“It doesn’t really bother me whether the quarterback is on a rookie deal or on an Aaron Rodgers deal,” Telesco said. “I don’t believe in (quarterback) windows.”

But last week, Telesco basically acknowledged he does believe in the spending window afforded by clubs who strike draft gold at quarterback.

The Chargers re-signed receiver Mike Williams to a contract averaging $20 million per year, then acquired pass rusher Khalil Mack from Chicago for a second-round draft pick this year and a sixth-round pick in 2023. It is easy to see why the Chargers had space for Williams and Keenan Allen ($19.2 million cap hit) at receiver and Mack ($17.75 million) and Joey Bosa ($28.25 million) at outside linebacker.

Herbert����ap cap hits in 2022-23 account for only 3.4% and 3.8%, respectively, of the projected salary cap. Compare that to Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (17.2% this year), the Broncos’ Russell Wilson (10.9%) and Las Vegas’ Derek Carr (9.6%).

The Chargers should hope Mack/Bosa is for them what Von Miller/DeMarcus Ware were for the Broncos in 2015. In nine career games against the Broncos, Mack has 11 sacks, 4 1/2 more than against any other team.

Quarterback carousel. The Broncos (Wilson), Green Bay (still Aaron Rodgers) and Washington (Carson Wentz) are off the quarterback board, but that leaves Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Seattle and maybe the New York Giants.

The Colts don’t have a first-round draft pick but must do what is required to add Jimmy Garoppolo from San Francisco via trade. Indianapolis’ next Week 1 starter will be its sixth in as many seasons (same for the Broncos).

The Steelers have Mason Rudolph, but Pittsburgh has been floated as a possible spot for Jameis Winston. … The Buccaneers have Blaine Gabbert/Kyle Trask so they should be monitoring the market. … The Saints shouldn’t go with Taysom Hill so they will need to add if Winston doesn’t return (Teddy Bridgewater?). … Mitchell Trubisky make sense for the Giants to challenge/take over for Daniel Jones. … And the Panthers are likely to go all in for Deshaun Watson (who was not criminally indicted Friday in Houston after considering evidence of possible sexual misconduct) or stick with Sam Darnold.

Washington couldn’t get Wilson so it moved on to Wentz. The only reason that makes sense is if he is a one-year place-holder for the quarterback they draft 11th overall.

Ridley knew rule. NFL players and personnel are prohibited from gambling on their sport. End of story. And spare us the thought Atlanta receiver Calvin Ridley was over-punished when he was suspended for at least 2022 because he gambled $1,500 on football games.

Players are allowed to gamble on other sports so if Ridley was a smart action junkie, he could have built his parlays on basketball or golf or auto racing or darts and been fine. The league office reacted in the proper way by suspending Ridley because there can’t be even a shred of doubt about the integrity of a game result.

The other bad comparison was lumping Ridley (scheduled to make $11.116 million this year) with Miami owner Stephen Ross, who is alleged by former coach Brian Flores to have offered him $100,000 per loss in an attempt to draft first overall. Ross will be severely punished — like being forced to sell the Dolphins — if an investigation finds him at fault. The paper trail on Ridley was much easier to solve.

Hamilton era ends. Receiver DaeSean Hamilton’s Broncos career ended last May when he tore his ACL while training away from team facilities, but he was officially waived last Wednesday.

A fourth-round pick in 2018, Hamilton had 81 catches in 46 games — he benefited from the in-season trades of Demaryius Thomas (’18) and Emmanuel Sanders (’19), but fell down the depth chart when Tim Patrick emerged and the Broncos drafted Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler in ’20.

Among the Broncos’ 10-man draft class in ’18, only outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and receiver Courtland Sutton remain under contract. Inside linebacker Josey Jewell is a free agent this week.

Low initial pick. The Wilson trade means the Broncos’ initial draft pick next month won’t be until No. 64 (to wrap up the second round April 29), their lowest opening selection since 1995 (No. 121 overall).

The Broncos are without a first-round pick for the third time since in 26 years.

In 2012, the Broncos traded down from No. 25 (New England took linebacker Don’ta Hightower) to No. 31 (Tampa Bay took running back Doug Martin).

In 2005, they traded out of No. 25 to Washington for a package that included a first-round pick in ’06 (Washington took quarterback Jason Campbell).

Footnotes. The Seahawks are in total rebuild mode and should give Drew Lock or a veteran-to-be-named a shot to play this year and focus their efforts on evaluating 2023 rookies C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Bryce Young (Alabama) and Anthony Richardson (Florida). … According to figures released by the NFLPA, the Broncos received seven wins for their $200.5 million in cash spending, most in the AFC West, and 12th in the NFL. The highest-spending team was Cleveland ($239.4 million) and the lowest was the Los Angeles Rams ($137.5 million). … Seventeen of the 19 Broncos’ on-field assistant coaches last year are no longer with the roster and nine have found new NFL homes: Ed Donatell (defensive coordinator with Broncos), Curtis Modkins (running backs), Chris Kuper (assistant offensive line) and Justin Rascati (quality control) all with Minnesota; Mike Hiestand (assistant defensive line) and Chris Gould (assistant special teams) with the Chargers, Chris Beake (pass game specialists) with the Rams and Nathaniel Willingham (quality control) with the New York Jets.

The police said Thomas was found deceased in his home. Preliminary information is that his death stems from a medical issue and investigators have no reason to believe foul play was involved.

According to the police report provided to The Denver Post on Friday morning, officers arrived at Thomas’ residence at 6:59 p.m. and were escorted to a bedroom shower where they found Thomas “lying down in the shower on his back.” The Roswell Fire Dept. arrived on scene and pronounced Thomas dead. Thomas’ body was transported by the Fulton County Medical Examiner to their office.

Thomas, who played for the Broncos from 2010-18, and whose on-field performance was matched only by his popularity among teammates, coaches and fans, was 33 years old.

Jeff Clayton, the athletic director at West Laurens High School in Dexter, Ga., where Thomas attended, said in an email to The Denver Post: “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

Through the Broncos, former quarterback Peyton Manning said in a statement: “D.T. was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player. That tells you how good of a person he was. He treated my kids like they were his own. He was there for every teammate’s charity event. … Absolutely devastated.”

Thomas played his first 8 1/2 NFL seasons with the Broncos, catching 665 passes (third in team history) for 9,055 yards (second) and 60 touchdowns (second) in 125 games.

Thomas was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012-14 and ’16 and was second-team All-Pro in 2013-14.

“We are devastated and completely heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing of Demaryius Thomas,” the Broncos said in a statement early Friday morning. “D.T. was beloved by our entire organization, his teammates and coaches, and our fans. … We have lost an incredible player and a special person in Demaryius Thomas.”

In 10 playoff games for the Broncos, including two Super Bowl appearances (one win), he caught 53 passes for 759 yards and six touchdowns. His touchdown, thrown by fellow 2010 first-round pick Tim Tebow, on the first play of overtime defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2012; it was the shortest overtime game in NFL playoff history (11 seconds).

“So many are going to remember him for his athletic ability … but I’ll be remembering him for his kindness, his smile that would light up a room, and the love he had for those in his life,” Tebow said on Twitter.

The Broncos traded Thomas to the Houston Texans midway through the 2018 season and he played seven games for the Texans. His last season was 2019 with the New York Jets.

Former teammates reacted on Twitter once the news was reported.

Garett Bolles: “It was an honor to play with you. Thank you for always believing in me! Rest easy my brother.”

Shelby Harris: “So sad man.”

DeMarcus Ware: “Heartbroken.”

Brandon Marshall: “Love forever bro.”

Derek Wolfe: “Rest easy my brother. Hurt.”

Wes Welker: “Heartbroken! Love ya DT!”

Joel Dreessen: “I learned so much from this man … One of the most powerful & graceful & smooth athletes I’ve ever been around … And then he was funny & smart & awesome to be around too. … I am in tears … I love ya, DT!”

Receivers coach Zach Azzanni: “I’m so sad. I’m heartbroken. I’m at a total loss. I’m sick. I’m crying. The Azzanni family will always love you DT. I’m blessed to have known you. RIP #88.”

Although Thomas did not play in 2020, he waited to officially retire until June 28 of this year via social media message through the Broncos.

“I’m Demaryius Thomas. I finally came to a decision to hang it up. … I’m going to retire, I’m going to retire a Denver Bronco. … I’m done and I did well.”

Thomas’ career was tough getting out of the blocks – – he missed games in 2010 with ankle and Achilles injuries (but was healthy for the playoffs) and games in ’11 with Achilles’ and finger injuries. He was started only seven games and had 54 regular season catches in those two seasons.

But Thomas’ career flourished upon the arrival of Manning.

In Manning’s three full seasons (2012-14), Thomas had 94, 92 and 111 catches and totaled 35 touchdowns. In the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl season, he caught 105 passes for 1,304 yards.

From 2012-14, Thomas’ 297 catches ranked third in the league behind Andre Johnson (306) and Antonio Brown (305) and his 35 touchdowns were second behind Dez Bryant (41).

From 2012 until his trade in mid-2018, Thomas did not miss a regular-season game and remained productive following Manning’s retirement. His final 1,000-yard season was in ’16 (90 catches-1,083 yards).

Thomas, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract in July 2015, played his final game for the Broncos in October ’18 at Kansas City; he was traded to the Texans two days later for fourth- and seventh-round selections.

Thomas’ stay in Houston was brief — he tore his Achilles late in the 2018 season and was released two months later. He signed with New England in March 2019 but did not appear in a game for the Patriots — he was traded to the New York Jets, with whom he played his final season.

Upon Thomas’ retirement in June, Broncos president of football operations John Elway said: “D.T. was the complete package as a wide receiver, growing into one of the very best at his position. The combination of his size, speed, strength and athleticism was unmatched.”

Anytime a general manager nabs two future Pro Bowlers — outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (fifth overall) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (second round) — with the first two picks, it’s safe to say they’ve done their job.

Peer a little closer, however, and things get a little less rosy for the Broncos executive.

John Elway — C+

That came into stark relief earlier this week when 2018 third-round selection Royce Freeman was let go by Elway’s successor, George Paton, as he finalized the team’s 53-man roster.

A highly touted running back out of Oregon, Freeman was supposed to be the future of the Broncos backfield. Instead, he lost his No. 1 spot midway through his rookie year to undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay and never got it back.

As Broncos reporter Ryan O’Halloran pointed out, with Freeman’s surprise exit, only three of Elway’s 10 picks from that draft remain on the current roster.

The hit list: CB Isaac Yiadom (third round, now on third team), WR DaeSean Hamilton (fourth, waived), TE Troy Fumagalli (fifth, New England IR), OG Sam Jones (sixth, Atlanta practice squad), LB��Keishawn Bierria (sixth, CFL) and RB David Williams (seventh, out of NFL).

All that’s left: Chubb, Sutton and starting middle linebacker Josey Jewell (fourth round).

That’s three picks still on the roster just three seasons later. Not exactly a formula for building championship-level depth.

Even one of Elway’s successes — Chubb leads all 2018 draftees with 20 1/2 sacks — comes with two very big caveats: 1) He’s already missed 14 games in three seasons, and 2) Pro Bowl Bills quarterback Josh Allen went two picks later.��And now the Broncos are on their fifth Week 1 starting QB in five seasons.

Ed McCaffrey — B

If ever there was an impressive 28-point loss, it was the one we witnessed Friday night Boulder.

The Northern Colorado Bears did not bring home the “W” in a 35-7 loss to in-state big brother Colorado at Folsom Field, but they sure did walk away with one heck of an “MV.”

And we here at Grading the Week are not above recognizing a solid Moral Victory when we see one.

The last time CU and UNC met at Folsom Field, the Bears were just as competitive.��The Buffs didn’t pull away until the second half of that 2017 meeting, with UNC within a touchdown early in the third quarter before CU imposed its will en route to a 41-21 win.

Sound familiar? Sure, except for a few notable differences.

Those Buffs were facing a UNC program that was several years into the Earnest Collins Era. And they initially raced��out to a 28-7 lead late in the second quarter before boredom set in.

These Bears were playing their first game under new head coach Ed McCaffrey. And they were locked in a scoreless draw after one quarter and trailed 14-0 at the half.��If not for UNC quarterback Dylan McCaffrey’s wayward goal line interception near the end of the second quarter, the Bears might’ve gone into the break down seven.

That’s all we really needed to see from the start of the McCaffrey Era.

After waiting nearly two years to make his debut in blue and gold — one more year than his CU (Karl Dorrell) and CSU (Steve Addazio) counterparts hired during the same offseason — McCaffrey appears to be building something sturdy in Greeley.

But when the Broncos reconvene for their first regular-season week, Fangio will flip the schedule — players will work Mondays and be off Tuesdays.

“There are benefits to both,” Fangio said. “Most coaches would tell you they’d rather give them Monday off and bring them in Tuesday from the perspective that you’re more prepared on Tuesday to give them some more information on the next opponent.”

Previously, Fangio said the Broncos’ coaches would “traditionally devote about 40 minutes,” to the next opponent during their Tuesday meetings, which also included a review of the previous game.

“You’re not going to be quite as ready for that on Monday,” he said. “That����ap the sacrifice there.”

The practice schedule (Wednesday-Friday) remains the same, but now, players will have weight-lifting sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday or Friday.��The additional bonus developed last week when the NFL and NFLPA agreed to test players once a week (instead of every 14 days).

“That test will occur on Monday,” Fangio said. “If you get a close contact-type thing where you have to be out three, four or five days, (the player) could still be available for the game on Sunday whereas if you bring them in and you wait for that test on Tuesday, you could run out of days.”

Darby’s familiarity. Broncos cornerback Ronald Darby played the previous four years in the NFC East (three with Philadelphia and one with Washington), so he has a head-start on preparing for the New York Giants in the season opener.

Last year, Darby had eight tackles in two games against the Giants, which returns play-caller Jason Garrett and quarterback Daniel Jones.

“You can be a little familiar with what they do, but they like to switch things up a lot,” Darby said. “(When) we played them last year — even in years prior to that — things looked the same, but they ran different things off it. But you do pick up tendencies.”

Managing Sutton. Fangio hopes the Broncos have to manage receiver Courtland Sutton’s snaps early in the season, a year removed from his torn left ACL. It would mean the offense is sustaining drives.

“The (snap) count can be a little misleading at times,” Fangio said. “It����ap more so how the drives are going. If we’re going three-and-out a bunch, he can play them all. If we can get some nice drives going, he’ll need some time off.”

2018 draft review. Running back Royce Freeman’s departure (he was claimed by Carolina via waivers on Thursday) leaves three of the Broncos’ 10 draft picks in 2018 on the roster: Sutton (second round), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (first) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (fourth).

Cornerback Isaac Yiadom (third round) is on his third team (Green Bay), receiver DaeSean Hamilton was waived/injured by the Broncos this spring, tight end Troy Fumagalli (fifth) is on New England’s injured reserve, guard Sam Jones (sixth) is on Atlanta’s practice squad, linebacker Keishawn Bierria (sixth) plays for the CFL’s Edmonton Elks and running back David Williams (seventh) is out of the league.

Throughout last year’s training camp, Courtland Sutton wasn’t just the Broncos’ best receiver, he was their best offensive player.

Sutton got open on shallow crosses, caught contested passes in the red zone and showed his usual downfield playmaking ability. A repeat of his breakout 2019 (1,112 yards and a Pro Bowl selection) was anticipated.

But before the end of Week 2, Sutton was gone for the season, tearing his ACL in his 20th snap of the loss at Pittsburgh.

Months of rehabilitation complete, Sutton is back knowing he will be a free agent after the season. He was limited to individual drill work during the offseason program and it����ap possible he will have his work managed next month with the goal of being ready for the Sept. 12 opener at the New York Giants.

“We missed not having him last year,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “Certainly, having him back is going to be huge.”

Equally gigantic will be if Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler take steps forward in their second seasons and Tim Patrick continues to be Mr. Steady.

Who’s back

Courtland Sutton (second round 2018), Jerry Jeudy (first round ’20), KJ Hamler (second round ’20), Tim Patrick (free agent ’17), Tyrie Cleveland (seventh round ’20), Diontae Spencer (waivers ’19), Trinity Benson (undrafted free agent ’19) and Kendall Hinton (undrafted free agent ’20).

The plus for Jeudy: He went against No. 1 cornerbacks after Sutton was injured, totaling 52 catches for a team-high 856 yards, and will be better because of that experience. The minus for Jeudy: He was booked for 10 dropped passes, but five came in one game (Week 16 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers). Look for him to use his precise route-running skills to beat Nos. 2-3 cornerbacks.

Hamler is a tease. When he’s healthy, he gives Shurmur all kinds of options, lining him up everywhere from the slot to the backfield. But Hamler needs to stay available. Hamstring injuries stunted his early-2020 progress and also kept him off the field during this summer’s offseason program.

Patrick is playing for his next contract, be it here or elsewhere. He had no dropped passes last year and led the Broncos with six touchdown catches.

Spencer is expected to make the team as the sixth receiver, but active on Sundays because he is the primary returner.

Who’s new

Seth Williams (seventh round), DeVontres Dukes (undrafted free agent), Warren Jackson (undrafted free agent), Branden Mack (undrafted free agent),��Amara Darboh (free agent) and De’Mornay Pierson-El (free agent).

It����ap likely none of these players make the initial 53-man roster.

Williams (6-foot-3/211 pounds) is a developmental player who could be ticketed for the practice squad and then challenge for backup receiver/special teams reps next year. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch last year for Auburn.

Jackson starred at Colorado State, totaling 124 catches for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns in 33 games.

Who’s gone

DaeSean Hamilton (non-football injury) and Fred Brown (Tennessee).

Overview

Sutton and Jeudy are good enough that they will produce regardless of if it is Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock at quarterback in Week 1.

The Broncos must be better downfield. Their 49 catches of at least 20 yards were 16th in the NFL, but according to Stats, their 48.9 passer rating on attempts of at least 21 air yards was second-worst in the league (Cincinnati 48.4) and well below the average of 101.3.

Sutton is an outside receiver who will draw safety attention and one thought is to use Jeudy in the slot on the same side of the formation to give him room down the middle of the field.

Number of note

18

Catches of at least 20 yards in 2019 by Courtland Sutton, which was tied for eighth-most in the NFL.

Thursday: Defensive backs.

With the waiving of wideout DaeSean Hamilton earlier this week, the Broncos now have four players remaining on their roster from the 2018 draft class.

Here’s a breakdown on that 10-player class, which was ex-GM John Elway’s largest class up to that point.

OLB Bradley Chubb (Rd 1, No. 5) — Denver could’ve picked Wyoming QB Josh Allen, who went No. 7 overall to the Bills. But Chubb has turned out to be a defensive linchpin, setting the Broncos rookie record for sacks in 2018 and then bouncing back from an ACL injury with a Pro Bowl season in 2020.

WR Courtland Sutton (Rd 2, No. 40) —��Make that two Pro Bowlers with Elway’s first two picks in this draft after Sutton posted 1,112 yards receiving to earn the honor in 2019. Sutton missed all of his third year with a knee injury, but will be back at full strength this fall as one of the key offensive catalysts.

RB Royce Freeman (Rd 3, No. 71) —��The Oregon product has been decently effective as a backup tailback in Denver to the since-departed Phillip Lindsay and also Melvin Gordon. Freeman has 297 rushes for 1,187 career yards and will again see time in the backfield in 2021 behind Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams.

CB Isaac Yiadom (Rd 3, No. 99) —��One of many failed experiments at cornerback during coach Vic Fangio’s tenure, Yiadom’s inconsistencies led to a roller-coaster ride in Denver. He was traded to the Giants last September for a seventh-round pick, which Denver used on Ohio State linebacker Jonathon Cooper.

ILB Josey Jewell (Rd 4, No. 106) —��Another hit for Elway. Perhaps those who are most critical of Elway’s draft record — and to be fair, there have been serious misses, i.e. Paxton Lynch — should look to this class, as Jewell has also emerged as a starter at inside linebacker. So four of Elway’s first five picks made a tangible impact.

WR DaeSean Hamilton (Rd 4, No. 113) —��Waived on Tuesday, Hamilton sustained a knee injury while training at an off-site facility on May 14. That capped an underperforming three seasons in Denver where Hamilton had 81 catches for 833 yards and five touchdowns. Fans will likely remember him most for his issues with drops.

TE Troy Fumagalli (Rd 5, No. 156) —��The Wisconsin product had 14 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns in 19 career games across 2019 and ’20. The Broncos cut him in September last year, then brought him back for the final half of the regular season. He remains a free agent heading into 2021.

G Sam Jones (Rd 6, No. 183) —��The ThunderRidge alum played just 15 offensive snaps across five games for Denver in 2018 as a backup before being cut ahead of the 2019 season. He didn’t play another down in the NFL.

ILB Keishawn Bierria (Rd 6, No. 217) —��Bierria appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, mainly as a special teams contributor, but was never able to establish himself in the linebacker room and was cut in October 2019.

RB David Williams (Rd 7, No. 226) —��Seventh-round picks are shots in the dark, and this one missed badly. Williams was cut after training camp that year and never played in the NFL.

— , The Denver Post

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1. The right tackle spot should be Bobby Massie’s to lose. He signed a one-year deal during the week and Cameron Fleming agreed to terms, but has not signed yet. Massie has 110 career starts compared to 42 for Fleming. If Massie wins the job, the next question is whether Fleming is kept as a swing backup tackle or if the Broncos stick with Calvin Anderson.

2. From the More You Can Do Dept.: Kendall Hinton, a practice squad receiver and emergency quarterback last year, wore a white No. 9 jersey Saturday and went through defensive back drills in general and cornerback drills in particular.

3. Seventh-round pick Marquiss Spencer got 1-on-1 instruction during individual drills — he was the only defensive lineman at rookie camp. Spencer will be interesting to watch in August. The top four linemen are Shelby Harris, Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Purcell and likely Shamar Stephen. After that, it����ap Spencer, McTelvin Agim and DeShawn Williams playing for possibly two spots.

4. The Ja’Wuan James Error ended with minimal fanfare Friday when he was dumped by the Broncos, who intend to not pay his fully-guaranteed $10.625 million salary (the extra $625,000 is to account for the 17th game). Going this route allows the Broncos to create instant cap space instead of keeping him on the non-injury football list and having his contract toll ahead a year and waiting out the grievance process.

5. Six pages of the collective bargaining agreement are dedicated to the non-football injury grievance process and it����ap a mind-numbing read. The basics: James’ camp has 50 days from Friday to file a grievance via the NFLPA to the league’s Management Council.

6. A league executive doesn’t expect the Broncos to try and recoup $3 million of James’ $12 million signing bonus. Why? Because going after money already paid to the player is bad optics within the locker room.

7. James deleted his tweet from Friday stating the NFLPA should have “our backs” if it was going to “advise” players to skip voluntary on-site workouts. The statement by the Broncos’ players looks more short-sighted by the day. James has lost his money, the same probably for receiver DaeSean Hamilton. But, here’s the rub, which gives the union an out: It can say they were suggesting players boycott on-site work, not making a demand. In some way, was James in particular gullible by listening to the union when other teammates did not? Yes. But the union totally misplayed this. We still haven’t heard a peep from Broncos player rep Brandon McManus.

8. Last note on James: He received $17 million for 63 offensive plays of work — $269,841.27 per snap.

9. Phase 2 of the offseason program starts Monday. Virtual meetings will continue, but players will be allowed to do on-field work with coaches at a teaching pace. Coach Vic Fangio said he’s “not sure” what the attendance will be. “We’ve put a lot of thought into the schedule that we have come up with,” he said. “We’ve heard everybody’s side of the story — players, coaches, management. Hopefully we’ll have a good number. It����ap voluntary so whoever decides to attend, we’ll be happy about it.”

10. Fangio’s first two Broncos teams started 0-4 and 0-3. The schedule sets up perfectly for a better start this year — at the Giants, at Jacksonville and vs. the Jets. “A fast start is always important regardless of the trouble we’ve had the past two years,” Fangio said. “All I look at when the schedule comes out is our first 2-3 opponents. We like to do some planning for them at this time of the year.”

11. Fangio said he, general manager George Paton, tight ends coach Wade Harman, director of player development Ray Jackson, quarterback Drew Lock and outside linebacker Von Miller traveled to Omaha, Neb., for the funeral of Kathy Fant, 53, mother of tight end Noah Fant. “It was important (to attend),” Fangio said. “It was a very sad situation — very traumatic for Noah and his family. It happened very suddenly. I just think it was good for us to get some guys together to show him some support. He’ll have our support when he comes back.” The Broncos provided the private plane for the contingent.

12. The next key date for the Broncos is their first organized team activity workout on May 24. It will be our first chance to see all of the new players on the field, including quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. And we’ll get to see how toothless the boycott statement from last month was and all of the veterans who are present.

Hamilton is the second player to sustain an injury while preparing for the season away from the Broncos’ facility after the NFLPA urged players to boycott voluntary on-site activities. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles earlier this month.

On Thursday, Hamilton was reportedly set to be waived, but did not appear on the league’s official transaction wire, a sign the Broncos were trying to trade him for a late-round draft pick.

Now that Hamilton is injured, he falls under the same umbrella as James: The Broncos aren’t required to pay his base salary ($2.1 million) because it was an off-site injury.

According to a source, Hamilton had not been training at the Broncos’ facility before the NFLPA’s directive. James was before moving off-site.

This story will be updated.

Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran break down the Broncos’ 2021 schedule. Plus, impressions from rookie mini camp in Dove Valley, discussion on the team’s situation at right tackle and reaction to the breaking news on wideout DaeSean Hamilton’s injury.

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NFL Network reported Hamilton was being waived, but he did not appear on Thursday’s transaction wire, a sign the Broncos could be shopping him for a draft pick. If they find no takers, it����ap possible he will be put on waivers Friday.

Regardless of Hamilton departing via trade or release, it will create $2.183 million in cap space; the dead money hit is $170,660. He became expandable after falling behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick and Tyrie Cleveland on the depth chart.

Hamilton, 26, was a fourth-round pick (No. 113 overall) in 2018 and had 81 catches for 833 yards and five touchdowns in 46 games (nine starts and 1,658 snaps).

Hamilton got play-time opportunities in ’18 after Demaryius Thomas was traded and Emmanuel Sanders was injured, catching 25 passes in the final four games. In ’19, his production increased slightly after Sanders was traded, catching 17 passes in the final five games.

Fleming joins tackle mix. The Broncos agreed to terms with veteran Cameron Fleming on a one-year contract, joining Bobby Massie in the right tackle competition.

Massie and Fleming were added after Ja’Wuan James sustained a torn Achilles tendon last week.

Fleming, who turns 29 on Sept. 3, was a fourth-round pick by New England in 2014. He has started 42 of his 91 regular-season games, including all 16 for the New York Giants last year.

Fleming started 20 games for the Patriots (2014-17) and six for Dallas (2018-19). He won two Super Bowl rings with New England as a reserve.

Manning video a hit. Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning delivered another solid comedic performance as a way of introducing the team’s schedule, serving as a “summer intern,” in a video.

Last Friday, chief communications officer Patrick Smyth pitched the concept to Manning. On Monday morning, Manning arrived at the facility and the entire process took only 30 minutes.

Working behind the scenes and behind the camera were senior director of communications and content Erich Schubert, social media engagement manager Caroline Deisley, social video producer Joe Abedellah and social media content assistant Roya Burton. Once the planning was complete, the staff went through multiple walkthroughs to make sure all of the shots could be filmed within Manning’s available time.

Among Manning’s “tasks”: Answering phones, cleaning the Super Bowl 50 trophy, laundry, preparing footballs, working in the kitchen, fishing footballs out of the hot tub and grounds keeping.

As of Thursday afternoon, the package was the NFL’s most-viewed schedule release video with a combined 1.5 million views across all of the Broncos’ digital platforms.

WATCH: Peyton Manning returns to Broncos for “summer internship”

Rookie camp opens Friday. The Broncos will begin rookie mini-camp Friday at the team facility. Draft picks and college free agents began arriving Thursday for physicals and in some cases, to sign their contracts.

Each team is allowed five tryout players and the Broncos said they have invited four: Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus, San Diego State tight end David Wells, Syracuse offensive tackle Cody Conway and Utah outside linebacker Pia Taumoepenu.

Also eligible to participate are running back Damarea Crockett and receivers Kendall Hinton and Trinity Benson.

Briefly. Draft picks Caden Sterns (safety), Jamar Johnson (safety), Seth Williams (receiver), Kary Vincent (cornerback) and Marquiss Spencer (defensive lineman) signed four-year contracts Thursday. … Former Broncos offensive lineman Sam Jones, a native of Highlands Ranch, was claimed by Atlanta after being waived by Indianapolis.