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Broncos should concentrate on free agency
Posted: 02/26/2012 01:00:00 AM MST By Mike Klis
The Denver Postdenverpost.com
Once they're through watching flabby guys jiggle through the standing long jump and skinny guys grunt through the 225-pound bench press at the combine, the Broncos can get serious about filling their roster with greater talent.
Open up that wallet, Pat Bowlen.
A case can be made that for the first time in more than a decade, the Broncos can find the free-agent market less perilous than the draft.
"We're looking forward to free agency because it's such a huge class," Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said. "I think there are over 470 players, and that's something where it supplements the building through the draft."
Draft, schmaft. Do the New York Yankees worry about the draft? Bill Belichick has recorded an alarming rate of whiffs in the upper rounds of the draft, yet it hasn't stopped the New England Patriots from having a nice decade.
Buy 'em, Broncos. Between their back-end position and limited number of picks, the Broncos arguably haven't been this poorly positioned in the draft since between their last two Super Bowl seasons.
Barring an unlikely trade up, the Broncos' No. 25 overall draft selection April 26 will be their lowest since 2005, when their first pick wasn't until the second round. Yet after taking Darrent Williams in Round 2, the Broncos had three selections in Round 3 (Karl Paymah, Domonique Foxworth and — where have you gone? — Maurice Clarett).
That was four picks in the top three — or what the NFL industry considers the "starter" rounds. This year, the Broncos have only three picks in the first three rounds, one in each.
The Broncos haven't picked as far back as 25th with as few as three picks in the first three rounds since 1998, when they drafted Marcus Nash in the first, Eric Brown in the second and Brian Griese in the third.
Posted: 02/26/2012 01:00:00 AM MST By Mike Klis
The Denver Postdenverpost.com
Once they're through watching flabby guys jiggle through the standing long jump and skinny guys grunt through the 225-pound bench press at the combine, the Broncos can get serious about filling their roster with greater talent.
Open up that wallet, Pat Bowlen.
A case can be made that for the first time in more than a decade, the Broncos can find the free-agent market less perilous than the draft.
"We're looking forward to free agency because it's such a huge class," Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said. "I think there are over 470 players, and that's something where it supplements the building through the draft."
Draft, schmaft. Do the New York Yankees worry about the draft? Bill Belichick has recorded an alarming rate of whiffs in the upper rounds of the draft, yet it hasn't stopped the New England Patriots from having a nice decade.
Buy 'em, Broncos. Between their back-end position and limited number of picks, the Broncos arguably haven't been this poorly positioned in the draft since between their last two Super Bowl seasons.
Barring an unlikely trade up, the Broncos' No. 25 overall draft selection April 26 will be their lowest since 2005, when their first pick wasn't until the second round. Yet after taking Darrent Williams in Round 2, the Broncos had three selections in Round 3 (Karl Paymah, Domonique Foxworth and — where have you gone? — Maurice Clarett).
That was four picks in the top three — or what the NFL industry considers the "starter" rounds. This year, the Broncos have only three picks in the first three rounds, one in each.
The Broncos haven't picked as far back as 25th with as few as three picks in the first three rounds since 1998, when they drafted Marcus Nash in the first, Eric Brown in the second and Brian Griese in the third.
Looking for valueWhen it comes to upgrading talent, free agency is less risky than the draft in terms of player evaluation. The Broncos should have a better idea of how Chad Henne and Josh Johnson will perform as NFL quarterbacks this season than, say, draft prospects Brock Osweiler and Nick Foles.
"Free agency for me is about money," Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren said.
Indeed, where free agency exceeds the risk of the draft is in the financial commitment.
"The key to free agency is getting the right value on guys," said John Elway, the Broncos' chief of football operations. "We've got an idea of what each free agent should be paid. You want to make sure you don't overpay, and that usually means staying patient."
That means the Broncos won't blow their free-agent budget on the likes of Mario Williams or Peyton Manning or former Widefield High School and Northern Colorado star Vincent Jackson.
"Free agency for me is about money," Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren said.
Indeed, where free agency exceeds the risk of the draft is in the financial commitment.
"The key to free agency is getting the right value on guys," said John Elway, the Broncos' chief of football operations. "We've got an idea of what each free agent should be paid. You want to make sure you don't overpay, and that usually means staying patient."
That means the Broncos won't blow their free-agent budget on the likes of Mario Williams or Peyton Manning or former Widefield High School and Northern Colorado star Vincent Jackson.
Christmas in March
Never mind the NFL draft. That's not until April 26-28, and the Broncos don't pick until the No. 25 slot in the first round. The biggest player pool for the Broncos this offseason is free agency, which opens March 13. The Broncos are expected to sign a safety, inside linebacker and backup quarterback, among others, in free agency. NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes two free agents at each of those positions who would fit the Broncos:
1. Josh Johnson, QB, age 25, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Buccaneers
An athletic quarterback who would complement Tim Tebow.
2. Chad Henne, QB, 26, 6-3, 230, Dolphins
Similar to Kyle Orton, only with some mobility.
3. Dashon Goldson, SS, 27, 6-2, 200, 49ers
Not good in coverage, but Broncos need a safety who can tackle well to pair with Quinton Carter or Rahim Moore.
4. Dwight Lowery, FS, 26, 5-11, 198, Jaguars
Jim Leonhard and LaRon Landry are major health risks, and Michael Griffin and Tyvon Branch may be franchised.
5. David Hawthorne, MLB, 26, 6-0, 246, Seahawks
Good enough to beat out Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu in 2009. Played through a knee injury last season.
6. Dan Connor, MLB, 26, 6-2, 231, Panthers
A tad light, but had 4.6-second speed in the 40 until he suffered a knee injury as a rookie in 2008. Played three seasons for John Fox.
Never mind the NFL draft. That's not until April 26-28, and the Broncos don't pick until the No. 25 slot in the first round. The biggest player pool for the Broncos this offseason is free agency, which opens March 13. The Broncos are expected to sign a safety, inside linebacker and backup quarterback, among others, in free agency. NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes two free agents at each of those positions who would fit the Broncos:
1. Josh Johnson, QB, age 25, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Buccaneers
An athletic quarterback who would complement Tim Tebow.
2. Chad Henne, QB, 26, 6-3, 230, Dolphins
Similar to Kyle Orton, only with some mobility.
3. Dashon Goldson, SS, 27, 6-2, 200, 49ers
Not good in coverage, but Broncos need a safety who can tackle well to pair with Quinton Carter or Rahim Moore.
4. Dwight Lowery, FS, 26, 5-11, 198, Jaguars
Jim Leonhard and LaRon Landry are major health risks, and Michael Griffin and Tyvon Branch may be franchised.
5. David Hawthorne, MLB, 26, 6-0, 246, Seahawks
Good enough to beat out Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu in 2009. Played through a knee injury last season.
6. Dan Connor, MLB, 26, 6-2, 231, Panthers
A tad light, but had 4.6-second speed in the 40 until he suffered a knee injury as a rookie in 2008. Played three seasons for John Fox.
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