Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season.
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Let’s look ahead to the draft. Who should the Broncos target? It looks like we’ll end up somewhere in the early teens. What do you think about Colorado’s Laviska Shenault? The guy has crazy talent as long as he stays healthy. Can you imagine him opposite ? It would be insane!
— Marshall, Fort Collins
The Broncos’ recent form (three wins in the last four weeks) have sent them tumbling out of the top 10 picks. How the Broncos view the progress and potential of and will decide if they want to take a receiver in the first or second rounds. The position should be addressed in some fashion. Shenault had 56 catches for 764 yards and four touchdowns for the Buffs this season and has declared for the draft.
Read the article you and Kiz did about and his comments after the loss to Kansas City. I think he is tired of always changing, whether it be quarterback or coach. Miller’s comments about Drew Lock seem to me that he is tired of quarterbacks coming and going and he wants Lock to stay. I think if Lock remains the starter and then stays and they draft a couple of good players and sign some decent free agents, I see Miller staying for the long haul. Otherwise, Miller is gone. Your thoughts?
— Del, Lamar
Miller admitted he was frustrated after the Chiefs loss, not being competitive against Kansas City, another losing season clinched, playing with an injury — it all contributed to Von’s venting. Four days later, he declared his desire to remain with the Broncos. Miller is tired of the losing (understandable), but he does see Lock as the potential long-term answer at quarterback. What I liked about Miller’s comments was he said how Lock can’t do it by himself. To me, thatap him sending a message to both the locker room and front office that plenty of work remains.
Ryan, please explain to me how the highest-rated player at his position doesn’t make it to the (even as an alternate). Hard to have as proficient a season as safety has had and not get recognized. Be a real tribute to the Broncos to exercise any Pro Bowl bonus in his contract to right this wrong.
— Allan Tremblay, Edmonton
Simmons enters Week 17 with 89 tackles (second on the Broncos) and a team-high three interceptions and 14 total pass breakups. That he wasn’t named a Pro Bowl alternate is a snub, no question. I’m assuming you’re referring to the Pro Football Focus ratings, but I do my own numbers (solid tackler, good in coverage, can track the deep ball) and Simmons has been an elite player this year and thus deserving of recognition. But players on losing teams often have a tougher time breaking through the Pro Bowl wall. Simmons’ upcoming contract will get the notice of players and fans who may vote for him next year.
The Broncos have a number of key players who will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, particularly on defense. Chris Harris Jr., Shelby Harris, , Justin Simmons — who stays, who goes? I feel like Simmons is the biggest priority of the lot. What do you think?
— Aaron, Pueblo
Of the four upcoming free agents, I’ll rank them in order of priority. 1. Simmons. The Broncos should use the franchise tag if a long-term contract can’t be signed. 2. C. Harris. This falls under the category of, “We don’t want to pay him what he’s worth, but thatap still easier than replacing him.” 3. Wolfe. He wants to stay and had a career-high seven sacks at the time of his Dec. 1 injury. 4. S. Harris. He’s been very productive since moving from nose tackle to defensive end in Week 5. The Broncos should try and keep him.
Hey Ryan, how is ‘s contract going to affect us the next few years? Don’t we owe him quite a bit?
— Mike Shaver, Denver
It will impact the Broncos only in 2020 if they release Flacco. His contract was re-worked in early September to push some of the signing bonus forward, thus creating immediate salary cap space/relief. According to a league executive at the time of the re-structuring, the Broncos would absorb a $13.6 million salary cap hit (and save $10.5 million) if they cut Flacco. But the benefit of sticking with Drew Lock as the starter is he’s affordable (a 2020 cap hit of $1.59 million, which will help absorb the Flacco decision).
