After All The Subtraction, Denver Fans Can Soon Expect Some Key Additions

In the five weeks that Josh McDaniels has held the position of Head Coach for the Denver Broncos, he has not had an opportunity to prove very much.

We don't know how he will coach the team on the field, and we don't know how effective he will ultimately be at evaluating personnel.

What we do know, however, is that Josh McDaniels is a man of his word.

When he said in his initial press conference and subsequent interviews that he was going to be evaluating each and every player on the roster, he meant it.

So far, 12 players from the 2008 squad have been shown the door. The cuts range from surprising with Jamie Winborn, Nate Jackson, and Anthony Alridge, to necessary with Marquand Manuel, Dewayne Robertson, and John Engelberger.

With all these subtractions from the team, the next step must be additions.

The Denver Broncos now have at least 12 open roster spots, and upwards of $40 million in salary cap room, which means that Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders have plenty of freedom.

The team elected not to use their franchise tag on any of their outgoing free agents. The only outgoing players who the team may consider re-signing are running backs Michael Pittman and/or Tatum Bell.

Players such as Ebenezer Ekuban, Nate Webster, Patrick Ramsey, and others will be allowed to search for jobs elsewhere.

There is no question that the Denver Broncos will look much different in 2009. They already do, for that matter.

It is likely that USC standout inside linebacker Rey Maualuga will fall to the Broncos at the 12th pick. However, the injury to wide receiver Michael Crabtree may change the outcome of the draft.

It is widely anticipated that the Broncos will look to add players at every position on defense, and look for a running back and slot receiver on offense.

Reports have said that the team may be interested in free-agent running back Derrick Ward. This would allow them to forgo the need to use a draft pick at that position.

In free agency, besides Derrick Ward, the Broncos may go after defensive lineman such as Igor Olshansky of the Chargers, and safeties such as Mike Brown of the Bears or James Sanders of the Patriots.

The Broncos will have all seven of their picks for the 2009 draft, along with an extra fifth round pick from the Seahawks and a conditional seventh round pick from the Falcons, which could become a sixth rounder if cornerback Dominique Foxworth re-signs in Atlanta.

If the team is able to add at least three veterans in the free agent process, and then nine rookies (in the needed positions) via the draft, fans should consider the 2009 offseason successful.

Of course, then the task will be adapting to the new schemes and tendencies of the renovated coaching staff, and filling the depth chart in such a way that gives the team the best chance of winning.

This is all easier said than done, but so is freeing up $40+ million dollars of salary cap room. Especially when teams such as the Jets are above the cap.

Josh McDaniels has started his process, and the path to a successful 2009 is laid out in front of him.