INDIANAPOLIS — Soon, the Broncos will complete their do-over for Jay Cutler.
In 2006, the Broncos moved up on draft day to the No. 11 overall pick and selected Cutler, a strong-armed quarterback out of Vanderbilt. In 2009, Cutler got sideways with new coach Josh McDaniels and was traded to the Chicago Bears, who included a first-round 2010 draft pick to consummate the deal.
Following a coin flip here Friday at the NFL scouting combine between the Bears and Jacksonville, who tied for the 10th-worst record last season, the Broncos wound up with the No. 11 draft pick.
So, after picking Cutler with their No. 11 pick four years ago, the Broncos will again have the No. 11 selection, thanks to their trade of Cutler.
Who might the Broncos take at No. 11 when the NFL draft’s first round is held April 22? They could use help on the interior defensive line (Jared Odrick, Dan Williams, Terrence Cody), interior offensive line (center Maurkice Pouncey), pass-rushing end/linebacker (Jason Pierre-Paul, Sergio Kindle, Sean Weatherspoon) or quarterback (Jimmy Clausen).
This draft is considered deeper than usual, so the Broncos hardly minded that the Bears lost the coin flip, especially since the No. 10 pick figures to get at least $2 million more in guaranteed bonus than the No. 11 pick. Last year, No. 10 pick Michael Crabtree received $17 million following a lengthy holdout; No. 11 pick Aaron Maybin got a $15 million guarantee following a lengthy holdout.
Tenders coming.
Broncos general manager Brian Xanders and McDaniels have been meeting with representatives of their restricted free agents in recent days.
The Broncos are expected to tender one-year contracts to quarterback Kyle Orton, linebacker Elvis Dumervil, receiver Brandon Marshall, tight end Tony Scheffler and right guard Chris Kuper by Thursday. It’s unclear whether the Broncos will tender backup defensive end Le Kevin Smith. Following their tenders, the Broncos are expected to attempt to trade away Marshall and Scheffler.
