Winners and Losers in Denver Broncos Offseason So Far
The Denver Broncos' offseason has not been a smooth one. After winning Super Bowl 50, the Broncos had to deal with the loss of key free agents, the retirement of a future Hall of Fame quarterback and off-field issues.
Free agency was tough on the Broncos as key starters on defense like Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan moved on. They weren’t able to convince quarterback Brock Osweiler to stick around either, and that left them scrambling at the position.
In the draft, the Broncos found a potential franchise quarterback in first-round pick Paxton Lynch. The draft also saw them pick up some developmental players with upside—including Lynch. Perhaps none of their rookie class will be starters in 2016, but the potential is there for a few of them to be Pro Bowl-caliber players for the team in the future.
Additions and subtractions have happened with every team in the NFL, and the Broncos are no different. Throughout this offseason, there have been scenarios that create opportunity.
Here are the winners and losers from the Broncos’ offseason so far.
Winner: LB Brandon Marshall
1 of 5
The Broncos placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent Brandon Marshall to kick off the offseason. The team went right up to the deadline of June 15th to sign Marshall to a long-term deal, but they were able to reward him with a new contract. Marshall signed a four-year, $32 million contract with $20 million in guarantees.
Losing Danny Trevathan in free agency to the Chicago Bears left a gap at weak-side inside linebacker. That hole in the starting lineup is going to be filled by Marshall.
He’s a tackling machine and should be among the team leaders in tackles once again this year. Marshall can fly around the field, and he arrives at the ball-carrier with natural violence. He has nasty intentions when he gets to the ball, and Marshall can also be devious in coverage. He can bait opposing quarterbacks into bad throws and then take advantage by getting his hands on the ball.
General manager John Elway believes Marshall can be even better in 2016—and beyond.
“I really think he’s just scratching the surface of what he can do as far as a linebacker," Elway said. "We’re thrilled we were able to agree on a new contract. We have big expectations for him. Anytime you do what he’s done and you take the role—obviously with the responsibility that comes with this new contract—you take over the leadership side of that defense also.”
Marshall didn’t sign his second-round tender, but he did show up to workouts. It was a good-faith move that paid off with the long-term contract (and guaranteed money) the veteran linebacker wanted. The Broncos have the league’s best defense, and Marshall is one of their key players.
Loser: RB Ronnie Hillman
2 of 5
Running back Ronnie Hillman led the team in rushing last year, but the Broncos allowed him to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. There weren’t many teams interested in Hillman, so the Broncos decided to bring him back for a good price. Hillman returned to Denver on a one-year contract worth $2 million.
He’s going to begin the season as a reserve player for the Broncos once again, but Hillman has starting experience if the team needs him. The speedy back took over for an injured C.J. Anderson last year and had four games with over 100 yards rushing.
Hillman is back, but his role will likely be changed—largely because of an interesting rookie the Broncos picked up in the 2016 NFL draft.
The veteran will need to prove that he’s more capable as a backup than rookie fourth-round pick Devontae Booker. The Broncos may have gotten a huge steal when Booker fell to them on the final day of the draft. Booker is a powerful back with patience, quickness, agility and fantastic receiving ability.
Booker is used to being overlooked.
“This isn’t anything new to me. I’ve been overlooked pretty much my whole career playing ball," Booker explained. "Just for me to fall down or whatever or however the situation was, I’m just blessed to be here and be in this position today to go out and contribute to the organization.”
The competition between Booker and Hillman will be one to watch in training camp.
Winner: LB Shane Ray
3 of 5
Earlier this year, the Broncos were able to restructure the contract of veteran pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware. Last year, Ware missed five games (and parts of others) dealing with a back injury, and that limited his time on the field. Those back problems have continued to plague Ware this offseason, as he has yet to practice with the Broncos due to the injury.
Ware is clearly going to play a smaller role this season. The team should use him as a part-time pass-rusher so he can hopefully stay healthy and be an impact player from the edge. His diminishing role will lead to a larger role for some of the younger players on the team.
Shane Ray is going to have a chance to take over a larger role for the Broncos this year.
As a rookie, the swift linebacker played 295 snaps and finished his first season in the pros with four sacks. He’s quick off the snap, and Ray plays with a motor that just doesn’t quit. In 2015, Ray was able to learn pass-rushing tricks from both Ware and Von Miller. With a year under his belt, it’s time for Ray to elevate his game.
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips likes where Ray is at in his development.
“He’s got a great attitude," Phillips noted. "He’s come back this year and he doesn’t worry about that. He’s worried about getting himself better, and that really is where he needs to be and that’s where he is.”
Ray is likely to split time with Shaquil Barrett. Like Ray, Barrett is a good pass-rusher with a “never say die” attitude. The Broncos have quite the collection of pass-rushers, and Ray has some of the most exciting potential of any player on the roster.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Loser: OT Michael Schofield
4 of 5
The Broncos made multiple moves to fix the offensive line this offseason, and they started by making a move at right tackle with the addition of free agent Donald Stephenson. They weren’t done with one tackle, and the team went out and added left tackle Russell Okung in free agency. Their offensive line has a new look at four of the five positions with the additions of Stephenson and Okung—plus the moving of Ty Sambrailo from tackle to guard.
Where Michael Schofield fits on the roster is a mystery as we are about a month away from the start of training camp. He started at guard in college for 10 games at Michigan, but as of right now, he’s still listed as a tackle for the Broncos.
If Schofield is able to impress in camp with better play, we could see him as the team’s swing tackle for 2016. His experience last year on the right side at least makes him quality depth behind Stephenson, and with Okung’s long injury history, we could see Schofield back on the right side (with Stephenson sliding over to left tackle in case of an Okung injury).
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak believes the team has better depth up front with their offseason additions.
“Michael [Schofield] has a lot of experience now that he’s played a season for us. The good news is we went from being very thin to having some depth on that phase of our football team. It’s going to be very competitive and it probably wasn’t last year just by nature of injury and some of the things that happened.” Kubiak admitted, “We felt like that was the No. 1 area where we needed to improve and John [Elway] has given us a chance to do that.”
Winner: RB C.J. Anderson
5 of 5
There was a time this offseason when it looked like running back C.J. Anderson was not going to be back with the Broncos. The restricted free agent was signed to an original-round tender, which allowed other teams to offer him a contract. The Miami Dolphins were one of the teams that offered Anderson a deal, and he signed on the dotted line, thus giving the Broncos the right to match.
The Broncos gladly signed themselves, as Anderson was rewarded with a four-year, $18 million contract with $7.6 million guaranteed. He expressed to me multiple times through the process how he wanted to stay with the Broncos, and Anderson is appreciative of the team making that wish a reality.
Anderson led the league in rushing during the postseason, and his performance in Super Bowl 50 helped the Broncos win their third world championship in franchise history. If you go back and watch the Super Bowl, Anderson is clearly controlling his workload in that game. That seems to be the plan for the Broncos in 2016. Anderson will be able to come in and out of the contest as he sees fit.
With an attitude to be the best and a desire to prove his supporters correct, Anderson may not be waving to the sidelines for a breather much this season. In fact, Anderson should be in line for the largest workload of his pro football career.
Kubiak said at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year that the key to the rushing attack was keeping Anderson healthy. With a proven track record over the final half of the season in each of the last two years, Kubiak is ready for Anderson to take the next step.
“I think C.J. is ready to be an every-down guy," Kubiak said. "Just watching him, I think his condition level is the best that I’ve seen it since I’ve been here. He’s had a really good offseason.”
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN employees-only database.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
