Overshadowed by the national sensation of what is Maurice Clarett’s second coming, the Broncos tied up some of their final loose ends over the weekend during the NFL draft.
Minus a few more veteran signings – perhaps beginning with the addition of former all-pro linebacker Chad Brown – the Broncos’ roster is nearly set heading into training camp.
“We’re about there,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Sunday after making the final two of the team’s six draft choices. “We’re not going to make a lot of changes.”
Of the team’s biggest needs, the Broncos addressed their glaring special- teams deficiencies.
Denver believes it answered its punting and kickoff woes with the seventh- round selection of Paul Ernster of Northern Arizona. Ernster will compete with the team’s incumbent, Jason Baker.
Ernster and the Broncos’ first pick – cornerback and punt and kick returner Darrent Williams of Oklahoma State, a second-round selection Saturday – could help plug some holes.
“We had needs there,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, we addressed them.”
By taking cornerbacks with their first three picks, and with their sixth-round selection of Miami offensive lineman Chris Myers on Sunday, the Broncos feel they took care of most of their issues. Shanahan said the team may make some moves after seeing which veterans are released after June 1. The Broncos will have a marginal amount of salary cap room to add a couple of veterans.
The areas Denver will monitor include a veteran backup receiver and a veteran backup quarterback. If those areas are not addressed, Shanahan said he is pleased with the team’s current crop at both positions.
One veteran Shanahan has interest in acquiring is Brown, a former University of Colorado star who lives in Lone Tree.
Shanahan said he met Friday with Brown, who was released Thursday by Seattle. Brown is expected to visit New England and perhaps Cincinnati this week. Still, Shanahan thinks there is a strong chance Brown, 34, will end up with Denver. He most likely would be used as a situational pass rusher.
“We would like to bring him in,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to work something out. I’ve always had the utmost respect for him as a player and as a person.”
If Brown signs with the Broncos, it could be one of the last, big pieces to the roster after an offseason flurry that saw major changes to the defensive line.
As their roster settles, the Broncos will head to training camp with virtually no major starting lineup battles – other than the one involving Ernster and Baker. could challenge new starting right guard , but Carlisle is expected to win that battle.
“We really don’t have many more needs,” Shanahan said. “The roster is about set and so is the lineup, although there’s always competition. But we’re as settled as we’ve been.”
However, there is expected to be fierce competition for support spots at running back and cornerback and on the defensive front.
The selection of three cornerbacks – Williams, Washington State’s Karl Paymah and Maryland’s Domonique Foxworth – will mean veteran backups , and will have to battle to keep their jobs. However, with starting right cornerback set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, the addition of the three corners Saturday does give the team insurance for the future.
The addition of Clarett creates a further glut at tailback behind second-year pro , who is expected to go to training camp with the best chance to be the primary back.
Veterans , and recently signed Ron Dayne also will be competing for jobs.
The defensive front is loaded with veterans after the acquisitions of four players from Cleveland and the restructured deal that retained .
“There will be veterans fighting for their jobs at several positions,” Shanahan said. “But that’s what you always want.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
