos pegged to draft a quarterback in the first round, Denver’s first move could surprise depending on who they land in free agency. If they get a high-priced veteran QB, they’ll need to improve their offense line protect him. Nelson, a 6-5, 329-pound left guard, could be their answer. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama With Aqib Talib possibly on the outs in Denver, the Broncos will need depth in their secondary. Fitzpatrick could be their answer. With a versatility similar to Bradley Roby — he can play slot, outside, nickel linebacker and even safety — Fitzpatrick could be a key piece of the Broncos’ remade defense for the near and long-term future. And remember: John Elway loves his defense. Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State The Colorado native impressed at the Senior Bowl, where he bulldozed defenders and took advantage of his 6-2, 227-pound frame. With an impressive showing at the combine, Ballage may skyrocket on draft boards. Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger has an idea of where Kirk Cousins will land in free agency By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Feb. 20, 2018 Three days after word got out of Alex Smith’s impending trade to Washington, Kirk Cousins made the rounds at radio row during Super Bowl LII week to talk of his uncertain — but undoubtedly lucrative — future. In an interview with Sirius XM NFL, Cousins said that he expects to become a free agent and that “at the end of the day, I want to win.” “There are a ton of variables that decide, ‘Do we think we can win?’” he added. “But that will ultimately be what makes the decision.” Cousins’ current teammate, Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger, believes that decision will end with Denver. “With the situation they have out there on defense, they’re missing their quarterback,” Swearinger said while a guest on NFL Network on Monday. “Kirk is a great quarterback. I wish we could have had different things on that, but the business is the business. I think Kirk will be getting a healthy payday and I think Denver is the team that can do that.” Rarely does a quarterback of Cousins’ caliber hit free agency, and though it’s been floated that Washington could still use a franchise tag on Cousins and then trade him, doing so would open the Redskins up to an array of issues with the league, the NFL Players’ Association and Cousins. All signs point to the 29-year-old hitting the open market and landing a record contract by a quarterback-needy team. The Broncos are on the short list of those teams, and they’re expected to pursue Cousins heavily. San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo reset the quarterback market when he signed a contract worth $27.5 million a year, but Cousins was already projected to draw close to $30 million per year and possibly $100 million in guarantees in his next contract. Though the Broncos are coming off two playoff-less seasons with mediocre quarterback play, they still have a situation to entice with outside linebacker Von Miller guiding the defense, a pair of elite receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and a general manager that already made the biggest free-agent splash in team history six years ago. In 2012, John Elway lured Peyton Manning to Denver on a $96 million contract that ultimately produced a pair of Super Bowl appearances and the franchise’s third Lombardi Trophy. This year many believe Elway will return to the free-agent market to try to right the ship. Managing changes on coaching staff a big part of Broncos' offseason plan By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Feb. 20, 2018 Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph has plenty of things on his to-do list in the months to come, that’s just part of the job. Among the items Joseph has to wrestle with is one of the quirkier situations in the league, in that he retained his job but will oversee a staff that will have eight new assistants. That total will include a new strength and conditioning coach in Loren Landow, who has long worked with a variety of high-profile athletes in the Denver area, including Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin, Peyton Manning, Christian McCaffrey and a long list of current and former Broncos. Landow is expected to be formally announced in his new job when he completes his pre-draft work with a group of this year's prospects. When Luke Richesson, who had been the Broncos' strength and conditioning coach since 2012, took the same position with the Houston Texans earlier this month, it marked the eighth change on Joseph's staff since offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was fired in November.