What the Broncos’ 2014 offseason spending spree can tell us about 2018 By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Feb. 21, 2018

This story always begins with a plane ride, because that was when the message was fully received.

DeMarcus Ware, en route to Colorado to discuss the possibility of becoming a Bronco in March 2014, looked behind him and saw sitting a few rows back. Both were bound for Dove Valley, both would sign on a dotted line and both would later be introduced as the newest members of the Broncos’ remade defense.

The moment, 30,000 feet in the air, is when Ware knew what was happening. He could see John Elway’s vision for the Broncos after their embarrassing XLVIII loss to Seattle.

“Just their mentality is a ‘now’ mentality. A mentality of, ‘I’m not looking forward to the next season or the season after that — the time is now,’ ” Ware told a crowd of reporters on his first day as a Bronco. “So when I looked back there in that back seat and I see Talib, I’m like, ‘You know what? They’re trying to get the job done.’ ”

Those two joined free-agent safety T.J. Ward, as well as , a former Pittsburgh Steeler who would sign days later to be Denver’s No. 2 receiver in the wake of Eric Decker’s departure.

The payout of nearly $125 million in veteran talent happened in the span of about five days, ensuring the Broncos were the talk of the offseason as Elway opened their checkbook and gave a defense that would soon match their prolific offense.

But the truth is the moves took months of planning and shuffling names on their free-agency board, and lengthy negotiations with others, including cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, receiver Brandon LaFell and defensive end Jared Allen.

Elway’s plan for remaking the Broncos four years ago, however, could provide a loose blueprint to his approach this year, as they’re expected to pursue Kirk Cousins, a soon-to-be free agent who will become the highest-paid player in the NFL, and will begin to remake the current roster.

In 2014, the Broncos entered free agency with nearly $29 million in salary cap space based on the accounting of their top 51 contracts — the top 51 are the only ones that count against the cap in the offseason — before their massive shopping spree. They cleared another $10.1 million when they released veteran cornerback Champ Bailey and later received $4.1 million when offensive lineman Chris Kuper retired.

This year, the Broncos are projected to have around $26 million in cap space. But they could save even more if a pair of veterans are let go. Talib, 32, has two years remaining on his contract and carries a cap charge of $12 million for next season. If he’s released, the team would save $11 million cap space. The impetus for parting with Talib is primarily two-fold: money and younger talent. The Broncos think highly of cornerback , and his fifth-year salary rises to $8.526 million. Keeping Roby, Talib and veteran Chris Harris would eat about $30 million in cap space.

It’s quite possible the Broncos part with running back C.J. Anderson, too, to save an additional $4.5 million. Anderson, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, has two years remaining on his contract but no guaranteed money, which would allow the Broncos to release him without having anything count against their cap.

Rarely does a 29-year-old quarterback at the top of his game hit the open market, and Cousins will come at a cost much greater than the $125 million the Broncos shelled out to their four big additions in 2014. The floor for his next deal was reset when Jimmy Garoppolo signed a $137.5 million contract with the 49ers and, according to early projections, Cousins could easily seek $30 million a year and $100 million in guarantees.

“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Cousins said during Super Bowl LII week in Minnesota. “I was talking with Coach (Charlie) Weis earlier and he made it clear, ‘Hey, go where you can win.’ That’s exactly what the plan is.

“Now … there are a ton of variables that decide, ‘Do we think we can win?’ But that will ultimately be what makes the decision.”

And that’s where the comparison to the 2014 Broncos diverges.

Four years ago, the Broncos had leverage and appeal that allowed them to configure the contracts in a way that helped their cap. A month prior, the Broncos were playing in the Super Bowl with the most prolific offense in history, led by Manning. New deals were heavy on incentives and escalators.

The Broncos don’t have that appeal this year. After winning in 2016, Denver has been shut out of the playoffs for two seasons and has an offense in disarray.

What they do have, however, is a defense that ranked among the top five in total, passing and rushing yards allowed. They also have history.

Despite their recent lull, the Broncos remain one of the NFL’s marquee franchises run by a Hall of Fame quarterback in Elway who, for the most part, has been unafraid to make the tough decisions. They will also probably have a pair of elite receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Sanders, who figure to stick around as they pursue a change at quarterback. And to boot, they have potential, with proably 10 picks this year and options to manipulate cap room and acquire veteran talent.

If they play their cards right, Cousins might just be the next guy on a flight en route to Denver, knowing full well the Broncos have embraced a “now” mentality.

The Broncos need big-play help at wide receiver. Here’s five players at the position to watch at the NFL combine. By Nick Kosmider Denver Post Feb. 21, 2018

The Broncos last spring entered the middle rounds of the NFL draft on the hunt for game-breaking talent. And when Carlos Henderson (third-round pick) and Isaiah McKenzie (fifth) started making plays under the glaring August sun at training camp, it appeared Denver would have a youthful injection to its sagging offense in 2017.

As the Broncos prepare for the 2018 combine in Indianapolis next week, they still don’t know whether the two speedy wide receivers they selected in last year’s draft are destined to make an impact. Henderson spent his rookie season on the injured-reserve list. McKenzie, used primarily on special teams, had just four catches for 29 yards.

The questions at wide receiver for Denver don’t end after their two 2017 draft picks. Cody Latimer, who slowly began to emerge last season as a deep-ball threat, is an unrestricted free agent. Bennie Fowler is a restricted free agent. Emmanuel Sanders was hampered much of last season with an ankle injury. And Demaryius Thomas had his fewest receptions (83) since 2011 (32).

The pursuit of a quarterback may be the biggest priority for a Broncos offense which was among the NFL’s most inefficient in 2017, but it’s not the only need. Here are five intriguing wide receiver prospects to keep an eye on when the NFL combine begins next week:

Calvin Ridley, Alabama: His size (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) might be the only thing keeping Ridley from being viewed as a consensus top-10 pick. Still, it is hard to ignore the fact that on only 63 catches in the Tide’s run-happy offense, Ridley tallied 967 yards. That’s the type of big-play production (15.4 yards per catch) that has scouts high on Ridley in a class that isn’t projected to be as rich with first-round talent as, say, 2015, when five receivers were taken in the first round.

Ridley’s standing as somewhere between a mid- to late-first-round pick probably puts him outside the Broncos’ plans at No. 5. But were Denver to secure a quarterback in free agency and trade their first- round pick in an effort to collect more assets, Ridley could be a nice plug-and-play option for a new QB.

James Washington, Oklahoma State: Football fans in Colorado know Washington well. In the 2016 Alamo Bowl against the University of Colorado, the 5-foot-10, 210 pound Biletnikoff Award winner had nine catches for an eye-popping 171 yards and a , consistently taking the top off the Buffs’ vaunted secondary.

Washington, whose speed comes more down the field than it does bursting off the line of scrimmage, is one of the more polarizing players at his position in the draft. While there is some thought he could land late in the first round or early in the second, others predict him as a mid-round selection.

Keke Coutee, Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have a proud tradition of slot receivers who have found success in the NFL, including former Broncos receiver Wes Welker and the Patriots’ Danny Amendola.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Coutee is made in that same mold. He’s a quick-off-the-line speedster who has demonstrated an impressive ability to create separation in his routes. He ranked fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season with 109.9 yards receiving per game. He had 11 catches for 187 yards in the Birmingham Bowl back in December. After that performance, Coutee, projected as a third-to-fifth-round pick, decided to forgo his final season of eligibility to enter the draft.

Simmie Cobbs Jr., Indiana: At 6-4 and 220 pounds, with long arms and strong hands, Cobbs is among the most physically gifted receivers in the class. He jumped onto the map last season with a monster game against Ohio State, when he caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown against a talented Buckeyes secondary.

Cobbs has shown an impressive ability to come down with the up-for-grabs balls down the field, using his size as an asset.

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M: The 5-11, 200-pound Kirk is an intriguing prospect because of what he has the potential to provide on special teams. Kirk, in addition to catching 229 passes for 2,796 yards and 26 in three seasons with the Aggies, had seven return touchdowns in his college career — six punt returns, one kickoff return.

If Kirk can prove that he is in fact one of the fastest wide receivers in the draft class during the combine, he has a chance to be a second- or third-round steal given his versatility.

If Kirk Cousins wants to win, some teams just don't make sense By John Keim ESPN.com Feb. 21, 2018

No matter where quarterback Kirk Cousins signs, and given the attention his contract situation has received, there’s a clear directive: He’d better win. He knows that as well as anyone. And in every interview, Cousins has repeated that as his main desire.

If that’s the case, then some teams make a lot of sense and a handful of teams do not.

Minnesota tops the list of the teams that makes the most sense -- if it decides not to keep any of the three unrestricted free agents from their 2017 roster at the position. Thing is, the Vikings just reached the NFC Championship Game (with a much less expensive ), so the expectations would be set awfully high for Cousins. Still, if it’s about long-term success and the Vikings are interested, then they’re the easy choice -- even if it means rejecting bigger deals elsewhere.

The Redskins didn’t want to pay Cousins a certain amount because they believed it would be harder to build around him. Minnesota's roster is already built. The Vikings could afford to overpay a guy if they view him as the final piece, one who could help them now and for a few years while in that Super Bowl window.

Jacksonville makes sense, too, depending on what the Jaguars decide to do with .

But there are some teams for which, even if he signs, he’ll be back in a spot needing help and hoping the organization can provide what’s necessary.

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have a new coach in Steve Wilks. But they also need a lot of help and don’t have much cap room (approximately $23 million). There’s another potential problem: They play in the NFC West, the same division as two of Cousins’ former coaches – the Rams’ Sean McVay and San Francisco’s . That doesn’t mean Cousins couldn’t play in Arizona and win, but he’d also enter four games each year facing two coaches who know him as well as anyone, especially what makes him uncomfortable. Cousins did play well enough in a victory over the Rams last season and he threw for 330 yards in beating the 49ers (winless at the time). But it makes winning harder.

New York Jets: With approximately $75 million in cap space, they can pay quite a bit for Cousins if they want; they can free up another $15 million or so with cuts. But signing Cousins doesn’t solve all their issues. Quarterback Josh McCown wasn’t the problem in the 13 games he played last season, throwing 18 touchdowns to nine with a of 94.5. He wasn’t a player, but he played well and the Jets were 5-8 in games he started. New York lacks offensive playmakers; finding one with the sixth overall pick won’t be enough. They need a running back and a and offensive line help. They need to fix their defense, which ranked 22nd in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed.

Money alone has never solved problems in the NFL. Still, the Jets could always structure Cousins’ contract so it’s front-loaded, allowing them to build for the next several years. Then the question becomes: Can they do so? If Cousins signs here, it will definitely test the belief that he just wants to win. Sometimes a team offers so much money, it convinces players to believe that, yeah, they can win here (see: Redskins, 2000s). Having a coordinator in Jeremy Bates who has a reputation for being highly detailed -- and who coached with , Cousins’ first coach -- helps. Cousins met him once and he knows the system he runs. Winning in New York could make Cousins a king; losing there after signing a huge deal would do the opposite. Cousins would be betting on himself again, this time that he could elevate a franchise. He’d also be betting on the Jets to get him what he needs. Those are big bets. Cousins might end up here; that doesn’t mean it would make the most sense.

Denver Broncos: If the Vikings and Jaguars don’t bid, then it could come down to the Broncos or the Jets. Denver has shown it can build a winner. The Broncos also have a good running game, ranking 12th in yards per game last season. They have a defense that ranked third in yards (but 22nd in points allowed). There’s a base to build around, plus they have the fifth overall pick. The problem for Denver will be creating necessary cap space. The Broncos not only don’t have a lot of room now -- $25 million – they’re also in tough shape for 2019 (currently 29th in available space). Denver could release or trade some players to create more room, but one of them would be receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Also, coach ended his first season with rumors about getting fired. It’s a storied franchise, but it’s another gamble. And both sides will have to wonder the same thing: Given their cap situation, would signing Cousins prevent them from building for long-term success?

Cleveland Browns: This has never made sense for either side and there’s a good chance the Browns won’t even bid on Cousins. They have a chance to grab the best quarterback in a draft with several good prospects who, in a couple years, could surpass Cousins. And they’d be much cheaper. From Cousins’ perspective: The Browns are a combined 1-31 and have the same head coach. End of story.

2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Mel Kiper's picks for 1-32 By Mel Kiper ESPN.com Feb. 21, 2018

We're through the evaluation process of the , and the combine (Feb. 27-March 5) is on deck. The picture for the 2018 NFL draft is becoming clearer, though we still have to get through free agency -- and the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes -- before we have a better idea of what all 32 teams need.

Since my first mock draft in mid-January, we've seen the Eagles win the Super Bowl, traded to Washington and all of the vacant head-coach openings filled. So, yeah, there are quite a few changes in my new projection of picks 1-32, which you can read below:

A few reminders before I get started:

Upcoming combine testing, medicals, pro days and individual workouts are extremely important to the process, and draft boards will change a lot based on those.

There are no trades allowed in this projection, and 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.

The 49ers and Raiders are tied at Nos. 9 and 10, and the picks will be decided by a coin flip at the combine. For the purposes of this projection, I'm sticking with San Francisco for the ninth pick.

My new Big Board and position rankings can be found here. Let's dig in to Mock Draft 2.0:

Quick links: First round draft order | McShay's Mock 2.0 | Kiper's Mock 1.0

1. *, QB, Wyoming

I'm sticking with Allen here. The only way I see the Browns not ending up with a quarterback at No. 1 is if they sign Kirk Cousins, which is going to cost them around $100 million in guarantees. Then they could trade down with a quarterback-needy team to pick up more talent -- and remember, they have the No. 4 pick, too. Allen had a strong week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, improving every day. The NFL statistical comp I make to Allen: , who completed 57.1 percent of his passes in 39 games at Georgia and still went No. 1 overall. And Stafford had better talent around him.

2. *Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Do the Giants take a quarterback or the best prospect available? They don't have quite as many needs as the Browns, and they won 11 games two seasons ago. New York has some talent. I went with Josh Rosen in Mock Draft 1.0, but Barkley is the top-ranked player on my Big Board. If the Giants can add Barkley to a group that includes Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and , that would be rare skill-position talent. Barkley is more than a great runner -- he is a stellar receiver (he caught 54 passes in 2017) and pass-blocker. should be more efficient with these weapons around him, and the Giants can use another year of evaluation to figure out if 2017 third-round pick is the heir apparent.

3. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

No change with the Colts, who don't need a quarterback and can grab the draft's best pass-rusher. They ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks (25) last season. Chubb had 46.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. New Matt Eberflus came over from Dallas, where and the Cowboys ran a 4-3 defense. Chubb is a great fit in a 4-3 as an edge rusher.

4. Cleveland Browns (from ) *, DB, Alabama

With Saquon Barkley off the board, Cleveland can fill a huge need at cornerback with the pick it acquired in the Texans' trade up for last year. And yes, that's where Fitzpatrick would fit with the Browns. I said in my Mock Draft 1.0 that he is the top cornerback and safety in this draft. Fitzpatrick is a big-time playmaker as a deep safety, outside corner and in the slot -- he really has it all. He is a defensive coordinator's dream.

5. *, QB, USC

Darnold has a high ceiling, but ball security issues in 2017 -- his 22 turnovers were tied for most in the FBS -- raised questions. When he's on his game, he looks like the No. 1 overall pick. Can he show consistency? I expect Denver to be part of the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, and it could look to defense here if it lands the top free-agent quarterback. The Broncos might look very different in 2018, especially if Aqib Talib and Demaryius Thomas are released. They would have needs at several positions, including corner, safety, receiver and running back.

6. , QB, Oklahoma

This is another team I expect to be in on Kirk Cousins, and the Jets have to add a quarterback this offseason. and aren't long-term answers. So why Mayfield over Josh Rosen here? It's close. Mayfield is one of the best leaders in this class, and there are still questions about Rosen's ability to galvanize a team. Rosen has a higher ceiling, but Mayfield is ready to start in the NFL right now. I like Rosen as a pure passer, but there are also concerns about his injury history -- he missed half of the 2016 season after having shoulder surgery. Mayfield, the 2017 winner, put up huge numbers for the Sooners and measured 6-0 at the Senior Bowl. If the Jets get Cousins, cornerback is their top need.

7. *Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

Nelson moved up to No. 4 on my latest Big Board, and there's no question he's the favorite to be the first offensive lineman off the board in April. He's a plug-and-play starter who dominates defenders and can get to the second level. Tampa Bay had one of the league's worst running games in 2017 -- it averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. Nelson would be an instant upgrade.

8. *, LB, Virginia Tech

Edmunds is a tremendous athlete. He could play inside or outside linebacker in the Bears' 3-4, and it's that versatility and athleticism that has scouts drooling. I expect him to put up huge numbers at the combine. Edmunds had 109 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2017, and he does a good job covering pass-catchers out of the backfield. At 6-5, 250, Edmunds doesn't look like a traditional middle linebacker, but he's such a physical specimen that you can't rule it out. And the Bears just released Jerrell Freeman. Chicago could also be in the market for an offensive or wide receiver here.

9. *Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

No change for the 49ers here, as Ward would give them a true No. 1 cornerback on top of a super talented front seven. Ward is polished, though he's not huge (5-10, 191) like 6-2 , San Francisco's third-round pick last year. Ward had two interceptions and 15 pass breakups in 2017, and he plays the ball well and has good instincts.

10. Oakland Raiders *, ILB, Georgia

This match makes too much sense, so I'm sticking with it. Smith could be the centerpiece of Jon Gruden's Raiders defense, playing inside linebacker. He had 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season, and he was a force in the Playoff, making plays from sideline to sideline.

11. *Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

If Rosen drops to No. 11, Miami has to pounce. This is a pick for the best player available. is coming off a torn ACL which caused him to miss all of the 2017 season, and the Dolphins could move on from him next year. is a free agent. This quarterback situation isn't solved. Rosen is the most polished quarterback in this class when he's at his best, and he has rare arm talent. But he was inconsistent in 2017 and dealt with a serious shoulder injury in 2016. His medical reports and interviews with teams at the combine will be extremely important. Miami could also target an offensive tackle or pass-rusher.

12. *Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

This is a deep group of offensive tackles, and our first one is off the board at No. 12. Miller is a pure left tackle with a 6-8 frame and great feet. He reminds me of Patriots left tackle Nate Solder (a free agent). Last offseason, the Bengals let walk longtime left tackle , and former first-round pick took his spot. Whitworth had an All-Pro season with the Rams, but Ogbuehi struggled. He might be better with a move inside to guard. Picking Miller here gives Cincinnati an upgrade, though he needs to get stronger.

13. Washington Redskins *Vita Vea, DT, Washington

We could probably scratch off quarterback here after Washington traded for Alex Smith and signed him to a new deal. The next position I have on my Redskins needs list is nose tackle, and Vea and Alabama's Da'Ron Payne are the best in the class. Washington ranked last in the league in 2017 in run defense, allowing 134.1 yards per game. The 6-4, 346-pound Vea is a freakish talent who is more than a run- stopper. He has rare quickness for a player of his size and can play all three downs.

14. Marcus Davenport, DE, UT San Antonio

Davenport was my pick for Green Bay in Mock Draft 1.0, and I don't see a reason to change. There really aren't many top-tier edge rushers in this class for the second half of the first round, and there's a drop- off after Davenport. He had an OK week at the Senior Bowl but didn't dominate. That was expected, however, as he's a raw, quick-twitch athlete with a 6-6 frame and who lacks pass-rushing moves. Those should come in time, and he would get to learn the craft from Clay Matthews in Green Bay.

15. *, WR, Alabama

I love this fit for both sides. Take a look at the Cardinals' depth chart from the end of the season. will be 35 when the 2018 season begins. John Brown and Jaron Brown are free agents. They need a No. 2 receiver. Ridley is far and away the best wideout in this draft class, and getting him at No. 15 is good value. He had 19 career touchdown catches with inconsistent quarterback play. Arizona also needs a quarterback, of course, but I think new coach Steve Wilks & Co. are more likely to go the veteran route. But watch out for the Cardinals if one of the top four QBs falls.

16. *Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

I'm giving the Ravens a right tackle again, just swapping the prospect. Brown is pure mauler and plug- and-play guy over incumbent Austin Howard. At 6-8, 345, Brown will need to lose a little bit of weight, but he was stellar protecting Baker Mayfield's blind side at Oklahoma. Baltimore could be in position to snag the top center in this class -- Iowa's James Daniels is No. 1 on my board -- if it loses Ryan Jensen in free agency.

17. *Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

As I wrote in my Mock Draft 1.0, stopping the run has to be a priority for the Chargers in 2018. Their 4.9 yards per rushing attempt allowed ranked last in the league. Los Angeles has two young star edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but it has to improve on the interior. Payne popped in the College Football Playoff and even had an and touchdown catch in the semifinal win over Clemson. The 6-2, 319-pound Payne had only three career sacks, but he consistently beat his man, even if it didn't show up on the stat sheet.

18. *Derwin James, S, Florida State

There are questions all over the Seattle defense -- will Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril, and Richard Sherman be back? -- and the future of the aging Legion of Boom is up in the air. James could be a new member. He looked like a top-five pick as a freshman at Florida State in 2015, missed the entire 2016 season with a knee injury, then didn't return as the same player in 2017. But he's still extremely talented. Medical reports and testing at the combine will be important for James. Scouts are keeping an eye on how he runs and what he shows in the agility drills.

19. , ILB, Alabama

I almost went with a tight end here, as South Carolina's reminds me of a young Jason Witten, who can't play forever. But middle linebacker is another need, especially if Dallas can't retain free agent , and Evans could play there or be insurance for , who will be 32 when the 2018 season begins and has struggled with injuries in his career. Evans had 15 sacks at Alabama and is a threat as a pass-rusher on third down. He's smart and battle-tested after playing under . I really like this pick for the Cowboys.

20. *, RB, LSU

This is a spot to watch for a rising pass-rusher, but Detroit would be thrilled with the No. 2 running back on the board. Guice is a true every-down back, which Matthew Stafford has never had in his career. averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in 2017, while Theo Riddick is more of a versatile pass-catcher. Guice had 26 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he looked every bit as good for the Tigers as did in 2016. I also like the fit for USC running back Ronald Jones II and Detroit, so he's another option as the second back to be drafted.

21. *Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

With back-to-back picks here, could the Bills try to package these and move up for a quarterback? It would take both picks -- and more -- to get into the top 10. Hughes fills a big need opposite 2017 first- round pick Tre'Davious White, and he's a great punt and kick returner, too. He had three touchdown returns last season. After playing at North Carolina in 2015 and a junior college in 2016, Hughes doesn't have a ton of experience, but he emerged as a shutdown corner and important player for the Knights in 2017.

22. Buffalo Bills (from ) *James Daniels, C/G, Iowa

Michigan Maurice Hurst is a perfect fit in the Bills' 4-3 -- and my top-ranked 4-3 tackle -- but the retirement of Eric Wood opens up a void at center in Buffalo, and the Bills could get the top prospect at a real position of need. Daniels is No. 1 on my board there. At 6-4, 296, he can move his feet and get to the second level as a true athlete. He is perfect as an anchor for today's NFL. I wouldn't be shocked if two centers went in the first round. Ohio State's Billy Price is the other one.

23. *Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Los Angeles has decisions to make on free-agent Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey- Coleman and safety/corner Lamarcus Joyner, and it isn't likely to keep them all. Cornerback is a clear need for the Rams. Jackson burst onto the scene with eight interceptions in 2017, including three in an upset win over Ohio State. The big question about Jackson is true speed -- he needs to run well at the combine to stay in the first-round discussion. He could also help out on punt returns.

24. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

When was league MVP in 2015, he had a deep threat in Ted Ginn Jr. who could take the top off defenses. Ginn had 10 touchdowns and averaged almost 17 yards per catch. Washington could be that guy for the Panthers. He averaged 19.8 yards per catch and had 39 touchdowns at Oklahoma State. He is great after the catch. At 5-11, 210, Washington is undersized, but he was one of the best receivers at the Senior Bowl. He consistently beat defenders in one-on-ones, just like I saw on his college tape.

25. *Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

Tennessee is expected to part ways with DeMarco Murray, which means becomes the primary back. New Matt LaFleur spent time with the Falcons (2015-16) and Rams (2017), who both used their backs a lot in the passing game, and Jones could be a complementary back who helps there. He caught only 14 passes last season, but he has a lot of tools with which to work and has a lot of talent after the catch. I also thought about center or guard here, as the Titans need to upgrade the interior of their line.

26. Falcons Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

Wynn is another prospect who helped himself at the Senior Bowl. He was one of the best offensive linemen there, and he neutralized pass-rushers on almost every one-on-one rep. Wynn played guard and tackle for the Bulldogs, but at 6-2, 308, scouts see him as a guard at the next level. By picking Wynn, Atlanta could upgrade on Wes Schweitzer on the right side or move on from Andy Levitre on the left side. Defensive tackle and receiver are other positions to watch with this pick, depending on what happens in free agency.

27. *Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

I mentioned Hurst at pick No. 19, and he's trending toward being a Day 1 pick and the first tight end off the board. He's a well-rounded tight end who didn't get a ton of targets in the South Carolina offense. One thing to note: Because Hurst spent a couple of years playing minor league baseball, he will be 25 when he plays his first NFL game. That shouldn't be a demerit, however, as he has the tools to be a premier tight end in the league. New Orleans brought in Coby Fleener in 2016 to try to replace the production of , but that didn't work out and the Saints could release him this offseason. needs a No. 1 tight end.

28. *, LB, Boise State

Vander Esch is a name I continue to hear for the end of the first round. I expect him to put up strong numbers at the combine. At 6-4, 240, he has the versatility to play outside linebacker, but I think his best fit is as an inside 'backer in a 3-4. He's a physical run-stopper who can defend tight ends and running backs -- he had three interceptions in 2017. Inside linebacker is an obvious need for the Steelers, who will have to replace . This is also a spot where I could see a team trading up to grab Louisville quarterback and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner , who I think will be the fifth QB off the board.

29. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

I'm giving the Jags a different tight end here after going with Oklahoma's Mark Andrews in my Mock Draft 1.0. Former first-round pick Marcedes Lewis has had a great career, but he's turning 34 this year and isn't much of a receiving threat. I have compared Goedert to Todd Heap and , two guys who can catch passes and also block. Goedert has a tremendous catch radius at 6-4, 260. He suffered a hamstring injury at the first Senior Bowl practice but should be fine to work out at the combine.

30. *Geron Christian, OT, Louisville

This tackle class is fluid. I could see five or six be picked on Day 1. I'm anticipating Christian to get a lot of buzz at the combine. He's going to be a riser after he shows his athleticism in drills. Christian started 39 straight games for the Cardinals, including every game as a freshman. He has great feet and a big 6-6 frame. With Mike Remmers likely staying at guard in 2018 and beyond, the Vikings have a hole at right tackle. Notre Dame's Mike McGlinchey and Texas' Connor Williams are other tackles to keep an eye on.

31. *Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

Jackson is another prospect I expect to rise at the combine. He might be the fastest player in this class. He has elite speed and physical talent, and he could help out as a returner. Jackson is only 5-11, 180, but he's a similar build to 2017 first-round pick Adoree' Jackson. We know the Patriots love to trade down, so this is a spot to watch for a team trying to get Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Patriots also need a pass-rusher, and Boston College's Harold Landry or Georgia's Lorenzo Carter could be in consideration.

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

The Super Bowl champs are built to contend for years to come, and they don't have many immediate needs. I thought about tackle here, as veteran left tackle is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. But former fifth-round pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai showed promise down the stretch, and the offensive line as a whole played really well in the playoffs. The Eagles might part ways with this offseason, which means a receiver at the end of the first round makes sense. At 5-11, Kirk isn't a big target, but he can be a weapon in the slot and in the return game. UCLA's Jordan Lasley is a receiver who could rise into the Day 1 discussion, too.

Broncos veterans Talib, Wolfe could be vulnerable in roster moves By Troy Renck KMGH Feb. 21, 2018

Patience remains a stranger at Dove Valley. The Broncos do not go young, do not engage in full-blown youth movements.

The race to the bottom feels normal in MLB and the NBA. Rebuild through the draft. The Rockies pulled it off with Todd and the Toddlers, as Todd Helton helped Colorado reach the 2007 World Series. However, Helton experienced five winning seasons in 17 years.

The NFL does not lend itself to such long depths of despair. Each fall brings hope. The Broncos have six losing seasons and seven Super Bowl berths over the past 34 years. They exhibit no preference for watching from the curb as the parade floats saunter down main street.

All signs suggest the Broncos will aggressively pursue quarterback Kirk Cousins. And if not him, then perhaps Case Keenum or a placeholder like . Landing Cousins, the top prize of the free agent class, remains daunting. The Broncos could use breathing room against the salary cap to not only sign Cousins but to leave money to address needs around him.

That means veterans become vulnerable, the business of football creating difficult choices with cornerback Aqib Talib and defensive end Derek Wolfe.

Talib spoke at season's end about his uncertain future. He owns four Pro Bowls in four seasons in Denver. He has two seasons remaining on his contract -- $11 million in 2018, $8 million in 2019. The $11 million salary is reasonable for Talib. The issue is simple: Talib turned 32 last week, and the Broncos appear ready for Bradley Roby to start after multiple strong games last season.

Trading Talib remains an option, but with only $1 million in dead cap money, the possibility exists he could be released. The Rams, 49ers and Cowboys could be potential fits if he becomes a free agent.

Around the league, veteran casualties are beginning to mount with Tampa Bay releasing running back Doug Martin on Tuesday, and the Texans telling linebacker Brian Cushing he will be cut prior to the first day of the league year on March 14.

Another Broncos player in jeopardy? Wolfe. Nobody questions Wolfe's heart and toughness. However, injuries have left him vulnerable against the cap after he finished with two sacks and 31 tackles last season.

Wolfe, who turns 28 this week, signed a four-year, $36.7 million deal during the Super Bowl 50 playoff run. The Broncos, if they release Wolfe, would suffer a $3.75 million cap hit, but would clear his $8 million salary in 2018 and 2019. He also has a $1 million option bonus due March 18, another element to consider when massaging the roster.

The move carries risk given Wolfe's previous production, and the edge he brings to the defense. The Broncos drafted defensive end DeMarcus Walker for a reason, and still believe in him. Couple that with the emergence of and an improved Adam Gotsis, and it's fair to wonder about Wolfe's future.

Wolfe missed five games last season because of a neck injury. Wolfe said he has spinal stenosis -- a nerve root becomes compressed -- in the C7 segment of his neck. He hoped to avoid surgery, though it was not ruled out, and anticipated a full recovery when discussing his recovery during the final week of the season.

"I fully expect -- I can't even say expect -- I know that I am going to come back even stronger and better from this," Wolfe said on 104.3 The Fan.

One thing remains certain. The Broncos will make moves as they position themselves for Cousins. The Broncos rank as strong contenders, along with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.

The Jets provide real opposition. According to The New York Post, the Jets could guarantee Cousins $60 million upon signing given their vast cap space. Pro Football Talk speculated New York could guarantee the entire contract, unheard of in the NFL. Cousins figures to eclipse the five-year, $137.5 million deal Jimmy Garoppolo signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Also working in the Jets favor? The presence of new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates. He comes from the Mike Shanahan coaching tree, running a scheme Cousins knows well and likes.

The Vikings, if they move on from their current quarterback trio, can present a strong case of being one player away from winning a Super Bowl. Cousins has said repeatedly he wants to win after barely sniffing the playoffs in Washington.

The Broncos are two years removed from wearing the crown. To contend again, they need a quarterback, even if it means moving on from players who played pivotal roles in the Super Bowl 50 title run.

What are the odds for the next Denver Broncos Quarterback By Woody Paige Colorado Springs Gazette Feb. 21, 2018

In regard to sports, you and I are wrong occasionally (often?), but the general belief is that "Las Vegas always seems to get it right.''

There's a valid reason for the multitude of high-rise resorts, casinos, sports books and all-you-can- devour cheap buffets.

The betting line on a game will be minus-3.5; you take the favorite and lay the points, and your team wins by 3. You lose. But, then, Vegas has brain burps. The favored Patriots did not win the Super Bowl. One anonymous wise guy took the Eagles plus 5½ points for $3 million. Think he liked that pass to for a touchdown?

Which brings us, as usual, to Kirk Cousins.

David Ramsey: America turns its lonely eyes to Peyton Manning, who must return to NFL as TV color commentator Tuesday was the opening of a two-week window when NFL teams may designate players with the franchise tag, and Washington did nothing. The D.C. team reportedly has been mulling a "tag-you're-it'' ploy for Cousins for the third consecutive season at a $34 million salary even after making a trade in principle (that can't be official until March 14) for Alex Smith.

Washington's front office won't pay $50 million for two QBs, but might figure Cousins could be signed and dealt. However, the Cousins camp has indicated he wouldn't renegotiate the contract if traded, and would become a free agent at season's end. He also could file a grievance against Washington, alleging violation of the "good-faith'' clause in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. No team will give Washington two first-round picks for the service of Cousins for one season at $34 mil.

At least nine teams are deliberating the prospect of trying to lure the free Cousins with what will be the highest contract in league history - approximately $175 mil-plus.

The Broncos are prominently in the mix for the most acclaimed free agent quarterback since Peyton Manning signed a five-year, $96 million contract with Denver six years ago next month. The Broncos are first or second (behind the Jets) depending on who's speculating. John Elway is not talking. But authentic sources tell me the Broncos are jumping in for a Manning Repeat, and that Cousins is receptive to a Broncos' offer.

Elway would prefer a veteran quarterback after failed experiments with , Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler. has become the Broncos' leading cheerleader for Cousins, who recently said to TMZ Sports that it was "flattering to hear a player of Von's caliber to speak nicely of me. It's always nice to be wanted. I would enjoy gathering the information and learning more about Denver.'' Vanilla extract.

The Super Bowl-ready Vikings (confronted with three who will become unrestricted free agents, and only Our Friend Kyle Sloter under contract) and the Jaguars appear to be more attractive than the Browns, Cardinals, Bills, Giants, Jets, Dolphins and the Broncos.

I'm asked constantly: "Do you want fries with that burger, and who will be the Broncos' quarterback next season?''

Yes, and I don't know. You don't know. Anybody who claims to know doesn't know. Cousins doesn't know, and the Broncos, as one of their people told me last week, "don't know.''

Nearly 20 options are possible for the Broncos.

So I reached out to Vegas.

Jay Kornegay, vice president of racing and sports at the Westgate Resort, oversees the SuperBook and is one of the most prominent and respected oddsmakers in Nevada. The 1987 graduate of Colorado State University is a live-and-die-hard fanatic of the Rams, the Rockies, the Avalanche, the Nuggets and the Broncos. But he has to be objective about Colorado teams when setting betting lines and odds.

You can't make a legal bet on who will be the Broncos' quarterback this year, but Kornegay agreed Tuesday to provide us with the odds ("off the cuff'' and for entertainment purposes only):

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) attempts a pass during an NCAA college football game against Kansas at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP) Baker Mayfield, 9-2.

Kirk Cousins, 6-1.

Tyrod Taylor, 10-1.

A.J. McCarron, 10-1.

Brock Osweiler, 10-1.

Case Keenum, 11-1.

Sam Bradford, 12-1.

Josh Rosen, 18-1.

Sam Darnold, 20-1.

Josh Allen, 25-1.

Teddy Bridgewater, 80-1.

Josh McCown, 80-1.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, 500-1.

Drew Brees, 1,000-1.

Jay Kornegay, 2,500-1.

Jay Cutler, 3,000-1.

Brandon Weeden, 5,000-1.

I wouldn't bet on either Jay. Who would you bet on?

2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Bills bold with top-five trade, Saints shock by taking QB By Will Brinson CBSSports.com Feb. 21, 2018

It's early in mock draft season to be firing up the old fake trade machine, but a rumor about the Broncos getting involved with Kirk Cousins makes the idea of them trading down too enticing not to explore. Plus, the Broncos could whiff on Cousins and end up needing to stay where they are, so let's get this thing out of the way.

Basically the gist is this: Denver wants to sign Cousins and wants to give him a ton of money, but can't just do it out of pocket right now. They will need to make cuts, and there is a very good chance said cuts involve cornerback Aqib Talib (who is probably getting released anyway because of salary-cap reasons) and Derek Wolfe. The Broncos need to free up money but can't cut wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas because then no quarterback will want to come join them.

After making those moves, the Broncos can conceivably trade down from No. 5 and there is a very good trade partner in the Bills, who have a need at quarterback, would love to jump the Jets to grab one and have multiple first-round picks.

The old-school trade value of No. 5 is 1,700 points, while the Bills' two first-round picks (No. 21 and No. 22) are worth 1,580 points. To make up the difference in value, the Bills send No. 56 overall (350) to Denver in exchange for No. 71 overall (235), which basically gets the two parties to even.

To recap:

The Bills get No. 5 overall and No. 71 overall.

The Broncos get No. 21 overall, No. 22 overall and No. 56 overall.

So in this scenario, the Bills are able to use their two first-round picks to fly up the board and snare a quarterback (details below). They will walk out of Round 1 with a franchise quarterback and they will still have a second-round pick because that No. 56 pick is what they got from the Rams for . So Buffalo will get a franchise quarterback, one second-round pick and two third-round picks. The Broncos will end up selecting four times between No. 21 and No. 56. That's how you reload a roster.

It's a deal that, frankly, makes sense for both sides should things unfold in this fashion.

1. Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold, QB, USC: The highest ceiling and floor combination of all these quarterbacks, and Cleveland can even likely afford Darnold the opportunity to sit for a season and learn while someone like AJ McCarron plays in 2018.

2. New York Giants Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming: The best possible landing spot for a quarterback who HAS to sit at least a year, thanks to the presence of Eli Manning. Certainly not ruling them out for going after a defensive player or an offensive standout here either.

3. Indianapolis Colts Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State: The best non-quarterback in the draft, Chubb is a blue-collar worker who fits the mentality of Chris Ballard and and gives Indy a pass-rushing presence it has needed badly since Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney were in town together.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans) Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama: Again, this is such a great position for the Browns to be in, at least heading into the draft. They get their quarterback at the top, with no fear of being snaked, and then can take the best player available. In this case it's Fitzpatrick, who can play all over the place and gives the Browns much needed talent at defensive back. Fitzpatrick gave up a 10.1 passer rating on passes of 20 yards or more down the field last year, according to Pro Football Focus data.

5. Buffalo Bills (VIA MOCK TRADE with Broncos) Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: This is a case where the chips fall just right for the Bills. The picks in question (see: above) are close enough in value for the two teams to work out a deal and the inherent talent available makes sense too. The Broncos would prefer a top-tier player, obviously, but after making roster cuts they need more help across the board. The Bills desperately need a quarterback and Rosen dropping to five gives them a real option.

6. New York Jets Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma: Mayfield in New York and on the Jets? Shoot it into my daggum veins.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: The temptation to go in a defensive direction here or to pluck an offensive lineman would be strong, but Barkley in the backfield with plus Mike Evans and O.J. Howard as primary targets? Hard to see how this offense doesn't take off. (Of course we said that last year too.)

8. Chicago Bears Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: GM Ryan Pace has been fairly hard to predict when it comes to the draft -- even his own coach didn't know he was interested in last year -- but you better believe the next three months will be heavily focused on getting weapons for his franchise quarterback.

9. San Francisco 49ers Quenton Nelson, OL, Notre Dame: What a dream situation for Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo. Nelson is athletic, but he's also a straight mauler. The 49ers need to find weapons and protection for Jimmy G and this qualifies nicely.

10. Oakland Raiders Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: Also an ideal setup here, with the Raiders pairing a glaring need with the best player at his position. Smith is one of the four best players in the draft independent of position and he would be a massive upgrade for the Raiders at linebacker.

11. Miami Dolphins Derwin James, DB, Florida State: There's a lot to sort out in the early going with this team as it relates to free agency (looking at you Jarvis Landry and ) but for now we'll give them the best player available, a versatile defensive weapon in James and a guy I don't actually expect to be at No. 11 come draft night. (But then again, if the quarterbacks all go early ...)

12. Cincinnati Bengals Mike McGlinchey, OL, Notre Dame: The Bengals need to win now and also need to get better on the offensive line. McGlinchey should help them do that, although it's possible they see and Cedric Ogbuehi as still the answer at tackle.

13. Washington Redskins Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama: The Redskins already invested in the defensive line with Jonathan Allen last year, but no reason they can't get bigger up front. That's a plus against the offensive lines of the Eagles and Cowboys. And why not recreate a duo that managed to help propel the Crimson Tide to one or two victories over the years?

14. Green Bay Packers Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College: The sort of versatile, long pass rusher you could see Mike Pettine unleashing in his first season with the Packers.

15. Arizona Cardinals Connor Williams, OL, Texas: The Cardinals in this scenario have already acquired their quarterback, presumably via free agency, and need to provide some protection up front for whoever that mystery quarterback is.

16. Baltimore Ravens Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU: The Ravens are an interesting spot with Ozzie Newsome stepping down and Eric DeCosta taking over. It's hard to imagine them doing too much differently as a result, but it's not hard to imagine Newsome wanting to push for one last title run before he steps away. Adding a wideout would help in a big way.

17. Los Angeles Chargers Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia: The Chargers made a habit of drafting high floor guys who could help out immediately and Wynn would qualify as well. Getting back and adding Wynn would give a beleaguered line additional help.

18. Seattle Seahawks Orlando Brown, OL, Oklahoma: John Schneider has admitted previously he sometimes has to draft for need, and if the Seahawks don't solve some of their offensive line problems in free agency, they may have to do just that when the draft rolls around.

19. Dallas Cowboys Vita Vea, DL, Washington: If the Cowboys franchise tag Demarcus Lawrence and add a big body like Vea in the draft (this would be a great spot to land him), then they've got the pieces coming together for an interesting little defensive line next year.

20. Detroit Lions Billy Price, OL, Ohio State: Center Travis Swanson is a free agent, and TBD on where the Lions end up there. If they have a hole at center they could plug in from the get go. Protecting Matthew Stafford is paramount, although it wouldn't be surprising if they went defense for Matt Patricia's first draft.

21. Denver Broncos (VIA MOCK TRADE with Bills) Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa: Don't really see Jackson falling this far when the draft rolls around, but here we are! And boy did this work out for the Broncos, who can grab a cornerback to replace Aqib Talib. Trading down looks clever.

22. Denver Broncos (VIA MOCK TRADE from Bills via Chiefs) Maurice Hurst, DT, : And now Elway gets to find a replacement for Derek Wolfe, giving the Broncos a really nice haul from the first round of the draft considering they gave up a prime spot to land a quarterback.

23. Los Angeles Rams Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State: When you start to look at this draft and the needs for these teams, it becomes pretty clear there could be some serious talent falling because of quarterback and offensive line availability. The Rams add another defensive piece to an already stout unit.

24. Carolina Panthers Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA: The Panthers probably need to get some wide receiver or offensive line talent, but they would also be well served to invest in pass rushers. Julius Peppers is leaning towards coming back next year but is probably one-and-done at this point.

25. Tennessee Titans Arden Key, EDGE, LSU: Who knows where Key will end up going? He has top-five talent but definitely has some red flags when it comes to off-field issues pushing his stock down. The Titans could gamble here on a guy who can make an immediate impact as an edge rusher.

26. , DT, Florida: The Falcons have done a really nice job drafting and developing defensive players so far under Dan Quinn, who can dip into his old Florida pipeline and secure some depth for a defensive line that could lose Dontari Poe.

27. New Orleans Saints Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: Here's the thing. The Saints are already good. And they know they have Drew Brees locked in for a few years, assuming they actually sign him in free agency. Let Jackson sit and learn 's system, train under Brees and then unleash him.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: The Steelers can snare a top-end talent out of a premium program while also trying to find some help to replace the irreplaceable Ryan Shazier. The defense took a huge step back when Shazier went down and the Steelers need to try and shore up the linebacker position.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State: Assuming the Jaguars tag , they can probably avoid taking a wideout here. Offensive line could be a concern, but getting Blake Bortles a bail-out weapon would be a nice move as well and help the blocking situation.

30. Minnesota Vikings Will Hernandez, OL, UTEP: The quarterback position will encourage plenty of questions over the next few weeks, but regardless of who is back there, the Vikings need to improve their protection.

31. New England Patriots Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado: In lieu of having the Patriots trade out of the first round (which they'll probably do) and acquire more picks, we'll give them a cornerback because they, um, needed extra secondary help during Super Bowl LII.

32. Philadelphia Eagles James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State: The Eagles could end up losing Torrey Smith in free agency and if they do, they need to find another weapon to take the top off opposing defenses.

$150 million? $60 million in first year? Kirk Cousins' contract could be crazy By Frank Schwab Yahoo.com Feb. 21, 2018

For many reasons, Kirk Cousins’ free agency is one of the most fascinating NFL offseason stories in years.

The answers to these two questions will turn the NFL upside down: Where will Cousins land, and how much will he get paid? The latter question might actually be more important around the league than the first.

Cousins’ contract is going to set some records. That much seems inevitable, unless he follows through on his talk of wanting to go to a winner and takes a discount somewhere like Denver. Jimmy Garoppolo’s time as the highest paid player in NFL history is going to last about a month.

But how high will it go? One report Tuesday said the New York Jets are willing to give Cousins a first-year total of … $60 million. Every team that has an elite quarterback with a contract renegotiation coming up just passed out.

The New York Post’s Brian Costello, based on his reporting, put out a possible Jets offer for Cousins: five years, $150 million with most of that guaranteed and an amazing $60 million guaranteed in the first year. Garoppolo shattered a record with a first-year cap hit of $37 million, and Cousins’ first-year number could beat that. Pro Football Talk has speculated the Jets, or someone else, could guarantee Cousins’ entire deal, which is practically unprecedented for a mega-deal in the NFL. Front-loading the deal with a huge first-year cap number would make the contract more palatable on the salary cap for the final few years of it.

Remember after you hear those possible numbers for Cousins — who has made one Pro Bowl and led Washington to the playoffs once, where it lost its first game — that at some point soon, the Green Bay Packers must extend ’ deal.

Cousins will put an even bigger chasm between the quarterback market in the NFL and the market for all other players. He’s a unique case since no quarterback with Cousins’ combination of age, talent, skill level and extended track record has ever hit the open market. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Jets could see Cousins as a quick way to solve their quarterback issue, and a few of them have a ridiculous amount of cap space. Nothing should shock us when we see the final numbers in Cousins’ deal.

It will be exciting to see where Cousins, one of the most coveted free agents ever, lands. And NFL executives will be keeping a close eye on the details of his contract.

Here’s what NFL TV schedule could look like By John Ourand Sports Business Journal Feb. 21, 2018

Will a rematch of the NFC championship kick off the NFL’s 2018 season? Will the Washington Redskins play their third Thanksgiving in a row? Will Jon Gruden’s Oakland Raiders anchor the season’s first Monday night on ESPN?

These are three scenarios that were bandied about in Minneapolis during Super Bowl week as network executives made their annual trek to lobby the NFL’s master schedule maker, Howard Katz, for the best games next season.

Top executives from ESPN, Fox Sports and NBC Sports met with Katz and his team in Minneapolis. CBS met the week before in New York. As in every other year in recent memory, the networks clamored to carry the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers — teams that reliably draw the biggest TV ratings in the league. This year, the networks also showed a lot of interest in the Philadelphia Eagles, even before their Super Bowl win.

What made this year’s meetings different were the number of new teams that piqued interest, like the Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers with newly signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Here are a few predictions for how the NFL schedule could shake out:

NBC

Sunday night remained the NFL’s top-rated package last season and was the top-rated prime-time series in all of television for the seventh consecutive season. It will come as no surprise that, once again, the league will put its most competitive schedule on NBC and max out on the number of times it carries the Cowboys, Packers and Patriots. Don’t be surprised to see NBC carry multiple Rams games early in the season.

CBS

The AFC schedule looks particularly weak next season from a television standpoint. For example, the only Cowboys games CBS could carry are against the Jaguars and Titans, two teams that generally do not bring in big ratings. Look for the NFL to cross-flex more NFC games to CBS than it has in the past in an attempt to put bigger market games on the network.

Fox

I expect Fox to have a stronger “Thursday Night Football” schedule than in previous years. Sources said Fox is open to moving games that would have anchored late Sunday windows to Thursday night. Sunday still matters for Fox. But as it starts its five-year “Thursday Night Football” deal, it wants the strongest schedule possible on Thursday.

ESPN

Last year, ESPN pushed to have more games between division rivals. Expect the league to give ESPN more of those games, though this schedule will continue to have the weakest games of any TV package.

Specific Games

NFL Opener on NBC

Minnesota at Philadelphia. Dallas-Philly would post a bigger rating, and the NFL will want to start the season strong following two years of ratings drops. But the league loves rematches in this slot, and a replay of the NFC championship makes the most sense here.

Opening Weekend on ESPN

Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland. Look for ESPN to get the Raiders home opener, which would be former “” analyst Gruden’s first home game as the Raiders coach. The opponent doesn’t matter here. ESPN just wants Gruden, who served as “Monday Night Football” analyst for nine seasons.

Thanksgiving

Green Bay at Detroit on CBS. The only AFC opponents the Lions play at home next season are the Patriots and the Jets. CBS and the NFL consider the Patriots to be too strong and the Jets to be too weak for this early-window Thanksgiving slot. Look for the league to cross-flex an NFC North rival to Thanksgiving. The Lions played the Vikings on Thanksgiving the past two years, so my bet is on the Packers. Green Bay has not played on Thanksgiving since 2013.

Washington at Dallas on Fox. For the past several seasons, Fox has pushed for good Thanksgiving matchups to help boost ratings. My guess is that the league will pick an NFC East opponent, and I’m placing my bets on Washington. The Redskins have played on Thanksgiving the past two seasons, but the league does not mind having them play on consecutive Thanksgivings.

Falcons at Panthers on NBC. The NFL likes to have a rivalry game in this slot. While it has a lot of games it can use in this slot, I’m keeping my eye on this NFC South matchup. That would allow the NFL to turn around and have the Falcons host the Cowboys the following Thursday as part of the “Thursday Night Football” package.

NFLPA’s PAC makes no contributions in first year By Daniel Kaplan Sports Business Journal Feb. 21, 2018

The NFLPA’s political action committee, the first and thus far only one among major sports unions, raised more than $700,000 from its players last year, its first full year, but made no political contributions, according to the labor group’s filing last month with the Federal Election Committee.

By contrast, the NFL’s Gridiron PAC raised less, just over $614,000, but spent over $283,000 in political contributions, according to the league’s FEC filing.

The NFLPA, which declined to comment, raised all of its money from 1,000 individual contributions from players, all dated on Nov. 2, 2017, the union’s federal filing shows. The contributions ranged from $250 to $5,000, with Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Jermey Parnell and union head DeMaurice Smith making the largest contributions.

Political experts were puzzled why the NFLPA, which is based in Washington, D.C., would not have made any political contributions, especially with players in the news so often because of the controversy surrounding kneeling during the national anthem.

“It is unusual,” said political consultant Mathew Littman, when asked about a year-and-a-half-old PAC not making contributions. “It is unusual not to give away money because it seems to me players need good relationships in Congress, and PAC money can help build those relationships.”

Littman said players would want to make their voices heard on topics such as the expiration of the collective-bargaining agreement in three seasons, brain injuries and social issues.

A source close to the NFLPA said the PAC is bipartisan and focused on issues specific to players such as health and safety, workers compensation and intellectual property. The source said contributions will be made federally and locally, too.

The NFL has contributed $3.3 million from its Gridiron PAC since its inception in 2007, the FEC website shows. The contributions last year ranged from liberal stalwart Rep. Nancy Pelosi to GOP House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who attended the annual commissioner’s party during Super Bowl week this month.

The NFL PAC gave $1,000 to Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee on Sept. 28, 2017, the NFL FEC filing shows, two days after she introduced a bill to “remind” people how they should behave during the playing of the national anthem.

Most owners gave $5,000 to the PAC during 2017, with heavy contributions coming from executives of the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. In fact, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn gave $1,000, the only contribution from a coach listed in the NFL filing.

Top Contributions to NFL Players Association One Team PAC in 2017 Player Amount Jermey Parnell $5,000 DeMaurice Smith* $5,000 Joe Staley $2,500 $2,500 Brock Osweiler $2,500