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

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.

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

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.