INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos need defense. They want players to fix their defense.
They know it, you know it and the rest of America knows it. That is their story as they work the rooms at the NFL’s scouting combine over the next six days.
The most help is needed in the front seven — defensive linemen and linebackers — because that’s where the biggest makeover will happen as they move to the 4-3 scheme.
But the Broncos were 4-12 this past season, last in AFC West, and they have more needs than just the front seven. And there are far more players for them to consider at the scouting combine.
Some other positions that figure to get attention are:
And under coach John Fox, the Panthers employed more physical tight ends across the board as blockers when Carolina ran the ball as well as receiver who could get off the line of scrimmage and into the pattern. The Broncos didn’t get a receiving touchdown from a tight end this past season.
Daniel Graham will turn 33 in November, and Richard Quinn was a second-round pick by former coach Josh McDaniels in the 2009 draft and has just one reception in two seasons.
Daniel Coats, the other tight end on the 53-man roster at season’s end, was signed only after Dan Gronkowski — McDaniels’ addition in the trade of cornerback Alphonso Smith — went on injured reserve.
The Broncos could give this position a look in the draft. Knowshon Moreno, whom McDaniels wanted to be the team’s No. 1 back, has shown flashes, but he has also suffered a significant injury in each of his first two training camps and has consistently shown he’s up to the challenge for more work.
Fox used a two-back set plenty with the Panthers so the Broncos will look at fullbacks too.
Darcel McBath has struggled with major injuries in his first two seasons in the league and Renaldo Hill will turn 33 in November. All three players were McDaniels’ acquisitions as well.
The Broncos have made it clear they would like to get younger overall and build with their own prospects across the depth chart.
Jeff Legwold 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
