Despite flurry of free agency and draft moves, Broncos’ roster lacks depth – ESPN – NFL Nation

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Regardless that the Denver Broncos waved across the league’s largest checkbook in free company and tried to take advantage of 5 draft picks, they method rookie minicamp camp this week with lots of the similar issues they’d headed into the offseason.

The Broncos have spent $241.4 million — essentially the most within the NFL — in free company up to now, however there are nonetheless elements of the Broncos’ roster skinny sufficient for the sunshine to shine by way of.

Broncos common supervisor George Paton known as the post-draft seek for depth “ongoing and it by no means stops.’’ A place that Broncos coach Sean Payton has tagged as some of the necessary within the group’s quest to finish a seven-year playoff drought — the offensive line — is a priority.

“[Hall of Fame coach] Invoice [Parcells] felt the offensive line was some of the necessary positions in your roster as a result of it permeated the constructing,’’ Payton stated. “He did not say it needed to be accomplished within the draft or in free company, however he simply felt like that place group was necessary. No matter his philosophy and my publicity to Invoice — when George and I began … that was a spotlight for us in upgrading and getting our group higher.’’

It is no accident the league’s worst offense in 2022 (16.9 factors per sport) with a quarterback who was sacked a league-most 55 occasions has seen essentially the most change, particularly within the offensive line. Deal with Mike McGlinchey (5 years, $87.5 million) and guard Ben Powers (4 years, $51.5 million) acquired the Broncos’ two largest free agent offers.

Gamers who began a mixed 128 video games within the offensive line for the Broncos over the previous 4 seasons, and made 57 mixed begins in 2022 alone, are gone. That whole consists of gamers who began video games final season- at left deal with, proper deal with, heart and left guard.

Guard Dalton Risner, who’s an unsigned free brokers, had 62 of these begins and Graham Glasgow had 37. As one of many league’s common managers put it this previous week: “If it was me, I’d be nervous, however it takes time each time you make a change, they usually’ve traded numerous picks.’’

It’s why Payton has stated the brand new gamers, whether or not they performed for him in his lengthy stint with the New Orleans Saints or not, needed to be a part of the answer.

“That’s all a part of this stew that’s going to create the tradition,’’ Payton stated. “Truthfully, it’s the folks from inside which are right here and which are anxious to win and have success.’’

McGlinchey and Powers doubtless totally perceive what is predicted of them. However any form of dangerous luck with accidents, and the Broncos won’t even be as outfitted to cope with it as they have been final season, after they struggled to beat 22 gamers ending the season on injured reserve.

Past the 5 projected starters up entrance on offense — McGlinchey and Garett Bolles at deal with with Powers and Quinn Meinerz at guard to go along with Lloyd Cushenberry III at heart — the Broncos have 20 mixed begins from all of their present backup linemen.

They don’t have a reserve guard, or a participant they listing at guard on the roster, with any NFL begins. And they don’t have a participant — apart from Bolles — on the roster who has began an NFL sport at left deal with.

The Broncos have additionally had turnover at tight finish. Denver traded for Adam Trautman, a former third-round choose in Payton’s time with the Saints. Trautman has 28 begins with a career-best 27 catches in 2021. They’d gamers with 22 begins on the place in 2022 alone transfer on.

With 5 picks within the draft, a deep class of tight ends provided no assist, with the Broncos selecting gamers at different spots over the three days. The Broncos may additionally want to deal with depth at working again with Javonte Williams, who’s recovering from proper knee surgical procedure, and free agent signee Samaje Perine, who hasn’t had greater than 95 carries in a season since his rookie yr in 2017.

As Paton was poised to signal a protracted listing of undrafted rookies within the days following the group’s 5 alternatives, he stated, “We’re hoping to search out a number of actually good gamers in free company submit draft.’’