5 Biggest Needs Denver Broncos Have Yet to Address This Offseason

The Denver Broncos have maneuvered through free agency in 2015 without making any “splashy” additions. Lacking the salary cap space they had last year, the Broncos are being cautious with their money as they look to build what they hope is a championship roster.

Even though they’ve made a few transactions in free agency, there are still a few problem areas that need to be addressed.

The Broncos could use remaining free agents to fill these needs, but they could also turn to the NFL draft for help. With a few starting positions up for grabs, the Broncos could decide a veteran is the way to go. If the Broncos feel they can get a starter with a premium pick, then we could see them use a first-round pick on an impact player.

Here are the five biggest needs (in order) the Denver Broncos have yet to address this offseason.

5. Acquiring a Center

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There are two spots up for grabs on the offensive line this offseason. There were three spots open, but newly acquired guard Shelley Smith should fill the void at left guard. The Broncos need to find a man in the middle at center.

Last year, the Broncos selected Matt Paradis in the sixth round of the draft. The Boise State product spent his rookie season on the practice squad, but will get a larger opportunity this year. Paradis is an athletic player with the ability to latch on to defenders at the second level—making him a good fit for the zone-blocking system.

A player the Broncos could (should?) sign is veteran free agent Chris Myers. Originally a sixth-round pick for the Broncos in 2005, Myers spent 2008-2014 with the Houston Texans. He knows the zone-blocking system like the back of his hand, and his experience would make him a “set-it-and-forget-it” starter for the Broncos.

4. Finding a Fullback

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The Broncos are going to have a new-look ground game in 2015. The zone-blocking system is part of the new look, but the team will also use a fullback regularly for the first time in a few years. At this time, there is no official fullback on the roster.

Sure, Juwan Thompson could line up at fullback for the Broncos. He played fullback in college for Duke, and he’s big enough to be a road grader as a lead blocker. Thompson is also a good inside runner who can work well as a receiver out of the backfield if needed.

The best option on the free-agent market is John Conner. He’s not the receiver or runner Thompson is, but he’s arguably a better blocker.

The Broncos could look to the NFL draft for a fullback. Jalston Fowler (Alabama) is my favorite fullback in this draft class. The Broncos could be interested in Fowler, and they would likely have to spend a fourth- or fifth-round pick to get him.

3. Finding the Heir to Peyton Manning

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Peyton Manning reworked his contract and took a $4 million pay cut this offseason. He officially has two years left on his deal, but it’s not outlandish to believe this could be his last season with the Broncos. His heir at the quarterback position may not be on the roster.

Brock Osweiler is in the final year of his contract. Unless the Broncos extend him, Osweiler is likely to move on in free agency next offseason. If that happens, the Broncos would be rewarded with a supplemental pick (third round?) in the 2017 NFL draft.

It would be a shame to never see Osweiler show what he could do for the Broncos. He’s never played significant snaps, and if Manning stays healthy this year we won’t see Osweiler on the field much at all in 2015. Osweiler has a strong arm and the scrambling ability that has drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens’ starter Joe Flacco.

The Broncos could look to the 2015 NFL draft for a quarterback, but this is not a strong group of signal-callers. Players of interest could be Garrett Grayson (Colorado State) or Bryce Petty (Baylor). Both players would have to be considered mid-round picks at this time.

2. Adding a Nose Tackle

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The Broncos new defense under Wade Phillips should be more exciting than the unit that played under Jack Del Rio. The team is going to be a 3-4 defense, and they need to find the fulcrum—a nose tackle in the middle of the defensive line.

Sylvester Williams, a first-round pick in 2013, is most likely to get the first crack at the starting nose tackle job. He’s never played nose tackle, and the transition is going to be a big test for Williams. To help Williams make the move, the Broncos added veteran defensive line coach Bill Kollar.

General manager John Elway told me, “If anyone can get the best out of Sylvester, it’s Bill Kollar.” Obviously the team has confidence that proper coaching can bring out the untapped potential in Williams.

Marvin Austin has the size needed in a nose tackle, and he has the ability to control one gap. If Williams struggles at nose tackle, then we could see Austin take over.

Terrance Knighton moved on to Washington in free agency, and the Broncos didn’t make a push for big bodies available like Vince Wilfork. One player still available is former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. “Big Vick” was a team-first guy during his time with the Broncos, and he would give the team quality veteran depth at the position.

1. Finding a Starting Right Tackle

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Arguably the biggest need for the Broncos this offseason yet to be addressed is the question mark at right tackle.

Last year’s third-round pick Michael Schofield might be penciled in as the starter at this time. Schofield did not see the field for a single snap during his rookie year. The lack of experience is a huge concern on an offensive line tasked with protecting Peyton Manning.

Schofield is not a brute, but he does have the athleticism to fit in the zone-blocking system. In addition to playing tackle, Schofield could be moved inside to guard. He started 10 games at left guard during his college career at Michigan.

An option the Broncos still have in free agency is former Broncos tackle Ryan Harris. Originally a third-round pick for the Broncos in 2007, Harris has bounced around the league over the last few years. One of his stops (2012-13) was with Gary Kubiak and the Houston Texans. Obviously he knows the zone-blocking system and could be relied on as a starter if need be.

The draft has a strong group of tackles. The Broncos could choose to select a player like Ereck Flowers (Miami) in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. When I talked to Flowers at the scouting combine earlier this year, he expressed confidence in his ability to play in a zone-blocking system. He might be the best answer the Broncos have at a critical position.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.