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Home , Chris Harris (safety), Chris Lindstrom, Dalton Risner, Derwin James, George Kittle, Joe Flacco

Lunch Special: Here’s how to resolve dispute between Broncos and Chris Harris Jr. By Mark Kiszla Denver Post April 30, 2019

Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla answered questions in a live chat on Monday. Here are the highlights.

Given Broncos Country’s fickle nature when it comes to the team’s , how quickly do you think the clamor will come for to start over Joe Flacco?

Kiszla: The clamor will start with Joe Flacco’s first . In the preseason. If not before. Will that be fair? Of course not. But we all know how Broncos Country rolls. And Flacco has no reservoir of goodwill in Denver. Nice fans will give him a shot. The crazier, louder fans? They always want the back- up , whether his name is , Kyle Sloter or Drew Lock. Either Lock can play. Or he can’t. And I’m a firm believer that QBs develop by playing QB. You learn to play the piano by playing it, not standing in the back of the room and watching somebody else play it. If Lock can play, he will be pushing Flacco real hard by the end of this season.

Kiz, what’s the latest with the whole Chris Harris contract? The Broncos didn’t pick up a cornerback in the draft, so does this mean the team is all in on Harris?

Kiszla: Well this contract dispute escalated quickly, didn’t it? and Chris Harris Jr. both have said some stupid-guy stuff that didn’t help one bit. I generally favor the player in most contract disputes, especially when it comes to players of Harris’ ability. But he has a contract. And Elway won’t be pushed around, if his track record is any indication. Is there a compromise to be had? OK, I’m here to mediate the extension. Two years, $26 million. Or three years, $35 million. Heavy on the the up-front money and guarantees. That’s fair. Everything else is just Elway and Harris wanting to hear themselves roar. And by the way … My fee for mediation is $500,000. Payable by check or money order, with bill split by both parties. You’re welcome.

How do you see fitting on the Broncos O-line?

Kiszla: Dalton Risner starts from Day 1 at guard. Right guard, I’m guessing. And he probably does pretty well for a rookie. Better than Garret Bolles did as a rookied at the much tougher position of . Risner has a good shot to succeed. Isn’t that the wish of everybody in Colorado, especially those good folks in Risner’s hometown?

OK Kiz — who has the better shot at winning it all: The Nuggets or the Avs?

Kiszla: Love this question. The Avs have a better chance. A much better chance. Why? The easy answer is: The Golden State Warriors. They’re a fading dynasty, but still a dynasty. There ain’t no hockey dynasties left in the NHL tournament bracket. Heck, there weren’t any dynasties in the NHL bracket fro the jump.The Avs are riding a hot goalie (Grubauer) and maybe the world’s most dynamic player (MacKinnon.) Add a defense that got a big jolt from Cale Makar … and this thing has a little bit of a Rocktober-y feel, donchya think?

The Avs looked real good last night against the Sharks. Do you see us pulling out this series?

Kiszla: The Avs played what I think might have been their best hockey of the season in the Game 2 victory against San Jose. The Sharks are bigger and stronger. They were pushing Colorado around in the first period. And then methinks the Avs figured something out. Get the puck deep, out-race those big lugs to it. Let those young quick D-men (Sam Girard and Cale Makar) join the attack. It worked in Game 2. Is it the formula for success the rest of the way? Could be. Might be. We shall see. (Hey, hockey nation … how was that for some solid puck talk?)

I’m glad the Broncos picked up a couple of local boys in the draft. How much do you know of ? Should we be excited for him?

Kiszla: Let’s wish Winfree the best. He has some skills. Will he repeat the CU success story of Phillip Lindsay? No. Could he make the squad? Maybe. Would making the be a major victory? Yes. Baby steps.

Fant, Risner and Lock: Reviewing the Broncos' 2019 draft By Mike Klis 9NEWS April 30, 2019

Trader John Elway began the draft by moving back to acquire ammunition, then used it to take a shot on a future franchise quarterback.

National pundits, local scribes, surveys and polls have largely lauded Elway, the Broncos’ , for the way he executed his draft.

It was his ninth draft and he seems to be getting the hang of it.

Here’s the final results of the Broncos 2019 draft:

Rd (Pick) Player, position

1. (20) , TE

2. (41) Dalton Risner, OG

2. (42) Drew Lock, QB

3. (71) Dre'Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State

5. (156) , LB, Oregon

6. (187) Juwann Winfree, WR, Colorado

Fant will likely be the “move” or receiving with Jeff Heuerman playing in-line. Risner should start at a guard spot, although the Broncos currently are going with Don Barclay at left guard and Sam Jones at right guard.

Lock becomes the backup quarterback to Joe Flacco and the Broncos are emphasizing that Flacco will be their starter in 2019. Which may be what he heard at this time last year after the moved up to take with the final pick of the first round.

Jones could develop into a passing interior pass rusher, although he may need a half season to develop into that role.

Hollins is an outside pass rusher, although there’s talk he could get a look as an inside linebacker. He had a combined 11.0 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons at Oregon.

“I’m going to play anywhere they need me," Hollins said in a conference call Saturday with the Denver media. “I’m one of those guys who is just going to get in and play where ever I am needed, whether that is special teams, inside, outside—it doesn’t matter. I am here to compete. I am here to play as hard as I can and provide the team with some type of impact.”

The Broncos traded out of another fifth round pick to acquire veteran special teamer Dekoda Watson from San Francisco, then traded up – and surrendering their seventh-round draft pick to take Winfree.

They did not trade cornerback Chris Harris Jr., nor draft a corner. Elway is expected to open discussions with Harris and his agent Frederick Lyles next week to see if they can resolve their contract differences.

Winfree won the 40-player audition Colorado-area players had at the Broncos local pro day April 10 at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. Elway, his top assistants were there, along with head coach Vic Fangio and his full coaching staff.

“I definitely didn’t think they were really high on me, to be honest with you, but after the local pro day that I attended, and sitting down with the receiver coach (Zach Azzanni), he really expressed high interest in me," Winfree said in his conference call. “From there I could see I really changed their point of view on me. Them seeing me close-up, seeing what type of player I am and what type of man I am off the field was big for me. That definitely helped a lot. Especially with [RB] Phillip Lindsay, I know he put in a huge word for me. That’s my big brother right there. He paved the way for me, doing what he did, coming from Colorado. I’m just glad he was able to help me out there doing that. We have the same agent (Mike McCartney) too, so I’m just completely blessed.”

The Broncos are expected to reach agreements with up to 15 undrafted college free agents later today. The rookies will show up for their minicamp that will be held May 9-12.

Broncos say they're ready to make patience part of Drew Lock's development By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com April 30, 2019

Drew Lock played 50 games as the University of ’s quarterback, he threw for 12,193 yards, 99 and was generally one of the biggest men on any campus.

And now, fresh off being a second-round pick by the in this year’s NFL draft, he’s a backup quarterback.

In fact, at least to begin his professional career, as Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway put it, “Drew will come in and compete for the backup job."

“It’s an adjustment," Lock said. “But one I’m ready for … you talk about getting put into an awesome situation, I got put into a really awesome situation."

But, there will still be plenty of discussion about how long before Lock should or shouldn't see meaningful game action.

The Broncos have seen recently the benefits of a slower rollout for a rookie quarterback when the ’ got the first playing time of his first NFL season in the 2017 regular- season finale against the Broncos, a glimpse both of what was to come and what the Broncos didn't have for themselves.

The Broncos have seen their most recent attempts to groom a young starter -- seventh-round pick in and a first-round pick in -- not go the way they wanted, especially for Lynch, who seemed to buckle in a struggling offense each time the Broncos tried to let him play his way into the role of starter. So, at least 72 hours or so into Lock’s tenure with the team, they seem committed to the idea of patience this time around.

While losses, and offensive struggles test patience, Elway said this weekend, he’s ready to give it a try with Lock. And that might even test Lock’s patience.

“Drew obviously has a lot of talent, he’s got a lot of arm talent, but he’s got to work on a lot of different things too," Elway said. “I think when you look at what he did in college offensively, he’s in the spread offense and wasn’t under the center very often. With what we’re going to do offensively, he’s going to have a lot of work to do. I think technique is always a big thing. We talk about accuracy and accuracy a lot of times comes down to technique and throwing on rhythm. We believe he has a ton of talent, but we also believe he has a lot left to work on."

The Broncos starter at quarterback -- Joe Flacco -- saw his 11-year tenure in Baltimore end when he was injured last season and a rookie who had been selected in the first round of the draft in Lamar Jackson replaced Flacco behind center.

Flacco got healthy, but Jackson kept the job and the Broncos acquired Flacco in a trade for a fourth- round pick. At last week’s minicamp Flacco made it clear he believes he is the Broncos' unquestioned starter and that he hoped to show the Broncos they didn’t need to take a quarterback in the draft.

How Flacco and Lock interact in the weeks and months to come will likely determine how well it works for either of them, as well as the Broncos.

“Because I got to start that long [at Missouri], I got to see what a great backup looks like," Lock said.

“... I think I’ll kind of get to realize that, is getting in the film room with [Flacco], getting around him really talking the game of football. Because you don’t win a by not knowing football, that just doesn’t happen, he knows what he’s doing, he’s a great quarterback ... To be able to learn from a guy like that, work on the things I need to work on, who wouldn't like that?"

Film Review: In Noah Fant, the Broncos might have landed their version of By Brandon Thorn The Athletic April 30, 2019

The Broncos entered the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 10th overall selection and had some commonly connected names associated with the pick, such as Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson and Michigan linebacker Devin Bush.

The prevailing thought was that because each of these prospects filled needs and were considered by many to be the top players at their respective positions, one would be the pick.

Bush, in particular, made a lot of sense because of his similar playing style to , who was the ’ ninth overall pick in last year’s draft when Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was the defensive coordinator.

Once Hockenson came off the board at No. 8 to Detroit, it left Bush sitting there at 10 for the taking.

Denver made a surprising decision to not just pass on Bush, but also trade back 10 spots so that the could take him instead. The benefit of the trade was that they only moved back 10 spots, but did it in a draft with a heavy middle class, acquiring the 20th and 52nd overall picks along with a 2020 third-round selection.

The real surprise came later once the Broncos got back on the clock and selected another highly-coveted Iowa tight end in Noah Fant. While Hockenson is more polished and a devastating run-blocker, Fant is no slouch in the running game and brings a rare athleticism in space and in the deep portions of the field as a receiver. This is not only evident on the tape but also in some production numbers. Fant left Iowa after his true junior season as the school’s all-time leader in touchdowns (19) and his quarterback had a 131.2 when targeting him in 2018, good for fifth in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus.

(Side note: This was the first time two tight ends from the same team were picked in the first round in the same draft.)

Fangio recently said that Fant was one of the first players he studied from this draft class and that he came away impressed.

“He brings a speed element to the tight end position that I think will be pretty close to the top of the line,” Fangio said. “He can stretch the defense, run the vertical routes, run the crossing routes, and we expect him to be a good blocker too.”

Speaking more to Fant’s athletic prowess, he wound up measuring in at the 95th or higher percentile in the 40-yard dash, 3-cone, vertical and broad jumps at the NFL combine.

Having an elite athlete at tight end to create mismatches on linebackers and safeties with the ability to do so from a variety of alignments (in-line, H-back, slot, wide) can be an invaluable resource for an offense. This is especially true in the AFC West, where the Chiefs (30th), Raiders (25th) and Chargers (21st) carried three of the bottom 12 worst rankings in yards given up per reception to tight ends in 2018, surrendering 13 (Kansas City), 12.2 (Oakland), and 11.8 (Los Angeles) yards a catch, per Sportradar.

Fant brings an element to the tight end position that Denver has been sorely missing for far too long, and it is one that should be taken full advantage of in new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s offense.

Scangarello is entering his first year as an NFL coordinator in 2019 after spending several seasons being groomed under 49ers head coach as an offensive quality control coach in Atlanta and quarterbacks coach in San Francisco.

Shanahan’s offense is predicated off a zone-based running scheme that places heavy emphasis on play- action and tight end play, evident by the year another former Iowa tight end George Kittle had in 2018. Kittle led the NFL in receiving yards (1,377), 40-plus-yard catches (six, with the next best having just two), and yards per catch (15.6) out of tight ends with at least 35 receptions.

How Kittle’s role in 2018 could be similar to Fant’s in 2019 The 49ers did a great job in 2018 of manufacturing touches for their star tight end from a multitude of differing alignments on routes such as crossers, screens and quick outs, which allowed him to be an athlete in space and rack up an NFL-leading 3.2 average yards-after-catch (YAC) above expectation, per NextGen Stats.

Much like Fant was used at Iowa, Kittle was used in similar ways as a motion man to predetermine whether the defense was in man or zone coverage. This helps an offense gain an edge over the defense, empowering their passing game to dictate terms to the defense with their routes.

Here is an example of Kittle being motioned across the to the slot, exposing safety Derwin James in man coverage. Once this happened, Kittle reversed course to the backfield alongside the quarterback. Not only did this give a tell for the offense, but it also isolated Kittle on James while creating an advantage that helped him find space on an in-breaking route for a first down catch on third- and-6:

Fant was used similarly as a motion man to reveal the coverage and to take advantage of his elite acceleration and ability to change directions. This leaves very little margin for error for any defender who is tasked with mirroring his movements across the line of scrimmage.

Coupled with the defender’s slip in transition and wide angle in pursuit, Fant displays some nuance prior to his release to the with a brief stutter hesitation that holds the defender and increases the difficulty of closing the even more.

After being hired in Denver, Scangarello indicated that the Broncos’ new offense will resemble Shanahan’s scheme in terms of being aggressive in attacking defenses downfield and working to exploit mismatches in the passing game.

“I see an offense that’s willing to take shots, that’s aggressive but is detailed in every way, that takes care of the football, that empowers its players to be the best they can be by putting them in positions to be successful,” he said during his introductory news conference.

Conclusion The Broncos knew heading into the draft that they had to upgrade the tight end position for Scangarello to have his full playbook at his disposal each week. With Fant in the mix, the offense has a player that can assume the Kittle role — someone who is able to thrive off play-action, that can align virtually anywhere due to his blocking competency, operate on all three levels of the field, and make his money stretching the defense in the deep halves both as a receiver and as a decoy, all the while providing a valuable outlet for quarterback Joe Flacco when things break down.

Now it is up to the new coaching staff to not just figure out a way to help him limit the drops but to build concepts that complement his skill set while continuing his development as a route runner so that his unique physical talent is maximized.

Broncos earn high grades from NFL Draft analysts for 2019 class By Staff DenverBroncos.com April 30, 2019

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A The Broncos made a splash in Round 2, selecting a versatile offensive lineman in Risner and a fantastic value in Lock. This pairing could be the team's battery for a decade if Risner lines up inside and the strong-armed Lock allows GM John Elway to move on from Flacco in two years. Jones is a five-technique in the making, at a place where the team needed to add depth.

Doug Farrar, Wire: A John Elway has taken his share of grief for his drafts over the years — especially for his epic misses on quarterbacks — but there’s not a lot to argue with this time around. Trading down with the Steelers and getting Iowa tight end Noah Fant with the No. 20 pick is a huge boon for an offense in need, as Fant is the most athletic receiver at his position in this class. Second-round offensive tackle Dalton Risner out of Kansas State is pro-ready at multiple positions: left tackle, right tackle or a potential move inside. Elway got his traditional big guy/big arm quarterback in Drew Lock of Missouri, but he did it in the second round, which is about where a developmental player like Lock should go. And two later-round defensive picks — Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’mont Jones and Oregon linebacker/pass-rusher/cover man Justin Hollins — should make new head coach and defensive mastermind Vic Fangio very happy.

Andy Benoit, The MMQB: A- The Broncos’ biggest need was interior offensive line, so it would have been interesting to see if the team would have still taken TE Noah Fant at 20 if and were available. In Dalton Risner they still found what’s almost certain to be a Day 1 starter, but at what position? Risner can play anywhere up front, which raises the theoretical question of whether you should put your most talented player at HIS best spot or put your lesser players in comfortable positions and have your best guy fill the weakest remaining spot. If it’s the latter, then Risner’s position will depend on how the Broncos feel about Connor McGovern at center and Elijah Wilkinson at guard.

Mark Maske, The Washington Post: A- John Elway did well by helping his new QB, Joe Flacco, and giving the Broncos a potential replacement for the former Super Bowl MVP. Getting TE Noah Fant in the first round and T Dalton Risner early in the second round boosts Flacco’s chances of success. Elway moved up to stop QB Drew Lock’s draft plummet 10 picks into the second round. It’s a good situation for Lock, but will this work out better than Elway’s other recent attempts to find a long-term solution at QB?

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: A-

Denver made one of the smartest first-round moves by trading back from No. 10 to No. 20. Despite that, the Broncos were still able to land Iowa tight end Noah Fant. He could star in that offense.

The Broncos got a steal with offensive lineman Dalton Risner in the second round. He can play right tackle, either guard spot, or center. He will plug into the line and be so effective you never notice him.

Darryl Slater, NJ.com: A- We think Fant is the best tight end in this draft, and Lock could be a future starter, after Joe Flacco is done (which could be soon).

Mel Kiper, ESPN: B+

All in all, getting two really good players before the player who could be the future quarterback feels like a win for Elway.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: B+ Some will say it's weird even mentioning this, but John Elway had a good draft. I like the move to drop from No. 10 overall to add extra picks. First-round tight end Noah Fant will be a nice weapon and if Lock becomes the long-term starter – which I think he will do – they will have a heck of a draft.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B+ Make that two consecutive sweet drafts for John Elway. Fant, Risner, Lock and Jones address key needs, and the latter three were projected first-rounders at one point. If Lock turns out to be a franchise passer as a second-rounder, then Elway will have redeemed himself and put that bridge-quarterback life behind his team.

Pro Football Focus: Above Average Ohio State’s Dre’Mont Jones is another solid pick for the Broncos. Slotted as the No. 62 overall player in the class, Jones is a solid pass-rusher that can make an impact in a rotation early in his career. No player in the FBS rushed the passer more than Dre’Mont Jones’ 500 snaps this past year; the man simply didn’t come off the field and he still produced a 90.5 pass-rushing grade.

Sacco Sez: A new era, again By Jim Saccomano DenverBroncos.com April 30, 2019

The 2019 NFL Draft is in the books, and so begins a new era for each of the 32 teams.

It was back in 1935 that the NFL adopted future commissioner Bert Bell’s proposal to hold an annual draft of college players, to begin in 1936, with teams to select in an inverse order of finish.

The draft thus began in 1936 with Philadelphia making the first selection, and University of Chicago halfback and winner Jay Berwanger became the first player ever selected.

The Eagles then traded his rights to the Bears, but Berwanger never played pro football.

The first player selected to actually sign was the second-overall pick, Riley Smith of Alabama, who was selected by the Boston Redskins.

This year marks the 84th draft in the 100th year of the NFL.

This is the 60th draft conducted by the Denver Broncos, notable I think not just for the presumed talents of the selected players but for an emphasis on their character.

The Broncos seem to select a lot of guys who are team captains, or who act like they are.

Character seldom fails.

Character with talent always wins.

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe commented on some comparisons between his own athleticism and that of the Broncos' first-round pick, Noah Fant.

No one is placing that level of expectation on Fant, but it certainly never hurts to have someone like Shannon Sharpe make nice comments.

And fair or not, it is always about the quarterbacks in football, at every level.

Joe Flacco checks off all the boxes of quality and accomplishments for the Broncos, but that does not damper the enthusiasm that fans and media have about Drew Lock of Missouri, one of the Broncos' second-round choices.

His present role will clearly be to study and learn from Flacco while competing for the backup role, but fans love nothing in the personnel world as much as a quarterback, never mind two.

Numerous national experts and pundits have praised John Elway and his entire personnel staff for a great draft.

That's very gratifying to see, but John is always the first to say that the proof is in the performance.

The greatest truism of players and performance is that once they walk inside that locker room, you can throw out the past.

It is a new slate.

Never mind the press clippings, praise from agents, size of contract, wardrobe or car.

The NFL is performance based and is a great meritocracy.

But based on everything we have seen up till now, the growth of the NFL Draft from 1936 has been incredible, and the Broncos are deservedly reaping the praise of what looks like a top-rate one in 2019.

Broncos sign K Taylor Bertolet By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com April 30, 2019

The Broncos have signed free-agent kicker Taylor Bertolet, the team announced Monday.

Bertolet, who spent time during the 2018 offseason with the Broncos, played for the of the Alliance of in 2019.

He was 9-of-14 on attempts with the Stallions, including 4-for-7 from over 50 yards. He connected on a long of 54 yards.

While at Texas A&M, Bertolet converted 100 percent of his extra points and 71 percent of his field goals as a senior with the Aggies.

“Drew’s my boy!”: Meet the Broncos’ new bromance By Zac Stevens BSN Denver April 30, 2019

Call ‘em 41 and 42.

For all intents and purposes, Dalton Risner and Drew Lock are the presidents of the Broncos’ 2019 draft class.

Much like the fraternity of the United States Presidents, especially back-to-back ones, the Broncos’ 2019 41 and 42’ will be tied at the hip for eternity.

And they wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Drew’s my boy,” Risner said, talking about his new quarterback.

“I’ve been knowing Drew… It’s not like I just met [him]. He was my quarterback at the Senior Bowl, and by far out of all the quarterbacks there, Drew knew how to control the huddle. He knows how to come in and have confidence and give offensive linemen confidence. He just knows what he is doing.

“When I saw that Drew was coming, I was extremely excited. I also trained out in California with him. I’ve seen Drew around a lot, and I think he’s going to do a really good job.”

Unlike many back-to-back Presidents of the United States, Risner and Lock are on the same team, wearing the same colors and singing each other’s praise from the top of Lookout Mountain.

“What did I learn about the big man over there?” Lock asked, looking over at his future bodyguard, who was also his teammate at the Senior Bowl. “Dalton is a fiery human being. I said that word yesterday on the phone with [Mr.] Elway, which is why I think we’re all going to work out so well. Getting into a huddle with him, really intense, looking at you in your eyes, he’s ready to go.”

But besides the natural mutual admiration for each other, as would be expected for new teammates during their first full day on the job, the similarities are striking—as if they were cut from the same cloth, or perhaps drafted back-to-back.

Both were full-time starters for three years in college.

Both were three-time captains in college.

Both have spent their entire lives in the Colorado-Kansas-Missouri corridor.

And they both have the ideal blue-collar personalities Colorado embraces.

“These are my work boots right here. I’m coming to work today. These are the boots I’m going to be wearing to this complex because I’m showing up here for work,” ‘The Big Man’ said, when someone pointed to the massive pieces of leather draping his feet. “This isn’t vacation. This is work, man. That’s why I wore the work boots.”

Risner’s beat-up, field-worn cowboy boots he was rocking under the pristine grey suit are the same ones he wears out to the corral when he feeds the livestock in Wiggins, Colo., some 82 miles from the UCHealth Training Center.

As the media examined the pieces of art on his feet, he did the same to the media to them, ad comically commented, “I’m not going to show up here with these pretty things. Those things are nice, I like them, but I’m probably not going to show up in something like that. That’s fine, man!”

“That’s just kind of who I am.”

As a second-round pick, Risner certainly could have stopped by Sheplers just off I-25 to snag himself a fresh, clean pair of boots on his way down to his first day on the job. But that’s not his style.

“I don’t know if you can notice, but you can see the creases. You can see the dirt. I’ve worn these suckers for three to four years now,” he said, proudly showing the scuffs and brown residue.

“I don’t know if it’s because I want to get them worn out or if getting size 18 boots are pretty hard to find. Got to go kill a whole cow to get all that leather made. I’ve been having these suckers for a while.”

While not a true cowboy himself, and rocking a pair of dress shoes his new teammate Dalton would scoff at, Drew is also meant to be landlocked.

“Bigger cities on the coast—the New York’s and the Boston’s—he would have flourished there, but I don’t necessarily know he would have been as good of a fit in New York as he is in a Denver, or a Kansas City or a Nashville or Minneapolis,” Lock’s father, Andy, said on Saturday. “That’s kind of right in his wheelhouse.”

The reason for that is he’s a down-to-earth person with a “huge heart,” according to Andy.

“He’s a really caring and loving person and loves people, loves kids, loves being out in the public. Denver is the perfect place for him to continue to evolve as a person. He’ll embrace the city, and he’ll get very involved. Not only will he get involved in the city, I think the city will eventually fall in love with him, as well.”

But, when he steps on the field “to play the sport that he loves,” the loving Lock disappears.

“He also knows how to flip a switch,” his dad, a former ballplayer himself, said with a smirk. “He’s a different person on the field than he is off the field. That’s cool.”

This switch is a staple of who the Broncos drafted.

“I’ve got a little fire behind me,” Drew said, downplaying it vocally, but showing his true feelings with the expression on his face. “You see it in my play a little bit. See it after plays, for sure. I’m going to carry that with me into this league. There’s no reason to stop being like that. I think it gets the guys around you fired up. I think it lets you see the passion that I have in my soul for this game. I’ll definitely keep that coming here.”

As an offensive lineman, Risner’s “nasty” is more outward.

“He loves to talk, loves to get things going, and I’m kind of the same way,” Lock said, describing his new teammate. “We talked about him being chippy, talked about him getting into peoples’ faces, finishing blocks—I’m kind of the same way at quarterback, so I think that’s why we’re going to end up being a good little combo for sure.”

At 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, the Colorado Native often struts around with the largest smile in the room. That smile is left in the locker room, or more likely at home when there’s football to be played.

“Finishing guys on the ground, that is what offensive line is all about,” Risner said, singing a melody to Mike Muncher’s ears. “I think we’ve kind of strayed from that, but old school football offensive line is about getting your hands on someone and driving them and finishing them on the ground, and I take a lot of pride in that.”

“Every time I am out there on the field, I am not out there to make any friends, ” he added. “I am out there to play this game of football, and it is a job, especially now being a professional athlete.”

41 and 42—don’t call ‘em Bush and Clinton—both had the vision every great president’s possessed.

“I knew it was probably a pretty likely chance that I was going to be their No. 1 guy,” Lock said, nailing his prediction as Elway confirmed he was their top-rated quarterback. “I felt really good after I left my top-30 visit here.”

Additionally, Andy had a “really, really good feeling” his son was going to end up with the Broncos—the team the entire Lock family has despised as Chiefs’ fans. Until now.

“I’ve kind of felt this for a while,” Drew’s father said of his premonition. “I really don’t know why that’s the case, but it just seemed like a really natural fit for him. Just a really good organization.”

One potential reason why is the electric connection between Elway and Lock.

When Elway called Lock to deliver the news the Broncos were selecting him on Friday evening, the two sounded like old college pals reconnecting after many years. John exclaimed Drew’s name to start the conversation and Lock shot back, “What’s up John?! What’s going on, baby?!”

“That’s kind of the quarterback deal,” Lock told BSNDenver, explaining the chemistry with his new boss. “You have a mutual respect for anybody that plays the same position as you and has gone through the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be a quarterback. So I feel like that’s where our relationship started.”

John said he’d do “everything we could” to make sure his buddy Drew didn’t slide any further than 42.

But before 42 was 41.

“No matter what, I feel safe the Broncos are at 41,” Risner said, explaining his mindset after he wasn’t drafted in the first round. “No matter how the draft goes. If I go first round, that’s great, but with the Broncos at 41, I felt like they wouldn’t pass on me. I’m so thankful that they didn’t.

Risner not only called his shot on Friday night, but also back in 2013.

“If I could go back now and choose to be a 20th draft pick, or 21st to the Seahawks or whatever it was, I would choose 41 to the Broncos every day,” Risner said, putting a smile on every Bronco fan’s face.

Since 41 and 42 became Broncos, there’s been nothing but smiles in the prospect for the future.

One pressing post-draft question for each of the 32 NFL teams By Mike Jones USA Today April 30, 2019

The 2019 NFL draft is officially in the books. Now the league's 32 teams turn their attention to offseason practices, which will help lay the foundation for training camp and the regular season.

Free agency and the draft should have enabled squads to fill most of their needs. But some have holes here and there, and the stages are set for various position battles.

Here’s a look at the biggest question facing each team as the not-so-quiet offseason continues to hum along.

Arizona Cardinals – Do Kliff Kingsbury and have a chance to succeed early?

Hitting the reset button for the second time in as many years, the Cardinals are high on Kingsbury and Murray. But has general manager Steve Keim done a better job of equipping this rookie coach- quarterback tandem than he did his last?

Atlanta Falcons – Can the ground game get back on track?

The Falcons badly missed running back Devonta Freeman last year. But now he’s healthy and aiming for a return to Pro Bowl form. Free agency and the draft featured investments in the offensive line to make life easier for Matt Ryan.

Baltimore Ravens – Can Lamar Jackson take the next step?

He dazzled with his legs, but his passing game was limited. After promoting Greg Roman to OC and drafting speedster , the Ravens hope they’ve positioned Jackson for a leap.

Buffalo Bills – Will upgrades help take the next step?

The Bills got their quarterback last year, and this offseason also was about upgrading around him. The Bills signed and drafted linemen and added skill position players, including Cole Beasley.

Carolina Panthers – Can make a full recovery?

A bum shoulder hampered Newton last season, and there was some early offseason talk that he might miss time in 2019. However, he’s optimistic that’s not the case. Without him, they won’t contend.

Chicago Bears – Can they avoid a defensive drop-off?

The Bears exceeded expectations under rookie coach . Now they must build on that success and return to the playoffs. Vic Fangio’s defense shouldered a huge load, and now he’s head coach in Denver. Chuck Pagano has big shoes to fill.

Cincinnati Bengals – Can Zac Taylor pull a Sean McVay?

The Bengals hope the 35-year-old can infuse Cincinnati with youthful energy and offensive wizardry like McVay did the Rams. But such turnarounds are rare.

Cleveland Browns – Can Freddie Kitchens guide them forward?

Cleveland followed up a promising finish to 2018 by landing Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt, who must gel with , Jarvis Landry. Can Kitchens manage all the expectations and personalities?

Dallas Cowboys – When will Dak get his extension?

Dak Prescott certainly has earned an extension, and the Cowboys need to get something done to settle the matter before he enters a contract year. Ownership calls this a top priority.

Denver Broncos – Can Joe Flacco direct a revival?

John Elway thinks the 34-year-old from Baltimore can end his QB-acquisition futility streak, and much of the offseason efforts have centered on upgrading Denver’s line. Elway did draft Missouri’s Drew Lock in the second round, but the goal is to slowly groom him.

Detroit Lions – Can Darrell Bevell elevate Matt Stafford’s game?

Year 1 under Matt Patricia disappointed. Hoping to get more out of their big-armed quarterback, the Lions hired Bevell as OC. Danny Amendola and first-round pick T.J. Hockenson could also help.

Green Bay Packers – Can Matt LaFleur get them back on track?

LaFleur is unproven but viewed as a great offensive mind. is a future Hall of Famer but can be difficult. Forming a strong union with Rodgers represents the key to overall success for the rookie coach.

Houston Texans – Can their retooled offensive line gel?

After surrendering 62 sacks, the Texans badly needed an improved line. Two of their first three draft picks were offensive linemen, and they also signed veteran tackle Matt Kalil. Will that produce improved protection for Deshaun Watson?

Indianapolis Colts – Can they continue to ascend?

Year 1 under featured a healthy Andrew Luck leading a late-season charge and playoff appearance. The Colts are banking on to boost the pass and Devin Funchess to help the passing game.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Can Foles continue the magic?

They’ve had the front-runner defense but a deficient offense. Now they’ve landed and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, his position coach in Philly. But do they have the right pass- catchers to help Foles succeed?

Kansas City Chiefs – What happens to ?

An audio file that allegedly captured the threatening physical harm to his fiancée and discussing abuse to his son could end his time in KC. The Chiefs have banned him from team activities. So far, the league hasn’t taken any action.

Los Angeles Chargers – Is their defense improved?

Inconsistencies on this side of the kept an impressive Year 2 under (12-4) from being even better. Free agency and the draft focuses centered on fortifying the defensive ranks.

Los Angeles Rams – Can they rebound from the Super Bowl defeat?

They’ve impressed in his first two years, but Sean McVay and Co. suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl. McVay must help Todd Gurley get his groove back while the coach also ensures a talented roster remains hungry.

Miami Dolphins – What’s the plan for ?

The 2018 first-rounder has talent, just needs time and supporting talent to develop. ’s presence should afford him some time. But Fitzmagic always turns Fitztragic quickly. Rosen will get his shot before you know it.

Minnesota Vikings – Will Year 2 bring a return on the Cousins investment?

The Vikings thought Kirk Cousins would make them Super Bowl contenders. But Year 1 disappointed. We’ll see if improved comfort with his weapons and offseason additions lead to greater effectiveness from Cousins.

New England Patriots – How do they replace Gronk?

There’s a massive on the roster with tight end retired. They didn’t draft a tight end, but did use their first-round pick on big-target wideout N'Keal Harry. Will ’s magic ensure the offense doesn’t skip a beat?

New Orleans Saints – Can they rebound from the NFC Championship devastation?

How resilient is this squad? The blown call that cost them a trip to the Super Bowl still looms large. shows no drop-off in his game, but he and Sean Payton’s leadership matters now more than ever.

New York Giants – Are they right on Eli?

Despite signs of deterioration, Giants brass still believes has it. He’d better, because Daniel Jones will need time to develop. Losing OBJ won’t help.

New York Jets – Will their aggressive offseason help Darnold thrive?

Out is Todd Bowles, in is Adam Gase. His top task: helping take the next step. The Jets gave their young quarterback a great weapon in Le’Veon Bell and also worked to upgrade their defense.

Oakland Raiders – Can Jon Gruden put it all together in Year 2?

The coach continued his dramatic overhaul this offseason (enlisting ’s services to help), adding Antonio Brown and loading up on some interesting draft picks (three first-rounders, some of which feel like reaches). Scrutiny will continue until wins come.

Philadelphia Eagles – Can get – and stay – healthy?

Two weeks ago when asked about the stress fracture in his back, Wentz said, “It’s getting there,” but there isn’t a firm timetable for his return. Foles is gone. So the Eagles need Wentz, who has suffered season ending injuries in each of the last two years, to get and stay healthy.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Can Tomlin restore order?

The usually stable franchise showed cracks in the foundation as Brown and Le’Veon Bell soured on the franchise and criticized both and coach Mike Tomlin’s leadership, and Pittsburgh missed the playoffs. The Steelers showed commitment to Roethlisberger, inking him to an extension. The coach must squash seeds of dysfunction and get things back on track.

San Francisco 49ers – How quickly will Jimmy G. return?

After spending the bulk of the season recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL, the quarterback is now easing his way back in during offseason workouts. The same goes for lead running back Jerick McKinnon. When healthy, these two will lead a potentially explosive offense and a 49ers roster that officials have worked to aggressively upgrade.

Seattle Seahawks – Is Doug Baldwin indeed done?

The Pro Bowl wideout is considering retirement while struggling to recover from multiple injuries. That leaves an already thin receiving unit with one less play-maker. Seattle drafted combine star D.K. Metcalf in the second round, so he could help fill the void.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Can Bruce Arians fix ?

This is likely the last shot in Tampa for the 2015 first overall pick. Winston has a big arm, but he’s wildly inconsistent. The Bucs are counting on Arians’ quarterback expertise to give them the best chance of helping Winston clean up in his game.

Tennessee Titans – Is this Mariota’s last shot?

The second pick of the 2015 draft, Marcus Mariota also has yet to live up to his potential. Injuries and instability (he’s now on his fourth offensive coordinator) have hampered his development. The Titans acquired from Miami, intensifying the pressure.

Washington Redskins – What’s the plan at quarterback?

Dwayne Haskins fell into Washington’s lap. They also acquired from Denver. Haskins is viewed as a project and might not start Day 1. Much will hinge on how quickly he learns this offseason.

Chiefs owner 's actions speak louder than words when it comes to domestic abuse and violence By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com April 30, 2019

Clark Hunt has a problem.

He has an abuse problem. He has a domestic violence problem. He has a culture problem. He has a leadership problem.

It's not the Kansas City Chiefs. It's Hunt.

When it comes to the sordid, horrible, disgusting string of events that have haunted this franchise since Dec. 1, 2012 – when linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his 22-year old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, and then shot himself in the head in the team's parking lot – to the present, when the Chiefs held a press conference Friday to introduce a recently-acquired player who was arrested for domestic violence in college (Frank Clark) one day after the chilling audio was released strongly implicating receiver Tryeek Hill in the extreme abuse of his 3-year-old child – look no further than the owner of the team.

On matters such as this, there is no "team." There is no "Kansas City Chiefs." There is one individual who pays everyone else and decides who stays and who goes, and when they get kicked out. In the last six- plus years, coaches and general managers and front office executives have come and gone. Hunt is the constant. He is the authority. And he has not come close to showing an ability to steward his franchise with a modicum of class or sensitivity when it comes to domestic violence and abuse.

Hunt oversaw the decision to play football one day after Belcher's murder/suicide. He oversaw the drafting of Hill – a player many of his peers refused to include on their draft boards because of Hill's sentencing for a heinous assault of his pregnant girlfriend, Crystal Espinal, in college, that police say included hitting her in the face, choking her and punching her in the stomach. Hunt oversaw the team's inquiry into Kareem Hunt's assault of a female last offseason and the subsequent decision to allow him to practice and play as normal as the NFL botched another "investigation" into the assault of a woman.

Hunt oversaw the decision to allow Hill to report for offseason work despite the ongoing investigation into his role in the assault of a 3-year old. Hunt oversaw the mealy-mouthed press releases pledging how "deeply disturbed" the organization is about all of this, while the authorities said they believed a crime was committed by one of the parents and removed this child from Hill's custody. Hunt oversaw the decision to send Hill home indefinitely, but not release him, after audio was released on Thursday of the receiver making threats to Espinal and admitting to routinely punching that 3-year old and of a child saying "daddy did it" and despite Hill being denied even supervised visitation with his son.

When the District Attorney's office announced it was re-opening its investigation of Hill following the release of those tapes, Hunt did nothing. He signed off on a press conference welcoming Clark, who was prosecuted on domestic violence charges in 2014, to Kansas City on Friday, but didn't bother to sit up there and actually take any questions himself, allowing coach Andy Reid and general manager to try to deflect inevitable questions about Hill's situation. And then Hunt seemingly focused on the more important business of the NFL draft, and now another week begins with his franchise embroiled in an ongoing debacle.

One might think that a crime as extreme as what Belcher, a player with no history of prior violence, perpetrated would lead to take a stronger position on domestic abuse. One would expect that some tangible changes in the workplace would be enacted by those in charge, and that any inference of previous history of abuse might be a disqualifier for working for the Kansas City Chiefs. Perhaps, out of a calling of sorts, but, at the very least, for the sake of public relations and brand savviness.

Hunt, repeatedly, has opted to go in the opposite direction. It's truly appalling when you think about it. A zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence would have been the expectation long before now, yet the Chiefs take as many character risks as any organization in football and it goes way beyond former general manager John Dorsey. It runs much deeper than that. No one could blame Hunt for what these men have done, but the fact it keeps happening in this locker room is beyond a coincidence now. Hunt's franchise hasn't shunned known abusers; it has embraced them and stood by them and been willing to pay them over and over again.

Sure, the owner eventually cut Kareem Hunt, but only after video of the star kicking a woman in the hallway outside of his apartment was released, and even then not merely for the act itself, but because "Kareem was not truthful" to Chiefs management about his actions, the owner said in a statement at the time. And not a thing changed since then. According to the league's own media arm, Hunt was going to pull out his checkbook for a record-setting extension for Hill prior to him being investigated for another assault. And four months after releasing Hunt, the owner, desperate for pass rush, gave Clark, whose interactions with a female reporter on just two years ago drew national attention for all the wrong reasons, over $60M in guarantees at the very moment Hill's actions were still being sorted out by the law. He couldn't even bother to wait until there was closure or certainty with Hill.

This is what owners who are "deeply disturbed" about domestic violence and child abuse do? Really? In the aftermath of the Belcher's grizzly acts, these are the lessons learned? This falls at Hunt's desk. These are his calls to make. And he has failed. Miserably. Consistently.

Say what you want about the way the Ravens handled the situation overall (and the Ravens botched most of it, badly, including owner Steve Bisciotti's press conference), but at the very least, in the aftermath of that video surfacing, the team has avoided players who have any known history of domestic abuse. In Baltimore, and several other franchises, in a post-Ray Rice NFL, it became much more difficult to bring such players into their building.

In Kansas City, despite a murder/suicide at the team facility, that is not the case. Once Hill is eventually released – even for Hunt, that seems inevitable by any measure – after being placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List or whatever mechanism the NFL applies, Hunt and the league will move on.

I'm probably not the only one dismayed by how Roger Goodell and the NFL continue to address these matters, basically ignoring Hill's situation over the weekend until after the draft, lest those distractions get in the way of that huge party in Nashville. We already know the NFL is adrift in trying to investigate and adjudicate these cases, from Greg Hardy to Ray Rice to to Josh Brown to Zeke Elliott to Kareem Hunt to Hill. So hiding behind the league office and waiting for Park Avenue to sort it out will do you no favors, and it's not a salient excuse. And, I'm sorry, but TMZ isn't going to secure video evidence of every high-profile NFL assault case, lest that be the threshold for real action. So your guess is as good as mine as to where Hunt goes from here. Trying to enact some sort of tough talk or zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence even after Hill's departure seems implausible, given the financial commitment he literally just made to Clark. Whenever he does take questions next – one would assume after Hill is released – selling anyone that the Chiefs are suddenly tough on abusers seems impossible to me. Taking known criminals off the draft board might be the very least they can do moving forward. Getting away from a win-at-all-costs mentality might make some sense as part of an inward-thinking reboot.

But save that "deeply disturbed" stuff. What's deeply disturbing is how Hunt has responded to these issues since 2012. Actions speak louder than words in the face of repeated crisis. And Hunt's recent silence is even more damning than the hollow words in his press release.

Broncos sign Taylor Bertolet By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk April 30, 2019

The Broncos signed kicker Taylor Bertolet on Monday.

Bertolet, 26, played for the Salt Lake City Stallions in the Alliance of American Football, making 8-of-14 field goals with a long of 54 as well as two 53-yarders.

He gets his second chance to make the Broncos’ roster.

Denver cut him last May 1 after he spent two months with the team.

The former Texas A&M kicker signed with the Rams in 2016 after going undrafted. He went to training camp with the Jets last summer.

Bertolet has never kicked in a regular-season game.