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The Broncos have a problem. Here’s what can do to fix it. By Mark Kiszla Denver Post Jan. 18, 2018

The Broncos have a Von Miller problem.

Don’t get me wrong. The Vonster is an elite pass rusher, a good teammate and a funny dude. But he was born to dance, not lead. Since retired, let’s just say Miller is 0-for-2 in leading the Broncos to the playoffs.

“Two times not going to the playoffs is just not going to ride,” Miller admitted before Denver’s final loss in a 5-11 season. “There are going to be some drastic changes this offseason, and I’m all for it.”

Well, now we get to find out how much Miller really means it. If Denver wants to return to the playoffs in 2018, what the team needs is a new leader to set the tone, so Miller can focus on producing more than his 10 sacks in 2017, which ranked 18th in the NFL.

Miller turns 29 in March. When I asked him if he felt like an old bull, Miller laughed and replied: “No, not yet. I still have like 12 or 15 (years left). I hate to say that ‘old’ word.”

How many prime seasons, however, does Miller realistically have left? Three? Maybe four?

If the Broncos want to avoid the pain of a lengthy rebuild, they need a quarterback who can not only lead drives but command respect in a locker room full of strong personalities. They need a quarterback capable of being that leader sooner than later, while Miller is in his prime.

If general manager John Elway thinks he can find that quarterback with the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft, more power to him. Would it be fair to expect a rookie quarterback named Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold to not only master the Denver playbook but also be the face of the franchise at age 21?

Watching the playoffs, as the AFC falls down at the feet of , giving him and the New England Patriots a leisurely stroll to the , there is bad news and good news for Denver.

The bad news? How badly must the Broncos have stunk to miss the playoffs in a conference that allows Jacksonville to play for its championship?

The good news? With such weak opposition, how hard could it be for Denver to re-establish itself as the chief threat to Brady and the Pats in the AFC?

Elway will turn 58 before the Broncos play their next game that counts in the standings. Ambitious men in their late 50s don’t slow down. They’re in a hurry to beat the clock.

So why should we believe Elway will settle for a long rebuilding plan? He wants to get the Broncos back to Super Bowl contention while Miller is still young enough to be the MVP of the championship game. For starters, Elway must address a basic flaw in the way Denver’s roster is constructed. There’s nothing wrong with paying Miller $22.4 million in 2018; he’s earned it. But there will be 900 NFL players due to make more money next season than the $718,000 scheduled for . It’s madness for the Broncos to continue to pay their starting quarterback like a backup and realistically believe the team can compete for a championship.

In the NFL, money not only talks, it commands respect, because salaries are another way that players keep score.

The Broncos need a new leader at quarterback, with a voice strong enough to tell Miller to shut up and play.

There’s no certainty about which veteran might be on the market when the free-agent shopping spree begins in March.

But this much we do know: If the Broncos have to pay Kirk Cousins $27 million a year or Alex Smith $17 million, that’s not only the cost of doing business, it’s the price of success.

Broncos sign three players to futures contracts; CSU receiver headed to NFL combine By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 18, 2018

The Broncos signed three more players to compete for jobs in 2018.

Receiver Kenny Bell and defensive linemen DeShawn Williams and Andreas Knappe signed future contracts that will go on the Broncos’ books when the 2018 league year begins March 14.

Bell, a Boulder native and the son of former Bronco Ken Bell, is a third-year player from the University of Nebraska who was drafted by the buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. After spending a year on injured reserve with Tampa Bay, Kenny (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) competed on the practice squads of the Bucs (2016) and Ravens (2017).

Ken Bell spent the entirety of his career in Denver (1986-89) and is tied for second in franchise history with 104 kick returns totaling 2,218 yards.

Williams, a 6-1, 292-pound lineman from Clemson most recently played on the Bengals’ practice squad after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2015. In 2016, he played four games for the Bengals and recorded two tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Knappe, who stands at 6-8 and weighs 315 pounds, is a first-year who competed on the practice squads of the Falcons, Redskins and Colts last year. A native of Silkeborg, Denmark, Knappe signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent last May after playing at the University of Cincinnati.

The Broncos now have 13 players signed to future contracts.

Gallup to combine. Colorado State receiver Michael Gallup is headed to the next week and will play on the North team coached by the Broncos. About a month later, he’ll head to Indianapolis.

Gallup, who is training for the draft at Landow Performance in Centennial, told The Denver Post that he was invited to the NFL scouting combine in late February.

Peyton Manning to receive Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 18, 2018

Two-time Super Bowl champion and former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was selected as the winner of the 2018 Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football “for his positive impact to the game, both on and off the field.”

Manning, the 10th recipient of the award, will be honored at a Feb. 24 banquet in Kansas City, Mo., and will be joined by AFC and NFC player and coach of the year honorees at a gala to benefit the University of Kansas Health System.

“In addition to being one of the greatest to ever play the game, Peyton Manning reshaped the way the quarterback position is played and transcended the sport to become one of the most popular athletes of his generation,” said Clark Hunt, the Chiefs’ chairman and CEO, and the son of the award’s namesake. “Throughout his career and into retirement, he has handled the many demands of a superstar with class, respect and dignity. Our family is thrilled to add Peyton’s name to the outstanding list of previous recipients over this first decade of the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football.”

The Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football was established in 2008 by the 101 Awards to honor the life and legacy of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ founder. The selection committee focuses on five criteria — vision, humble leadership, integrity, fan dedication and innovation — and its group of past honorees include broadcaster Al Michaels, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy.

Broncos mailbag: QB height, no forgiving Rahim, SpaceX By Mike Klis 9NEWS Jan. 18, 2018

No topic is off limits to the creative think tank that is 9NEWS Broncos mailbaggers.

It’s not just which quarterback the Broncos will take – although the obvious is not overlooked – but how tall will he be?

Rahim Moore was not -- repeat, NOT – taken off the hook by Marcus Williams.

We look at New England and the other three remaining in the NFL postseason. A new stadium name suggestion fell from Mars. , Tom Green, Bakersfield are all mentioned in this version of the Broncos Mailbag.

I write you because I know your good about answering back. A Bronco statement: Could both and be too tall to be quality NFL QB's?

When I look at top QB's they are 6-5 (Peyton Manning) and less. Maybe those extra two inches are too much. This is not meant as a cut, but those long legs physically could be a downgrade to running, etc.

Elway WAS 6-3. Same for . Tom Brady is 6-4. Dan Marino was 6'4." was 6-2. None over 6-5. Does anyone think of this?

Ed Stoeckel

Ed—You’re on to something. Josh McDaniels once told me the ideal height window for NFL quarterbacks is 6-foot-3 to 6-5. Yes, the 6-foot , who has a high, overhand release point, and 5-11 Russell Wilson, who often throws from a rolling pocket, are exceptions.

Steve Young and Montana were a tad short at 6-2, but like Wilson, they could throw on the move. is 6-2 and arguably the best pure passer, ever.

It’s not that a quarterback 6-6 or taller can’t play. is 6-6 and he threw 11 touchdown passes (one of which will be addressed by the following mailbagger) with 0 in his four-game postseason run to win Super Bowl 47.

But as a general rule, taller quarterbacks are a little stiff in the hips and simple physics suggest their longer arms make for a longer delivery and therefore they must fight the battle with consistent accuracy.

Why do you want to cover for ? What he did was a selfish mistake. He even said that he wanted to be a hero and get an . He should have understood the situation and played it accordingly. Not a professional or team player.

Bobby Karuzas

Bobby—I’m not saying Moore didn’t commit the most egregious gaffe in Broncos history. The Rahim Stumble against the Flacco Fling will live in infamy.

I’m just saying his blunder wasn’t as bad as Marcus Williams’ nosedive against Stephon Diggs to turn Saints’ victory into defeat.

Jack Del Rio’s defense was positioned against a first-down pass, not a touchdown heave. Moore had to retreat to his spot, then misjudged Flacco’s high fly. Williams was already behind Diggs. All he had to do was stand there and wrap.

Moore’s mistake turned a 35-28 win into a 35-35 tie. The Broncos kneeled away the final 31 seconds in overtime, then didn’t score as much as a field goal with their two overtime possessions.

The Williams Whiff was ballgame.

Take the emotional resentment away from Moore and a goof to tie is not as awful as a flub to lose. But they were both awful.

I would love to hear YOUR opinion about the Vikings and their potential to win. Unfortunately, Tom Green keeps interrupting YOU, the expert, with his opinions, when we want YOURS. That Vikings’ win was amazing Sunday and would love to hear YOUR opinions on who might win, other than the Patriots!

Love your blunt and honest opinions always! Stay warm and go Vikings!

Dee Getzinger

Dee—Tom didn’t interrupt me. He noticed I was stammering through a thought and he saved me from dead air. Tom dropped a “Tony Carter” on me, by the way, during an off-camera conversation about the Rahim Moore gaffe. Carter didn’t do Rahim any favors.

The point is, Tom Green has still got it as a sports guy. They tell me he’s also doing a fine job as a newscaster, too.

I think the only team from the “other three” that has a real chance to beat the New England Patriots is the .

Should Minnesota get past Philly and the Pats beat the Jaguars, the Vikings would have two advantages: One, they have a great defense. Two, they would be playing the Pats at home in Super Bowl LII.

You need both to beat the Pats. Jacksonville actually has a better pass defense than the Vikings – the Jags had 55 sacks and 21 interceptions this year; Minnesota had 37 sacks and 14 picks.

So Jacksonville can knock Tom Brady off his game. And the combination of Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette should be able to run the ball against the New England defense. But I can’t see the Jags winning in Foxborough, even if it will be a balmy 45 degrees at kickoff. The Jags do have a better chance than most people expect because on paper, they match up well. The two teams practiced against each other the week of their first preseason game. So the Jags won’t be in awe.

As Jimmy the Greek on a Saturday Night Live spoof would have said: That has to be a factor! I give them 40 percent chance.

As I type this now, I’d give the Vikings a 47 percent chance to beat New England in Super Bowl 52.

Hi Mike, do you think the Broncos will sign Kirk Cousins and draft young QB like Josh Allen or Bakersfield to develop or who do you see Broncos draft at #5?

Dave Chung

Dave—I like the “Bakersfield,” nickname. A buddy recently asked me, why is it always both Baker and Mayfield when saying Baker Mayfield’s name? No one ever says Mayfield. Or just Baker. It’s always Baker Mayfield.

“Bakersfield” might have a chance to catch on.

Providing Washington allows Cousins to become an unrestricted free agent, I anticipate the Broncos going hard to sign him.

I’m not sure Washington lets him go with no strings attached, though. It could also franchise tag him for a $34.5 million salary, transition tag him for $28.8 million and the right of first refusal, or finally agree to a long-term deal with him.

If Cousins does reach free agency, I expect a bidding war for his services with the Broncos receiving competition from Arizona, the New York Jets, Buffalo and possibly Jacksonville, the and Cleveland.

Should the Broncos get Cousins, they would not take a quarterback with the No. 5 overall draft pick. If they wind up with Alex Smith, maybe. If they wind up with , then they have to take a QB at No. 5.

Cousins, who will play at the still prime age of 30 next season, would allow general manager John Elway to take either an offensive lineman, pass rusher, or with the No. 5 pick. Cousins would give the Broncos a chance to upgrade two positions with elite players where an older quarterback like Smith or Manning would force the Broncos to double-down at one position.

People can say what they want about Elway but he's my GM for life. QB is the biggest crap shoot in sports. Maybe a half-dozen teams have the right one that can take them to the promised land. Once we see Brady retire we'll realize even the “greatest coach of all time” will struggle and flounder without a great QB.

So the worst part of Elway's personality can be his overconfidence but his best part is his ability to learn from his mistakes (i.e. best offense to best defense in a little over a year).

I have no doubt that he goes all in for Cousins because he realizes three things. The first is a QB of his caliber rarely has a franchise let him go into free agency (hopefully Cousins realizes by now the Redskins are a Mickey Mouse organization).

The second is that his defense is still elite with the best defensive player in , in his prime, leading that unit.

The third reason is when he sees this playoff field he realizes just how weak it is. The Titans and the Bills made the freaking playoffs. The Chiefs lost to one of them. That Pats team is all Brady and we have proven that when we have a legit QB and a harassing defense we can more than handle him and them.

With Cousins we're an INSTANT Super Bowl contender and ahead of the curve when it comes to our only real rival, the Patriots. Elway also knows that we're the gatekeepers of the AFC and he let down the entire NFL by giving the Pats another free pass to the Super Bowl.

Our job is to defeat 'sports evil' and we've shanked our responsibility two years in a row. Our Excalibur pass rush/coverage can't even be unsheathed because Elway screwed up something he was supposed to be the master of, recognizing QB talent. He won't make that mistake again.

Art Mensing, San Antonio

Art—Everyone has a take on the state of the Broncos. You, Art, have one of the most compelling.

You included several points of discussion. I, too, have been struck by how mediocre the playoff contestants have been this season relative to years past.

I agree the Broncos will make a strong push for Cousins providing he is free,and the Vikings tag and/or retain Case Keenum, and the Kansas City Chiefs refuse to deal Alex Smith within the division.

I was amused by your premise the Broncos are the league’s designated slayers of the Patriots Way. I know defense was the primary reason the Broncos defeated the Patriots in the 2015 AFC Championship but ask if he thinks Denver wins that game without Peyton Manning.

Your assumption Cousins makes the Broncos an instant Super Bowl contender brought pause. Cousins could have improved the Broncos’ current roster from their 5-11 record in 2017 to maybe 8-8, 9-7.

But the leap from 5-11 to Super Bowl contender only starts with Cousins. It doesn’t end there.

He is a top 8 to 12 quarterback in the league. But I don’t think the Broncos outside the quarterback position have a top 12 roster.

And I find it difficult reconciling the Denver defense’s high statistical marks with the defense that got destroyed for 51 points at Philadelphia.

Where the Denver D has really fallen off the past two years is with their pass rush. Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shaq Barrett, , Malik Jackson and rushed the quarterback in waves in 2015 when they led the league with 52 sacks. With Ware retired, Jackson in Jacksonville, Ray and Wolfe banged up, and Miller double-teamed, the Broncos only got to the quarterbacks in spurts in 2017, ranking 22nd with 33 sacks.

I thought Eric Studesville was one of the untouchables on the coaching staff. From the insider view, what can/will you tell me why he got fired?

Doug Newton, Parker

Doug—There are no untouchables in the NFL. Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll, maybe. But if Tom Landry, Don Shula and Mike Mularkey can be fired, any coach can.

Studesville did survive the exit of three previous head coaches: Josh McDaniels, John Fox and . That almost never happens.

The biggest reason Studesville was let go was for the simplest of reasons: John Elway and Vance Joseph wanted a change. A new voice to lead their group of running backs.

The Broncos’ offense has pretty much stunk the second half of the 2014 season. Every offensive coach from that team is now gone. So is every defensive and special teams coach, for that matter, with the exception of Chris Beake.

Studesville and receivers coach lasted longer than most offensive assistant coaches. They were good enough to help the Broncos win a Super Bowl two years ago so they don’t have to apologize to anyone.

I've been following you since the Denver Post. You have written some great columns and you're very knowledgeable. I hope this doesn't happen but if it goes down like this I want to know. It's clear that John has been calling the shots since he got Dan Reeves fired but if John Elway fails as a GM then which member of the Bowlen family would have to make a decision on replacing him and how would that whole situation unfold? BTW, John is still my favorite quarterback of all time.

Roger Chand, Bogota, N.J.

Roger—From afar, it didn’t seem Elway was calling the shots during his final four seasons with Shanahan as head coach. He may have had more pull than any other player but that period was the Mastermind era.

The Duke of Elway then had 13 Missing Years, but he is the man in charge now.

Elway does answer to one boss, and it’s Joe Ellis, who is the Broncos’ chief executive officer, president and one of three trustees to the Pat Bowlen Trust.

None of the Bowlen children have authority to make such decisions. Maybe one will be granted control in another four or five years. Let’s make it happen - the best name of a stadium in the world: SpaceX Mile High Stadium, Home of the .

Tom Rohrbach, Denver

Tom—From what I’ve read in business magazines, SpaceX founder Elon Mask could fork over more than $10 million a year for naming rights.

I think the Broncos are hoping their new naming rights partner has deeper Colorado ties. But at this stage, expanding the candidate pool to a global rocket-ship company cannot be discounted.

The Broncos can even come up with a catchy, new slogan: Elon is from Mars, Elway is from Denver. Or something.

Mel Kiper's 2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 By Mel Kiper ESPN.com Jan. 18, 2018

The evaluations for the 2018 NFL draft have been particularly tough this year. When Todd McShay and I took an early look at the class, we focused on the quarterbacks, and bowl season didn't bring much clarity to the order of those prospects. It's also different from 2017, when Myles Garrett was the surefire No. 1 prospect.

Now that the deadline for underclassmen to put their name in for the draft has passed, though, it's time for my first projection of all 32 first-round picks. The order for the first 28 picks is set -- with two teams having two first-round picks because of trades last year -- and we've projected picks 29-32 based on who Vegas has picked as the favorites.

A few reminders before I get started:

Teams are still early in their evaluations. No team has a draft board yet, and we still have to get through postseason all-star games, combine testing, medicals, pro days and individual workouts.

There's a long time until the draft, and we have to get through free agency before we truly know each team's needs. That's why several of these picks are based on who I think is the best player available. In some cases, I have identified a few needs that could be targeted.

An asterisk denotes a prospect who is an underclassmen, and I have 24 of them here, which means there are only eight seniors. The position split for the first round here is 15 on offense and 17 on defense.

Check out our SportsCenter Special breaking down the Mock on ESPN2 and WatchESPN at 7 ET on Thursday night, and my new Big Board and position rankings are here. Here we go:

1. *Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Cleveland has to take a quarterback. Has to. And a winless season means the Browns can pick whichever one they want. My evaluations on this quarterback class are really close. I've gone back and forth a few times on Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Allen, but I just moved Allen up to my No. 1 quarterback. His numbers aren't impressive, I know. But the NFL is all about projection, and he has a high ceiling. Coaches want to work with the 6-foot-5 Allen because he has all of the tools. I said last month that he is one of my favorite prospects in this class. The other top quarterbacks have warts, and there is no slam-dunk No. 1 prospect, which makes it a fun class. Scouts are looking forward to seeing Allen at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, next week, where he will work out with much better talent.

2. New York Giants *Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Rosen is the top pure passer in this class. He looked better than Darnold when UCLA and USC played late in the season. Rosen, however, has dealt with injuries the past two seasons, and there already have been rumblings that he doesn't want to end up in Cleveland. There are some red flags. But some team is going to draft him high -- he has rare arm talent and has been much more secure with the ball than Darnold and Allen. The Giants could move into life after Eli Manning with a new franchise quarterback.

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3. Indianapolis Colts , DE, NC State

Indianapolis is in a good spot to take the best non-quarterback available, and the No. 1 pass-rusher in this class is Chubb. He has a tremendous motor and has been unblockable for two straight years. He has 46.5 tackles for loss since the beginning of the 2016 season. Chubb was the tone-setter for the Wolfpack, and coaches raved about him as a leader. The Colts ranked 31st in the league in sacks (25) this season, and Chubb is a great fit.

4. Cleveland Browns (from ) *Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

This is the pick acquired in the Texans' trade up for Deshaun Watson last year. Cleveland has a new front office, and Barkley could be the best overall player in this class -- he's No. 1 on my Big Board. But how much do teams value running backs? We've seen in recent years that they can hit on backs in the top 10 (Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley), but the Browns also have recent history missing on one (Trent Richardson, though they later got a first-round pick in return for him). And there is always value in the middle rounds -- just look at Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara in 2017. Barkley is a big-time running back, and I think he'll be a top-10 pick. He is built for today's NFL as a do-it-all runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield.

5. Denver Broncos *Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Denver sits in a pivotal spot in the draft. Will it take the third quarterback? Could it move down? There will be a ripple effect in the top 10. Either way, it looks like the Broncos are ready to move on from 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch. Darnold had an up-and-down season and struggled with turnovers -- his 22 were tied for most in the FBS. Can he figure out the ball security? If he can get rid of the bad habits, he could be a special player. Darnold is an accurate, natural passer with high upside who still needs to tweak his mechanics. I believe in his talent long term, and I think John Elway would love to have him in Denver.

6. New York Jets *Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama

Fitzpatrick is the top cornerback and safety in this draft. He could play either position. He was primarily a safety at Alabama, but he covered receivers in the slot and on the outside, and he consistently made plays. New York took safeties with its top two picks last year (Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye), so Fitzpatrick would be a corner for the Jets, who have an opening with Morris Claiborne a free agent this offseason. This is another spot to watch for one of the top quarterbacks.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers *Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

The Bucs couldn't run the ball in 2017, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry and 90.6 yards per game. Was it the running backs, the offensive line or both? Nelson is a plug-and-play starter who would be an upgrade for almost every team. He's a dominant run-blocker at 6-foot-5, 330, who causes destruction at the point of attack. If Barkley falls a little bit, could the Bucs snag him at No. 7?

8. Chicago Bears *Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Chicago has to add weapons for Mitchell Trubisky, and Ridley is the best receiver in this class by a mile. If the Bears can get a pass-catcher here -- and don't upgrade in free agency -- Ridley makes the most sense. If he had played in a better passing offense, he could have been a Biletnikoff winner. He's extremely talented.

9. *Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

The 49ers have a really solid young core on defense, but most of their top picks were spent on the front seven. They really need a top-tier cornerback. Ward is the top corner in this class -- if you consider Fitzpatrick to be a safety -- though I don't have as high a grade on him as I did for his former teammate , who went No. 11 last year and had a great rookie season in New Orleans. Ward flashed in 2016 and had a tremendous junior season.

10. Oakland Raiders *, ILB, Georgia

Smith is the type of player new coach Jon Gruden loves. He's physical. He can get sideline to sideline in a hurry. He's a force in the middle. Smith was one of the best players on the field in the Playoff National Championship, and he could slot into the middle of the Raiders' defense in place of NaVorro Bowman, who's a free agent. Oakland also could target a pass-rusher to help & Co.

11. Miami Dolphins Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

The Dolphins are a tough team to pick for because the roster has so many questions. What's going to happen with free agent Jarvis Landry? Are they set long term at quarterback? Is there a No. 1 back on the team? And that's just offense. For now I'll go with McGlinchey, who is my top-ranked tackle in a solid class. There are five tackles who could go in the first round. He has played on the left and right sides and could be the immediate starter at right tackle for the Dolphins, who have Laremy Tunsil slotted in on the blind side.

12. Cincinnati Bengals *Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Edmunds is another one of my favorite prospects. At 6-5, he doesn't have the typical frame of a middle , but he truly could play inside or outside -- he had 109 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 2017. If he ended up in Cincinnati under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, he'd probably be an outside linebacker who could rush the passer on passing downs. I've said before that Edmunds has the most upside of any linebacker in this class.

13. Washington Redskins Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

This all depends on Kirk Cousins. Is Washington going to franchise tag him again? Remember, if the Redskins do it for the third straight year, he would cost more than $34 million in 2018. Could Washington let him test the free-agent market? He could get a huge deal, but it might not be from the Redskins. If Cousins walks, there's no ready-made replacement. They would have to scan the free-agent market or draft a quarterback. Don't count out the Heisman Trophy winner being taken this high. He is going to get a chance to impress scouts at the Senior Bowl, and I know they're interested in seeing how he performs. If Washington keeps Cousins, inside linebacker is a clear position of need.

14. Marcus Davenport, DE, UT San Antonio

Yes, Green Bay has Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, but Matthews will be 32 when the 2018 season begins, and he hasn't had double-digit sacks in a season since 2014, and Perry didn't replicate his breakout 2016 season and had only 13 quarterback knockdowns. The Packers need a young pass-rusher. There has been a buzz about Davenport, who has a huge 6-6 frame and rare quick-twitch traits off the edge. He's one of the best pure pass-rushers in this class, and we'll get to see him against better competition at the Senior Bowl.

15. Arizona Cardinals *Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

This is a tough spot because the Cardinals don't have a coach yet. Could they target a quarterback? It's probably safe to say that and will have some company in the QB room, but that also could come in free agency. Arizona has been looking for years for a corner to play opposite of superstar , and Jackson is a good fit. He was phenomenal in his lone season as a starter, picking off eight passes, including three in the Hawkeyes' win over Ohio State. He has great length at 6-1 and has long arms. The question will be his straight-line speed, so his 40-yard dash time will be big. But Jackson was the best corner in college football in 2017.

16. Baltimore Ravens *Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh

Right tackle Austin Howard didn't have a great year in pass protection, and the Ravens could find an immediate upgrade with O'Neill, a former tight end who kept his athleticism as he put on weight and moved to tackle. He was dominant on the left side at times this season after starting on the right in 2015 and 2016. O'Neill also could kick in and play guard.

17. Chargers *Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

The best nose tackle in this class is Payne, who was a monster in the College Football Playoff, even if he didn't always show up on the stat sheet. Georgia couldn't block him in the national title game. The Chargers are set with good, young pass-rushers, but they could upgrade on Brandon Mebane, who's signed for only another year. Payne would strengthen the belly of a defense that ranked last in the league in rushing yards per attempt allowed (4.9).

18. *Derwin James, S, Florida State

James is tough to figure out, but Seattle would be thrilled to get him here. He's super talented and looked like a top-five pick as a freshman at Florida State in 2015, but he missed the entire 2016 season because of a knee injury. James had a solid 2017 season with 84 total tackles and two interceptions, but scouts wanted to see more. At his peak, though, James is a typical Seattle safety and fits what it looks for. Kam Chancellor's future is up in the air after a neck injury, and the Seahawks could need a replacement.

19. Cowboys *Vita Vea, DT, Washington

The Cowboys took a step backward in 2017, and it was a regression across the board. Receiver could be a target here, along with offensive tackle. But what's tough to find on the free-agent market is a disruptive defensive tackle, which Dallas just didn't have. Vea is a freakish talent at 6-4, 346 pounds who can be a three-down player and add an interior pass-rush presence.

20. Detroit Lions *Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State

Ezekiel Ansah had a bounce-back year with 12 sacks, but he's a free agent. Will the Lions give him a long- term deal? Detroit's No. 2 sacker was former sixth-round pick Anthony Zettel, who had 6.5, so this is a clear area of need. Hubbard is probably better for team that plays a 4-3 like the Lions. He didn't have a consistent 2017 season, but he finished strong with 2.5 sacks at Michigan and 2.5 more in the bowl win over USC. Is he ? No, but that's why Bosa went No. 3 overall. Hubbard would be good value at pick No. 20.

21. Buffalo Bills *Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

Buffalo got a great rookie season out of first-round pick Tre'Davious White, but there's a hole on the other side because E.J. Gaines, who was part of the Sammy Watkins trade, is a free agent. The Bills could bring back Gaines, but they also could target another corner on Day 1. The arrow is pointing way up on Hughes, who emerged as a shutdown corner in 2017. He also could help on special teams as a returner.

22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs) Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

The Bills picked up this extra pick when the Chiefs traded up to draft last year, and they ended up with back-to-back picks after a surprise playoff season. Hurst is a 3-technique penetrator who gets into the backfield and gets after quarterbacks. He's a perfect fit for a 4-3 team, and the Bills need pass-rushers. They had only 27 sacks in 2017, which ranked 29th in the league. Buffalo is a team to watch for the second tier of quarterbacks because Tyrod Taylor's future is up in the air.

23. Los Angeles Rams *Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

If the Rams had a weakness in their huge turnaround from 2016 to 2017, it was at cornerback. They have to upgrade. Trumaine Johnson was franchise tagged last offseason and is a free agent. Nickell Robey-Coleman is also a free agent. Troy Hill is a . This is a clear hole. Davis had a great season and is my fourth-ranked corner. At 6-1, 200 pounds, he has good size.

24. Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State

The Panthers are locked in with one of the best centers in the league in Ryan Kalil, so Price could be a replacement for free-agent guard Andrew Norwell. Carolina already has a lot of money committed to its O-line and might not be able to afford Norwell. Price was a three-year starter at guard for the Buckeyes before moving over to center as a senior. He has the frame to play either spot.

25. Tennessee Titans Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

Tennessee needs a young pass-rusher. Veterans Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan will both be free agents in 2019, and 2016 second-round pick Kevin Dodd has only one career sack in limited action. I thought Landry had a chance to be a top-10 pick after he had 16.5 sacks last season, but he had a down 2017 season and missed five games because of an ankle injury. He's talented, but he needs to show he's fully healthy and explosive. The Titans will have a new head coach and could have a different scheme if they move away from Dick LeBeau's 3-4.

26. *Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Kirk isn't a giant, go-to No. 1 -- he's only 5-11 -- but Atlanta doesn't need that with already on the roster. Kirk would be a versatile offensive threat who could immediately help as both a punt and kick returner. He can play in the slot and burn defensive backs, and he could play outside too. Kirk had an up-and-down 2017 season, but he still finished with 12 total , including two on returns. He's my No. 2-ranked receiver.

27. New Orleans Saints *, WR, SMU

Drew Brees is 39, and the Saints just made a playoff run with one of the most productive rookie classes in recent history. This is a team built to win right now. Sutton is a huge 6-4 matchup nightmare who could play opposite budding superstar Michael Thomas. He was inconsistent at times for the Mustangs, but he's a big play-threat who averaged at least 16 yards per catch over the past three seasons. New Orleans could have some receiver turnover with Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead both restricted free agents.

28. Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

The big looming question for the Steelers is Ryan Shazier's future, and no one knows if he'll play again. Even if he returns, though, the Steelers need depth at linebacker. Evans is versatile enough to play inside or outside, and he had 15 career sacks at Alabama, where he often played on the edge and blitzed. He is a perfect fit in the middle of a modern-day defense -- he can play every down.

29. *Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

Could the Jaguars target a quarterback here? It's possible, though they might want a veteran whom they could plug in and play for a team that is trying to win with a loaded defense that has almost all of its best players under contract. So I'm going with a versatile 6-6 pass-catcher who is a mismatch wherever he lines up. Marcedes Lewis is really just a blocker at this stage of his career, and Andrews is a huge receiver who needs to improve his blocking. Receiver also might be an option as Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson are both free agents.

30. Philadelphia Eagles *Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Jason Peters, a stalwart at left tackle for the Eagles, turns 36 this month and is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Can they really expect him back at his best? I don't think fifth-round pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai is the answer as his replacement, either, which means Philadelphia could move super athletic right tackle Lane Johnson to Carson Wentz's blind side, and draft a new right tackle. Miller is a developmental prospect with a 6-8 frame and limited game time. He has a high ceiling.

31. Minnesota Vikings *Connor Williams, OT, Texas

The Vikings spent a lot of money last offseason on free-agent tackles and Riley Reiff, and the duo had a solid season, but Remmers moved to guard late in the year because of injuries. Could he stay there in 2018 and beyond? I like Williams as a left tackle, but he could move to the right side. He suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee and missed seven games in 2017, but he looked like a potential top-10 pick last season. This could be a value pick.

32. New England Patriots *Rasheem Green, DE, USC

Green was absolutely unblockable in the second half of the season, finishing with 10 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He could play tackle in a 4-3 defense or end in a 3-4, which is probably what he'd be for New England. At 6-4, 275 pounds, Green has a tremendous frame, and I think he'll be impressive in workouts. Could New England think about a quarterback here? Tom Brady will be 41 when the 2018 season begins. The Patriots also will have a pick in the first half of the second round as a result of the Jimmy Garoppolo trade.

Struggles of youngest Broncos a developing situation By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Jan. 18, 2018

John Elway has said, often, the Denver Broncos "don't draft All-Pros, we have to develop them."

One of the most sobering football lessons the Broncos could take away from their 5-11 finish is that their younger players have not contributed as much as the team has either hoped or predicted over the past two seasons.

The team has arrived at a point where it will take honest assessments of its own work to halt an uncomfortable trend.

For the first time in his tenure as the Broncos' chief football decision-maker -- he was hired in 2011 -- the developmental job ahead is big enough Elway has hinted it may take some time to bounce back. He also hinted the Broncos, who are expected to be active in free agency, may be pointed toward a bit of a youth movement as well.

"I think that when you're 5-11, there are obviously some issues that we have to get handled," is how Elway put it earlier this month. "I think (returning to the playoffs) is our goal. That's our mindset. Whether we can get there or not, I don't want to raise the expectation level by saying, 'Yes, automatically we're going to get back there.' ... Now, we have to build towards that process. … Hopefully, we can get back to where we're very competitive."

When coach Vance Joseph fired six assistant coaches the day after the season finale, he also showed the Broncos' issues were on his mind, especially the ones on the offensive line and on defense. Joseph has now split duties among two assistants on the offensive line as newly-arrived Sean Kugler will work with the team's guards and centers while Chris Strausser, who was the assistant offensive line coach this past season, will work with the tackles.

The Broncos will have a similar structure with the defensive backs and with the . Marcus Robinson will continue to oversee the secondary, but will work primarily with the safeties, while newly- hired Greg Williams will work with the . will continue as a linebackers coach - - Herring was also on Gary Kubiak's staff -- but the Broncos' last unfilled position will be an assistant coach who works with the team's pass-rushers.

During his interviews with prospective assistants, Joseph emphasized to the candidates he was seeking teachers first.

"There's a draft every year and there's young guys every year," Joseph said after the season, "so we have to do a better job of keeping those guys up to speed so they can help us win."

To that end, the 2017 draft class was certainly a riddle for the Broncos. When the Broncos concluded the three-day affair last April they had plenty of optimism that at minimum tackle (first-round pick), DeMarcus Walker (second round), wide receiver Carlos Henderson, cornerback Brendan Langley and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie would all be regular contributors or starters.

Bolles did start, but consistently struggled with penalties and rebounding from and his mistakes, while Walker, Langley and McKenzie didn't deliver on their potential. Henderson spent the year on injured reserve (thumb) before being arrested in Louisiana this past weekend on a charge of marijuana possession.

Tight end Jake Butt, a fifth-round pick who spent the season on injured reserve (knee), will certainly figure heavily in the Broncos' plan on offense in 2018, but how the Broncos find a way to get the rest of the '17 draft class into the mix will be a question mark.

McKenzie got benched twice as a punt returner and ended up playing just 131 snaps on offense all season, while Walker played just 99 snaps on defense and Langley had 108 snaps. By season's end Langley and McKenzie were game day inactives, while the Broncos were playing other players who had passed them in the rotations.

"Can we get back there? Sure we can," Elway said of the Super Bowl conversation. "That's our goal. That's what our fan base expects. That's what we expect of ourselves. That's what we expect of the coaching staff. We're working to that. Hopefully we can get there."

But it all leaves the Broncos trying to decide whether they're picking the right players up front or not doing enough to see what those players can do once they get them.

CSU's Nick Stevens, Jake Bennett take their first steps into the NFL together at Shrine Game By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com Jan. 18, 2018

The sight of a golden ram horn on a green helmet was a welcome one this week at East-West Shrine Game practice for quarterback Nick Stevens and offensive lineman Jake Bennett.

It's not simply that Stevens and Bennett were happy to be teammates for at least one more game after playing together at Colorado State. For Stevens in particular, the presence of Bennett allowed him an extra level of comfort working under center, something that has been a point of emphasis for all quarterbacks this week.

CSU's offense provided Stevens plenty of opportunities to work under center and take snaps from Bennett, so he doesn't face the same transition other quarterbacks have in learning to operate while dropping back, amplifying Stevens' advantage.

"It's awesome. It's like a broken-in baseball glove when he gets under center," Bennett said. "We know each other's timing well because we've done it thousands of times, so it's definitely comfortable with him back there."

The West team has shuffled its quarterbacks and centers throughout its three practices this week, so Stevens has taken snaps from every interior prospect on the squad.

"We've rotated centers, so I haven't been in there with him the whole time," Stevens said. "Both of us have talked and both of us feel super comfortable having all that experience together, having five years being under center -- especially because we ran an offense where we were under center a lot."

That has helped as the CSU standouts look to distinguish themselves. Stevens, a classic pro-style quarterback, wants to show that his skills and ability to read a defense translate to the NFL. That starts by incorporating some lessons from his coaches this week into his play -- including one designed to help simplify his reads.

"Just trying to eliminate as much as you can in a play," Stevens said. "When you go up to the line, instead of having to read the whole field, we split it down the middle if it's down the middle -- [to] split it down the middle, pick a side and stay on a side. Play loose, stuff like that."

Bennett, who was an all-state selection at Bear Creek High School before moving on to CSU, hopes to show his versatility, as he knows being able to play both guard positions as well as center could help him stick on a roster.

"I think it's hard to be just a center, so you've got to be versatile and be able to play those three [interior] positions. I think that's where I would fit in the NFL, being able to play anywhere in that middle three."

For both, the pro-style aspects of CSU's offense gave them an advantage heading into this week.

"Actually, one of the play calls is the exact same thing we run," Bennett said. "The concepts of the other ones are the same thing out of our playbook. So it's nice to have that background and that understanding. It's just more of a verbiage thing as far as flushing some old stuff [out] and getting some new stuff in."

But one thing that won't change -- at least for one more game -- is the green helmet and the gold horn both will wear together. For a final Saturday, Stevens and Bennett will be the harmonious pair that good quarterbacks and centers often are.

"We have chemistry," Stevens said, "and we're on the same page every time."

Peyton Manning named 10th recipient of Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com Jan. 18, 2018

Former Broncos great Peyton Manning has been named the 10th recipient of the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football.

Manning earned the honor Wednesday for "his positive impact to the game, both on and off the field, during his illustrious playing career," according to a release.

He will be given the award on Feb. 24 during the 48th annual NFL 101 Awards. Both the AFC and NFC players and coaches of the year from the 2017 season will be honored alongside Manning.

The award, which was created in 2008, honors the legacy of Lamar Hunt, the Chiefs' founder. The award aims to recognize those who have helped to shape the NFL.

“In addition to being one of the greatest to ever play the game, Peyton Manning reshaped the way the quarterback position is played and transcended the sport to become one of the most popular athletes of his generation,” said Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs and son of the award’s namesake. “Throughout his career and into retirement, he has handled the many demands of a superstar with class, respect and dignity. Our family is thrilled to add Peyton’s name to the outstanding list of previous recipients over this first decade of the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football.”

Manning spent four seasons in Denver, where he led the Broncos to two Super Bowl appearances and a victory. He also earned MVP honors following the 2013 season.

Off the field, Manning has been involved in a number of philanthropic efforts.

"As much as Manning meant to the game on the field, his career as a high-profile NFL player was also marked by his acute understanding of the responsibilities that come with that position," the release said.

Broncos sign three players to future contracts By Staff DenverBroncos.com Jan. 18, 2018

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed free-agent wide receiver Kenny Bell, tackle Andreas Knappe and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams to future contracts.

Bell (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) is a third-year player from the University of Nebraska who most recently competed on the practice squads of the Ravens (2017) and Buccaneers (2016). Selected by the Buccaneers in the fifth round (No. 162 overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, he spent his rookie year with Tampa Bay on injured reserve. Bell’s father, Ken, spent his entire NFL career with Denver (1986-89) and is tied for second in team history with 104 kick returns for 2,218 yards (21.3 avg.).

Knappe (6-foot-8, 315 pounds) is a first-year tackle from the University of Connecticut who competed on practice squads with the Falcons, Redskins and Colts during the 2017 season. Knappe, a native of Silkeborg, Denmark, entered the NFL as college free agent with Atlanta on May 1.

Williams (6-foot-1, 292 pounds) is a third-year defensive lineman from Clemson University who most recently competed on the Bengals’ practice squad in 2017. He appeared in four games and recorded two tackles (1 solo) and 0.5 sacks (1.0 yds) with Cincinnati in 2016 and spent his rookie year on its practice squad after the Bengals signed him as a college free agent on May 8, 2015.

The Broncos have now agreed to future contracts with 13 players. The future contract signees will be officially added to the roster at the start of the league year on March 14.

Emmanuel Sanders off the hook in felony sexual assault case By Staff TMZ Jan. 18, 2018

Denver Broncos WR will NOT be prosecuted for felony sexual assault after a grand jury in Texas decided there was not enough evidence to move forward with the case.

Officials in Texas are being very tight-lipped about the case ... but here's what we know so far.

Sanders was accused of sexual assault in Harris County, Texas -- where he still owns a home. He went to high school nearby.

Unclear when the alleged sexual assault took place -- but we know the case was classified as a felony 2 ... which means the allegations were very serious.

The case was kicked over to a grand jury and on January 9, the jury "failed to find a bill of indictment" ... meaning they felt there was not enough evidence to prove his guilt.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, Sanders is off the hook.

We reached out to Sanders for comment -- so far, no word back.

Report: Emmanuel Sanders investigated, not charged in sexual assault case By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk Jan. 18, 2018

Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders was reportedly investigated for felony sexual assault in Texas but will not be charged.

A grand jury examined the case as a second-degree felony, TMZ reports. The grand jury determined on January 9 that there was not enough evidence to charge Sanders.

No details have been published about the specific nature of the accusation against Sanders.

Sanders could still face NFL discipline. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, for instance, was suspended six games in 2017 for domestic violence even though he never faced criminal charges. It is unknown whether the NFL is investigating, but typically any time a player faced a legal investigation there would also be a separate NFL investigation.

Dolphins hire Eric Studesville to oversee run game By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk Jan. 18, 2018

The Dolphins have hired Eric Studesville as running backs coach/run-game coordinator, Jeff Legwold of ESPN reports.

The Broncos fired Studesville as assistant head coach/running backs coach after the season. He replaces Danny Barrett, who was fired by the Dolphins.

Studesville, 50, and Dolphins head coach Adam Gase previously worked together in Denver.

Studesville has 17 years experience as a running backs coach. He went 1-3 as the Broncos’ interim head coach in 2010 after Josh McDaniels was fired.

The Giants interviewed Studesville for their head coaching job before settling on Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.