With the end of the NFL’s first week of wheeling and dealing, in which the Broncos were the most aggressive team, look for Denver to turn its attention to the draft – and to concentrate on moving up in the first round.
While the Broncos are leaders in trading players, they are also aggressive in draft maneuvering. Last year, after a series of trades, they moved from No. 29 to No. 11 and were able to snare Jay Cutler.
This year, Denver likely will try to move up again. Whether or not cornerback Dré Bly is dealt, Denver is expected to have more conversations with the Redskins about the No. 6 pick. The Jets, with the No. 25 pick, also are expected to try to move up. Washington reportedly is willing to part with its top pick and wants to stockpile more picks.
With an extra third-round pick (acquired from Washington), Denver has the numbers to move up.
The Broncos don’t think they have a lot of needs, so they are looking for an impact player or two from the draft rather than a stockpile of low-round prospects.
With their offensive needs addressed in free agency, expect Denver to pick up an impact defensive lineman at the draft. Top names available include Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams and Michigan tackle Alan Branch, who is from Rio Rancho, N.M. A move into the top six is required to get either player.
Welker worth it?
Many around the league were shaking their heads at the New England Patriots for their aggressive run at Miami’s tiny receiver, Wes Welker (5-feet-9, 195 pounds). The Pats pursued Welker with a restricted free-agent offer sheet, then agreed to a trade with their AFC East foe, reportedly giving the Dolphins a second- and seventh-rounder.
Welker is a decent receiver and a dynamic return man, but the Patriots apparently were the only team that would have made such a serious run at him. New England gave Welker a five-year, $18 million deal. The usually selective Pats acted out of character, and Miami is giddy to get so much in exchange for Welker.
Around the league
No wonder the Broncos were so hot in talks with free-agent defensive end Patrick Kerney. The Seahawks instantly fell in love with Kerney because of his fire in wanting to take Seattle back to the Super Bowl. Kerney is known as one of the most motivational leaders in the league. … Dominic Rhodes really hurt himself with his arrest on drunken driving charges shortly before the start of free agency. Rhodes looked like he would be able to cash in after having a superb Super Bowl for the Indianapolis Colts. But teams shied away from him in the first phase of free agency. He signed Friday with Oakland for less than $4 million a year, costing himself perhaps a couple million. …
Watch for Broncos running backs coach Bobby Turner to become a popular offensive coordinator candidate after this season. He nearly became Miami’s offensive coordinator last month. Turner is considered one of the top position coaches in the league, and it will pay off for him sooner rather than later. …
One of the most impressive additions to Denver’s coaching staff appears to be special-teams coach Scott O’Brien. Many of his former head coaches think he was the best special-teams coach they’ve been around. … Count speculation that Patrick Ramsey was brought in to compete with Cutler as laughable. Relax. Cutler starts for the next 12-15 years. Ramsey is the backup. …
Aurora native Brent Salazar was hired last week as assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Chiefs, working closely with Cedric Smith. Salazar, 26, was a part-time assistant for the Broncos in 2005 when Smith was the assistant strength and conditioning coach in Denver.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
