Month: May 2015

Broncos’ D-linemen adjust to new roles on 3-4 line

At this point, the Broncos are mixing and matching and learning about potential combinations among  (Sylvester) Williams, (Malik) Jackson, Derek Wolfe, Marvin Austin and newcomers Vance Walker and Antonio Smith.

“Right now, we’re really just playing all over. I’ve been playing the nose and end spot, really both spots,” Williams said. “They’re kind of moving us all around right now and seeing where we all fit in.”

Denver’s defensive line play will be a much talked about issue heading into training camp and the start of the 2015 season. Mainly, do the Broncos have a viable option at nose tackle? Was letting Terrance Knighton leave via free agency the right decision? New Broncos’ defensive line coach, Bill Kollar, can help answer these questions with solid play from 2013 first round draft pick Williams, Austin and rookie Darius Kilgo.

The #Broncos have waived OL Paul Cornick and WR Jeremy Kelley.

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 4, 2015

Time for redemption: Shane Ray out to prove his worth to Broncos

Teams like the Broncos, perennial Super Bowl favorites picking at the end of the draft, aren’t supposed to be able to get game-changing players without dealing significant assets. They aren’t supposed to—but Denver did. Sure, Elway sent Detroit Manny Ramirez, an offensive lineman who could likely have been cut from the Broncos roster this summer, along with Denver’s first-round pick this year and its fifth-round picks this year and in 2016; but for a team without major roster holes and with a surplus of picks, that’s hardly a haul worth missing. In return, Denver got to leapfrog over Arizona, which seemed a likely landing spot for Ray, rather than wait for its own 28th pick and settle for an average offensive lineman.

Per the team’s website, the Broncos have agreed with the following nine UDFAs:

1. Zaire Anderson, LB, Nebraska
2. Kalon Davis, OL, Clemson
3. Dillon Day, OL, Mississippi St.
4. Matt Miller, WR, Boise St.
5. Chuka Ndulue, NT, Oklahoma
6. Connor Rains, OL, Wyoming
7. Kyle Roberts, OL, Nevada
8. Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice
9. Josh Watson, DL, Clemson

In addition, the Broncos have also offered a minicamp tryout to Boise State QB Grant Hedrick.

Our final pick, Josh Furman, is a big, physical safety from Oklahoma St. He likes to run & hit, and he'll come in here & compete.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

7th rd pick Taurean Nixon from Tulane is a cornerback who runs really well. Formed a good pair & was teammates w/our 5th rd CB Lorenzo Doss.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

7th rd pick Trevor Siemian had a productive career as a quarterback at Northwestern. He has raw talent and we think he will develop nicely.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

We've taken Darius Kilgo in the 6th rd from Maryland. He's a big, physical nose tackle who can make plays & put pressure on the quarterback.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

Lorenzo Doss, our 5th rd pick, is a corner with great ball skills. He had a lot of production at Tulane & he's coming in here to compete.

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015

Max Garcia, a center/guard from Florida, is our 4th rd pick. A smart, versatile player. Had a great visit with him and glad he's a Bronco!

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 2, 2015