Both executive vice president of football operations John Elway and general manager Brian Xanders have repeatedly discussed the importance of where the draft will, and must, fit in the Broncos’ plans for the future.
But after hearing what representatives from the league and the NFL Players Association have had to say about the pace of negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement, it’s clear the draft may have even more impact on how the Broncos can fill some roster spots.
That’s because if no deal is done by March 3, the NFL owners are expected to impose a lockout March 4. And that action would effectively suspend all football business around the league except the draft.
A lockout would mean no free agency — either with players who were on the team’s roster last season and are headed to the open market or the pursuit of players who were on somebody else’s roster — and no trades involving players under contract could be made.
The only trades that would be allowed during a lockout would be draft picks for draft picks.
A lockout would also mean there would be no offseason workouts or minicamps, at least until there is a new deal. In short, the team could not have any contact with any player, either in person or by phone, e-mail or social media.
And if the impasse drags out into the summer, teams would have a difficult time adding too many players in free agency before the start of the season, especially if no new deal comes before August or September.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is pushing for the two sides to sit down and get after it in the weeks following the Super Bowl to try to get something done before March 4. What happens in the negotiating sessions Saturday as well as the one scheduled next week likely will determine if that’s a reality.
The Broncos also are preparing their free-agency lists, just in case they get a chance to pursue some of those players who are expected to be on the market when a new deal is signed.
But the draft is the only given in all of this as well as the events leading up to it. The scouting combine later this month in Indianapolis is a given, and the pro day schedule already in place for March and April is a go. There is no mystery there, so it continues to be the Broncos’ best option to repair the most immediate roster holes that they have.
Especially with the No. 2 pick overall and three picks among the first 50 selections. That’s prime draft real estate right there to get impact players who can contribute out of the gate.
“We’re ready for most any scenario there,” Elway said. “We’ve tried to get everything in order if there is a lockout and if there isn’t a lockout. We don’t want to be caught by surprise.
“But we know where the draft is going to fall and how and when that’s going to be. We want to be ready for any of the possible scenarios.”
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
