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Home , Baker Mayfield, Bill Kollar, DaeSean Hamilton, Jake Plummer, Josh Allen (quarterback), Josh Rosen

Next starting for the Broncos is guaranteed one thing: life in a pressure-cooker By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 27, 2018

Attention had already shifted and the Broncos couldn’t escape the inevitable, even in their own locker room, where a handful of flat-screen TVs hovered over them and reminded them often of what was to come.

In one of their final days of the 2017 season, those TVs aired a show dedicated to analyzing the 2018 NFL draft and its top quarterback prospects, a list that seemed to grow more intriguing by the day. A graphic flashed the mugs of a handful of players who had already become household names, including winner of Oklahoma, Wyoming’s , UCLA’s and Southern California’s .

Paxton Lynch, a 2016 first-round pick the Broncos had hoped would blossom into their regular starter, strolled across the room, stared up at the television and the list of incoming NFL talent, then promptly dropped his head and shook it in seeming disbelief.

Maybe he didn’t want to see that. Maybe he didn’t need to.

After more than two years, the Broncos are still on the hunt for a starting QB, and their future could be riding with one of those names on the television that day. Or, it could be a veteran on the brink of free agency, or someone acquired via trade. Or it could be a combination, to account for the near- and long- term future.

Nearly every option is a possibility for the Broncos and none of them guaranteed except one: The next starter for Denver will walk into a pressure-cooker as he attempts to rejuvenate an offense once run by and star on a roster built by .

“It’s an intense environment and they’re going to be expected to do a lot of great things and, not only on the field, but off the field and in the locker room,” former Broncos quarterback said on a recent Altitude TV appearance.” … You have to galvanize not only that locker room and that organization, but the community. And then, like I told Trevor (Siemian) a couple of years ago, when you get that opportunity, you have to earn that respect. And how do you do that? When the ball is in your hand with a couple of minutes left and you take them down and score. That’s the only way you can earn your respect as a quarterback.”

Siemian did that more than a few times in winning a pair of offseason competitions that, on paper, he should have lost, and guiding the Broncos to a total of 13 wins since 2016. But his time atop the depth chart didn’t last. The Broncos relied on for a stretch, but benched him too when blowout losses continued. They gave Lynch a chance, but his return was cut short by injury. And they rotated through all three once more before the season closed.

The Broncos — a franchise in which its greatest success has come with elite — have long touted their “Plan A.” It’s the only plan that exists, the say, unless it doesn’t. Or can’t — as has been the case since Manning retired two years ago.

The Broncos still boast a top-five defense, still have a pair of elite wide receivers in and , and last year had a 1,000-yard rusher in C.J. Anderson. But the biggest piece has been missing, and since December, Elway has not-so-subtly flaunted the Broncos’ offseason agenda.

He stood on the sideline at the in Boise to watch Allen guide Wyoming to victory, flew to Washington to see Redskins quarterback take down the Broncos days later, then requested the Broncos’ staff coach Mayfield in the .

“We wanted to have an opportunity to get to meet him,” Elway said of Mayfield. “Obviously we’ve seen what everyone else has seen, what he can do on the field and the type of player that he is. To be able to be around him and get to know him a little bit was important.”

At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the Broncos’ coaches received an up-close look at both Allen and Mayfield, a pair of polarizing quarterbacks for very different reasons. One has the size and upside but a glaring issue with accuracy. The other has the skill and aptitude and accolades to boot, but questionable size at just over 6 feet. But as Elway knows and readily admits, any draft pick is a gamble.

“There are a lot more unknowns going into the draft than there is in free agency,” he said. “We’ll look at all of the holes that we do have, see what’s available and also how everything fits with what we want to do and the value that’s there. Trying to manipulate everything to where we get the best bang for our buck when it comes down to cap dollars as well as the best football team.”

Senior Bowl week has been among the Broncos’ major stops en route to the 2018 season. When they return, they will review their findings, possibly retool an early iteration of a draft board, begin to dive into free-agent candidates, and analyze their roster and salary cap situation.

Everything and everyone is fair game along the way. It always has been for a team that once asked Manning to take a paycut and requested DeMarcus Ware accept less after helping the team to a victory.

But no piece of Denver’s 2018 puzzle is more important than its quarterback.

“I felt like we had a kid that I thought had potential to be something real special and I still think he’s going to be,” Plummer said of Siemian. “Too bad it’s on another team, it looks like.

“Now, whoever they bring in here, know what you’re getting into, son.”

Broncos' Pro Bowlers know team's issues go far beyond QB play By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Jan. 27, 2018

Before linebacker adjourned himself from the 2017 season, he said he would “always enjoy’’ a appearance, even as he added the only downside of a trip to the NFL’s all-star game was it meant your team wasn’t in the Super Bowl.

“And we want to get back to that level,’’ Miller said. "So, I like the Pro Bowl, but I like the other game better.''

But the Broncos' two Pro Bowl selections -- Miller and cornerback -- once again tried to explain this week what went wrong in the team’s 5-11 finish. Talib was asked if a solution at quarterback, something Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway has called a “top priority,’’ would help turn things around.

And he pointed to a quarterback, as well as the big picture.

“A quarterback definitely going to help, we get somebody who can really run our show,’’ Talib said in Orlando, Florida. “We take away those turnovers, take away those offenses starting plus-50 as many times as they did. If we could take stuff out that’ll definitely help, but it’s going to take more than just a quarterback, man. Our whole work ethic and offseason, it’s going to take everything. It’s never just one thing that’s a problem. We’ve got a lot of stuff to fix, but we’re pros, man, and that’s what we’re here for.’’

Miller was asked what went wrong in 2017 and he had a fairly simple answer: “Everything,’’ before he added:

“Everything went wrong. And whenever you lose like that it’s not as simple to fix it, but it’s not too hard, either,’’ Miller said after a recent AFC practice. “It’s pro football. Every team gets a new start. We’ve just got to come into it with that mindset, focus in on what made us great. We’ve got great leadership. We’ve got a great defense. Focus in on those strengths and just trust the process. I feel like Elway will get us back right.’’

Talib has two years remaining on his current contract, but has said he’s uncertain about his future with the team. Running back C.J. Anderson has also expressed similar sentiments in recent weeks, while Demaryius Thomas, who is the Broncos' longest-tenured player (first-round pick in 2010), has said he expects plenty of change with “no guarantees.’’

The Broncos have three cornerbacks -- Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and -- who are currently among the top eight salary-cap charges for the 2018 season. Talib has the team's third-highest cap figure for ’18 -- $12 million -- of the players who are signed for the upcoming season. If the Broncos want Roby to have a more prominent role or Elway decides the team has to adjust its salary-cap structure because it will spend more at quarterback, both in free agency and with the No. 5 pick in the draft, it’s possible Talib and some other veteran players will be released to make room.

The structure of Talib’s contract means the Broncos would have just a $1 million “dead money’’ charge against the cap if he was to be released.

“It’s rumblings on a lot of stuff, man,’’ Talib said. “I just play football. I have my fun at the Pro Bowl. March 1st I get my offseason started and wherever I’m at, I’m at. I can’t control it, so I worry about everything that I can control. I can control everything at my house back in Texas. I run that house. I can answer any question you want to ask me about that household. I can answer it for you because I run that house, you know what I’m saying? But I don’t run that Broncos organization, so I don’t know what’s going to happen, man. But whoever I play for, I’ll be ready to go.”

Best of the Senior Bowl: Mayfield vs. Allen, ranking QBs, NFL draft risers By Staff ESPN.com Jan. 27, 2018

Practices are over at the 2018 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, which means most of the NFL scouts, coaches and front-office executives in attendance have departed to begin prep for the combine in late February. Senior Bowl (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network) practices are the best place to evaluate the top upperclassmen prospects in the country, and several under-the-radar prospects helped themselves this week.

Our team of NFL draft experts -- Todd McShay, Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Bowen, Steve Muench and Jeff Legwold -- help break down the performances of each quarterback, evaluate the prospects who rose up draft boards, and answer questions on Baker Mayfield vs. Josh Allen and more. Let's start with quarterbacks:

Question No. 1: You're an NFL GM with a top-10 pick, and Mayfield and Allen are both on the board. Who are you taking and why?

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL draft expert: Allen. We know he has the big arm, but he got better every day in Mobile. Allen was overthrowing on Tuesday, trying to showcase his arm while alternating reps with Mayfield & Co. That's when you could send his timing was off with receivers he had just met. But he made dramatic progress throughout the week and was much better by Thursday. His ceiling is so high -- he could make throws down there that no one else could make. People always ask me about comps -- well, how about ? He completed 57.1 percent of his passes in 39 games at Georgia. Stafford has been better in the NFL, and I think Allen will improve in the pros, too.

Todd McShay, ESPN NFL draft expert: Allen. Boy, this is a tough one. We're still a ways from the end of the process, but I'd lean Allen right now because of his frame and arm talent. A big part of it depends on what scheme I'm running as a head coach. But it's a legitimate debate between these two right now.

Steve Muench, Scouts Inc. draft expert: Mayfield. The bottom line is that it's easy to fall in love with Allen's tools, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if he develops into the face of a franchise. But Mayfield is the better quarterback right now, and this wouldn't be as much of a debate if Mayfield were two inches taller. He has completed better than 70 percent of his passes the past two seasons and is much more consistent. While Allen has the stronger arm, Mayfield is capable of driving the ball downfield and squeezing it into tight pockets. Both are athletic enough to buy time and scramble for first downs. Both are leaders with chips on their shoulders, but Mayfield is a four-year starter who led the Sooners to a win at Ohio State and two berths in the Playoff. Allen is a two-year starter who didn't play on the same kind of stage or face the same kind of external pressures.

Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Mayfield. Allen has all the natural tools with that monster 6-foot-5 frame, ridiculous arm talent and the mobility to move outside of the pocket. There is a ton of raw talent to his game but some inconsistencies as well that need to be addressed. That's also why I'm going with Mayfield here. Looking back at his super productive tape at Oklahoma, and his rise in practice this week, Mayfield's accuracy, anticipation and quick release are a perfect fit for today's NFL game. He has a great feel for how to attack throwing windows, the touch is there, and he can drive the ball when he has to target tight coverage. Plus, I'm also going to look at the intangibles. Mayfield brought serious energy to the practice field in Mobile. And teammates gravitate to him. That's key when building an offense around a young quarterback.

Jeff Legwold, NFL Nation writer: Mayfield. At the moment there would be some talent evaluators in the league who would say neither of those players would be in the top 10 if prospects were stacked solely on grade rather than position -- quarterbacks in the first-round are often drafted above their true grade. But Mayfield, who played 21 more college games than Allen, is a more advanced player at the position and throws with better anticipation. In 11-on-11 work in Mobile, Mayfield showed he can run the show with composure and confidence. He's my pick here.

Ranking the QBs in Mobile Here is how Todd McShay will be ranking the eight quarterbacks coming out of the Senior Bowl, along with some observations from their play this week:

1. Josh Allen, Wyoming Team: North | Uniform number: 17

The clear area of improvement for Allen this week was with his touch throws. On Tuesday, he missed several corner routes to wide receivers and tight ends, but he was hitting those by Thursday's practice. There is no question he has an elite arm. But sometimes he needs to know when to throw a changeup and make it a more catchable ball. I'll be interested to see how that translates in Saturday's game, and if he keeps trending in the right direction on multidimensional throws. Current projection: Top 15 -- McShay

2. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma Team: North | Uniform number: 6

A couple of things stood out to me this week for Mayfield. Off the top, we now know he's 6-foot and has a 9.5-inch hand span, which is right at the five-year combine average for quarterbacks. So the official measurements weren't alarming. Second, Mayfield just has elite football instincts. By that I mean he knows when to slide in the pocket, how to read coverage and get the ball out on time and when to bail and extend a play with his feet. That part of his game especially came out during competitive portions -- seven-on-seven and team drills -- of practice. Finally, everything he does is twitchy -- I think he's a better athlete than people give him credit for. His decisions, movement in the pocket, feet are all quick. It was an impressive week for Baker. Current projection: First round -- McShay

3. , Washington State Team: North | Uniform number: 3

It's clear that Falk doesn't have top-line arm strength, but he can still win from the pocket with his arm. He just needs to excel with his timing and the little things -- and he did just that this week. I thought he was the most consistent quarterback here in Mobile from beginning to end. I love his anticipation on throws, and he's the most accurate of this group when he has room to operate in the pocket. He wasn't overwhelmed by verbiage or a pro route tree and picked up everything more quickly than the other signal-callers. Falk should be proud of what he did this week. For people worrying about his transition, this was a great opportunity for him -- and he aced the test. Current projection: Day 2 -- McShay

4. , Richmond Team: South | Uniform number: 5

Nothing jumps out about Lauletta. He has an average arm, average size (6-2, 217) and a slightly funky release. But the more you watch him, the more you appreciate his efficiency. He picked up things well from Texans coach Bill O'Brien and gained confidence as the week progressed. He has a natural feel for the position but with a lower ceiling than some of the other guys. Current projection: Rounds 4-5 – McShay

5. Mike White, Western Kentucky Team: South | Uniform number: 14

White wasn't as consistent as Lauletta this week, but he has more tools to work with. He has a stronger arm and bigger frame (6-4, 221). He quietly went about his business and was solid in practice, especially on Thursday. There is a clear learning curve for White with terminology and taking snaps under center, but he improved throughout the week. Teams will think there's some clay to mold. Current projection: Rounds 4-5 -- McShay

6. Kurt Benkert, Virginia Team: South | Uniform number: 6

I've heard that he interviewed very well, and on the field he flashed some big-time throws. However, Benkert was probably the least consistent of all these quarterbacks. His negative moments stood out a little more, from forcing the ball into windows to issues with the two-minute drill. I'll be interested to talk with the Texans coaches and see what they say about how Benkert processed information. His tape is better than his performance was this week. Current projection: Rounds 5-6 -- McShay

7. Brandon Silvers, Troy Team: South | Uniform number: 12

I really didn't know what to expect from Silvers, but he outplayed my expectations and only helped his cause here in Mobile. He took to the pro coaching really well and made some nice throws. I think a lot of teams will have to go back and take a closer look at his tape, which is exactly what you want as a Day 3 prospect. Current projection: Rounds 6-7 -- McShay

8. Tanner Lee, Nebraska Team: North | Uniform number: 13

Lee had really tough assignment this week. It's a big ask to be the fourth quarterback on a North squad with Allen, Mayfield and Falk. Lee clearly has NFL size and an arm, and had several positive moments, especially on Wednesday and Thursday. But he needs the most work of these quarterbacks. Current projection: Undrafted free agent -- McShay

Question No. 2: Which under-the-radar prospect impressed you the most in Mobile? Kiper: Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State. This kid belongs. He constantly gets into the backfield. He can play end in a 3-4 defense or tackle in a 4-3. I was very impressed and need to take a closer look at his game tape. The 6-4, 310-pound Shepherd broke his hand on Wednesday and won't play in the game on Saturday, but he should be fine for OTAs after the draft.

McShay: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State. He had an extremely impressive week. He just balled out working the middle, in scramble drills, and in making tough catches in traffic. Some guys seem like pros in this setting, and Hamilton definitely passed the eye test. He was open all week. Based off what I saw, I wouldn't be shocked if he was one of the top five wide receivers picked in April.

Muench: Jordan Akins, TE, Central Florida. With South Dakota State's Dallas Goedert -- our top-ranked tight end -- sidelined by a hamstring injury, Akins arguably had the best week out of all the tight ends.. At 246 pounds, he's on the lighter side, but he's big enough to play the F or receiving tight end role. Plus, the former receiver is 6-foot-3 with above-average length and frame to continue to add weight. He showed teams that he's a smooth route runner with enough quickness to get open, and he has the strong hands to make tough, contested catches. Akins has the playing speed and body control to make plays down the seam. At this point in the process he looks like a third- or fourth-round pick, but there's still a long ways to go. The medical needs to check out -- he reportedly tore an ACL in 2015 -- and teams might have concerns about his age as the 25-year old played baseball coming out of high school. Teams will watch more tape after his performance in Mobile.

Bowen: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State. He put on a clinic in route running this week. From his shake at the line of scrimmage to the wiggle in his hips to set up defensive backs at the top of the route, Hamilton sliced through man coverage. Along with the advanced skill set he showed in the route stem to gain leverage on defenders, Hamilton flashed a quick burst of speed out of his breaks. And that allowed the Penn State product to create some immediate separation to the ball. Along with Oklahoma State's James Washington, Hamilton was the top receiver I saw on the practice field. His stock should be rising.

Legwold: Michael Joseph, CB, Dubuque. It's difficult to be under the radar when virtually anyone who has a job in personnel in the NFL is watching you, but Joseph is trying to make the jump from Division III to the NFL. He had eight this past season, 15 in his career, and while he had some bobbles in coverage, he also showed the willingness to compete on every snap. At 6-1, 186 pounds, he'll get stronger in an NFL strength program and will offer a size-speed combination that should find him a spot in the league.

Senior Bowl draft risers These are the under-the-radar prospects who stood out in practices in Mobile and moved up draft boards:

DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State Team: North | Uniform number: 5

Hamilton isn't the biggest or most explosive receiver in Mobile, but he's the best route runner, and the North's corners had a hard time staying with him. He gets off the line well, sets up defenders with his footwork and is an effective hand fighter who wins battles with his physicality. While Hamilton's hands are on the smaller side (9 1/4-inch), and he dropped some passes, he also made some contested catches and showed the ability to catch the ball away from his frame. He has moved into the fourth-round conversation. -- Muench

Justin Jones, DT, NC State Team: North | Uniform number: 27

At 6-2, 311 pounds, Jones' low center of gravity and mass makes him tough to move off the ball. He's not just a sit-and-anchor run-stuffer though. Jones showed better-than-expected quickness and the ability to generate good initial surge. He drove offensive linemen into the backfield in the run game and pushed the pocket as a pass-rusher. Plus he has the length and big hands to press and control blockers when he shoots his hands inside. Jones projects as a late Day 2 pick. – Muench

Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama Team: South | Uniform number: 39

The 176-pound Wallace is lean and gets muscled off some routes, but he stood out the most among the corners. He uses his excellent length to disrupt receivers getting off the line and get his hands on passes. He masks average change of directions skills with solid balance and the ability to read receivers and anticipate breaks. He looks like an early Day 3 pick. -- Muench

Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State Team: North | Uniform number: 84

The purpose of this exercise is to identify the biggest risers, and I've tried to avoid projected early round picks who had strong weeks like Texas San Antonio defensive end . Gallup, who projected as a late third-round pick coming into Mobile, is the highest rated player on my list and the reason he's moving into the late second-round conversation. He doesn't have great measurables, but he has an above-average release, is an effective short-to-intermediate route runner and has the speed to stretch the field. Plus, he has soft hands and good ball skills. -- Muench

Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State Team: North | Uniform number: 97

UCF tight end Jordan Akins, who was mentioned earlier, deserves recognition, but I'm going with a prospect who got injured in the second practice. Shepherd, who broke his hand Wednesday, eased concerns about him playing at the Division II level. At 310 pounds, he's quick, has violent hands to keep blockers off his frame and has has the core strength to push the pocket. The medical could ultimately cause him to drop, but assuming it's not serious or has long-term ramifications, Shepherd has moved from a late-round pick to a middle-round pick. -- Muench

Question No. 3: Which prospect raised more questions than answers with his performance this week?

Kiper: , RB, San Diego State. He looked like a one-dimensional player in Mobile. He dropped passes and struggled to catch the ball. We know Penny can run -- he rushed for 2,248 yards in 2017 -- but he needed to show that he could do the little things, and that didn't happen. He also struggled in pass protection. I'd also throw in Virginia QB Kurt Benkert, who struggled with accuracy all week.

McShay: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State. I liked Penny on tape, but he just didn't seem to be dialed in and wasn't the same player I studied. He seemed like he fought the ball at times and missed some open holes. Again, it's only three days of practice, but I thought he'd clearly be the No. 1 back here, and that just wasn't the case.

Muench: , DE, Ohio State. At 6-5, 279 pounds, Holmes has above average length (34 3/4- inch arms) and there's a lot to like about his versatility as he lines up on the outside and the inside. He flashed at times in Mobile but was inconsistent. There were a number of defensive linemen who helped themselves this week, including his college teammate Tyquan Lewis. Holmes is long, but he takes too long to get off blocks. He gave up too much ground at times. In addition, Holmes didn't stand out during one-on-ones, and he didn't show great burst off the edge or do a good enough job of winning with his hands.

Bowen: Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama. At 6-4, 282 pounds, Hand could still come off the board as a Day 2 pick. The strength is there to win at the point of attack, and he can fit in multiple fronts at the pro level. But just like his tape at Alabama, Hand didn't produce many splash moments this week. In Mobile, I'm always looking for defensive lineman who can take over in one-on-one pass rush and provide periods of disruption during team drills: speed off the rock, quick hands and technique -- go wreck the play. That was missing in Hand's Senior Bowl résumé.

Legwold: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming. In talking to a few personnel evaluators after watching Allen work through three days of practices, it was clear he showed the traits and power arm that have him in the first-round conversation. And while Thursday was better for him, he'll exit Mobile after Saturday's game with people still trying to decide if his accuracy will really improve in the smaller throwing windows the NFL will offer. He missed several throws that a player of his talent simply shouldn't.

Mike Sullivan will be twice as important to the Broncos during the off-season By Woody Paige KMGH Jan. 27, 2018

Mike Sullivan is one of the most important names associated with the Broncos.

There are two of them and the pair will be significant in the off-season.

Combined, the Mike Sullivans have been employed by NFL franchises (Broncos and Giants) that have played in four Super Bowls, and won three.

Mike Sullivan 1, the Broncos’ director of football administration, negotiates and structures players contracts, but his primary responsibility over the next several weeks will be managing and manipulating the salary cap.

Mike Sullivan 2, the Broncos’ new quarterbacks coach, will be charged with helping the team do something special about that critical position.

Mike 1 joined the Broncos a year after John Elway assumed command of football operations. He had been on the other side for 30 years – working to represent players in their contract negotiations. During one point, the attorney and former All-American high school quarterback partnered with famed agent Leigh Steinberg. Those two sat across the table from each other after the Broncos drafted Steinberg client .

Mike 2 was hired by the Broncos after the shakeup/firings of the coaching staff of the Giants, for whom he was the offensive coordinator the past two seasons. The West Point graduate and ex-United States Army Ranger had served two tours with the Giants (2004-2009 and 20015-20017) and also coached for the Jaguars and the Buccaneers.

The Sullivans have tough tasks ahead – and quarterbacks will be at the center.

If, for instance, the Broncos pursue Kirk Cousins, Mike 1 will have to come up with probably the highest- contract offer and one of the most creative money deals in league history. And Mike 2 would have to prove to Cousins that he would be an ideal coach for the quarterback’s talents.

Mike 1 would have a simpler situation if the Broncos decide to draft a quarterback with the fifth overall pick. Draft choice contracts generally are slotted, although quarterbacks do get bumps over other position players. Last year wide receiver Corey Davis, picked No. 5 by the Titans, received a four-year contract for approximately $25 million (all guaranteed), including a $16 million bonus. He was the last first-round draft choice to sign. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky, at No. 2 to the Bears, was presented with a $29 million guarantee.

A quarterback at No. 5 in 2018 might expect $30 million over four years fully guaranteed, with a team fifth-year option.

If Washington doesn't franchise or transition Cousins for a third year, he would become a free agent and could end up with a contract for six years for $168 million, with half guaranteed.

Mike 2 will coach a veteran quarterback, such as Cousins or , or a rookie draft selection along with Paxton Lynch and . The Broncos could draft a Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen, or take a risk in the second or third round on a young QB, then sign Josh McCown as a veteran backup at closer to $6 mil than the $15 million annually for Keenum or $28 mil for Cousins.

Obviously, the quarterbacks coach will have input on what the Broncos do, although John Elway, with advice, especially from , ultimately will make the final decision.

Mike 1 will definitely have considerable maneuvering to achieve to find the Broncos more salary-cap space.

The salary cap in the NFL will increase in 2018 to an estimated $178 million. The Broncos currently have about $23.4 in wiggle room, plus an $11.4 million carryover from last season.

The Broncos are in the middle of the NFL pack with space, but they need to get to at least $50 million in order to sign unrestricted free agents at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, and on the defense.

If they trade Aqib Talib, $11 million more would be freed (with a $1 million dead-cap hit). C. J. Anderson could be another casualty because he’s due $4.5 million. If released, his number wouldn't count anything toward the cap. The subtraction of Manelik Watson and also would give the Broncos serious relief. Without those four players, the salary-cap space would ascend to $56.4 million. And if they dump the salaries of five more veterans who haven’t been major contributors, the space would be more than $60 million – enough to acquire Cousins, a quality offensive tackle and a couple of other free agents.

No matter what happens between now and September, Sullivan & Sullivan will be of high value to the Broncos.

Former Senior Bowl MVP talks transitioning to NFL, this year's quarterback crop By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com Jan. 27, 2018

Eighteen years after Chad Pennington won Senior Bowl MVP honors, he was back in Mobile, Alabama, this week to help this year’s prospects adjust to the NFL. DenverBroncos.com caught up with the 11- year NFL veteran who twice won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award. In addition to reminiscing on his MVP performance, Pennington also shared how he’s aiming to help this year’s crop, what he likes about Head Coach Vance Joseph and how he views Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen.

Aric DiLalla: “You were the Senior Bowl MVP back in 2000. What’s it like to see the event now?”

Chad Pennington: “Well, it takes you back. It blows my mind that it’s been 18 years this week. And Coach [Bill] Musgrave was my offensive coordinator when he was with the Panthers — his first year of coaching. It brings you back, and it really makes you appreciate the process that these players are going through. You understand the process as a player and what it means for these guys to be here and show what they’re about and to go through the whole interview process. It’s unique and it’s a good perspective to have.”

AD: “What do you remember feeling you had to prove as you came in from a smaller school like Marshall?”

CP: “I felt like the Senior Bowl, unlike the Combine or interviews, was a chance for them to see me on the field — how I would interact with my teammates, how I would command the huddle, how I would handle information in a short amount of time and then be able to execute that information on the field. I thought that was a way I could separate myself from my competition at the quarterback position.”

AD: “I saw [former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky] the other day say that the Senior Bowl was kind of a wake-up call for him. Did you feel that after the first practice, like, ‘Hey, this is what the NFL is going to be like?’”

CP: “I was fortunate to have a staff at Marshall that really prepared me from a football standpoint, so I felt very prepared. I just wanted to show coming from a mid-major that I could play with the big guys, the Power-5’s. That was my whole goal, and I really wanted to be involved in proving to scouts and organizations that I was going to be a player that they wanted to draft.”

AD: “Now you’re involved in more of a mentoring role for these players. What is that like, and how are you trying to help these players?”

CP: “Through the NFL Legends Community, we work with former players transitioning out of the league. But now, we’re starting to have a presence with current players as they transition into the league. A lot of that is [to] just share our experiences with them. Give them little bits and pieces of our experience that may help them along the way, because it is a transition, it is a change for them. And just be there for them as a resource as they go through the process.”

AD: “I saw you were able to chat with Head Coach Vance Joseph a bit, what were your impressions after talking with him?”

CP: “I think the Broncos have a man that understands what the organization needs to do to be successful. I think last year was a great learning experience for him, and he’s just going to keep getting better and better as a head coach. That’s what you’re always looking for, I think, as an organization: someone that’s looking to improve, who doesn’t act like he has all the answers. And he knows what he needs to do to make it better. I love the energy and enthusiasm, and I think it’s always important from a player standpoint when you have a coach that sees it through your eyes and has been there before. That, to me, goes a long way.”

AD: “And then, I’d be remiss not to ask about Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen. What do you see from those two quarterbacks as they get ready for this next step?”

CP: “First of all, I think what’s unique about our position is that there’s not a cookie-cutter framework that you work within as far as the quarterback position. We have all shapes and sizes and types and personalities. You can be successful [with any]. When you’re looking at Josh and Baker, first of all, they’ve got to be themselves. No. 2, they’ve got to be very critical of themselves as they evaluate themselves to look at where they need to improve. And then [No.] 3, just really absorb as much information [as possible]. I told ‘em, ‘Your notebook has to be your best friend.’ You’ve got to be able to take notes every meeting. Don’t let it pass you by, because that’s where you have to make up for the lost time. With the new CBA, you don’t get a chance to get in there in February. You don’t have as much time with the coaching staff, so you’ve really got to use your notebook accordingly.”

AD: “Could you see one of those guys joining you in the Senior Bowl MVP club?”

CP: “(Laughter) Yeah, absolutely. Being a quarterback, it certainly allows you to have a chance to win that MVP. But both of them are unique and they bring a specific skill set, and I think they’ll be fine.”

Why Bill Kollar was named Senior Bowl MVP over and John Stallworth By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com Jan. 27, 2018

On the corner of Dauphin and St. Emmanuel streets in downtown Mobile, the Senior Bowl Museum hosts the history of a game that annually invades this small city in south Alabama.

The rows of displays inside the small storefront showcase players and memorabilia from nearly seven decades of contests. The game, which garners more and more attention each year, has always been home to star collegiate players, many of whom go on to fantastic NFL careers.

Walter Payton. . . “Mean” Joe Greene. Ray Nitschke.

Each got their start after competing in the week of Senior Bowl practices and the ensuing game.

That week in 1974 was no different.

Two future Hall of Famers — Lynn Swann and John Stallworth — both played in the game.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer also competed.

Mike Webster, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones were all on hand for the collegiate all-star game.

Yet none won MVP honors.

Those, rather, went to a defensive end out of Montana State named Bill Kollar.

And while details of that day remain hazy — Kollar isn’t mentioned in the official summary of the game and he hasn’t been able to track down a full copy of the game — the Broncos defensive line coach says he finished with “quite a few sacks” and “had some TFLs.”

“I remember [Oklahoma All-American] Lucious Selmon was a guy that was also playing my position, and he had an injury,” said Kollar this week as he coached the next crop of Senior Bowl defensive ends. “He was coming off of a hamstring, so he really wasn’t 100 percent. Because usually, when you end up playing, you only get to play so many plays in the game. So I got to play a few extra plays because he was injured. I remember I made a big play and then I made another, and Lucious, as it’s going, he says, ‘You keep going like that, you’ll get MVP.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure, right.’ Because I don’t think they had ever had a defensive MVP at that time.

“I just made a couple more later in the second half and he said, ‘You’re going to get it. You’re going to get it.’ It just turned out to be just a great opportunity playing with all those great players. It was really something else.”

When Kollar arrived in Mobile that week, he was just a three-time All-Big Sky Conference selection. He exited as the MVP — and would be drafted in the first round by the just a couple of weeks later.

In the aftermath of the performance, though, Kollar wasn’t immediately aware he’d been selected as the game’s most valuable player.

“I didn’t even realize it,” Kollar said. “I’m standing on the sideline and there’s about a minute left in the game, and I’m standing there chewing on my mouth guard. I never even heard it when they said it on the sideline. I guess they said it on TV, and they got a close up of me chewing my mouth guard as they end up naming me MVP.”

Much like today’s players from small schools, Kollar largely viewed both Senior Bowl week and the East- West Shrine Game as opportunities to show he could play against athletes from bigger schools.

That didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate the added benefits, especially the new car that went to the Senior Bowl MVP.

"It was the first car I ever had," Kollar said in 2014, "so it really ended up being a heck of a deal."

But the accolades didn’t stop in 1974.

Forty years later — alongside new Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware — Kollar was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.

“Bill was the MVP of the 1974 game and has now become the MVP of defensive line coaches in the NFL over the past 25 years,” Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage said in 2014 release.

This week in Mobile, though, he’s just Coach Bill Kollar.

He chose not to share his legacy with his defensive linemen during North Team position meetings; it seems he’d rather just coach.

Instead, only a brief mention from Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods gave players like N.C. State’s B.J. Hill the slightest inclination of the part Kollar plays in the Senior Bowl’s past.

“That’s what I heard,” said Hill, when asked if he knew of his coach’s performance.

Kollar’s performance may be worth a little more research than an offhand comment, though.

Because while his coaching is undeniably unique and impressive, his play in that game may have been even better.

There’s a museum not too far away — and it’s definitely worth the trip. This week in Mobile, though, he’s just Coach Bill Kollar.

He chose not to share his legacy with his defensive linemen during North Team position meetings; it seems he’d rather just coach.

Instead, only a brief mention from Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods gave players like N.C. State’s B.J. Hill the slightest inclination of the part Kollar plays in the Senior Bowl’s past.

“That’s what I heard,” said Hill, when asked if he knew of his coach’s performance.

Kollar’s performance may be worth a little more research than an offhand comment, though.

Because while his coaching is undeniably unique and impressive, his play in that game may have been even better.

There’s a museum not too far away — and it’s definitely worth the trip.

NFL's reported concussions at six-year high in 2017 By Lindsay Jones and Lorenzo Reyes USA Today Jan. 27, 2018

NFL players suffered more concussions in 2017 than in each of the previous five years, according to data released Friday by the league.

There were 281 reported concussions this season, including head injuries suffered in preseason games and practices. That is the highest number in the past six years and an increase of 15.6% over the five- year average. The figures do not account for the postseason.

There were 190 concussions diagnosed during the 2017 regular season (two fewer than in 2015) but there was a significant jump in incidents during the preseason with 91, nearly evenly split between games (46) and practices (45). Players were diagnosed with 11 concussions during regular-season practices.

The league said 50 of the concussions in 2017 were self-reported by players.

“To this end, understanding the setting in which these (preseason) concussions are occurring is going to be a high-point of emphasis and already has been,” Christina DeFilippo Mack, Senior Director of Epidemiology at IQVIA, said Friday in a conference call. “They’re largely occurring in the first half of preseason, so we’ll continue to work with the teams and the league to understand the factors and activities in which these are happening and communicate these themes to the teams and also individually.”

7 wonders of Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies (spoiler alert: none of them are mountains) The increase in preseason concussions, particularly those suffered during practices, was particularly notable, said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of health and safety initiatives. The league is looking deeper into what led to this increase, what sort of drills may have caused the head injuries suffered during practices and what sort of changes could be made to practices in the future.

“Certainly we are disappointed that the concussion numbers are up,” Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, said Friday in a conference call. “It is something which challenges us now to roll up our sleeves and continue to work hard to see that number come down. I believe we will attack that problem in a number of ways. We’ll attack it by sharing with individual clubs, the data about incidents, particularly with regards to preseason and the timing of those concussions. We will continue to elaborate with, communicate with and inform the competition committee of the rules of the game. We’ll continue our work on protective equipment.

“We take this as a challenge, because we’re not going to be satisfied until we drive that number much lower.”

Sills added that the latest concussion statistics could be encouraging in at least one respect.

“Not all news is bad news,” Sills continued. “The really good news to see is the increase in self-reporting. What that means is that more players are coming up to us and telling us about their symptoms and getting evaluations through their own reports.”

The NFL’s data showed a decrease in anterior cruciate ligament tears in 2017 with 54. That’s down two from last year and eight fewer than the high of 62 in 2012 during this six-year span. Medial collateral ligament tears were up, however, from 143 last year to 147 in 2017. There were 170 MCL tears in 2017.

4 reasons why QB Baker Mayfield is in play to be Browns’ No. 1 draft pick By Charles Robinson Yahoo.com Jan. 27, 2018

If Baker Mayfield’s flag wasn’t planted at the No. 1 pick in the draft a week ago, he’s squarely in play for the after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

As practices wrapped Thursday and NFL personnel men flocked to catch flights out of town, a consensus had begun to form on Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen, two quarterbacks who have first-round expectations in the upcoming draft. While critics of each continue to be easy to find, both had good showings in terms of building on performances each day. But Mayfield’s skills and on-field mentality left multiple evaluators believing Cleveland is heading into a debate between two players with the No. 1 pick in the draft: Mayfield and USC’s Sam Darnold, who will make his league-wide debut next month at the league’s annual scouting combine.

“A lot of what he is as a player fits with the mentality of [Cleveland Brown’s general manager] John Dorsey,” one source said. “Just his mental makeup as a player, John believes in building around those kinds of guys. … I think he’s a strong candidate [for the top pick] after this week.”

The rationale aligning Dorsey and Mayfield is sensible and intriguing. Those who have worked with Dorsey in past years laid out some compelling points that laid a strong foundation for Mayfield being in play for the top pick. Among them:

One of Dorsey’s sounding boards and closest friends in the personnel community is former and Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan. Both Dorsey and McCloughan are known to value many of the same traits mentally and physically in players. They also have similar team-building styles. And in this season’s draft process, few have been deeper into Mayfield’s corner than McCloughan, who has gone on record a handful of times stating that he would take Mayfield as the centerpiece to build around out of this class. For general managers, one of the underrated aspects of taking a quarterback No. 1 overall – or anywhere in the first round, really – is the ability to connect and establish belief. A general manager has to be able to look at skills and a mental makeup and believe he is seeing the kind of player they can connect to on a playing level and a culture-building perspective. Those who know Dorsey have suggested that Mayfield is very much in that wheelhouse, representing the kind of cocksure “never out of it” attitude. They also suggest that this is the kind of mindset Dorsey will be looking for in Cleveland, in hopes of reversing a culture of losing. Regardless of the odds, Mayfield goes after opponents and always seems to think he has a chance to turn things around. And he also is the kind of player who can lead a locker room of grown men and league veterans early in his career. That will play well with Dorsey. [Stream the NFL Pro Bowl live on the mobile app]

From a skills standpoint, Dorsey also values quarterbacks who can not only be accurate, but who also understand the nuances of ball placement. Mayfield excels at both, arguably more than any other quarterback in this draft. And while he is mobile, his movement is often predicated on creating passing plays downfield – something Dorsey is known to value in quarterbacks. Dorsey spent the larger part of his career as an evaluator with as the starting quarterback with the . One source who knows Dorsey and Favre’s history made this salient point: Favre was not easy off the field, particularly early in his NFL career. He had all kinds of quirks that could be stressful for the coaching staff and front office. For much of Favre’s career, there was an underplayed element of his off-field management. Dorsey was familiar with all of that. But he also came out of Green Bay with the belief that so long as the player isn’t a bad person or locker-room cancer, some of the extracurricular problems are worth dealing with early in a player’s career. Particularly with the knowledge that as most players get older, the more they settle down in their private lives. None of those points suggest Mayfield is a lock for the Browns, but they all suggest that if there is a general manager who sees a special player and a tradeoff that’s worthwhile, it’s John Dorsey. But he’s also expected to be very deliberate in this process, taking his time to deconstruct not only Mayfield, but also Allen, Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen. Within that group, Mayfield has the least ideal size, which could become a pressing consideration in the AFC North.

That’s part of what makes Darnold a strong favorite at the top. Not only does he possess his own Favre- like qualities as a player, he has a combination of size, athleticism and arm strength that scream franchise cornerstone. He’s also a guy who – like Mayfield – brings natural leadership qualities to the table. And he could very well win plenty of interviews once he has a chance to sit down with NFL executives and break down his knowledge of the game.

At the very least, it’s a wide-open competition right now to become the top quarterback off the board. But Mayfield lives to compete – and he’ll leave the Senior Bowl having done exactly that. Not only climbing draft boards, but possibly in reach of the very top.

Players have long said Thursday games have more injuries, in 2017 they were right By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk Jan. 27, 2018

For years, players have been saying Thursday games are more dangerous, while the NFL has been saying the injury data doesn’t support the players’ assertion. Now the NFL is acknowledging that in 2017, players really did suffer more injuries per game on Thursdays than on other days of the week.

But the NFL says that difference was slight, not statistically significant and not indicative of a trend that would justify canceling .

A study published by the league found that there were 6.9 injuries per game on Thursdays in 2017, while there were 6.3 injuries per game on other days of the week. That’s a reversal from past years, when the league said there were actually fewer injuries in Thursday games.

Dr. Christina Mack, an epidemiologist who works with the league on injury data, said an uptick in injuries on Thursdays in 2017 should not be viewed as more meaningful than the years of research the NFL has that more players are injured on other days of the week.

“This season, for the first time, we saw a one-year shift, where injury rates on Thursdays were slightly higher than games played on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday,” Mack said. “The four-year aggregate rates are the strongest metrics due to the small number of games played on Thursdays and in general when we look at these rates, so the one-year sample size of the Thursday data is more variable. The difference was not statistically significant. That said, again coming up to the Combine, we are going to continue looking at and analyzing these data to understand what the impact of intervals between games and rest is with focus on Thursday night in a broader context.”

Players, however, have been vocal that they don’t like Thursday games. They will surely see this as a data point in their favor.