DENVER BRONCOS
DRAFT PICKS 2018
Aaron Schatz, editor-in-chief of Football Outsiders: Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos. Very little stands between Freeman and a starting job in Denver. It could also be Nyheim Hines in Indianapolis, for the same reason.

Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles. We all know how the Eagles use their tight ends. In two seasons under coa… Morech Doug Pederson, they have targeted tight ends an NFL-high 348 times. Goedert will get plenty of opportunities, and with long arms and a flair for dramatic catches, he is built to be a red zone star.

Field Yates, NFL Insider: Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts. At the moment, Hines could be penciled in as the starting running back in Indianapolis after Frank Gore signed with the Dolphins this offseason. There's a chance that Indy relies on a committee approach that also includes Mack and Wilkins, but I'll go with the electric and explosive Hines (who ran a 4.38-second 40 at the combine) as a rookie whom we'll see make an immediate impact.

Who's your pick to be 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Bowen: Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos. I expect Chicago's Roquan Smith to be in the discussion, but Chubb gets my vote because of the sack numbers he can produce in Denver. Working opposite Von Miller, Chubb should see more one-on-one matchups. Also, his talent base is legit: strength, power and the counter moves to get home to the QB. Watch out.

Clay: Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio runs a 3-4 scheme, and his top two off-ball linebackers in recent years -- Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman -- have both generally been near-every-down players. Smith is very young at 21, so a slow start is possible. But his combination of speed, athleticism and intelligence figures to land him an every-down role and high-end production in short order.

Kimes: Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos. In a less quarterback-centric draft, Chubb could've easily landed in the top two; his athleticism and football IQ will enable him to wreak havoc in the NFL from the jump. Transitioning to the Broncos' 3-4 scheme shouldn't be too challenging for the NC State defensive end, who will benefit from offenses' double-teaming Miller.

Sando: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills. Coach Sean McDermott seems to be able to develop players and feature them properly. The role Edmunds plays should give him ample opportunity to make some splash plays.

Schatz: Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers. I like Roquan Smith to lead rookies in tackles, but James should have a lot of playmaking opportunities on the Chargers' schedule. They could face a series of first-time starting quarterbacks, with two games against Patrick Mahomes plus an early matchup with Buffalo and games against Arizona and Baltimore late in the season, when Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson could be in the lineup.

Bradley Chubb was the top pass-rusher in the 2018 class. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Seifert: Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos. Let's face it: These types of awards are often based on tangible statistics such as sacks or interceptions. Chubb has every chance to rack up the sack numbers while playing opposite Von Miller. Will he be the every-down force that many expect Roquan Smith to be? That's less certain. But the kind of gaudy stats that Chubb has a chance to collect will generate national attention.

Who's your pick to be 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Bowen: Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins. Saquon Barkley should be considered the preseason favorite. But let's not forget about Guice in Washington's offense. His physical, balanced running style is a fit for the NFL game. He can bring it on contact. That 4.49 speed will show up when Guice hits the second level. He should handle the touches on early downs and on the goal line for the Redskins, and I see a skill set on film that will allow the rookie to contribute as a receiver on underneath throws.

Clay: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have been extremely pass-heavy the past two seasons, but the offseason change to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and subsequent personnel moves suggest a move back to the run. Those moves included taking San Diego State's Penny in the first round of the draft. He led the nation in rushing yards last year (2,248) and has good size, terrific elusiveness and post-contact ability as well as good receiving chops. He's a candidate to push for well more than Less

The Broncos selected Oregon's Royce Freeman in the third round of April's draft.

Broncos see benefits of having the Case closed at QB
4:00 AM PT
Jeff Legwold
ESPN Senior Writer
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
print
comment
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Only a few weeks into their offseason program, the Denver Broncos already feel the power of knowledge.

With games still months away, it's nice to know who will start at quarterback. After signing Case Keenum in free agency, the Br… Moreoncos believe they are set at the position.

"That’s good for everyone involved. That’s good for the players and that’s good for the coaches who are building a scheme around a player," coach Vance Joseph said. "Obviously, the last two years here it’s been a competition in training camp, and that takes away from what you want to do. If you have to do it, you do it, but if you don’t have to, you don’t want to."

The past two offseasons were consumed by the quarterback question. Trevor Siemian wasn't officially named the starter over Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch for 2016 until Aug. 29, when then-coach Gary Kubiak said "he’s earned the right to be our guy." Then last year, Siemian and Lynch competed for the job until Aug. 21, when Joseph finally declared Siemian the "clear-cut winner."

The 2017 season then dissolved into an almost constant offensive struggle as the Broncos cycled through Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Lynch (twice) at starting quarterback.

Keenum was the centerpiece of Denver's offseason work. He arrived with the stamp of approval from Joseph and president of football operations/general manager John Elway, who clarified "Case is our starter" when questions surfaced over whether the Broncos would use the No. 5 overall pick to draft a quarterback. Instead they drafted pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, and did not use any of their 10 picks on a quarterback.

The Broncos signed Case Keenum to a two-year deal in the initial wave of free agency. John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images
"This is the first time in two or three years that I’m not … talking about a quarterback debate," wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. "I remember when I got out here, I went out to the team store and I saw Case Keenum jerseys. I was like, 'Thank God, I don’t have to deal with that again.' Case is our guy."

Keenum's arrival, and the Broncos' commitment to him, allows coordinator Bill Musgrave to design the offensive scheme around Keenum. Not only did the competition between Siemian and Lynch last season limit the Broncos' ability to do that, but there was a general feeling that what Mike McCoy was trying to do with the offense -- including simply too much volume on game days -- wasn’t in sync with their personnel in the post-Peyton Manning era.

As a result, and in the throes of what became an eight-game losing streak, McCoy was fired in November and Musgrave called plays for the final six games of the season. In the postseason review, Elway called the initial plan on offense "a bad fit."

“Last year, at the beginning of the season, we had Mike McCoy. I feel like it was a harder playbook [conceptually], and we had a lot of plays," Sanders said. "But I think that playbook could have been successful as well. … I think the biggest thing of it all is not even the playbook, it’s about us having a guy that is going to be consistent at quarterback play."

The Broncos are in the earliest stages of their offseason work -- the offense is working against air at this point -- but given that optimism in the NFL blooms quite nicely in April, the reports of Keenum's comfort level are already coming from his teammates.

"I like him," cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. "Everybody I’ve talked to, receivers, they’re excited about him. They say he throws an easy ball to catch. That’s what you want to hear, they haven’t said that too many times since Peyton was here. I think they’re pretty excited."

Keenum said he's trying to take full advantage of workouts to get to know his new teammates and show them that he’s ready to be the kind of quarterback the Broncos have waited for since Manning's final season in 2015.

"It feels good, it does," Keenum said. "I’m going to stay hungry; I’m going to stay consistent to the same mindset I’ve always had. That’s what’s gotten me here, and that’s who I am. Nothing has ever been handed to me. I’ve earned that right and I’m going to continue to earn that right." Less

DENVER BRONCOS
DRAFT DAY 2018

Broncos sign Sutton, six other draft picks to 4-year contracts
The expected signing bonuses and four-year total values for the seven players who signed are below.
Author: Mike Klis
Published: 5:43 PM MDT May 10, 2018
Updated: 6:30 PM MDT May 10, 2018
KUSA – In one swoop of a pen, Courtland Sutton went from college star who was paid nothing to a $3.055 million man.

Welcome to… More the NFL, kid.

For their first day of rookie minicamp Thursday, the Broncos greeted Sutton, a second-round receiver from SMU (no wisecracks about not getting paid), and their final six selections in the draft with new, four-year contracts. Less

Broncos get seven draft picks under contract, including Courtland Sutton
Charean Williams 12 hrs ago
US Olympic Gold Medal Skier Lindsey Vonn hits a tennis ball during a game at Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA on 28 August 2010.Sports stars spotted playing a different sport
Phil Mickelson, left, and Tiger Woods shake hands a… Morefter the first round of the Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Phil, Tiger fail to deliver in mega pairing
a baseball player swinging a bat at a ball
© Getty Images
The Broncos have seven of their 10 draft picks under contract, according to Mike Klis of 9News. It leaves only first-rounder Bradley Chubb and third-rounders Royce Freeman and Isaac Yiadom unsigned.

Denver agreed to terms with second-round receiver Courtland Sutton, fourth-round linebacker Josey Jewell, fourth-round receiver DaeSean Hamilton, fifth-round tight end Troy Fumagalli, sixth-round guard Sam Jones, fifth-round linebacker Keishawn Bierria and seventh-round running back David Williams.

Sutton was the 40th overall choice.

He made 195 catches for 3,220 yards and 31 receiving touchdowns in his career at SM Less

Broncos get seven draft picks under contract, including Courtland Sutton
Charean Williams 12 hrs ago
US Olympic Gold Medal Skier Lindsey Vonn hits a tennis ball during a game at Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA on 28 August 2010.Sports stars spotted playing a different sport
Phil Mickelson, left, and Tiger Woods shake hands a… Morefter the first round of the Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Phil, Tiger fail to deliver in mega pairing
a baseball player swinging a bat at a ball
© Getty Images
The Broncos have seven of their 10 draft picks under contract, according to Mike Klis of 9News. It leaves only first-rounder Bradley Chubb and third-rounders Royce Freeman and Isaac Yiadom unsigned.

Denver agreed to terms with second-round receiver Courtland Sutton, fourth-round linebacker Josey Jewell, fourth-round receiver DaeSean Hamilton, fifth-round tight end Troy Fumagalli, sixth-round guard Sam Jones, fifth-round linebacker Keishawn Bierria and seventh-round running back David Williams.

Sutton was the 40th overall choice.

He made 195 catches for 3,220 yards and 31 receiving touchdowns in his career at SM Less

Former Buff Isaiah Oliver agrees to terms with Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, a second-round pick from Colorado, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Author: The Associated Press
Published: 8:25 AM MDT May 10, 2018
Updated: 8:26 AM MDT May 10, 2018
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with four of their six draft picks, including cornerback Isaiah Oliver, a second-round pick from Colorad… Moreo.

The Falcons also announced they have agreed to terms with running back Ito Smith, a fourth-round pick, and their two sixth-round picks, wide receiver Russell Gage and linebacker Foye Oluokun. Less

WR

Broncos see benefits of having the Case closed at QB
4:00 AM PT
Jeff Legwold
ESPN Senior Writer
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
print
comment
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Only a few weeks into their offseason program, the Denver Broncos already feel the power of knowledge.

With games still months away, it's nice to know who will start at quarterback. After signing Case Keenum in free agency, the Br… Moreoncos believe they are set at the position.

"That’s good for everyone involved. That’s good for the players and that’s good for the coaches who are building a scheme around a player," coach Vance Joseph said. "Obviously, the last two years here it’s been a competition in training camp, and that takes away from what you want to do. If you have to do it, you do it, but if you don’t have to, you don’t want to."

The past two offseasons were consumed by the quarterback question. Trevor Siemian wasn't officially named the starter over Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch for 2016 until Aug. 29, when then-coach Gary Kubiak said "he’s earned the right to be our guy." Then last year, Siemian and Lynch competed for the job until Aug. 21, when Joseph finally declared Siemian the "clear-cut winner."

The 2017MIKE-KLIS
Photo: Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports
Broncos' 4 biggest questions marks for 2018 season
The 2018 Broncos still have plenty of question marks and concerns.
Author: Mike Klis
Published: 1:14 PM MDT May 9, 2018
Updated: 1:33 PM MDT May 9, 2018
KUSA – Let’s assume all goes well with Case Keenum.

The Broncos have their quarterback who can play well enough to win and not commit the costly turnover.

Let’s presume Bradley Roby makes a smooth transition in replacing Aqib Talib, Vance Joseph pushes a few more correct buttons in year two as head coach, Brandon McManus rebounds from an off year,

season then dissolved into an almost constant offensive struggle as the Broncos cycled through Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Lynch (twice) at starting quarterback.

Keenum was the centerpiece of Denver's offseason work. He arrived with the stamp of approval from Joseph and president of football operations/general manager John Elway, who clarified "Case is our starter" when questions surfaced over whether the Broncos would use the No. 5 overall pick to draft a quarterback. Instead they drafted pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, and did not use any of their 10 picks on a quarterback. Less

MIKE-KLIS
Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Broncos sign Sutton, six other draft picks to 4-year contracts
The expected signing bonuses and four-year total values for the seven players who signed are below.
Author: Mike Klis
Published: 5:43 PM MDT May 10, 2018
Updated: 6:30 PM MDT May 10, 2018
KUSA – In one swoop of a pen, Courtland Sutton went from college star who was paid nothing to a $3.055 million… More man.

Welcome to the NFL, kid.

For their first day of rookie minicamp Thursday, the Broncos greeted Sutton, a second-round receiver from SMU (no wisecracks about not getting paid), and their final six selections in the draft with new, four-year contracts. Less