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Home , Blake Bortles, Brian Gutekunst, Daylon Mack, Jared Veldheer, Kareem Jackson, Kevin Mawae

Do , Ju’Wuan James and make the Broncos better? By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post March 13, 2019

Fifteen things about the first two days of the NFL’s free agent negotiating period:

1. The “legal tampering” window should be abolished. First, the name is stupid. Second, it serves no purpose. The league should announce the date and time when signings and trades can be executed and every team can start from there. No negotiating window. No players potentially backing out on verbal agreements (like Anthony Barr did Tuesday, returning to Minnesota after committing to the Jets). No having to talk about “intends to sign with,” “agree to terms,” and other mumbo jumbo.

2. Did the Broncos get better by trading for Joe Flacco and agreeing to terms with right Ju’Wuan James and /safety Kareem Jackson? Easy question. Tough answer.

3. The Broncos did upgrade at quarterback — we’ve made that clear. They definitely got better at No. 2 cornerback (Jackson instead of ). Right tackle is a tough one. When healthy, Jared Veldheer was more than serviceable. But in making James the league’s highest-paid right tackle (four years, $51 million), is expecting improvement for at least the next three years.

4. OK, the Broncos are better at three positions. But does that move them up a rung into the AFC West and into wild-card contention? Not yet. Unless something develops out of thin air, they’re waiting to address tight until the draft and should also add a cornerback, a cover linebacker, a safety and multiple offensive linemen.

5. About the offensive line: James (right tackle), Ron Leary (left guard) and (left tackle) are locked in. The Broncos made the correct decision in letting center Matt Paradis leave for Carolina. He has had three major injuries — surgeries on both hips after the 2016 season and a broken leg last year. Buyer beware. Connor McGovern finished 2018 as the center but had issues with his shotgun snaps. At right guard, converted tackle finished the year there. The draft will be critical.

6. The Broncos lost guard/tackle Billy Turner to the for a reported four-year $28 million deal. The Packers are taking a risk if they want Turner to play right tackle. Last year for the Broncos, per the Denver Post’s game charting, he played better at right guard. We booked him for 18 1/2 “disruptions” in pass protection (including 3 1/2 sacks) and 13 1/2 “bad run” plays (gain of three or fewer yards). His two poorest games were at right tackle – two sacks allowed against the Jets and 1 1/2 sacks by Kansas City.

7. Roby became the latest Broncos first-round pick to depart, agreeing to a one-year contract with the . We were underwhelmed watching Roby play in 2018. We booked him for 10 missed tackles, eight completions of at least 20 yards and six . A wise decision by Elway to move on from Roby.

8. So much for the depth of the safety market bringing down the prices. ($14 million average with ), Tyrann Mathieu ($14 million with Kansas City) and ($9 million with Green Bay) hit the jackpot. Even recently released got a $7.33 million average with Houston. Mathieu joining the Chiefs merits an A-plus grade for general manager . Mathieu will be trouble twice a year for the Broncos.

9. Teams that will sign at least two free agents to multi-year contracts averaging at least $10 million: The Broncos (James/Jackson), Green Bay ( Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith) and Oakland (left tackle Trent Brown and safety ).

10. The league executive we spoke to last week hit guard Rodger Saffold’s average salary on the head — $11 million average (four years, $44 million) to join the . As of Tuesday afternoon, the guard market was tepid, teams likely unimpressed by the available players and confident they can find good players in the draft.

11. For years under general manager , the Green Bay Packers were mostly free agent spectators, adhering to a draft-develop-and-keep strategy. But in his second cycle, is spending. Wednesday, the Packers are expected to lock up Turner, Amos, Preston Smith (four years, $52 million) and Za’Darius Smith (four years, $66 million).

12. Quarterback joining Jacksonville was assumed for several weeks. But at four years and $88 million (franchise-record $50 million guaranteed)? Puzzling. The Jaguars were basically bidding against themselves. We thought a two-year, $40 million deal made sense because it meant they could consider a quarterback with the seventh overall pick. Not now.

13. We ranked the top 25 available players Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, the remaining players available were safety (No. 3), Le’Veon Bell (No. 4), cornerback (No. 13), receiver Golden Tate (No. 15), receiver Tyrell Williams (No. 16), linebacker K.J. Wright (No. 20), cornerback (No. 21), cornerback (No. 23) and Ziggy Ansah (No. 24). We had Jackson and James rated Nos. 18-19.

14. It’s a good year to be a . Jesse James (Pittsburgh to ), Tyler Kroft (Cincinnati to Buffalo) and C.J. Uzomah (stayed in Cincinnati) will sign deals averaging at least $6 million a year.

15. The signing and trading period begins Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Denver Broncos to play in Pro Football Hall of Fame Game By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post March 13, 2019

What was expected for more than a month became official Tuesday when the Broncos announced they will play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game ahead of the induction of owner and cornerback .

The Broncos will face the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio. The Broncos will play five preseason games.

In a statement, Broncos coach said: “Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we’ll use to our advantage.”

The Broncos will be allowed to report to training camp two weeks ahead of the game.

The Broncos will play in the Hall of Fame Game for the fourth time and the first time since 2004, when it lost to Washington 20-17 in a weekend that included the induction of quarterback John Elway.

Tickets for the game and the induction ceremony go on sale Friday at 8 a.m. at profootballhof.com/tickets.

Hall of Fame president Baker says Broncos playing in HOF game was nod to Pat Bowlen By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 13, 2019

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has sent an invitation to Broncos fans.

Come on in. Take over our fair city of Canton, Ohio come the first weekend of August.

“We are inviting them to be our honored guests for something that is incredibly special,’’ Hall of Fame president David Baker said in a phone interview with 9News. “Not only for the Broncos, and for Champ Bailey, but especially for Pat Bowlen.’’

Bowlen, the Broncos’ owner since 1984, and Bailey, the team’s standout cornerback for 10 seasons, already had their dates set in Canton – Friday, August 2 for the Gold Jacket ceremony and Saturday, August 3 for their formal induction into the Hall of Fame class of 2019.

Now add what had been expected since Bowlen was elected as a contributor on February 2: The Pro Football Hall of Fame announcing Tuesday his Broncos will kick off enshrinement weekend by playing in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday night, Aug. 1., against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I think the greatness of a man like Pat Bowlen and his contributions is clearly league-wide, it’s national,’’ Baker said. “But to me, Pat Bowlen is synonymous not just with the Broncos and the NFL, but with that city.’’

Baker then cited examples of how a team catapult a city. turned Green Bay into Titletown, USA. Steel plants were closing in Pittsburgh but then came Mean , the Immaculate Reception and four wins in the late-1970s.

“All of the sudden Pittsburgh reinvents itself as this wonderful city of art and technology,’’ Baker said.

San Francisco was a culturally divided city and then 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. hired Bill Walsh and drafted and the city bonded together in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Dallas went through a horrible recession and then the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the early 1990s.

Then there is what the Saints meant to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. and Sean Payton helped make the music play again.

“Hope is a powerful economic tool,’’ Baker said. “And I think Pat Bowlen made the people of Denver feel like they were winners, they were champions. Six Super Bowls, winning three -- there are special cities that are so identified with the NFL that you can’t imagine them without that team. Denver is one of those teams.

“And I know you have a great baseball team and a basketball team and a hockey team there. But, respectfully, every time I pass through, it’s a football town.''

The Hall of Fame game will be added to the Broncos’ preseason schedule that will eventually include four other games. The HOF game will make five. In recent years, teams have not come close to playing their 22 starters in the Hall of Fame game, but that’s not the point.

What is the point of preseason games, again? Anyway, this will be the Broncos’ fourth Hall of Fame game appearance. Their first was in 1976 – the first of seven – count ‘em, seven – preseason games the Broncos played that year.

The Broncos behind starting quarterback Steve Ramsey (5 of 6, 66 yards), running back Jon Keyworth (1- yard run) and kicker Jim Turner (47-yard field goal) beat the , 10-7 before a gathering of 17,639 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.

It’s where former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels and current Broncos administrator Mark Thewes played their high school home games. Fawcett has since been remodeled and renamed Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Based on their roster as it’s presently constructed, the Broncos’ probably starting quarterback on Aug. 1 would not be starter Joe Flacco, but backup Kevin Hogan with No. 3 QB Garrett Grayson getting plenty of reps in reserve.

In 1976, only three men were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Packers fullback ; ’ split end and defensive end and Washington Redskins/New York Yankees coach .

The Broncos also played in the HOF game in 1991 – when was the headliner in a class that also included offensive tackle John Hannah and former Bears linebacker and Broncos defensive line coach Stan Jones – and 2004, when John Elway and shared top billing.

Elway will return this year as the Broncos’ general manager.

“And then you have the partnership with John (Elway) that Pat had,’’ Baker said. “The concept of “This One’s for John!’’ and “This One’s for Pat.’

“Well, this enshrinement is going to be for Pat. And it’s going to bring him into the Hall of Fame with John Elway. I felt from the beginning that this was going to be very special not just for the organization, and not just for the family, but that entire city.’’

Roby leaves Broncos, bypasses Steelers to take 'prove it' deal with Texans By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 13, 2019

Bradley Roby admitted his “contract” year with the Broncos didn’t go as hoped.

He so much believes he could have played better as the Broncos’ No. 2 cornerback in 2018 that he’s willing to go through it again in 2019. Only this time with the Houston Texans.

The now-former Broncos cornerback agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Texans on Tuesday, turning down a three-year deal with the that was worth a tad more than $30 million.

Save hundreds and get great benefits with a Bright Health Medicare plan. Ad by Bright Health See More “It’s a prove-it deal, but I’d rather go back in the market and try to get that long one while I’m still young,’’ Roby said in a phone interview Tuesday with 9News. “It was tough to not take that deal from the Steelers for security, but I’m seeing guys getting paid something crazy. I know I should be getting paid that, but I didn’t have the best year last year.’’

He said he was also offered a one-year, $9 million deal by San Francisco and Cleveland was in on him strong for a while, before backing off. The Broncos?

"Nah, they tried to word it nice, but they didn’t offer,’’ he said. “They were talking about it. They said they wanted to wait to hear what I was worth and then try to counter, but they didn’t. They got the guy they wanted (Kareem Jackson).’’

Roby was the Broncos’ first-round draft pick, No. 31 overall, out of Ohio State in the 2014 draft. He immediately became the Broncos’ No. 3 cornerback behind and Chris Harris Jr. – a role he held for four years until Roby was given a chance to step up and replace the traded Talib in 2018.

His best years were in 2015-16 – the height of Broncos’ vaunted No Fly Zone secondary, as dubbed by Harris. In the Broncos’ season of 2015, Roby had a pivotal scoop-and-score of a Jamal Charles to pull out a season-changing win against the at Arrowhead Stadium. He also had a key punchout of the ball against Steelers’ running back Fitzgerald Toussaint in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ second-round playoff game and the Steelers ahead. DeMarcus Ware recovered the Roby-forced fumble and the Broncos went down for a go-ahead score to win.

The next season, Roby had two, 51-yard pick sixes – one off the Chargers’ , the other off the Jaguars’ – that led to wins. But the Broncos failed to make the playoffs in 2016 and fell off drastically in 2017-18.

Roby was inconsistent last season, struggling mightily in a loss against the , although he did bounce back to play well in the final weeks of his fifth season in Denver.

“I enjoyed it,’’ Roby said. “I'm glad they reached out and got me in the draft and believed in me. I believed I helped us win the Super Bowl. When I came out we had lost the Super Bowl (to end the 2013 season), and they didn’t have a secondary.

“I came. Talib came. I made some plays. So I definitely think I was there to help win the Super Bowl. We didn't have the best years after that, but I enjoyed it. I'm going to miss the fans, I'll miss Mile High, I’ll miss the city.

“But it's a business. Denver, they didn't want me, they wanted someone else. So, keep moving.’’

Matt Paradis to get $9 million a year with Carolina, which is what Broncos offered him last year By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 13, 2019

In each of their two previous years, the Broncos had signed their priority restricted free agents to contract extensions before the season’s start.

The team set out last July with hopes Matt Paradis would make it three in a row.

Like inside linebacker in 2016 and kicker Brandon McManus in 2017, the Broncos in 2018 had placed a second-round tender on Paradis, who had not missed a snap while mostly playing at a high level the previous three seasons, even if he was never a selection.

According to multiple sources, the Broncos opened negotiations just before the start of training camp in late-July with a multiyear offer that averaged $9 million a year. That would have tied Paradis as the league’s fifth-highest paid center.

Paradis’ agent set the sights on becoming the league’s highest-paid center, which at the time was Tampa Bay’s Ryan Jensen (who hails from Fort Morgan) at $10.5 million per year.

Paradis’ agent countered at $13.5 million per year with the hope of eventually settling for something around $11 million – which would have eclipsed Jensen for No. 1.

For whatever reason, there was no more negotiation or compromise.

Play out the season and Paradis no doubt would have become the highest-paid center. Mitch Morse, who was considered a tick below Paradis on most scouting reports, agreed to a four-year deal Monday with Buffalo for an average of $11.125 million a year. He’s the league’s new highest-paid center.

The Broncos’ offer may have been a low compared to the ever-escalating free-market value, but in return they were offering a full year’s security against injury. What price security against injury in the game of football?

Unfortunately for Paradis, in game 9 against Houston last November he suffered a fractured fibula near the ankle that ended his season. Surgery inserted a plate and screws to repair the break and though he says he’s way ahead of schedule and will be full go for the start of training camp, the Broncos were leery.

History reminded them of how former offensive linemen J.D. Walton and Chris Kuper – who is now the Broncos’ assistant offensive line coach – were never the same after their ankle injuries. And the previous year, Paradis had surgeries on both hips, although he never missed a snap because of it.

The Broncos wanted Paradis back in 2019, but only on a one-year contract. Paradis instead reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year, $27 million deal with the (there are also two voidable years after 2021 that are window dressing for possible compensatory pick purposes).

That Paradis got the same $9 million-a-year average the Broncos initially offered last August left both sides feeling justified. For the Broncos, it proves their offer in August was more than fair in return for security against injury. For Paradis and his agent, getting a deal worth $9 million a year coming off a busted ankle proves $9 million a year when he was healthy wasn’t their market.

Paradis is no longer a Bronco. A day after reaching agreements on big contracts with right tackle Ja’Wuan James and cornerback/safety Kareem Jackson, the Broncos lost Paradis, offensive guard-tackle Billy Turner and cornerback Bradley Roby through the same free-agent stream.

And so it goes in the business of the NFL.

The Broncos did try to sign Turner – they promised to up their previous offer before the free-agent negotiating period opened at 10 a.m. Monday. But a few hours later, Turner had a $7 million-a-year deal with the Green Bay Packers pretty much in place. The Broncos were told Turner was going in a different direction.

The Broncos plunged forward and signed James with a four-year, $51 contract that made him the league’s highest-paid right tackle. It’s unlikely the Broncos would have had enough spending budget to sign both Turner and James.

After all that, here is the Broncos’ offensive line if they had to line up today:

Garett Bolles, left tackle; Ron Leary, left guard; Connor McGovern, who started the final seven games in Paradis’ place last year, center; Elijah Wilkinson, right guard with competition from Sam Jones, the former Highlands Ranch star who was a 6th-round rookie last year; and Ja’Wuan James, right tackle.

Mike Munchak is their new offensive line coach. There are still good blockers at comparatively budge prices to be had in free agent. And the NFL Draft is six weeks away.

Maybe, the Broncos’ offensive line will be much improved this year. All that is known for certain is that it’ll be different.

Former Bronco Billy Turner agrees to four-year deal with Packers By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 13, 2019

Billy Turner, who started 11 games for the in 2018, is headed to Green Bay.

The versatile offensive lineman agreed Tuesday to a four-year, $28 million deal (worth up to $29.5 million) with the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN.

Turner, 27, was drafted in the third round by the in 2014 and was also on the Ravens for a short time. The lineman spent two seasons with Denver.

Turner had four starts at right tackle and seven starts at left guard for Denver in 2018.

9NEWS Broncos Insider Mike Klis says the Broncos tried hard to bring back Turner, but couldn't get it done.

Denver Broncos, John Elway still have lots of players to acquire By Woody Paige Colorado Springs Gazette March 13, 2019

The Broncos tackled one of their vital issues — offensive tackle — and cornered another conundrum — cornerback — and confronted the quarterback quandary. But is this the fast fix to the team’s troubles?

Not hardly. A plethora of player personnel problems still must be resolved.

The acquisition of The J.F.K. Trio of Ju’Wuan James, Joe Flacco and Kareem Jackson is a start, and all three will be upgrade starters, but the needs are much more.

John Elway, Ol’ No. 7, must address 7 positions during free agency and the draft.

Who’s going to be No. 1 at center, right guard, tight end, nose tackle, inside linebacker, nickel back and strong safety?

Who’s going to be the backup at quarterback and the reserves on the offensive line, at tight end, in the receiving corps, on the defensive line, among the outside and inside linebackers and in the secondary?

Who are these guys: Khalfani Muhammad, Fred “Downtown’’ Brown, Austin “The Great Dane’’ Schlottman, Andreas “Not My Fault’’ Knappe and Horace “Greeley’’ Richardson?

They currently are on the Broncos’ roster. Each signed a futures contract, but do they have one?

Currently not on the roster are 15 players who were first or second on the Broncos’ depth chart during the 2018 season.

The Dukester just added $147 million in contracts — $63 mil for Joe, $51 million for James and $33 million for Jackson. That’s a lot of Jacksons (20-dollar bills) that the Bowlen Family Trust reacts to with a big gulp.

The Broncos don’t have substantial wiggle allocations left under the salary cap. Now they are shopping at Dollar Tree for bargains. I have a feeling they will attempt to bring back free agents Zach Kerr, , Matt LaCosse and Domata Peko — all who are unsigned by others. Matt Paradis dismissed the Broncos’ proposal and agreed to three years, $27 million with the Panthers.

If the Broncos draft the Penn State center, they would have two players at the position who are named Connor McGovern? Or the elder Connor McGovern could move back to guard, and they’d play alongside each other. Confused already?

The Broncos’ draft next month must be even grander than last year’s. Nine of those 10 rookies made the roster. David Williams was signed to the practice squad, but later was grabbed by the Jaguars. Six — , , , Isaac Yiadom, and DaeSean Hamilton — were serious contributors. Keishawn “Yogi” Bierria was a special teams participant in all 16 games, and Highlands Ranch’s Own Sam Jones played in five.

This time The Elway Way will have nine selections, beginning with No. 10 overall.

The Broncos obviously should pick an inside linebacker who can make an impact immediately. LSU’s Devin White will be first chosen, and likely won’t last to the Broncos after an exceptional NFL Combine, with a best, among linebackers, 4.42 40-yard dash. The Broncos might get the other Devin — Devin Bush of Michigan — in the second round.

Other areas that will be addressed are nose tackle, , defensive end, outside linebacker, tight end and, despite the presence of James and Jackson, offensive line and cornerback.

Yet, the Broncos have met with more tight ends (seven) than players from other positions. They usually draft one from the Big Ten, but from Texas A&M is a person of interest at Dove Valley. Another legitimate Aggies’ prospect for the Broncos is nose tackle Daylon Mack. The Broncos have interviewed both.

Guard Chris Lindstrom of Boston College would be a special selection for the Broncos in the second round, and (not related to either Brandon) is an athlete for the third choice. He will play corner or safety in the NFL. The Broncos care for Kansas State tackle , and they should consider offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh of Elon. He has name and upside value.

Jakobi Meyers, a converted QB, is a receiver the Broncos could choose in a later round, and Wyoming safety Andrew Wingard, a John Lynch clone, and can be a special special teams player for the sixth- seventh round. And Chase Hansen is an outside linebacker-safety. The Broncos adore players from Utah.

Finally, but first, the Broncos should draft No. 10. He could spend a year developing and become the Broncos’ best young quarterback since a fellow named Elway. No problem.

Source: Center Paradis to sign with Panthers By David Newton & Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 13, 2019

The Carolina Panthers checked several boxes on Tuesday by reaching an agreement on a three-year deal with former Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis to replace retired five-time Pro Bowl selection Ryan Kalil.

The deal is worth $27 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Coach recently said at the NFL combine that protecting quarterback and providing a strong leader on the offensive line was a key offseason need.

He got that in the 29-year-old Paradis.

Paradis was one of the surest things in the league -- playing all 3,606 offensive snaps for the Denver Broncos since the start of the 2015 season -- until suffering a fractured fibula this past season. He had surgery to repair the fracture as well as some ligament damage, but both he and the Broncos, who wanted to keep the 29-year-old center, have consistently said he'd be ready for the 2019 season.

In addition to his durability, Paradis also is known for his toughness. His streak of consecutive snaps included the 2017 season, when Paradis played every snap after offseason surgery on both hips.

Paradis, a sixth-round pick (207th overall) in the 2014 draft, wasn't offering any discounts after waiting for free agency longer than many of his peers in that draft and performing at a higher level than most.

The Broncos somewhat inexplicably kept Paradis on the practice squad during his rookie season despite performing well enough in offseason workouts and training camp to deserve at least a backup spot on the 53-man roster.

Paradis is also one of the few players in the league who played eight-man football as a prep player. He was 's 1A Player of the Year as a senior at Council High School and was switched to center from the defensive line just before the start of his sophomore year at Boise State.

Ex-Broncos CB Roby to sign deal with Texans By Staff + Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 13, 2019

Former Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby told 9News in Denver that he intends to sign a one-year, $10 million contract with the Houston Texans.

He told 9News that he turned down a three-year offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers and a one-year offer with the .

"It's a prove-it deal," he told 9News. "I feel like I should go back in [the market] while I'm still young."

He will replace cornerback Kevin Johnson, who was released by the team and signed with the this week. The Texans also will lose safety/cornerback Kareem Jackson, who intends to sign a three- year contract with the Broncos.

The 26-year-old Roby, a key rotational piece in the Broncos' "No Fly Zone" secondary for his first four seasons in the league, saw his opportunity as a starter unravel a bit this past season.

His 50 tackles this past season were the second-highest total of his career, but Roby battled consistency issues for much of the season. The peak of the difficulties might have come in a Week 5 loss when three New York Jets touchdowns -- two passing, one rushing -- came largely at the expense of Roby, a first- round pick (31st overall) in 2014.

The Broncos consistently treated Roby as if he were a starter in the nickel and dime packages over his first four seasons with the team. The team thought so much of his work that it traded Aqib Talib before the 2018 season, believing Roby was ready to start in Talib's spot opposite Chris Harris Jr.

Roby played better in the second half of the 2018 season, but his effort was publicly questioned by then- ESPN analyst Jason Witten in the closing minutes of a Christmas Eve Monday night loss to the Oakland Raiders.

After a Raiders running play, Witten singled out Roby on a replay, saying "you never quit in the NFL," and added that coach should pull Roby from the game. Both Roby and Joseph disputed the characterization.

"For him to characterize me as a quitter, quitting on my team, I feel like that's the most disrespectful thing you can say in a team sport," Roby said at the time. "... It was really a mistake. I thought the play was over; I was wrong. But for him to say that, it just made me mad."

Roby has had achievements and moments in his young career that many personnel executives say show a great deal of potential. Among them: making 64 tackles as a rookie, scoring two touchdowns in 2016 and having seven career forced .

Takeaways: A closer look at the Broncos’ free agent additions and losses By Nicki Jhabvala The Athletic March 13, 2019

Hours after adding two new players to their roster, the Broncos then lost three of their own, continuing what is undoubtedly a rebuild in Denver.

Much as they hate to admit it.

According to sources, center Matt Paradis agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with the Panthers that includes $13.5 million guaranteed. Guard/tackle Billy Turner agreed to a four-year, $28 million deal with the Packers that includes a max value of 29.5 million and $11 million in the first year alone. And cornerback Bradley Roby reached an agreement with the Texans on a one-year “prove-it” deal worth $10 million.

The moves, coupled with the two agreements reached Monday with tackle Ja’Wuan James and Kareem Jackson, bring immediate change to Denver, along with a lot of uncertainty.

Some thoughts:

Hoo Boy, that’s a lot of draft picks gone Paradis (sixth round) and Roby (first) were the last two members of the Broncos’ 2014 draft class. If , Jeff Heuerman and follow suit and sign deals elsewhere, the Broncos will have only two players who were drafted before 2016 — and — still on the roster. Think about that: one left from 2011, one from 2012. None from 2013, none from 2014 and none from 2015.

Individually, it could be argued that John Elway was wise to part with many of the players he did, when he did. But the lack of remaining draft capital poses problems in creating continuity — something Elway has stressed quite a bit lately — and developing players for the future. This is especially true at quarterback, but also on the offensive line.

In his eight drafts, Elway has selected 10 offensive linemen. Paradis was undoubtedly the top talent out of the group, working his way up from the practice squad to the starting lineup alongside . Since 2015 and up until he suffered a leg injury in Week 9 last year, Paradis played every offensive snap for the Broncos. That’s 4,078 to be exact.

Tuesday morning before agreeing to his deal with the Panthers, Paradis was a guest on Good Morning Football and he said he was looking for a contract that reflected his level of play and was with a winning team.

The Jets and Broncos were the two other teams in the mix by the end, but Denver, after nearly a year of talks, was unable to come close to Carolina’s offer, according to a source.

Roby’s exit, meanwhile, means the loss of another first-round pick in Denver. That’s four out of eight in the Elway era that are gone or will be gone: Sylvester Williams, Roby, Ray and Paxton Lynch.

The O-line is still missing a lot of pieces The Broncos spent big on an offensive tackle after talks sputtered with Billy Turner. And the investment in James is significant. Regarded as one of the top tackles on the market, James should plug the hole at right tackle that has given the team fits over the years. Throw in ’s arrival, and it’s clear the Broncos have put a lot of star power and money into the line, which has been needed for years. With quarterback Joe Flacco set to take over, bolstering the front five is even more paramount.

But the addition of James will likely be met with four subtractions. Paradis and Turner are gone, and Garcia and Jared Veldheer are free agents. The Broncos did tender exclusive rights free agent Elijah Wilkinson, a young player with the potential for growth under Munchak.

But that leaves them with five holdovers — Bolles, McGovern, Wilkinson, Ron Leary and Sam Jones — and a handful of guys who either didn’t play at all for the Broncos last year or are new — Don Barclay, Andreas Knappe, Austin Schlottman and Nico Falah.

There’s still uncertainty in the secondary Jackson was the Broncos’ top target heading into free agency, according to a source. The cornerback position is one of their greatest needs and after releasing , the safety position became a need too. The question is, though, where will Jackson play? Last season in Houston he started four of his first five games at safety and started the other 12 at corner. Will the Broncos use him as their No. 2 corner behind Chris Harris Jr.? Or will they try him at safety?

The answer will dictate the other pieces they add back there, be it in free agency or the draft. The Broncos currently only have two corners on the roster who played last year for them: Harris and Isaac Yiadom, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. They signed Craig Mager and Horace Richardson late in the season, Linden Stephens was brought back on a futures deal but has yet to play an NFL snap, and Brendan Langley, a former third-round pick, is moving to wide receiver.

How will Jackson’s arrival and Roby’s exit affect Chris Harris’ future? The Broncos picked up the 2019 option for Harris, but the real decision awaits. He’s their No. 1 corner, a four-time Pro Bowler and arguably the top slot corner in the game. And yet he’s essentially playing on a one-year deal with a base salary ($7.8 million) that pales in comparison to the money Jackson will receive as possibly their No. 2 corner.

According to contract details released by The Houston Chronicle, Jackson will get $12 million fully guaranteed in 2019 ($3 million salary, $9 million signing bonus) and $11 million fully guaranteed in 2020. His third year, 2021, is a $10 million option year to be exercised prior to the end of the 2020 league year.

So it’s essentially a two-year, $23 million deal. The question is how, if at all, Jackson’s deal will affect the Broncos’ ability to re-sign Harris. One line of thinking is it could help Harris’ case, considering you can’t have the No. 2 corner making more than the No. 1 corner. And with a new deal for Harris, the Broncos can put more of his first-year money into a signing bonus that will be prorated over the of the deal and lower his cap hit. But the numbers will become significant if, say, ’s $11.4 million average annual salary is Harris’ floor. The Broncos could be looking at a hefty payout for the secondary, which is something they were unwilling to do with Harris, Roby and Talib last year.

The Broncos and Harris’ agent spoke briefly at the NFL Scouting Combine, but no terms or a timetable was discussed for getting something done. Elway said they would try to revisit after the first wave of free agency, and that time may be now.

Grading the move: With Ja’Wuan James, Broncos take another swing at a veteran right tackle By Lindsay Jones The Athletic March 13, 2019

For the fourth consecutive year, the Broncos are acquiring a new veteran starting right tackle. Now they hope Ja’Wuan James can become what Donald Stephenson (free agency 2016), Menelik Watson (free agency 2017) and Jared Veldheer (via trade in 2018) could not and become: the long-term answer at right tackle.

Adding James, the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 2014, is an aggressive move to fill one of the team’s biggest needs on an offensive line that desperately needs stability.

The contract: James has agreed to a four-year contract worth more than $50 million, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, a deal that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle. (Trent Brown, a former right tackle, agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Raiders earlier Monday with the expectation that he’ll play left tackle.)

Why they made the move: As the Broncos overhaul their offense (again) in 2019, under new coordinator Rich Scangarello and new starting quarterback Joe Flacco, the unit that needs to make the biggest improvement is the offensive line. The first step there was hiring offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Step 2 was making an aggressive play for a starting right tackle in free agency, and that’s James, a player the Broncos tried (and failed) to sign last season. The one caveat that could concern Broncos fans about the addition of James: durability has been an issue, as he’s missed 18 games in his four years with the Dolphins because of injury. To get the stability and consistency the Broncos need on the line, James will have to stay healthy.

What it means for the market: Next up for an offensive tackle deal is likely Daryl Williams from Carolina, and James’ deal should provide a decent framework for what Williams could expect. They are the same age (26), and both have some concerning injury history. But the tackle market is thin enough this year that Williams shouldn’t last much longer.

Grade the move: B- I’m cautiously optimistic that James will finally be the right tackle the Broncos have been searching for, and it is encouraging that John Elway knew his team’s biggest needs (cornerback and offensive line) and moved to address them immediately.

Beat writer thoughts: The Broncos have tried to bolster their offensive line with veteran acquisitions for years now, few of which have actually improved the group. They’re taking another big swing with James, making him the highest paid right tackle in the league. It might not be the sexiest move, but it’s certainly a necessary one after the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco and are set to lose four linemen to free agency. – Nicki Jhabvala Grading the move: Broncos find a physical cornerback in Kareem Jackson to fill their biggest need By Lindsay Jones The Athletic March 13, 2019

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that the first signing of the Vic Fangio era in Denver is a defensive back: veteran Kareem Jackson, a former Texan who can play corner and safety.

The only surprise is that Jackson isn’t a former Bear, following Fangio to Denver.

But the Broncos have had to make cornerback a priority this offseason, with very little depth behind Pro Bowler Chris Harris Jr. Signing Jackson is probably just the start at revamping the secondary to fit Fangio’s vision.

The contract: Jackson, 30 on Wednesday, will sign a three-year deal worth $33 million, with $23 million in guarantees.

Why they made the move: Of all the on the free-agent market, Jackson gives the Broncos the most flexibility. He’s played cornerback and safety, so the expectation is he’ll start at corner, opposite Harris, but could move around the formation depending on the Broncos’ defensive package. His signing should not preclude the Broncos’ drafting a cornerback with the No. 10 pick, given how much Fangio will have his nickel defense on the field. But perhaps even more than his position versatility, the Broncos will love his toughness. He’s a strong tackler and a physical corner who should fit in well with Harris, who plays a similar style.

What it means for the market: This isn’t a huge year for cornerbacks in free agency, and Roby, the player Jackson is replacing, could be the next to sign – it just won’t be back in Denver.

Signing grade: B The money for Jackson makes sense, given how few quality corners are on the market and how crazy the safety market has been to kick off free agency, and Jackson starts to fill the Broncos’ biggest need.

Beat writer thoughts: Improving the defense is as vital as revamping the offense this year for the Broncos, and it starts in the backfield. The Broncos, who tumbled to No. 20 in passing defense in 2018, had a gaping hole at corner with the impending exits of Bradley Roby and Tramaine Brock. Jackson, a former first-round pick capable of playing safety and corner, should fit nicely into Vic Fangio’s defense and take some of the load off Chris Harris Jr. The next move Elway should make on the secondary: pay Harris. –Nicki Jhabvala

Broncos will face Atlanta Falcons in Hall of Fame game By Troy Renck KMGH March 13, 2019

An orange wave of fans will rush over Canton, Ohio this summer.

What was expected became official on Tuesday. The Broncos will face the Atlanta Falcons at 6 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1, kicking off the NFL's 100th season.

The Broncos anticipated receiving the bid following the induction of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and former All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey in February. One-time Falcons star is also part of the Hall of Fame class that will be enshrined on Saturday. This marks the Broncos' fourth appearance, following games in 1976, 1991 and 2004.

"With Mr. Bowlen and Champ Bailey part of this year’s induction class, it’s an honor for the Broncos to play in the Hall of Fame Game. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of Broncos fans in Canton, and it’s also special for us to help kick off the NFL’s 100th season," said first-year Broncos coach Vic Fangio. "Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we’ll use to our advantage.”

The Broncos will play five preseason games rather than the traditional four. Tuesday's honor means training camp will open a week earlier at the UCHealth Training Center, roughly on July 18. It might help a team looking to avoid its third consecutive losing season for the first time since 10-straight from 1963- 72. The Broncos will also be employing their fifth quarterback since Peyton Manning retired as Joe Flacco takes over the offense.

For those interested, tickets for the game and enshrinement ceremony go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at profootballhof.com/tickets.

Center Matt Paradis leaves Broncos for three-year deal in Carolina By Troy Renck KMGH March 13, 2019

Matt Paradis developed from a practice squad grinder into one of the game's most dependable centers. But a 2018 leg injury created a difference of opinion on his value with the Broncos moving forward. Tuesday, he agreed in principle on a three-year, $27-million deal with the Carolina Panthers with $11.5 million in his first season and $13.5 million guaranteed.

The idea of Paradis leaving once seemed implausible. However, the seeds for his departure were planted last summer when the sides held dramatically different views on the value of a longterm contract. Following Tampa Bay's signing of Ryan Jensen to a four-year, $42-million deal last March, the floor was set in talks. Paradis' camp, understandably so, wanted a similar deal. The Broncos disagreed, and the talks were tabled. Then came Paradis' first injury to cause him to miss time, complicating matters this offseason.

After playing nearly 4,000 consecutive snaps, Paradis fractured his fibula in multiple places against Houston on Nov. 4. He has healed ahead of schedule, and will begin jogging in roughly two weeks. He has long believed that the nature of the injury -- a broken bone -- brought more certainty in recovery. For Broncos, the broken leg created pause, leaving them far apart on his value as early as of Tuesday morning. Paradis never closed any doors, but wanted to reach a certain threshold in free agency.

"I loved playing in Denver," Paradis told Denver7 recently. "But I have to see what's out there."

The Jets showed interest, but the Panthers made a late push. For Paradis, the move makes sense. He receives a deal befitting his career accomplishments, while playing for a contender. Paradis won the Broncos after playing through hip issues that required surgery on both legs but never led to him missing games. His teammates elected him an offensive captain last season. Paradis' departure leaves a question mark at center. Connor McGovern is the in-house favorite. He played well against the Chargers, but admittedly struggled in a crushing loss against the Niners where he said he struggled with his pre-snap line adjustments.

As it stands today, the Broncos offensive line is as follows: left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Ron Leary, center McGovern, right guard Elijah Wilkinson and right tackle Ja'wuan James.

Bradley Roby signs with Texans on one-year deal By Troy Renck KMGH March 13, 2019

It was unlikely Bradley Roby would return to the Broncos. Monday, those prospects nosedived to zero percent after Denver signed free agent Kareem Jackson to a three-year, $33-million deal with $23 million guaranteed. Roby signed a one-year, $10-million contract with Houston on Tuesday, per sources.

Roby produced huge moments for the Broncos over his career, especially during the Super Bowl 50 run. However, he struggled as a starter last season as the No. 2 corner after excelling in his nickelback role. Roby drew interest from the Browns and Steelers, but settled on a one-year, $10-million deal with Houston. This allows Roby to reset his market value.

Essentially, he traded places with Jackson. The Broncos showed little interest in bringing Roby back. Jackson was coveted by Broncos coach Vic Fangio for his physical style of play and sound tackling. He is considered a hybrid because of his ability to play safety. Jackson has 27 pass breakups over the past two seasons.

Roby had a knack for the big play early in his career, forcing a fumble in the AFC divisional playoff game against the Steelers and executing a scoop-and-score in a dramatic road win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Broncos, Falcons to open preseason in Hall of Fame game By Staff March 13, 2019

The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos will play in the Hall of Fame game Aug. 1 to open the preseason.

Each team will be making its fourth appearance in the preseason game, which this year will launch the NFL's 100th season.

Two days after the game in Canton, Ohio, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, former Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and former Kansas City Chiefs and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez will be among those enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Falcons are 1-2 in the Hall of Fame game, with a win over San Diego in 1994. They lost to Cleveland in 1981 and Green Bay in 1969.

"We are fired up to kick off the NFL's 100th season in the Hall of Fame game," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "We are honored to play in Canton and be a part of the celebration for all of the inductees. This is also an opportunity for us to strengthen our connection and our brotherhood with additional time on the field."

The Broncos also are 1-2 in the summer game. Denver beat Detroit in 1976 and lost to the Lions in 1991 and to Washington in 2004.

"With Mr. Bowlen and Champ Bailey part of this year's induction class, it's an honor for the Broncos to play in the Hall of Fame game,"

Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. "We're looking forward to seeing a lot of Broncos fans in Canton, and it's also special for us to help kick off the NFL's 100th season. Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we'll use to our advantage."

The other members of the Hall of Fame class are , , , , and .

Broncos to kick off preseason vs. Falcons in Pro Football Hall of Fame game By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com March 13, 2019

The Broncos are set to kick off the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2019 induction weekend.

The Broncos will play the Atlanta Falcons in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game, which is the first preseason game of the 2019 NFL season.

Both teams have significant connections to the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen and former Denver cornerback Champ Bailey will each be inducted into the Hall in August. The Falcons will be represented in the class by first-ballot Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez.

The two teams will meet on Thursday, Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

“With Mr. Bowlen and Champ Bailey part of this year’s induction class, it’s an honor for the Broncos to play in the Hall of Fame Game,” Head Coach Vic Fangio said. “We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of Broncos fans in Canton, and it’s also special for us to help kick off the NFL’s 100th season. Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we’ll use to our advantage.”

Denver will make its fourth appearance in the game. The Broncos last played in the game in 2004, when John Elway was elected into the Hall of Fame.

The Broncos’ and Falcons’ participation in the Hall of Fame game means they will begin training camp earlier than the league’s other 30 teams. Both the Broncos and Falcons will play five preseason games.

Most NFL teams tend not to play their starters during the Hall of Fame game, but several young players have made their debuts. In 2018, Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson saw extensive action.

The Hall of Fame game is just the start of induction weekend. The inductees will receive their gold jackets during a ceremony on Friday night, and they will be officially enshrined on Saturday evening when their busts are revealed and presented.

Bowlen and Bailey will increase the Broncos’ Pro Football Hall of Fame representation to seven individuals. They will join John Elway, , , and in the Hall of Fame.

Broncos excited for honor of playing in Hall of Fame game, opportunity for young players By Staff DenverBroncos.com March 13, 2019

The Broncos will represent soon-to-be-enshrined Hall of Famers Pat Bowlen and Champ Bailey in this year’s Hall of Fame game.

And for many Broncos, playing in the contest at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is something they’re eagerly awaiting.

“I think it’s pretty cool, just because you know that means that a couple players or a couple people from your organization have made it to the Hall of Fame,” inside linebacker Todd Davis said Tuesday. “I think it’s pretty cool that we get to represent the Broncos in this Hall of Fame game.”

The stadium, which is located directly south of the Hall of Fame’s museum, represents a very different atmosphere from other NFL games. It seats 23,000 fans and provides a much more intimate experience in the cradle of where modern professional football got its start.

“You’ve always got to get every experience you can get,” running back Phillip Lindsay said. “When you’re done playing, you want to at least say, ‘Hey, I did this, I did that.’ It’s a great experience.”

Though starters typically don’t play in the Hall of Fame game, it does give young players and those fighting for roster spots a chance to prove their mettle.

Davis, who went undrafted out of college in 2014, knows that any opportunity like that is vital for players trying to make a 53-man roster.

“It’s really big,” Davis said. “Usually those guys don’t get to play a full game until the fourth game of the season, so I think it’s going to be really good for them to have another game to prove what they can do and who they are as players. I think it’s going to be really big in their advancement in the sport of football.”

Davis and Lindsay are each great examples of the kind of players who have made the most of these kinds of preseason games. For them and other veterans who might have might not play in the opener, there’s still plenty to look forward to.

“It’s an honor for us to be out there and to represent,” Lindsay said. “And it gives us more time to get more looks for guys coming in and for us to get more in tune with each other, and we get to be with the coaching staff longer.”

How the Broncos' first free-agent signing led to a monumental trade By Jim Saccomano DenverBroncos.com March 13, 2019

With the start of the new NFL calendar year coming up on March 13, that means free agency starts anew, and every team is working on a list of players it may sign.

The NFL had "Plan B" free agency — which allowed teams to retain the rights to 37 players each year — from 1989 through 1992, but full-fledged free agency that allowed players to hit the open market without restriction began in 1993.

Free agency can be a huge boon to the hopes of a team, but sometimes not in the exact ways one imagined.

The Broncos' free-agent signees in that first year were running backs Rod Bernstine and Robert Delpino, guard Brian Habib, tackle Don Maggs and linebacker Dave Wyman.

But do you remember which of them was the first free agent signed by the Broncos — and how he indirectly helped us to our first world championship in Super Bowl XXXII?

The answer is Don Maggs, who had been an excellent left tackle protecting future Hall of Famer in the Houston Oilers' run-and-shoot offense.

Denver strongly felt it needed to get a first-class left tackle to protect our own future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, and Maggs was tabbed as the man.

The Broncos succeeded in signing Maggs, but it did not work out anywhere like we expected.

Almost immediately after he signed, Maggs suffered an offseason injury and started just two games in 1993. He would play just 16 games for Denver over the course of 1993 and 1994.

So by the start of the 1993 campaign, the team still had a huge hole at left tackle and our personnel people had significant concerns about how much the injuries would affect Maggs.

However, the had the best left tackle in football in future Hall of Famer Gary Zimmerman, who was in the midst of a contract dispute with the team.

Zimmerman was not in camp with the Vikings, and the Broncos were looking for a solution at left tackle.

With the preseason schedule already underway, the Broncos traded for Zimmerman, giving the Vikings' their first- and sixth-round draft choices in 1994 and a second-round pick in 1995.

I vividly remember Zimmerman's arrival and approaching him to meet the Denver press.

The taciturn Zimmerman said, "Let's get this media stuff out of the way."

He was not the most vocal player on the team, but he was a genuinely great player and set an example for everyone.

When Head Coach was asked if Zimmerman would play in that week's game, despite having had no practice time in training camp, Phillips remarked that not only would Zimmerman play, but he likely would be the second-best player on the field — second only to Elway.

After the game, Phillips was asked how Zimmerman played, and the coach said Zimmerman had indeed been the second-best player on the field.

In fact, Zimmerman is one of a select group of players to have been named to the NFL All-Decade team in two different decades. He was named as the starting left tackle on both the 1980s and 1990s All- Decade teams.

The Broncos had solved their left tackle situation for the next five years, but had it not been for the injury to Maggs, the team likely would never have pursued Zimmerman.

Those free agents signed by the Broncos during the 1993 offseason all contributed to varying degrees, but only Habib stayed with the team through 1997, helping anchor the offensive line that paved the way for Terrell Davis to be Super Bowl MVP and Denver to beat the Green Bay Packers for that first world title.

None of us can predict who the Broncos will sign this coming week or in following in weeks — nor how they will all work out.

What we do know, however, is that sometimes the results show up in a way that no one expects.

Kareem Jackson feels 'a little disrespected' by Texans By Kevin Patra NFL.com March 13, 2019

Kareem Jackson spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Houston Texans -- until yesterday.

The physical corner agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Denver Broncos on Monday.

The 30-year-old told Mark Berman of KRIV in Houston that the Texans didn't make an attempt to bring him back.

"They didn't even approach me with an offer or any type of deal," Jackson said. "Obviously, they didn't want me back or whatever the case may be. I'm not really sure. My agent was never approached by anybody from the Texans organization, so I wasn't offered a deal of any sort. I kind of feel a little disrespected to be honest about it. At the end of the day, no hard feelings. I had a great nine years here. This will always be home for me. I definitely appreciate all the memories and all the opportunities. I appreciate the fans and everything I was able to build here. I'll always have love for Houston."

Given Houston's need in the secondary, it's a surprise that they didn't at least pursue a reunion, as Jackson intimates. Perhaps in the end, the Texans wouldn't have been comfortable handing $23 million guaranteed to a corner at age 30 who can occasionally get lost in space.

Jackson proved he was the most physical corner in the NFL last season, bullying receivers and blowing up any team who foolishly threw WR screens his way.

A year after trading Aqib Talib, the Broncos added the physical Jackson to remake their secondary alongside Chris Harris Jr.

While the long-time Texan seemed peeved Houston let him walk, the corner is looking forward to his new destination.

"I'm not emotional. I know how the business goes," Jackson told Berman. "All good things sometimes come to an end. At the end of the day, it's another opportunity for me. They've got a great group of guys (in Denver). I'm eager to get there and do whatever I can to help them win. ... I'm happy about it. It's a new opportunity to go to a great organization. I just want to be a piece of the puzzle to help the guys win."

Falcons will face Broncos in Hall of Fame Game By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk March 13, 2019

Most of the news from the NFL this week is going to be dealing with free agents and their plans for the 2019 season, but there will be some exceptions to that rule.

One came on Tuesday when an announcement was made about who will be playing in this year’s Hall of Fame Game. It will be the Falcons taking on the Broncos in Canton, Ohio on August 1. Longtime Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, longtime Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen are all being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“With Mr. Bowlen and Champ Bailey part of this year’s induction class, it’s an honor for the Broncos to play in the Hall of Fame Game,” Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of Broncos fans in Canton, and it’s also special for us to help kick off the NFL’s 100th season. Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we’ll use to our advantage.”

It’s the fourth appearance for each of the teams in the Hall of Fame Game.

Panthers signing center Matt Paradis By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk March 13, 2019

The Panthers had a big hole to replace with the retirement of Ryan Kalil.

They filled it with an unexpected early move.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Panthers are signing free agent center Matt Paradis to a three- year, $27 million deal.

He lends some stability to the middle of a line that needs it, and making a rare foray into the early stages of free agency should show you how important they deemed it.

Bradley Roby turned down offers from Steelers, 49ers By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk March 13, 2019

Cornerback Bradley Roby agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Texans. He said he turned down a three-year offer from the Steelers and a one-year deal from the 49ers.

Roby also told Mike Klis of Denver’s 9News the Browns had interest “for a while.”

“It’s a prove-it deal,” Roby said of his contract with the Texans. “I feel like I should go back in [the market next year] while I’m still young.”

Roby, 26, spent his first five seasons with the Broncos. He made 50 tackles, an , 12 pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 15 games last season.

He has never made the Pro Bowl, having become a full-time starter last season.

The Broncos signed Kareem Jackson, who had spent his entire career in Houston, to replace Roby. Roby said he never received an offer from the Broncos.

“It’s a business,” Roby said. “Denver didn’t want me; they wanted someone else. . . .They got the guy they wanted.”

Packers signing offensive lineman Billy Turner By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk March 13, 2019

The Packers aren’t just splurging on defense.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are going to sign Broncos offensive lineman Billy Turner.

Turner has played both tackle and guard. The 27-year-old was initially a third-round pick of the Dolphins, who has 25 career starts (11 last year).

The Packers were plagued by injuries up front, and needed bodies there.

The Packers have also struck quick deals with pass-rushers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith and safety Adrian Amos.