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Quarterback must tell the Broncos which he values more: money or winning By Mark Kiszla Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018

Enough with the Olympics blah-blah. Let’s talk about something serious, like the Broncos situation. How about our first-round pick this year, second-round pick next year and in return for Philadelphia’s ?

John, wheeler-dealer

Kiz: The knuckleheads here at Kickin’ It Headquarters want a new Broncos quarterback in the worse way, but mortgaging the future for Nick Foles might the worse way to solve the problem. Here’s a better idea: Kirk Cousins is not a top-five quarterback in this league. But could Denver reach the Super Bowl with him? Yes. won’t overpay for Cousins. So if Cousins will offer a discount to play on the same team as , let’s make a deal.

I learned years ago how special Lindsey Vonn is when she inspired my now 24-year-old grad student. Back then, Genevieve was a 10-year-old skier at Team Summit. She met Lindsey, and in addition to a still-treasured, autograph poster, Lindsey gave Genevieve her cell phone number. While Gen only called three or four times, Lindsey always called back, chatted and encouraged Gen to keep skiing and, more importantly, to go after her goals. As a father, having Lindsey instill confidence in a little girl, who then blossoms into a truly special person, is gratifying beyond words.

Mike, grateful father

Kiz: Vonn has won 81 World Cup races, a record for female skiers. But she has done even greater things, as Gen could attest.

Perhaps Vonn could leverage some of the goodwill in her heart to show a modicum of respect for the office of the president. We should keep in mind that a lot of hard-working, respectful, tax-paying Americans voted for our current president.

Herbert, Castle Pines

Kiz: If Steph Curry and Vonn don’t want to meet the president, perhaps the president should ask: Why?

I’d like to point out Liz Swaney, the skier you criticized for participating in the Olympics, did several 180s in the air, above the halfpipe. Other low-ranking athletes are celebrated. Why is a white female being bullied by the media?

J.R., defender of the underdog

Kiz: The halfpipe is dangerous. Competitors risk their health on every trick. Swaney risked nothing. Even Eddie the Eagle hurtled off a ski jump and the Jamaican bobsled team flew down the track at 70 mph. Swaney took a stroll in the park.

How do you do it, Kiz? Day after day, you write a column (or two) from the Olympics. They’re well- written, well-researched, informative and entertaining. You deserve a gold medal for your coverage.

W.B., far too kind

Kiz: I dreamed of going to the Olympics as a kid. I have now participated in 11 Games (if only as a typist). Not bad for a mediocre high-school track athlete.

And today’s parting shot is a little hockey chirping.

How wonderful to see the U.S. women’s hockey team win gold. For too long, we have had to endure Canadian smugness over their superiority in hockey, their tastier version of bacon and their adult-like prime minister.

Dave, Colorado Springs

Broncos’ Todd Davis treats Sacramento State football team, children from Big Brothers Big Sisters to “Black Panther” screening By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018

Thanks to Broncos linebacker Todd Davis, 35 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters in Sacramento spent their Saturday morning in a movie theater watching “Black Panther” alongside players from the Sacramento State football team.

For the better part of the past month, Davis had been planning an outing for the team and nearly three dozen children, allowing them a chance to see a movie that inspired him and others since its release in mid-February.

“I just wanted to give back to my community, Sac State, that helped me become the man that I am today,” said Davis, a Sacramento State alum who signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2014. “I wanted to partner with Sac State and also partner with some young kids and that’s how the Big Brothers Big Sisters group got involved. It was an opportunity for me to let somebody forget about some of the problems that may be going on in their week and just relax and enjoy the movie.”

The movie, directed by former Sacramento State receiver Ryan Coogler, smashed box office records and is said to have earned $520 million worldwide in its first week in theaters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America pairs volunteer adults with children to provide mentorship and for more than 50 years has operated in the greater Sacramento area, according to the organization’s website.

Davis, an impending free agent whose own future isn’t certain in Denver, has been a regular in the local community since joining the Broncos more than three years ago. With each season, and especially since he was elevated to a starting role in 2016, he’s continued to expand his outreach.

This offseason, he made a point to give back to Sacramento, too, where he was a standout for the Hornets from 2010-13.

“When I got to college, I was involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs and it’s only grown since I’ve gotten here in Denver,” he said. “Denver does a great job of a having their players reach out in the community and they partner with a Boys and Girls Club. So I spend a lot of time over there.

“I feel like the blessings I’ve received in my life aren’t just for me. If I’m not doing my part in giving back and reaching out to touch someone else’s life, then what do I have (this platform) for? I definitely feel like there’s a purpose to go down and talk to young kids and teach them things so they can grow. Because I remember when people reached down and pulled me up and taught me some things. That’s why I was able to make it to where I am now.”

After rare dearth of offensive linemen in 2017 NFL , combine to display more talent in this year’s group By Nick Kosmider Denver Post Feb. 25, 2018

The 20th pick in the NFL draft is rarely prime real estate for selecting the most highly regarded offensive linemen. In 2016, for example, five of them had already gone off the board by that point. Yet, last year, an unusually thin group of so-called elite prospects among the position group gave the Broncos an opportunity to select tackle Garett Bolles as the draft’s first lineman at that spot.

Fast forward to the pre-draft portion of the NFL calendar this year, and it appears the run of offensive linemen — at all three positions — will come much earlier and more frequently. And that could be good news for the Broncos, who this year own the No. 5 pick and are still very much in need of help along the offensive line.

Right tackle remains an unsolved problem. Menelik Watson, a free-agent acquisition for the Broncos last season, was injured much of 2017 and was inconsistent when healthy. Center Matt Paradis, who has played every offensive snap over the last three seasons for Denver, is a restricted free agent. Ron Leary, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, was a strong performer, particularly in the run game, before a back injury ended his season after 11 games.

Though Broncos coach Vance Joseph credited Max Garcia‘s improvement down the stretch last season, left guard remained an up-and-down spot. And Bolles took his fair share of lumps during his rookie season at left tackle.

Those synopses of last year’s starters say nothing of the depth the Broncos have struggled to cultivate along the offensive line. Whether Denver secures a new quarterback in free agency or in the draft, it will likely be on the early lookout for an impact player along the offensive line to help protect its new asset. Here are five prospects to watch at next week’s NFL combine:

Quenton Nelson, guard, Notre Dame: Nelson’s tape at Notre Dame, his size and agility are all enough to shoot him up mock draft boards as a top-10 prospect. He was a bulldozer at Notre Dame who paved the way for the Irish’s run game, which was seventh in the country at 269.3 yards per game.

Adding to the intrigue about Nelson is the possibility that he could play tackle. He is a mashing run blocker, but his overall competence on the line could make moving him into the tackle position, which he did play at times in college, an enticing experiment.

Orlando Brown, tackle, Oklahoma: If you watched the Sooners play last season, you couldn’t have missed Brown. At 6-8 and 345 pounds he is the most massive tackle in the class. And yet, he was quick enough to handle the talented pass rushers in the Big 12 and keep them off prized quarterback . His length alone makes him a coveted prospect, and the Outland Trophy finalist is also regarded as a strong finisher of blocks.

Brown comes from an NFL pedigree. His father, the late Orlando Brown, played in the NFL for 11 seasons.

Mike McGlinchey, tackle, Notre Dame: The 6-7, 310-pound lineman, like his teammate Nelson, was excellent blocking for the run last season. After playing right tackle as a redshirt freshman, McGlinchey seamlessly moved over to the left side. He could have been a first-round selection in the 2017 draft if he had decided to enter the draft, but he decided to return for his final season of eligibility and showed further improvement at left tackle.

Scouts would like to see McGlinchey, whose cousin is Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, add a little more mass as he enters the NFL, but he’s still near the top of a strong group of tackles.

Kolton Miller, tackle, UCLA: Miller is an interesting case because he missed sizable action due to injuries during his redshirt and sophomore seasons. But Miller was healthy in 2017, starting all 13 games while making the shift from right tackle to left tackle.

That versatility should benefit him, but not as much as his 6-8, 310-pound frame. Like McGlinchey, Miller will need to add more weight as he prepares for his rookie season.

Will Hernandez, guard, UTEP: Even as a two-time All-American, Hernandez was a relatively well-kept secret until his standout performance at the last month. Now he’s rising up draft boards, and another strong performance at the NFL combine could have him positioned to slide into the first round.

Hernandez, whose college coach was new Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler, doesn’t fit the perfect size mold of an NFL offensive lineman at 6-2, 340 pounds, but he’s well-regarded for his toughness and ability to finish blocks.

Former ThunderRidge standout Sam Jones readies for NFL Combine By Mike Klis 9NEWS Feb. 25, 2018

To meet Sam Jones is to like him.

The latest NFL prospect from the Denver-area, Jones has quarterback good looks but offensive guard modesty who will put the hood part of his hoodie to use. Indoors.

He will say he first went to college for the primary purpose of playing football, but he needed just 3 ½ years to complete his degree in criminal justice.

His parents, a former rancher from New Mexico and an educator in the Douglas County and Cherry Creek school districts, didn’t push him to get a job as a kid, but he got one, anyway, hauling furniture and appliances for a moving company.

“You don’t have to think very much,’’ Jones said, “but it’s difficult.’’

Also as a youth growing up in Highlands Ranch and attending ThunderRidge High School, Jones didn’t just dream of throwing the key block on the winning in the Super Bowl. He used to regularly watch the monotonous exercise that is NFL Combine. And liking it.

“It’s crazy watching it when you’re a kid, seeing those guys got through it and then before you know it, you get an invite and it’s my time now, I guess,’’ he said. “It’s kind of crazy.’’

The NFL combine will be held Tuesday through Monday, March 4, in Indianapolis. Jones, a three-year starting offensive lineman (mostly as a left guard) at Arizona State, has been assigned the number OL18 for his workout shirts.

Other combine invitees with Colorado ties are Falcon High School running back Kalen Ballage -- Jones’ teammate at Arizona State; Mullen and Alabama punter John Kimball “JK” Scott; Colorado Springs’ Classical Academy and Auburn kicker ; Colorado State receiver Michael Gallup and Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver.

Jones was highly recruited out of high school by most of the Pac-12 schools before he settled on Arizona State.

His athleticism evident, his body fresh and his education completed, Jones bypassed his final year of football eligibility to declare for the NFL Draft, where he is projected to be selected anywhere between the third and sixth rounds.

“Sam probably could have stayed another year but he made the right decision in leaving,’’ Matt McChesney, a former NFL defensive and offensive lineman who has been Jones’ longtime performance coach, said from the office of his Six Zero Strength and Fitness facility. “He’s healthy. The scouts know what they see. If is No. 1 as a finisher, Sam Jones is a close No. 2. You watch his tape, I mean he’s putting people on the ground.’’

Nelson is a 6-foot-5, 330-pound Notre Dame product who is considered one of the best NFL guard prospects in years, never mind in this year’s draft. Jones isn’t rated quite that high, in part because most of the scouting and draft websites have him weighed incorrectly.

He is not 6-5, 290. He is 6-5 and will come in somewhere around 300 and 305 pounds at the NFL Combine.

“I’ve heard a lot about my weight as a weakness,’’ Jones said. “I don’t know how I got listed at 290 to be honest with you. (Arizona State coaches) wanted me to play at 295 and that’s what I played at, but I walk around at 300. Hopefully, if I make a team this year, I’ll be at 305, 310.’’

He’ll make an NFL team. His strength is his athleticism. He played both baseball and basketball in his youth and as guards go, he can move, bend and get his feet in position for proper angles. He can both pound the defensive tackle at the point of attack and get out to the second level and seal off the linebacker.

“I hate to say this but in New England’s trap system, I think if they’re looking to get a real athletic player to replace Shaq Mason at right guard (in 2019) then they have to look at Sam at some point because he’s so damn athletic,’’ McChesney said. “I mean he can get out of his stance and get to full speed by step two.’’

Besides his football-specific training business, McChesney also has sports announcing gigs. He was serving as a TV commentator for a ThunderRidge-Cherry Creek high school game in 2013 when he noticed the Grizzlies’ terrific left tackle.

McChesney has been working with Jones ever since. Having also worked with ’ starting center Ryan Jensen, Atlanta left guard Ben Garland, ’ defensive tackle Michael Pennel and offensive linemen Ryan Harris, Stephane Nembot and Will Pericak, among others, what does McChesney see in Jones that makes him special?

“Physicality. And I never have to ask him if he wants to work,’’ McChesney said. “Very rarely do I have to say, ‘Hey, where are you today?’ If ever. My coach in college, and now the D-line coach for the Eagles, Chris Wilson, he used to always say I’d rather say ‘whoa’ than ‘sick ‘em.’ I’d rather walk up and tell you to calm down then say, ‘Bro, can you get excited about being here?’’’

Mom and dad get the credit for instilling a strong work ethic in their two sons, Zach and Sam. Susan was a teacher for 20-plus years and is now a school bus administrator. Forrest works in the oil and gas industry.

Their oldest son Zach played two years of football at New Mexico State before back fusion surgery ended his playing days.

Sam plays on. He’ll go through the drills at the NFL Combine, then participate in Arizona State’s Pro Day on March 16. Then the plan is to stay tuned up with McChesney while waiting for the NFL Draft that will be held April 26, 27 and 28.

Jones grew up rooting for the Broncos, but he is about to complete the transition from football fan to football as a way of life. At this point, there is no preference as to which team selects him in the draft.

“I just want an opportunity,’’ Jones said. “I don’t care where it is. I want to play football again.’’

Sacco Sez: How to judge a Hall of Famer By Jim Saccomano DenverBroncos.com Feb. 25, 2018

The 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will not be inducted until this summer, but there is already a lot of excitement over the possibilities of next year's class for the .

The sentiment for Owner Pat Bowlen and the feeling that he has a great chance for selection to the next class is palpable, and, in addition, all-world cornerback Champ Bailey becomes eligible this year.

I have high hopes that at least one of them, if not both, will be selected next year — and of course the icing on the cake would be if Randy Gradishar or Louis Wright were to emerge from the veterans committee as recommended candidates as well.

But this is not so much about repeating the validity of statistics relative to any of our very worthy Broncos candidates as a look at the mental process itself.

With all this in mind, I thought it might be good to take a look at how a candidate is judged.

What I am going to do is give all credit to noted baseball researcher Bill James for what he calls The Keltner List.

Many fans have never heard of Ken Keltner, but they probably have heard of Joe DiMaggio. When DiMaggio had his famed, likely-never-to-be-broken 56-game hitting streak, it was Keltner who made two great plays at third base in Cleveland to put an end to the streak. Keltner was a fine overall player, and his career prompted James to come up with this evaluation list, "The Keltner List."

These are the kinds of questions voters ask themselves when they are trying to separate greatness. I think the questions are valid for any voter and apply to any Hall of Fame, including that of pro football. With credit to James, and adapting them to football, they are as follows.

1) Was he ever regarded as the best player in football?

2) Was he the best player on his team?

3) Was he the best player in his conference at his position?

4) Was he the best player in football at his position?

5) Did he have an impact in any playoff or playoff-caliber games?

6) If he retired today, would he be the best player in football not in the Hall of Fame?

7) Are most players in his position with comparable stats in the Hall of Fame?

8) If he retired today, would he be the best player in his position not in the Hall of Fame?

9) How many All-Pro type seasons did he have? How many Pro Bowls did he play in? Did most other players at his position who made the Hall of Fame play in a comparable amount of games or have a comparable amount of All-Pro or seasons?

10) Did the player possess any other qualities that would not be measured by statistics?

That is the list devised by James, and it is exceptional.

I personally add three more questions for evaluation, those being:

1) Does he pass the "eye test?" That is, when you watched or observed his play and behavior, did you feel you were watching one of the best in pro football?

2) There are only so many decades in the history of the game. In the case of the NFL, ten decades will have been played as of 2019. Can the individual be called one of the best in the game or the single best at his position, in one or more decades? and

3) If you were writing a comprehensive but still finite history of pro football, could the history of pro football be written without mention of him?

So there you have it. Those are the questions debated by Hall of Fame voters, voter hopefuls and fans as well.

I happen to think that Pat Bowlen, Champ Bailey, veteran committee guys Randy Gradishar and Louis Wright, and other Broncos stamp those answers with a clear "yes," but the reader can make his or her own judgments.

I think I know how Broncos fans would answer those questions.

Answers to Broncos GM John Elway’s toughest test are in NFL Draft By Jeff Diamond Sporting News Feb. 25, 2018

The biggest test of John Elway's general manager career is about to take place. The question he must ace is whether he can solve the Broncos’ two-year problem at quarterback and finally identify the legitimate franchise quarterback that has not been in place since retired.

The assumption in Denver always was that this would never be a problem for the Broncos with their Hall of Fame, two-time Super Bowl winning former quarterback at the player personnel helm. If anyone knew how important an elite quarterback is to achieving NFL success, it would be Elway.

With Manning in house after Elway's great recruiting job in 2012, the team went on a dominant run with four straight AFC West titles, two Super Bowl appearances and a win in . Without Manning, the Broncos descended to also-ran status at 9-7 in 2016 before their free-fall to last place in the division at 5-11 last season.

Suffice it to say that the bloom is now off the Elway rose in Denver — at least in terms of his management prowess — and the heat is on for him to bring in new blood at the game's most important position … and get it right this time.

Elway admitted as much in his season-ending press conference last month when he said, "There is no doubt we've got to get better at that position."

Denver’s biggest problem last season was a QB trio of , Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch that combined to post a 73.0 rating, second worst in the NFL to the quarterback-clueless Browns. The trio also threw 22 , second most in the league.

Lynch has been a major disappointment over his first two seasons after Elway traded up to draft him in the first round. The big signal caller could not beat out Siemian in his rookie season and battled injuries and inconsistency in Year 2. The dreaded bust word is in play, as Lynch has not shown enough promise to engender confidence that he was worthy of such a high pick.

That in turn has made the Denver faithful concerned about where Elway goes next.

Does Elway try to make a splash in free agency when the new league year begins March 14? at 39 is still elite but unlikely to leave New Orleans. Kirk Cousins is the next best if we discount Minnesota's trio of free-agent due to injury concerns with and , plus the lack of long-term success by even after his excellent 2017 season.

There are multiple reasons Elway likely will not go the more expensive, free-agent route. The Broncos reportedly don't have a lot of salary cap room — currently projected in the $25 million range, but they can free up more cap room by cutting high-priced vets. It’s hard to see Elway paying out huge money to Cousins, who has one career playoff start in his six pro seasons.

Cousins is not short at 6-3, but at 202 pounds, he's a lighter QB. It seems Elway prefers bigger quarterbacks; Manning played at 6-5, 230 pounds, and Lynch is a giant at 6-7, 245 pounds. Elway also might want a QB with a bigger arm than that of Cousins.

Elway and the Broncos hold the fifth pick in the upcoming draft. Instead of giving Cousins a Jimmy Garoppolo-type deal at $27.5 million per year or more, the amount of money required to fight off other QB-needy teams such as the Jets and Browns, I see Elway identifying his future quarterback in a solid draft class. He can either pick one of the top guys at No. 5 or trade up to get his preferred QB.

Giving a rookie QB time to develop into a true franchise quarterback would require patience, but I think that's the approach Elway will take while also keeping Lynch in the mix. Lynch is still on his rookie deal, so he's a low-cost option.

And if it doesn't work out for Denver to move up to one of the top two draft spots due to the high cost established by the and deals, Elway will have second and third choices he also covets as a potential franchise QBs. Elway in that case would either trade up a couple spots to get his QB or hope the player falls to the No. 5 overall pick.

Size- and arm strength-wise, the top-rated quarterbacks who fit Elway's vision would seem to be , or . All are in the range of 6-4 to 6-5. Baker Mayfield at 6-1 is an appealing playmaker but not in the big QB mold Elway seemingly prefers.

Elway and his scouts also need to address an aging corps with top targets Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both 30 with a lot of mileage. An infusion of youth is needed there, along with more talent at tight end and along the offensive line.

This is a challenging time for the Broncos and their GM who were all spoiled by the great run from 2012- 15. Now it's what-have-you-done-for-me-lately time in Denver.

A legendary QB-turned-GM's future employment could be dependent on his making the right calls over the next couple months, starting with quarterback.

Foles to Vikings? Taylor a Bronco? Plus other creative deals that would make sense By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com Feb. 25, 2018

It's high time for NFL teams to get more creative.

And the Chiefs already seem to be thinking like I am with two blockbuster trades ( to Redskins and to Rams) about to be formally completed when the league year begins.

As for the other teams around the league, they have, by and large, cap space to burn with the proceeds from new television contracts and streaming rights pouring in. They have won the battle to contain spending on entry-level players in this CBA. They are staring at a list of unrestricted free agents that is less than deep or appealing in most position groups and they need to shed their tendency for group thinking or allegiances to the way they usually operate.

I feel like every year I tend to expect to see more trades and more forays into the restricted free agent market. The market forces and trends would seem to point to an increase in transactions of these types. And, indeed, a year ago there was more excitement and intrigue about some of the trades that were made (especially the NBA-inspired Brock Osweiler cap space dump/salary dump/trade) than there was about many of the signings, as, again, the amount of blue-chip players available to sign via traditional means was limited.

Perhaps, there will be more of the same this year, and, maybe even a more concerted effort by teams to explore other club's restricted free agents. Sure, it's always been seen as something of a taboo and only very rarely have clubs been willing to ardently try to sign another RFA to an offer sheet, but there is no reason it can't become more the norm (and spare me the argument about team's not wanting to negotiate contracts that other club will simply match; the "we don't want to do their work for them," cop out. It's a seven-month offseason, it doesn't take that long to formulate a cogent offer sheet concocted to exploit another club's salary or cap vulnerability. These are billion-dollar businesses in contention for one trophy).

With that in mind, here are some potential moves that I believe would make sense on several levels. Maybe one or two of them even actually come to fruition. But I know this much, good luck to the club that really believes it can fill a multitude of roster holes simply through unrestricted free agency this winter. It's time to be proactive and try some different avenues.

Bucs sign David Irving to an offer sheet Irving is an impact player who can anchor a defensive line; the Bucs need all the help they can get with that and just parted ways with Chris Baker. Imagine having this young stud paired around Gerald McCoy? Talk about strength up the middle. There isn't much on the UFA market that can help every layer of the Bucs' defense, and they need help all over on that side of the ball. The Cowboys are already in a pickle with having to franchise Demarcus Lawrence, they're in a cap crunch and the Bucs have money to burn. Irving can be moved around along the DL and had seven sacks in eight games last year. Create an offer sheet that pats Irving in Year 1 like a franchise tag would and watch Jerry Jones squirm. I don't care what round tender Dallas places on him, I'm seriously thinking about parting with it to make this happen.

Vikings trade a second round pick for Nick Foles Personally, I'd tag Case Keenum, but the Vikings keep hemming and hawing about their quarterback situation. So if you want to remain competitive and not have to throw a ton of money at the position – with more quality young players in line for extension – go rent Foles at under $8M for next season coming off his Super Bowl MVP. Minnesota's new coordinator, John DeFilippo, was Foles' quarterback coach in Philly and he already knows the system and scheme. The Eagles are lacking picks from the Carson Wentz trades; no one is trading a one and this would be a very low two. They lost their fourth- round pick to the Eagles via the Sam Bradford trade, but they should fare well in 2019 comp picks when Bradford and Keenum sign elsewhere under this scenario.

Jets trade a fourth round pick for Emmanuel Sanders The Broncos won't have Sanders and Demaryius Thomas both on their roster a year from now, and should embrace the fact there is some rebuilding to be done. Sanders won't be in Denver on the other side of that, and if I am the Jets, give me this slot receiver making $8.25M in 2018 all day long, at a time when Jarvis Landry just got a franchise tag in excess of $16M. Jets have oodles of cap space and with Robbie Anderson out of control off the field, adding a weapon like this would be a nice way to show Kirk Cousins you are serious about putting assets around him as part of that recruiting pitch.

Broncos trade a fifth round pick for Go ahead and swap out Sanders for Taylor. Perhaps you have to give the Bills a higher pick based on playing time/production for Taylor, but he'd be a quality bridge quarterback while John Elway tries to find a franchise guy in the draft. Taylor does not turn the ball over, which would be a great starting place for the Broncos, and he fits the mold of the Elway/Gary Kubiak mobile passer on the bootlegs and waggles. In the end, the Bills may be forced to cut Taylor, because other teams aren't buying that Buffalo will pay him another $16M this season after benching him in a playoff run for a year ago. But I don't see the Broncos landing Cousins and who knows what AJ McCarron will actually be once he has to play a real game. Taylor would be a logical fit.

Jets sign to an offer sheet There is never any pass rushers to be found, much less a young pass rusher that is just entering his prime. New York needs more on the outside and while Jordan's suspension history will give some pause, the Seahawks are vulnerable right now from a cap standpoint and are trying to find a way to keep ex-Jet . Determining a price-point for this restricted free agent is difficult with him missing a year to suspension and another to injury, but the Seahawks aren't going to have a ton of extra space and this is a player could do some interesting things with assuming he stays out of trouble. How high of a free-agent tender would the Seahawks place on a guy they got for almost nothing just a few months ago?

Texans trade a third round pick for Jason Peters Houston gets star quarterback back from injury, but the offensive line could use an upgrade. And, after getting a second round pick from Seattle for disgruntled left tackle Duane Brown last year, they can afford to dole a pick here for a perennial Pro Bowl left tackle. The Eagles won a Super Bowl without Peters, as he was injured, and they need to create more cap and cash flexibility. Given the injury perhaps a third-rounder is too high, but imagine if Howie Roseman ended up getting back the second and third round picks that he is without right now because of the swaps to move up and get Wentz? That's some young, cheap labor right there. Houston's starting left guard and left tackle are UFAs; go ahead and secure Peters, who has a cheap 2019 team option for $8M.

Patriots trade a third round pick for Bill Belichick is clearly in win-now mode and he lost a Super Bowl primarily because he couldn't find any way to stop Foles. Sitting backfired and he's going to leave for big money as a free agent. Finding any help for the pass rush will be difficult outside of the draft and that secondary needs help even with getting paid a year ago. They can rent Norman year to year at this stage of the contract and his full guarantees have been paid. He's not a happy camper in DC and clashing with the front office and Washington already dealt one corner for Alex Smith so why not unload 'em all! But seriously, Belichick is never afraid to wheel and deal and the Skins needs picks and New England has had mixed results with this stuff in the past.

Giants trade a fourth round pick for Cordy Glenn Since they are clinging to for one more year and about to take a quarterback with the second-overall pick, might as well finally build an offensive line. Three-fifths of their beleaguered starting unit are UFAs, and landing Glenn would allow them to move Erick Flowers to the right side. Glenn ain't super, but he is a solid starting tackle, which is an upgrade in New York. Buffalo fared fine when Glenn was hurt and they were willing to move him at the deadline and, with the Bills likely about to trade a surplus of picks to move up and draft a quarterback, getting the second pick in the fourth round could help as trade fodder or as offsetting what they give away.

Steelers sign Cameron Brate to an offer sheet This isn't how the Rooneys roll, but maybe it should be. Exploring the RFA market at tight end makes a lot of sense; it's the one spot on offense that has dogged them. Jesse James is just a guy for the most part and the Steelers are about to cut Vance McDonald, who they acquired in trade before 2017, for cap space after a weak season in Pittsburgh. The offense didn't hit the consistent high notes many expected in 2017, and this red zone target would add another dimension. Brate has great hands but Tampa took TE OJ Howard high a year ago and if this is the third-round tender the Steelers should strongly consider.

Raiders trade a fifth round pick for Aqib Talib This is just me wanting to see a trade between these teams happen. Add more spice to the rivalry, especially with Talib a bit of a loose cannon. In the end Denver is probably forced to cut him, but needs secondary help badly and with all the youth and inexperience and injury concerns he has from this unit, well, you never know I suppose. This could be a spot where Belichick makes a move, too, especially given his knowledge of Talib.

The 2018 starting quarterbacks, ranked by APY By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk Feb. 25, 2018

The three-year deal with a base value of $54 million gives Jaguars quarterback an average of $18 million per year. That sounds good in isolation, but it puts him near the bottom of all NFL starting quarterbacks not constrained by a slotted rookie deal.

Here’s the list of 2018 starters by annual average, with actual numbers for those with contracts and projected numbers for those who will still be signed.

1. Kirk Cousins: $29 million per year (projected). The number could go higher depending on the number of suitors and the zeal with which they pursue him.

2. Drew Brees: $28 million per year. Whether he signs with the Saints or someone else, Brees always has gotten paid handsomely. As he should. If the Saints want to keep him, they’ll possibly need to match or beat the package given to the guy who has started seven largely inconsequential games.

3. Jimmy Garoppolo: $27.5 million per year. The highest paid player in the NFL won’t be the highest paid for long. He may not be in the top five for long.

4. : $27 million. He’ll have another chance to get to the top of the market when he signs his fourth big-money, multi-year NFL contract in a few years.

5. : $25 million. If the Raiders hadn’t signed him last year, the Raiders would be faced with a fascinating decision. Keep Carr or pursue someone like Cousins, most recently coached by Jon Gruden’s younger brother?

6. Andrew Luck: $24.594 million. He hasn’t done much to earn his money, but that should change this year.

7. : $22.133 million. But for a crippling cap hit, the Ravens would be considering replacing the Super Bowl MVP from five years ago.

8. : $22 million. When it’s all said and done, he’ll be north of $30 million.

9. : $21.9 million. He’s already overdue for a new deal.

10. : $21.85 million. The Steelers have mentioned the possibility of an extension. As more and more quarterbacks get paid, Roethlisbeger may demand one.

11. Alex Smith: $21.7 million. Combining a four-year, $94 million extension with a 2018 salary of $14.5 million puts Smith on the fringe of the top 10.

12. Eli Manning: $21 million. A middle-of-the-pack quarterback has nearly middle-of-the-pack pay.

13. : $20.812 million. Dollar for dollar one of the biggest bargains in the league.

14. : $20.76 million. The new Carolina owner’s first order of business should be to address Newton’s deal.

15. Matt Ryan: $20.75 million. The 2016 league MVP is grossly underpaid.

16. Case Keenum: $20 million (projected). That’s 10 times what he made a year ago.

17. : $19.25 million. And now you know why the Dolphins aren’t rushing to get rid of him.

18. A.J. McCarron: $19 million (projected). Not bad for a guy with four career starts.

19. Blake Bortles: $18 million. Kind of puts it the new contract in perspective, doesn’t it?

20. : $16 million. The Red Rifle may be looking for more green, soon.

21. Tyrod Taylor: $15.25 million. Whether he plays for the Bills or someone else, it’s a pretty good deal.

22. : $15 million. Fake Don Yee was right.

23. Mitch Trubisky: $7.258 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2017, as the No. 2 pick.

24. Jared Goff: $6.984 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2016, as the No. 1 pick.

25. Carson Wentz: $6.669 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2016, as the No. 2 pick.

26. : $6.337 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2015, as the No. 1 pick.

27. : $6.053 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2015, as the No. 2 pick.

28. Patrick Mahomes: $4.1 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2017, as the No. 10 pick.

29. Deshaun Watson: $3.463 million. Slotted rookie deal from 2017, as the No. 12 pick.

The list doesn’t include 32 quarterbacks, given the possibility that one or more rookie quarterbacks will be Week One starters. Wild cards include Sam Bradford, Josh McCown, and Nick Foles, any of whom could also be starting when the season begins.