Hits and misses
Key moves by general manager Brian Xanders, who parted ways with the Broncos on Monday:
2009Draft: The 2009 draft, Xanders’ first in Denver, was one to forget. The Broncos used their two first-round picks to select running back Knowshon Moreno and defensive end Robert Ayers, neither of whom have lived up to first-round billing. But it was the second round of that draft that was particularly poor. None of three players drafted in that round — cornerback Alphonso Smith, safety Darcel McBath and tight end Richard Quinn — was on the Denver roster in 2012.
Free agency: The first free-agent class of the Josh McDaniels-Xanders era included safety Brian Dawkins, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, cornerback André Goodman, tailback Correll Buckhalter and long snapper Lonie Paxton.
Trades: Xanders helped orchestrate the blockbuster trade that sent quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago. The Broncos received two first-round picks, a third-round pick and QB Kyle Orton in exchange for a fifth-rounder and Cutler, who began feuding with McDaniels soon after the new coach was hired.
2010
Draft: The Broncos made a splash in the first round by making two trades down and two trades up, ultimately winding up with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas at No. 22 and quarterback Tim Tebow at No. 25. The Broncos also acquired starters Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton and Eric Decker during the draft.
Free agency: The Broncos’ big signings were defensive tackles Justin Bannan and Jarvis Green. Green, who had $3.25 million guaranteed in his contract, didn’t make the 53-man roster. Bannan was released in a cost-saving move in 2011 before rejoining the team this year. Later, the Broncos signed defensive end Elvis Dumervil and guard Chris Kuper to contract extensions.
Trades: The Broncos shipped wide receiver Brandon Marshall to Miami for two second-round draft picks. The other notable trade of the offseason came when Denver sent fan-favorite running back Peyton Hillis to Cleveland for quarterback Brady Quinn. Quinn never took a regular-season snap for Denver.
2011
Draft: With the highest pick in team history, the Broncos drafted linebacker Von Miller at No.2. Miller was an immediate star. Denver drafted three other players who started in 2011 — safeties Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter and offensive tackle Orlando Franklin.
Free agency: After the lockout ended, the biggest names signed by the Broncos were running back Willis McGahee, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2011 and made the Pro Bowl as an alternate, and defensive tackle Ty Warren, who suffered a season-ending injury during training camp.
Trades: Denver traded for defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in August and he made 13 starts. The team was unable to re-sign Bunkley this spring. Denver traded wide receiver Gaffney to Washington for defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, who didn’t make the team. In October, the Broncos traded unhappy wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis for a fifth-round draft pick.
2012
Draft: Denver traded out of the first round before selecting defensive tackle Derek Wolfe at No. 36 and quarterback Brock Osweiler at No. 57 in the second round. The Broncos drafted seven players.
Free agency: The Broncos signed QB Peyton Manning, two tight ends, a safety and a cornerback. They re-signed linebackers Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard.
Trades: After Manning signed on, the Broncos traded Tim Tebow and a seventh-rounder to the New York Jets for fourth- and sixth-round draft picks. Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
