5 Biggest Needs Denver Broncos Have Yet to Address Leading Up to 2016 NFL Draft

The 2016 NFL draft is less than one month from now, and the Denver Broncos still have key pieces of the roster missing. They had to maneuver through free agency this offseason with little space to work with. This has resulted in players moving on to big-money deals the Broncos simply did not—or could not—afford.

Even though they’ve made a small handful of moves in free agency, there are still many spots to address on the roster. With free agency mostly done and the Broncos lacking necessary salary-cap space, there’s a good chance these holes will be filled in the draft. For what the Broncos need, this seems to be a deep and talented draft at multiple positions.

General manager John Elway has done a good job at finding impact players throughout the draft in the past. This year, Elway will need to find at least a starter or two from this draft class to help the team’s roster.

Here are the five biggest needs—in order—the Broncos have yet to address leading up to the draft.

5. Safety Depth

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The team lost a couple of safeties to free agency, and the Broncos should be looking for improved depth at the position.

David Bruton was a solid reserve safety and part-time starter for years. In addition, he was always a standout on special teams. Earlier this offseason, he chose to play for Washington instead of Denver due to a chance at increased playing time. Just last week, safety/return man Omar Bolden decided to reunite with former Broncos head coach John Fox and signed with the Chicago Bears. Losing those two hurts the depth behind starters T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart.

Ward is under contract through 2017, but with his aggressive playing style, the team needs to be prepared in case he gets banged up.

Stewart may be the unsung hero of the Broncos' world-class defense in 2015. He was a fantastic signing by the Broncos two years ago, but the team only inked him to a two-year deal. That means Stewart is entering the final year of his contract in 2016. The Broncos would be wise to wrap him up with a new long-term deal, perhaps sometime during the 2016 season before he reaches free agency.

With safety depth a need, the Broncos should look no further than the 2016 NFL draft, where there are several interesting options at the position.

Looking at potential early-round safeties, a player like Jeremy Cash (Duke) could be an option. Cash has the strength to bring down ball-carriers quickly, and he has no problem making plays behind the line of scrimmage. It’s interesting to note that NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has T.J. Ward listed as the pro comparison for Cash.

If the Broncos want to spend mid-round pick on a safety, then Miles Killebrew (Southern Utah) could be a nice fit. He’s a big hitter who can quickly and violently bring down an opponent. Waiting until the final day of the draft, the Broncos may be able to pluck a playmaker like K.J. Dillon (West Virginia) from the draft pool. Like Ward, Dillon is an intimidating presence who can play close to the line of scrimmage.

4. Backup Running Back

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The Broncos matched the Miami Dolphins' offer in order to keep running back C.J. Anderson earlier this offseason. Anderson is getting paid like a bell-cow back, and the Broncos should use him as such in 2016. However, it would be beneficial for the team to improve the depth behind him—even finding a speedy change-of-pace back would be a good idea.

Mike Klis, from 9News in Denver, recently reported the team has reached out to free-agent running back Ronnie Hillman about a possible reunion. There are several teams interested in Hillman, but so far he’s been unsigned through the free-agency process. Hillman knows the offense, and the team knows him. Bringing him back at the right price could be a sound move, as he’s capable of being a decent backup.

The team should also search for running back depth in the 2016 NFL draft. This draft class is like a buffet at the running back position. If you want a power back, there are plenty of prospects that fit the bill. How about a speed back? This draft has more than a few to choose from.

A player to watch is San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin. He’s incredibly fast, gets to top speed in a hurry, can help as a return man and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield. The Broncos might take a chance on him in the middle rounds of the draft.

3. Starting Inside Linebacker

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Weak-side inside linebacker is a starting spot that will be up for grabs this offseason. Last year’s starter, Danny Trevathan, hit the open market, and it didn’t take long for the Chicago Bears to snatch him up. The Broncos have some interesting in-house prospects who should get a chance to compete for Trevathan’s old spot.

Todd Davis is a more physical player than Trevathan, and he is a good form tackler who rarely lets an opponent out of his grasp. He’s not as athletic as Trevathan, so covering on passing downs could be a problem for him. Corey Nelson can be a solid contributor on special teams, but he lacks the instincts of Davis. He’s more athletic, so working better in coverage could give him an advantage in this competition. Zaire Anderson may be the best option, as he’s a tackling machine who can also excel in coverage.

The Broncos may also move Brandon Marshall from strong-side (Sam) inside linebacker to weak-side (Bow) inside linebacker—or they could turn to the draft for help at the position.

There’s some good talent throughout the draft at the linebacker position. Early in the draft, the Broncos could take a chance on Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame). He has the physical skill set of a top-10 pick, but a major knee injury (ACL, LCL) in the team’s bowl game could cause him to slide out of the first round.

Later in the draft, the Broncos should pluck another Kentucky linebacker from the mix. Years ago (2008) they picked up Wesley Woodyard out of Kentucky as an undrafted free agent. In 2012, the Broncos picked up Trevathan out of Kentucky with a sixth-round pick. This year, Josh Forrest is another Wildcats linebacker in the mold of Woodyard and Trevathan. It seems like another great fit, and Forrest may fall to the final day of the draft.

2. Starting Defensive End

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Broncos have a big hole to replace on their defensive line after losing starting defensive end Malik Jackson to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Jackson was an impact player for the Broncos, and his play improved each season after entering the league as a fifth-round pick for Denver in the 2012 NFL draft.

With this incredibly deep defensive line draft class, the Broncos may be able to find his replacement within the first four rounds of the process.

In the first round, the Broncos should be considering Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss). They had him in for a predraft workout, and he’s a player with tremendous upside if he can play up to his potential. Nkemdiche is chiseled like a Greek god at nearly 300 pounds, but he’s never played up to the player many thought he would be for the Rebels. Perhaps the Broncos coaching staff has the key for unlocking such an incredible natural talent.

Later in the draft, a player like Javon Hargrave (South Carolina State) might be on the Broncos' draft board. He was a standout during the week of practice for the East-West Shrine Game earlier this year, and he shows good closing burst to the passer on film. Hargrave lacks the length of Jackson, but he makes up for it with great snap anticipation and a nonstop motor.

Even if the Broncos draft a defensive end to potentially take Jackson’s old spot, they have other players to also compete at the position. Kenny Anunike is an interesting player to consider. An undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2014, Anunike hasn’t been able to contribute with the Broncos due to injuries. If healthy, he has the length and burst to compete for a larger role. He’s looked good in practice during the offseason, but Anunike needs to stay healthy if he wants to play up to his potential.

1. Quarterback

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The biggest spot the team has yet to address is arguably the most important player on the roster. With Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler going to the Houston Texans in free agency, the Broncos have a huge question mark at quarterback.

Earlier this year, the Broncos traded with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire Mark Sanchez. He sits atop the depth chart at this time with only Trevor Siemian behind him. The Broncos may not make just one move to add another quarterback, but it’s likely they make two more moves at the position to enter the offseason program with four passers. Sanchez is likely a backup for the team in 2016, and Siemian may be able to stick around as a developmental quarterback—even if that means putting him on the practice squad.

The quarterback most connected with the Broncos at this time is Colin Kaepernick. The Broncos would likely have to trade at least a mid-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to acquire him. That may be the easy part, as Kaepernick would then have to agree to a restructured contract.

Earlier this week Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported that Kaepernick is refusing to take a pay cut to play for the Broncos. His report also indicates the 49ers are not interested in paying part of Kaepernick’s salary to help facilitate the trade. Mike Klis, from 9News in Denver, reports that trade talks with the 49ers are “still on,” but there’s a stalemate as to how the contract will be paid.

There’s no deadline for the deal at this time, but with the draft looming, that seems like a time to get this deal done.

Even if the Broncos add Kaepernick, expect the team to select a quarterback at some point in the draft. They had Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) in for a predraft workout this week, and his athleticism would make him an interesting fit in the Gary Kubiak system. He’s expected to be a mid-round pick. Even if the Broncos wait until the later rounds, a player like Vernon Adams (Oregon) might be a player to pick.

The team is staying patient even though some in the fanbase are getting nervous with anticipation.

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.