Projecting the Broncos Offseason: Defense To Undergo Major Facelift

If you have heard it once, you have heard it over a thousand times:  The Denver Broncos need serious help on the defensive side of the ball. 

They finished in the bottom five in all major categories, and provided the stellar offense with virtually no support whatsoever.

Mike Shanahan put together a defensive line that featured three first round busts in John Engelberger, Ebenezer Ekuban, and DeWayne Robertson.  Former first day picks Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder have not developed, and are on the verge of being traded or released.

Perhaps the Broncos have some building blocks with defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker D.J. Williams, and cornerback Champ Bailey—but there is a lot of work to be done. 

Denver has to find a spot on the field for undrafted rookie star Wesley Woodyard, who played very well in the absence of D.J. Williams last season.  Another valuable commodity is Jamie Winborn, who led the team in tackles in 2008.

In the secondary, there is a lot left to be desired.  Champ Bailey missed a good amount of the 2008 season due to a groin injury, but played at his usual elite level when healthy.  Rookie safety Josh Barrett showed promise, and figures to be the future at strong safety for the team.

The free agent class—as fate would have it—is extremely deep this offseason, and the Broncos are in good position with nine picks in the upcoming draft.  Here's a look at some of the players Denver should pursue starting February 27th.

Free Agency

Sign Safety Oshiomogho "O.J." Atogwe; St. Louis Rams

Atogwe will likely be a hot commodity in the first week of free agency, and he could be the first big name Denver hauls in.  This signing would bring an automatic credibility factor to the Denver defensive backfield.  Atogwe has 13 interceptions over the last two seasons, and Denver was tied for 32nd in the NFL last year with a -17 turnover differential.

Sign safety Mike Brown; Chicago Bears

Brown has not played a full season since 2003, and the Broncos could get him at somewhat of a discount price.  He is a hard hitting safety that would be an excellent mentor for Josh Barrett in the defensive backfield, and he would provide insurance for the Broncos at either position in case of injury.

Trade for defensive tackle Gabe Watson

The Broncos need a nose tackle for their new 3-4 scheme, and Watson is the best NT available not named Haynesworth.  Since Watson is a restricted free agent, he would likely cost the Broncos some type of compensation. 

I think Denver could work out some kind of sign and trade where they give up one of their extra fifth round draft picks and possibly a player like Dre' Bly for Watson, a 6'4" 340-pound behemoth.

Sign defensive end Igor Olshansky; San Diego Chargers

This signing makes a ton of sense, since the Broncos could get him at a relatively cheap price, and his defensive line coach from San Diego, Wayne Nunnely, is now with the Denver Broncos.  Olshansky has good experience in the 3-4 defense, and would probably end up starting with the Broncos.

Sign cornerback Justin Miller; Oakland Raiders

Miller was nearly claimed by Denver off waivers in 2008, nearly drafted by the team in 2005, and I'm willing to bet the team still has some type of interest in him.  He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and would be an excellent kickoff return option.

Sign offensive tackle George Foster; Detroit Lions

Denver should bring back their former first round pick, George Foster, to add some depth on the offensive line. 

NFL Draft

First Round

Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

Maualuga would be an instant starter next to D.J. Williams in the Broncos new defensive scheme.  He is a playmaker whose aggressive style draws comparisons to former USC star Troy Polamalu. 

Second Round

Shonn Greene; Running Back, Iowa

Peyton Hillis proved last season that he is more than capable of carrying the load for the Broncos—and a freak injury prematurely ended his, and quite possibly the Broncos' season.  Greene would be the full-time back the Broncos have lacked on offense since the 2005 season. 

Third Round

Victor "Macho" Harris; Cornerback, Virginia Tech

Macho would be a steal in this position.  He has great ball skills, but his lack of elite timed speed could drop him to the third round.  The Broncos would love to get him in this slot.

Fourth Round

Jarrett Dillard; Wide Receiver, Rice

If Dillard falls this far, the Broncos may have no choice but to select him.  He isn't the fastest receiver, but he has a nose for the end zone and would be an excellent understudy to the veteran Brandon Stokley in the slot. 

Fifth Round

Mitch King; Defensive Lineman, Iowa

King is a very underrated prospect only because of his size.  The All-American from Iowa may not make it past the fourth round, but the Broncos pick very early in round five, and this is certainly an option.  He would be a great addition up front.

*Second fifth round pick traded for Gabe Watson*

Sixth Round

Ricky Jean-Francois; Defensive Lineman, LSU

The Broncos would do well to find gems like Jean-Francois in the later rounds.  He has the athleticism to be able to play defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, and spending later round selections on that type of player seem like the logical route for the Broncos to go.

Courtney Greene; Safety, Rutgers

Greene is a big safety with pretty good speed, and he could be a great backup and special teams player at the next level.  He has ideal size, and would be worth a late-round flyer.

Seventh Round

Domonique Johnson; Cornerback, Jackson State

Johnson's stock may rise after his Combine performance, but as of now, this would be a great spot for the Broncos to take him.  He is 6'2" 200 pounds, and reportedly runs a 4.40 second forty yard dash.  He has long arms and his athleticism could give the Broncos a great special teamer and potential future starter at the position.

Projected Depth Chart

Offense

QB:  Jay Cutler   Darrell Hackney

RB:  Shonn Greene   Ryan Torain   Peyton Hillis

FB/H-back:  Peyton Hillis   Tony Scheffler

WR 1:  Brandon Marshall   Brandon Stokley   Jarrett Dillard

WR 2:  Eddie Royal   Chad Jackson

TE:  Daniel Graham   Tony Scheffler   Nate Jackson

LT:  Ryan Clady   Tyler Polumbus

LG:  Ben Hamilton   Kory Lichtensteiger

C:  Casey Wiegmann   Kory Lichtensteiger

RG:  Chris Kuper   Kory Lichtensteiger

RT:  Ryan Harris   George Foster

Defense

RE:  Marcus Thomas   Mitch King   Ricky Jean-Francois

NT:  Gabe Watson   Marcus Thomas

LE:  Igor Olshansky   Carlton Powell  

OLB:  Elvis Dumervil   Jarvis Moss   Tim Crowder

MLB:  D.J. Williams   Jamie Winborn  Spencer Larsen

MLB:  Rey Maualuga   Wesley Woodyard

OLB:  Jarvis Moss   Jamie Winborn

CB:  Champ Bailey   Jack Williams    Josh Bell

CB:  Victor Harris   Karl Paymah   Domonique Johnson

FS:  O.J. Atogwe   Mike Brown   Courtney Greene

SS:  Josh Barrett   Mike Brown  

Special Teams

K:  Matt Prater

P:  Brett Kern

KR:  Justin Miller   Eddie Royal

PR:  Eddie Royal   Chad Jackson

LS:  Mike Leach

Again, this is purely speculation, and may be a bit too good to be true.  However, at the moment this seems like it could be a very likely offseason for Denver—and on paper this appears to be a double-digit victory team.