Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; From left Kirby Drube , Larry Thomas , Jeanne Thomas , Rick Long , Sarah Long and Lyle Foster celebrate after the number fifty-eight overall pick to the Denver Broncos is announced during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Drafting of the biggest, fastest, nastiest, absolute bestest National Football League prospects is at an end.

It’s been a busy couple of months at Dove Valley, and now John Elway, John Fox and the rest of the Denver Bronco staff can take a breath – a brief breath.

Free agency, at least the brunt of it, has come and gone. In March they brought in, among others, pass catcher extraordinaire Wes Welker, monster blocker Louis Vasquez and Terrance Knighton, deluxe run-stuffer.

March also brought us Faxgate, with the team losing one of the league’s best pass rushers in Elvis Dumervil. That little foul-up, however, was addressed rather quietly Saturday as the draft wound down with the free-agent signing of ex-Charger Shaun Phillips, he of nearly 70 career sacks, to become designated pass rusher on third downs from the right side in replacing Dumervil.

April’s draft also seemingly brought immediate help.

Help in the middle of the defensive line came in the large form of first-round pick Sylvester Williams. He will be in the rotation immediately. The second round produced a possible starting running back in Montee Ball, the leading touchdown scorer in the history of college football. Think he might know what he is doing running up the gut?

Later in the draft came others who will mostly help in a year or two as starters, now as special teamers.

So, where does this Bronco team stand? 

The foundation is firmly in place, starting of course with quarterback Peyton Manning. And that foundation is firmer than at any time last season when the Broncos managed a 13-3 record.

Let’s check the offensive side:

First, there is Manning of course, backed at QB by second-year man Brock Osweiler and likely seventh-round draft choice and new prospect Zac Dysert from Miami of Ohio.

At running back, there is Ball and second-year man Ronnie Hillman.  Veterans Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno, both coming off injuries, are officially in limbo.

At receivers (match this anybody), Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Welker on the outside and four, count ‘em, respectable tight ends.

The offensive line?  Ryan Clady will be at left tackle, probably possessor of a long-term contract by season’s start.  At left guard will be either Zane Beadles or Chris Kuper.  At center will be J.D. Walton or Philip Blake. Vasquez at right guard and Orlando Franklin at right tackle provide 660-plus pounds of horsepower. And there is plenty of depth behind them in veterans Chris Clark and Manny Ramirez if needed.

That was the second-highest scoring team in the NFL last season. It will be better this season.

Let’s check the defensive side:

The foremost question for most going into the offseason was the interior line.  That was addressed with the addition of Knighton and Williams.  Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio can now rotate those two with last year’s super rookie Derek Wolfe, who can move from end to tackle and provide pass rush from anywhere, and veterans Kevin Vickerson and Mitch Unrein.  It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the team re-signs veteran free agent Justin Bannan as well.

The pass rush from the outside was never going to be a problem as long as Von Miller is around to play strongside linebacker and rush on passing downs.  Now, with Phillips on board, the two-headed monster is still alive and well.  Phillips will split time with Robert Ayers at defensive end, with Ayers slated to play on likely running downs.

Other returning linebackers are Wesley Woodyard, whom many thought should have earned a Pro Bowl slot last season, with Nate Irving or free-agent signee Stewart Bradley in the middle.

The secondary got a boost with the signing of Dominique Rogers-Cromartie in March, allowing Chris Harris to move to slot defender. Champ Bailey is still around to man the other corner and, yes, he can still play.

There was a thought that the team would try to upgrade at safety, but apparently Fox, Del Rio and other coaches are happy with Rahim Moore and Mike Adams. The return of former starter Quinton Carter is also obviously a factor there.

With Del Rio becoming the first defensive coordinator in almost a decade to return to the team and that added beef in the middle, we can safely say the defense will be in good hands.

One other thing not to overlook for next season would be the special team performers:  Britton Colquitt is one of the league’s best punters, Matt Prater ditto as a placekicker.  And don’t forget the return heroics of little Trindon Holliday.

Staff from Elway on down on the clock and working well together? Check.

Free agency dealt with? Check.

The draft provides help for now and the future? Check.

What’s not to like, Broncos Country?

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Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) catches a pass while defended by Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) during the first half of the AFC divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Almost a week after the start of the 2013 NFL free agency period, there have been a few teams considered winners in relation to improving their rosters for the 2013  NFL season. One of the clear-cut winners of week 1 of free agency is our Denver Broncos. The Elvis Dumervil contract debacle not withstanding, the Broncos have made a huge impact in the early stages of this “silly season”.

John Elway has displayed the same acumen as Executive VP of Football Operations as he did as quarterback of this Broncos franchise. He saw a need to bolster the offensive line (specifically in the interior) and signed one of the top five guards in the NFL, Louis Vasquez, from divisional rival, San Diego. When it came time to beef up the interior of the defensive, Elway re-signed Kevin Vickerson and reunited Terrance Knighton with defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio from their days in Jacksonville. In addition, he added ILB Stewart Bradley, building much needed depth and size to the middle of the defense. Then he sured up the defensive secondary inking cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromarte. However, when it came time to make a huge splash, a shot heard around the NFL, and fill the need of a slot receiver, the Broncos announced the signing of four-time All-Pro, Wes Welker. Welker, who recorded over 110 receptions in five of his six years as Tom Brady‘s favorite receiver in New England will go from catching passes from one Hall-of-Fame Quarteback to another in Peyton Manning.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, I previously scribed that I would have preferred Welker’s replacement in New England, Danny Amendola. However that was written with the belief that he would have come with a much smaller price tag – either short and/or long term – than that of Welker’s. It was reported that Denver offered Welker 2 years and $12 million. His agent then took that offer back to New England, who would not increase its original offer of 2 years and $10 million. Armed with the assumption that Denver would give him the best chance to win the Super Bowl which has eluded him in two previous appearances versus the New York Giants, Welker seemed satisfied to sign on the dotted line. Lining up with Manning, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker creates, arguably the most explosive passing attack in the NFL. In addition, I surmise that in an off-the-record moment, Welker would also admit that this deal with the Broncos gives him the opportunity to exact a measure of revenge against his former employer.

In light of the fact that the Patriots signed Amendola to a 5 year, $28.5 million deal ($5.7 million per year) while the more accomplished and durable Welker was inked for for 3 fewer years and only $300,000 more per year, it’s safe to say that this was one heck of a bargain. So needless to say, for the second straight year the Broncos have landed the best free agent on the market; only on this occasion, they have procured the most productive WR of the past six years, still in his prime and got him at a bargain price. It remains to be seen how this plays out on the field. On the paper though, it would appear that the Broncos got one of the best values in free agency in recent memory.

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Kevin Vickerson (99) against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos got a running jump into free agency by signing arguably the second best free agent guard in Louis Vasquez, not to mention they signed him from division foe, San Diego.

Vasquez brings size (6’5,” 335 pounds), which with Orlando Franklin (6’7,” 330 pounds), will make that right side of the line a nightmare for defenses. Vasquez started all 16 games for the Chargers last season, and helped the team rank third in total offense (394.3 yards per game). In his four-year career, he’s allowed just 11 sacks and one penalty.

The Broncos signed Vasquez to a four-year deal worth $23.5 million.

In addition to adding more bulk to the offensive line, the Broncos focused in on the defensive line as well. They re-signed Kevin Vickerson to a two-year deal. Vickerson started 14 games for the Broncos last season and played a big role in anchoring the team’s run defense that allowed the second-fewest yards per game in the league.

Vickerson is entering his ninth year in the NFL. He was taken by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2005 draft.

Before the new league year began, the team released longtime linebacker D.J. Williams, which relieved them of his $6 million base salary, and off-the-field issues.

With day one of free agency in the books, how do you think the Broncos did?

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