Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season and periodically during the offseason. Click here to submit a question.
Can you guys give an update on Bo Nix’s current status as it relates to his broken ankle and subsequent surgery? Like, a photo of him doing stuff or even in a boot or whatever?
— David Southall, North Charleston, S.C.
I don’t have a photo or video of Nix working out, but he’s well past the boot phase in his recovery.Fortunately, what I do have are words from the Broncos’ brass earlier this week at the NFL’s spring ownership meetings in Phoenix. One of many updates from the happenings in the desert: Nix is champing at the bit and his recovery from ankle surgery in January has been, by all accounts, smooth and quicker than expected.
Owner and CEO Greg Penner said of Nix’s recovery, “Itap really, really good. He’s attacked his recovery in the same way that he attacks preparing for games. He’s done a terrific job. He’s ahead of schedule. No concerns at all for OTAs and going forward from there. We’re really pleased with his progress and the support from (VP of player health and performance) Beau Lowery and everyone.”
Head coach Sean Payton echoed that Nix was “ahead of schedule with his rehab,” and when asked if Nix would be fully cleared for Denver’s offseason program, he simply said, “Yes.”
Nix has already ramped up his activity level this offseason as he recovers and now he’s to the point where he’s doing running and jumping work. He’s not only on track to be fully cleared for OTAs in June, but sources say he’ll be at full go when Denver begins its offseason program on May 4.
OTAs and minicamp always feature more rep-splitting than the regular season does, especially at quarterback. Once September rolls around, Nix gets nearly all the practice work as the starter. So June is the time, along with training camp, to get plenty of work for Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. Perhaps Payton and the Broncos will be ever so slightly cautious with Nix during OTAs and minicamp, but the way they talked this week, they don’t think they’ll have to be.
All of that makes a Wednesday report about all the more far-fetched. It suggested some level of doubt about Nix’s status for the early part of the regular season and, really, looks like an April Fool’s Day gag, though it was not originally intended to be so. Regardless, a source told The Post that there’s a “less than zero percent” chance Rodgers visits Denver and that the mere thought of him being an option was “preposterous.”
So, Nix’s Year 3 begins in earnest with the offseason program a month from now, followed by OTAs and minicamp in June. Payton was asked about what he expects from his quarterback in Year 3 and said, “I think look, his job — and we say this all the time — is lead your team into the end zone. Lead your team to wins. We see him every day at the facility. He’s ahead of schedule with his rehab.
“He likes being around football.”
Hi Parker, I heard that Jonah Elliss may be taking snaps on the inside of the line. Does that hurt our rotation of edge rushers or will we just be seeing him more on the field?
— Mike, Denver
Hey Mike, yes indeed. Payton mentioned this on Tuesday morning at the owners’ meetings. He didn’t exactly say that Elliss is switching permanently, but said he’s going to get work there going forward. Typically, these types of changes aren’t partial or just a dip of the toe. Itap hard enough to play one position, let alone learn two. Still, we’ll wait and see exactly if there’s any OLB in Elliss’ workload this offseason or if itap all inside.
Wrote about this some the other day, so won’t go super long on it here, but just briefly, this move is as much about Denver’s depth at outside linebacker as it is about believing Elliss can play in the middle of the field. The Broncos are looking for ways to get Que Robinson on the field after a tantalizing rookie season and this would be one. If Elliss can play in the middle, he’d be nice depth along with Jordan Turner behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
Whatap left for the Broncos to address with the roster?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Obviously, with the draft coming up, Denver will add to its roster at several positions over the final two days of the draft, plus through undrafted free-agent signings.
Taking that out of the picture for a moment, Payton and general manager George Paton combined to leave the door open for veteran free agent additions on both lines and at running back, among other spots.
Just me, but I think the interior defensive line has perhaps the most interesting set of veteran players still available on the market. There are still players out there like Calais Campbell, a Denver native, along with DJ Reader, Denico Autry, DaQuan Jones, Shelby Harris, Khalen Saunders and others.
Paton on Monday noted the depth Denver has on the defensive line, but added, “you’re always looking for big guys on the offensive and defensive lines.”
You can’t rule out an addition at another spot or two as well, whether thatap in the secondary, at running back, another special teams guy to go with the addition of Tycen Anderson or wherever else.
Hey Parker, I’ve noticed that Christian Wilkins is still a free agent. I’m not sure if he would fit in Denver or not, but I’m more curious about why his tenure in Las Vegas ended so suddenly and mysteriously. It feels like some part of that story isn’t being shared. Do you have any insights, or have you heard any plausible explanations?
— George P., Seattle (not a “12”)
I don’t know anything about the end of Wilkins’ tenure in Las Vegas other than whatap been reported regarding the in his foot, the grievance over his guaranteed money and the reports about behavior in the locker room that some teammates perhaps weren’t comfortable with.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins was still recovering from that foot injury. Schefter said March 20 that most teams in the NFL had checked on him and that he’s planning on playing this fall.
Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta. So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
He’s a talented player, obviously, but missing most of two seasons with a foot injury is no joke for a guy his size.
What do you see the Broncos doing in the draft?
— Ben, Grand Junction
Great question, but virtually impossible to say with Denver now set to wait all the way until pick No. 62 before making its first selection.The natural inclination would be to say that they’re likely to trade back from either No. 62 or one of their early fourth-round picks in order to generate more selections after losing two in the trade for Jaylen Waddle, but you can never count Payton out from moving up from one of those spots either.
The board always has to line up, but to me, tight end, running back, offensive line, and linebacker are on the shortlist. If you told me their first two or three picks would come in some order from that set of positions, I’d believe it. At the same time, given where their roster is generally speaking, they’re in a position where they can truly take the best player available if there’s somebody at a different position that they have graded substantially higher than the rest of the field.
The Broncos were set to start their stretch run of in-depth draft meetings bright and early on Wednesday morning. Paton and Payton will spend much of the next four weeks together watching tape, sorting through players and positions and identifying targets. They’ll dish out clumped players by position or projected draft range to assistant coaches and scouts to dig deep into in order to try to find separation. They’ll work through mock drafts, projections, background information and all the rest.
