Do The Broncos Have Draft Flexibility?
By Tylor Walden
Jan 13, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway speaks to the media at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since mock drafts and free agency began, we have all wondered what the Denver Broncos would be doing in this year’s NFL Draft. Fans might have finally found out what John Elway plans to do in the draft.
With one week left until all the college prospects that have declared for the draft find out their fate in a matter of a three day span, the Broncos have some plans in place, but one that really jumped out at me was John Elway stating that though all the moves that the team has made since March 10th gives them more of a flexible attitude going to next Thursday’s draft.
In #NFLDraft, #Broncos and Elway tend to project how likely players are to start in 2nd year [http://t.co/PVRGT1F346] pic.twitter.com/pE1s4hargd
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 24, 2015
John Elway goes on to state that before the draft, he wants the Broncos to be “solid on all positions.” While most fans might not be thrilled with what has transpired with the organization’s signings, it does give the Broncos something that a lot of teams could be lacking. And that is a veteran presence.
Looking at some of the players that the Broncos have traded for or signed in the offseason, the only name that made somewhat of a jump was the first move. Signing Owen Daniels. All the others did not bring about much of a spark. I will even admit that before these players signed with the Broncos, I had never heard of Shelley Smith, Darian Stewart, or Vance Walker. But all the players have experience.
If you were to look at the Denver Broncos current roster, every position has at least one player with three years or more of NFL experience. With the experience, I believe that the Denver Broncos have more flexibility when it comes to the draft. With a roster with quite a bit of veteran experience, the Broncos could be more flexible which can vary from drafting the best player available with the 28th overall selection or even trade with a team that is deemed reasonable.
Whatever may happen, the Denver Broncos have quietly done what they need in the free agency period. Now it is time to focus in on the draft.