Broncos draft previews
Offense: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive line
Defense: Defensive line | Outside linebackers | Inside linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties

Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Re-signed Alex Singleton to a two-year, $15.5 million deal; re-signed Justin Strnad to a three-year, $18 million deal; re-signed Levelle Bailey to a futures contract.

Under contract: Singleton, Strnad, Jonah Elliss (if he’s a full-time ILB), Drew Sanders, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid, Bailey

Need scale (1-10): 8. Doesn’t have to be a top-of-the-line piece, but it’s time for the Broncos to invest actual draft capital at the ILB spot. Strnad will be a member of the room long-term, but Singleton will turn 33 this December, and it’d make plenty of sense for Denver to add another off-ball ‘backer who can develop behind the two — regardless if Denver shifts Elliss to ILB full-time. General manager George Paton has said multiple times that this is a good ILB class, too.

The Top Five

Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Already a first-round lock, the 6-foot-5 Styles blew the doors off at the combine back in February — a 4.46-second 40-yard-dash, a 43.5-inch vertical — and could rise all the way into the top five this coming week in Pittsburgh. His 2024 season for the Buckeyes was a marvel: 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks. He’ll make a linebacker-needy franchise quite happy.

Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

Initially considered a mid-round prospect, Rodriguez now looks poised to land squarely in the second round. In a perfect world, the 2025 Bronko Nagurski winner — college football’s top defensive award — would fall to Denver at No. 62. But Rodriguez’s combination of leadership and coverage skills will make that highly unlikely.

CJ Allen, Georgia

Allen was one of the hotter early names for Denver at No. 30 back when the franchise still had its first-round pick, but the Georgia product has fallen a smidge down draft boards the past couple months. The 2025 All-American will likely still be gone by the back of the second round, as he’s a textbook green-dot fit in the heart of an NFL defense.

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

If you flipped Hill’s 2024 and 2025 seasons, he’d be an easy first-round pick: the tape looked much better a year ago, when the linebacker led the SEC with 16.5 tackles for loss and racked up eight sacks and four forced fumbles. The athleticism popped at the combine, though, and Hill is a versatile fit who can play mike or will and thrive in pass-rush situations. The Rodriguez-Allen-Hill tier, and where they land in the second round, will be one of the more interesting developments for Denver to monitor.

Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Here’s a guy that could be sitting pretty for Denver at No. 62. Golday graded as excellent against the run in a 105-tackle season in 2025, added 3.5 sacks, and posted decent numbers in coverage. It’s easy to imagine Vance Joseph utilizing Golday as a blitzer similar to how he creates pressure with Singleton and Strnad.

More Broncos fits

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

A linebacker-safety hybrid, the Broncos should have their eyes all over Louis. The versatile 22-year-old has totaled six interceptions across the last two seasons, and has the speed and agility to both pursue sideline-to-sideline and cover in space. The only concern here is his durability playing ILB — Louis is a shade under six feet, and weighing at 220 pounds.

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU

Paton said Thursday that Denver likes to draft “high-trait players” that “maybe lack a little polish.” Meet Elarms-Orr, who ranked second among all ILBs at the combine in the 40-yard-dash, fifth in 10-yard-split, and second in vertical leap — all at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds. He racked up 11 tackles for loss and four sacks in 13 games in 2025; if the Broncos are confident he can grow into an adequate coverage linebacker, he could be a mid-round steal. He’s taken a top-30 visit in Denver.

Jimmy Rolder, Michigan

Rolder grew from a reserve into a key starter across four years at Michigan, and racked up 73 tackles and seven tackles for loss in 2025. In a deep draft, he could be a solid Day 3 option for Denver. He’s graded as one of the best tacklers in this class at his position.

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

Boettcher said at the combine that he felt a “like-minded mentality when it comes to the physicality of the game,” in an initial conversation with Denver. That physicality, indeed, should endear Boettcher to the Broncos: he racked up 136 tackles in 15 games for the Ducks last season. He’s a ready-made Singleton-type who also will provide plenty of special-teams value.

Dom DeLuca, Penn State

A Day 3-to-PFA-type, DeLuca grew from a walk-on special-teamer to a key contributor at inside linebacker across five years at Penn State. He struggled at times to both wrap up and cover in space for the Nittany Lions, but the Broncos love versatile pieces who can offer special-teams value, and DeLuca fits squarely into that mold. Denver’s reached out on him.

The Broncos head coach and general manager are set to spend most of the first four weeks of April sequestered in front of a big screen in Denver’s team room, clickers in hand, watching tape of draft prospects.

Tape, tape and more tape.

“(Wednesday) morning at 7:30 a.m., we enter that team meeting room and we’re in there for the next 26 days,” Payton said Tuesday.

Last spring, they spent so much time sitting in chairs next to each other that Payton copped to accidentally drinking out of his general manager’s water bottle instead of his own.

“You break for lunch and you break for dinner,” Payton said a week before Denver selected Jahdae Barron at No. 20 overall last spring. “You go through the rounds and others will come back in with (information) — maybe we hand two scouts and two coaches a clump of outside linebackers or a clump of nose tackles.”

There are layers to the strong relationship that has grown between Payton and Paton over the past three-plus years, but their shared love of evaluating players is at the center.

Spring weather on the Front Range can be invigorating, but for Paton and Payton, April beauty is identifying a mid-round pick who becomes an impact player.

“You are dying to fall in love with guys,” Payton said last year.

This spring, of course, the Broncos will be waiting quite a while to make their first pick. After trading their first-round pick and more for star receiver Jaylen Waddle, Denver is not currently on the board until No.  62 overall, the 30th pick of the second round, which arrives on the draft����ap second day.

That����ap familiar territory for Paton, though, who will be operating without a first-rounder for the third time in six drafts as Denver’s general manager.

“Obviously, we’re focused on 30 in the second (round),” Paton said Monday at the NFL’s spring meetings. “We’ve fortunately been there before — I think two different times. We have a good feel for that. We can hone in.”

Paton was careful not to rule out trading up from No. 62, but Denver has depleted draft capital after the trade. Packaging No. 62 and one of its fourth-round picks (Nos. 108 and 111) might allow the team to slide up a few spots and dealing both could potentially get the Broncos to the middle of the second round. Denver could dip into its haul of 2027 picks and is in line for potentially two compensatory selections, too.

Overall, though, Payton and Paton are in for a long wait.

“We have a pretty good feel for that realm,” Paton said.

When they finally do arrive on the clock, here are the positions the Broncos find themselves most in need of adding to.

The Broncos still need a mismatch tight end

Maybe the term “Joker” has finally fallen out of vogue in ����apountry, but the value of that player — a mismatch in the middle part of the field — most certainly has not. Not to Payton.

“Every year,” Payton said earlier this year at the NFL Combine. “We’re always looking for the tight end or running back that has those traits. They’re hard to find, though.”

Particularly so for the Broncos and particularly so at tight end.

Denver thought it might have found one in veteran Evan Engram last year. The results? More OK than wow. Even if Engram fares better in his second season with the Broncos, the club needs a young playmaker at the position. Noah Fant flashed at times, but this has been a sore spot more or less since the days of Julius Thomas more than a decade ago.

Payton and Paton will be dying to fall in love with a tight end from a 2026 group that doesn’t have the same star power as last year, but that is deep and diverse from a skill-set and body type perspective. Is there a big guy with blocking chops that they see untapped receiving potential in? An undersized pass-catcher who can be a stout blocker with a bit of fine-tuning?

“There are some really good prospects, but I’m anxious to see who they are because right now I just know the names,” Payton said. … “Hopefully we can get to know them and possibly have a target in there.”

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has only Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq (No. 14 overall) , so perhaps Denver will have its pick of any tight end after Sadiq at No. 62, but Vanderbilt����ap Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare are among a group of others who could come off the board around the Broncos’ first pick. Denver is doing its diligence on tight ends, including hosting NC State’s Justin Joly on a visit this week.

Sean Payton likes Denver’s running backs, but…

The Broncos are no strangers to taking a running back late in the second round. They did it just last year when they grabbed RJ Harvey at No. 60 overall.

Harvey had a productive rookie season, accumulating 12 total touchdowns and 896 offensive yards. He struggled to consistently produce as a rusher when called upon to be Denver’s lead back in the wake of J.K. Dobbins’ Lisfranc injury in November, but he undoubtedly has explosive ability.

Denver re-signed Dobbins and believes Harvey, a dynamic pass-catcher, will only trend upward in Year 2.

“We love the way RJ played,” Payton said Tuesday.

The day before, Paton called Harvey, “an explosive player and an explosive receiver out of the backfield. A matchup problem. He is going to get better as a runner. He got better as the year went on.”

Both men called the position one Denver could address in the draft or over the summer and pointed out that, this time a year ago, neither Harvey nor Dobbins (a June signing) were on the roster.

Whether it����ap in the second round or later, though, the Broncos could use more youth and overall dynamic ability in their room.

Offensive line isn’t a need right now, but could become one quickly

There’s an argument to be made for inside linebacker or safety as Denver’s next priority, but the Broncos have addressed each of those positions in some way over recent weeks. The Broncos signed safety and special teamer Tycen Anderson to a one-year deal. That����ap not a long-term defensive solution, which Denver could certainly still use and may look to the draft to address. Payton said this week that edge Jonah Elliss would get a look playing inside linebacker, too. Now the Broncos have Elliss, Jordan Turner, Drew Sanders, Levelle Bailey and Karene Reid behind their starting duo inside. Not much proven production defensively, but several options to sort through.

Meanwhile, the offensive line is one of the more fascinating groups on the roster.

Denver’s is one of the best in the business, and is poised, if healthy, to continue that run in 2026 and perhaps beyond.

The group has a back-to-back first-team All-Pro right guard in Quinn Meinerz and a newly extended center in Luke Wattenberg. Both tackles, Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey, played at a high level in 2025, with Bolles being named a first-team All-Pro.

Left guard Ben Powers is entering the final year of his deal in 2026 and, with the caveat that things can always change, looks likely headed into his final season with the Broncos.

�ٱ�Ա������retained Alex Palczewski with a two-year deal, and he could end up being the primary backup at three positions — LG, RG, and RT — in 2026 and then slide into Powers’ spot beyond that. Easy, right?

Well, yeah, as long as everybody else stays healthy. McGlinchey has had injury issues in the past, though he was mostly healthy in 2025. Bolles’ longevity is impressive and he’s shown not even a hint of decline from his perch as one of the premier athletes at left tackle.

And yet, Bolles and  McGlinchey will be 34 and 32, respectively, when Week 1 rolls around.

They could each play multiple more years at a high level or age could start to catch up with either or both quickly.

The Broncos, then, are in an enviable position but also one that carries perhaps more risk than first glance might suggest.

They have developmental options in the pipeline in Palczewski, tackle Frank Crum, center Alex Forsyth and a wild card in Nick Gargiulo and they have built that depth using only seventh-round picks and undrafted free agency signings.

In fact, seventh-rounders Gargiulo (No. 256 in 2024) and Forsyth (No. 257 in 2023) are the only linemen Denver has drafted since Payton arrived as the coach.

Before them, Paton selected Wattenberg in the fifth round in 2022 and Meinerz in the third round in 2021.

That����ap four straight draft classes since 2021 in which only linemen were taken on Day 3. The Broncos currently have only one Day 2 pick this year, so that run could well continue. But offensive line — guard or tackle — feels like a real possibility, be it at No. 62, early in the fourth round, or somewhere in between, depending on how Paton and Payton maneuver with their picks.

A guard could push ‘Palcho’ and Crum further toward being the heirs apparent at each tackle spot. A tackle could line Palcho up as the left guard of the future. Either way, a young, talented player in the room would be a welcome addition, regardless of exactly where he plays or how good the Broncos’ room still looks on paper.

Denver made the biggest splash of its offseason — and one of the biggest single moves of the spring in the NFL — on Tuesday when it landed Miami receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade.

A quiet opening week in free agency moved into a different light for many fans and observers when news of the trade broke.

The Broncos’ run of retentions early on in free agency inspired plenty of run-it-back vibes, but now Waddle’s addition gives Denver an element it didn’t have in 2025 and, really, hasn’t had for the better part of a decade.

He is a true take-the-top-off threat, dangerous after the catch and in the middle of the field and capable of playing multiple positions. He will help add diversity and explosion to the Broncos’ passing game, but he can also have an impact in the running game, not so much by blocking but by keeping defenses honest in how many players they can commit to the box on early downs.

“I’m here to help in every fashion,” Waddle told reporters Wednesday.

Denver also cracked the lid on external free agent signings, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Cincinnati safety and core special teamer Tycen Anderson. Anderson hasn’t played as much defense as P.J. Locke did, so it����ap unclear exactly how good the Broncos feel about their No. 3 spot behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Denver’s staff liked what Devon Key showed defensively in practice over the 2025 season.

More broadly, the Broncos are not a finished product. Nobody ever really is in football, especially this time of year. The draft is a month away, and there are still players available via free agency and trade. The search for help rarely, if ever, actually ceases.

“We got J.K. Dobbins in, what, June?” general manager George Paton said last month. “You’re always looking and it never stops. There is always something out there that hopefully can help you.”

With the opening waves of free agency and one tsunami of a trade in the books, here is an updated look at the positions where the Broncos still need help.

Tight end

Tight end, like the next two positions, isn’t a true “must” for Sean Payton and company in a strict sense because the Broncos brought back all of their guys from 2025 between the NFL Combine and the start of free agency.

All the same, that group was underwhelming a year ago. Upgrading should remain a focus for Denver. The question: How? Most of the quality options went quickly in free agency, and that was without much of a list of surefire, major-impact players.

The draft is interesting because there aren’t the top-of-the-board type options like last year (Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren) but the closer late April creeps, the deeper many people believe the tight end crop is on the whole.

Dane Brugler, a draft analyst for The Athletic, recently said on social media that as he grades the group, “I have more draftable TEs in this class than any other I’ve done.”

Still haven't found the bottom of this TE draft class. There are going to be some useful guys still around late rounds/PFA.

I have more draftable TEs in this class than any other I've done.

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler)

Vanderbilt����ap Eli Stowers isn’t likely to be around at No. 62, so trying to land him might require some creativity. Otherwise, the task will be sorting through a raft of mid-to-late-round options and trying to find somebody who can help right away, sure, but who can be a force in the future.

Running back

By the time Jaleel McLaughlin signed a one-year deal, the Broncos had gone 4-of-4 in bringing their 2025 running backs back into the fold. Still, the same role questions that cropped up with that quartet last year remain. Tyler Badie is a good pass protector, but didn’t provide much else. Jaleel McLaughlin is a nice change of pace, but he isn’t a true third-down back because his pass pro is lacking. RJ Harvey is explosive, talented and not a finished product. J.K. Dobbins is one of the best in the business when he’s on the field, but he’s never finished a full season.

The free agent crop is pretty good and well-picked over. Denver was in the mix for Trevor Etienne, but ultimately wasn’t going to go as high as the $13 million a year he got from New Orleans.

Inside linebacker

Denver is down one linebacker on net after bringing Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton back, but also releasing Dre Greenlaw.

Never say never on one more veteran — the Broncos were well past the opening wave of free agency in 2024 when they signed Cody Barton to a one-year deal and he ended up playing 91% of snaps after Singleton tore his ACL in Week 3.

More likely, though, this is a draft and also a development spot for Denver.

The 2026 draft class is considered deep at inside linebacker. Georgia’s CJ Allen and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez likely won’t last until No. 62. Perhaps somebody like Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. or Cincinnati’s Jake Golday will be an option there. But there are a ton to choose from.

Not only that, but the Broncos may decide they have a worthy third already in the building. The leading candidate is Jordan Turner, while Levelle Bailey has also flashed. Drew Sanders is a wild card, but at this point can’t be counted on to be a major contributor because of the amount of development time he’s missed.

Defensive line

Denver’s post-John Franklin-Myers plan is pretty clear: A combination of Malcom Roach, Eyioma Uwazruike and second-year man Sai’Vion Jones will be asked to fill in the production void.

Drafting a defensive lineman can’t be ruled out, naturally. Bottom line: There’s not an overwhelming need.

This is a spot, though, where, if the Broncos and a veteran saw eye to eye on a role and an opportunity to play for a contender, there are still good players out there on the market.

Calais Campbell is still playing well and, of course, is a Denver native. He’ll turn 40 in September, but what a story it would be if season No. 19 were a title pursuit in his hometown.

Cam Jordan has a deep history with Sean Payton in New Orleans and can still really rush the passer at 36. Broncos fans, of course, know Shelby Harris well. Denico Autry played less — and missed five games — for Houston this year, but has been part of their terrific defense over the past two years and, even at 34, had a 10.9% pressure rate in 2025, according to Next Gen Stats. He’s been at that mark or better in six of his past eight seasons.

The thing about windows, though, is that they close. Denver has two more seasons before it has to start thinking about a massive extension for quarterback Bo Nix, which will put considerable strain on their long-term cap. It’s no secret. The world knows it. Those inside the Broncos’ facility know it. Their time to strike is now, heading into 2026 free agency with roughly $28 million in current cap room — — and plenty of levers to pull to create more space and throw money around in the market.

It’s also no secret that the Broncos need more skill talent. They need to add a running back, tight end, and potentially wide receiver. They need a linebacker either in free agency or the draft, and quietly have some options at safety. In January, owner Greg Penner described Denver’s approach with a phrase that’ll come to define this offseason, whatever size of swing the front office takes: “We’ll be opportunistically aggressive.”

The legal tampering period of free agency, when teams can officially make contact with players and agents, begins at 10:00 a.m. MT Monday. New contracts can officially be signed come 2:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday. Here’s The Denver Post’s position-by-position Broncos guide to 2026 free agency, informed via numerous conversations with NFL agents and sources across the past two weeks.

Quarterback

Who Denver has: QB1 Bo Nix, QB2 Jarrett Stidham

Who Denver could lose: QB3 Sam Ehlinger

What Denver needs: Another QB in the room, and to re-sign Ehlinger

Key market options (former team in parenthesis): Zach Wilson (Dolphins), Sam Howell (Eagles), Teddy Bridgewater (Buccaneers)

This will depend entirely on whether the Broncos actually shop Stidham, and potentially save themselves $6.5 million in corresponding cap room. If they trade Stidham to a quarterback-needy team for some draft capital, Denver could easily look to re-sign Ehlinger and promote him to Nix’s official backup, after Ehlinger stuck to Davis Webb’s hip in 2025. The Broncos would clearly need another name to push Ehlinger in such a circumstance, though.

If that wouldn’t be a young draft pick, the Broncos could look to bring back Zach Wilson, who was part of a tight-knit group with Nix and Stidham in Denver in 2024. Paton also did plenty of work on longtime backup Howell in the 2022 draft, and former Bronco Bridgewater was Sean Payton’s trusted backup in New Orleans in 2018 and 2019.

Running back

Who Denver has: RB1/RB2 RJ Harvey, RB3 Tyler Badie (likely to sign ERFA deal)

Who Denver could lose: RB1/RB2 J.K. Dobbins, RB4 Jaleel McLaughlin

What Denver needs: A true RB1 or Harvey complement, and depth

Key market options: Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars), Rico Dowdle (Panthers), Tyler Allgeier (Falcons), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Emanuel Wilson (Packers)

Here’s the spot that’ll draw the most buzz next week. The Broncos have already been connected to some of the top names on the market, clearly needing an upgrade in the room even if Denver brings back Dobbins on the cheap; the oft-injured veteran simply can’t be relied upon to play a full season. The Seahawks elected not to give Walker a one-year, $14 million franchise tag after a Super Bowl MVP, and the star RB could easily command upwards of $12 to $14 million on the market.

Would Denver swing on that price, though? Walker wasn’t good in pass protection last year (two sacks and nine pressures in 51 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF), and the Broncos need a third-down back whom Nix trusts. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Etienne is a highly intriguing fit for Denver, a bigger back who’s dynamic in the passing game (six receiving touchdowns in 2025). The 25-year-old Allgeier is a power back without excessive tread on the tires who could be available at a lower price, but expect Denver to look elsewhere.

Don’t be surprised if the Broncos walk away with Dobbins, Harvey and a supplemental piece instead of swinging big here. Wilson is an interesting name, a 226-pound RB who ran for 496 yards in Green Bay last season.

Wide receiver

Who Denver has: WR1 Courtland Sutton, WR2 Troy Franklin, WR3 Pat Bryant, WR4 Marvin Mims Jr.

Who Denver could lose: WR5 Lil’Jordan Humphrey

What Denver needs: A high-upside complement to Sutton, or at least another trustworthy WR4/5 option

Key market options: Alec Pierce (Colts), Jauan Jennings (49ers), Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants), Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks), Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Stefon Diggs (Patriots), Romeo Doubs (Packers), Jahan Dotson (Eagles), Jalen Nailor (Vikings)

The Broncos like their current receiver room. The Paton-Payton braintrust has made that clear this entire offseason, and their firing of receivers coach Keary Colbert and hire of longtime Payton associate Ronald Curry signal that Denver believes in unlocking the potential of its current group rather than needing a drastic personnel overhaul. That being said, they need to add a piece here, whether in free agency or via a deep draft class.

Pierce is the true difference-maker on the market. There are few in the NFL like him, a 6-foot-3 deep-ball extraordinaire who racked up 1,003 yards last year on 21.3 yards per catch. Denver got an up-close look at him in a Week 2 loss to Indianapolis. But one agent The Post spoke with pinpointed Pierce’s likely market value at $27 to $30 million, which would be a steep price for a team already giving Sutton $23 million yearly. Don’t expect Denver to get into a bidding war for him.

The rest of the market is somewhat iffy. Jennings has the frame (6-foot-3), blocking prowess and red-zone ability (nine TDs in 2025) that Payton would love. Robinson will likely land somewhere in the $10 to $15 million range, and would bring a high-volume slot weapon that Denver doesn’t currently have.

Doubs is a definite potential fit for the Broncos here; Denver has interest in the former Green Bay receiver, an NFL source told The Post. He’s a big-bodied target who doesn’t demand the ball but has good red-zone production and can play in a variety of alignments. Keep an eye on Dotson as a potential depth piece, too, as Dotson’s agency CAA also represents Nix. He’s a former 2022 first-round pick whose production stalled out in Philadelphia, but he can block, play from the slot and hasn’t dropped a pass since 2023.

Tight end

Who Denver has: TE1/TE2 Evan Engram

Who Denver could lose: TE1/TE2 Adam Trautman, TE3 Nate Adkins, TE4 Lucas Krull

What Denver needs: A legitimate in-line TE who can complement Engram as a pass-catcher, and stay on the field on any down

Key market options: David Njoku (Browns), Isaiah Likely (Ravens), Cade Otton (Buccaneers), Chig Okonkwo (Titans), Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Daniel Bellinger (Giants), Charlie Kolar (Ravens)

Denver can’t simply run it back from 2025 and expect better production from Engram, who caught 50 passes for 461 yards in 2025, under new play-caller Davis Webb. The Broncos need a versatile weapon whom they trust as both a blocker and a matchup-threat receiver. Otton might just be that guy: he played in-line (attached to the offensive tackle) on nearly half his snaps in Tampa Bay in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, and has caught 59 passes in each of the last two seasons.

Otton’s yearly value has been pinpointed in NFL circles somewhere around Jake Ferguson’s four-year, $50 million extension with Dallas in 2025. If Denver wants to spend at TE, he and Likely would be the most well-rounded options on the Market. Njoku and Goedert are likely past their primes, and Okonkwo’s not a blocker.

Bellinger had 88 yards and a touchdown for the Giants against Denver in Week 7, and is seeking $7 to $8 million yearly. Kolar is the most intriguing upside swing here, a 6-foot-6 blocker who was stuck behind multiple TEs in Baltimore in the receiving game.

Offensive line

Who Denver has: LT1 Garett Bolles, LG1 Ben Powers, C1 Luke Wattenberg, RG1 Quinn Meinerz, RT1 Mike McGlinchey, OL2 Alex Palczewski, OT2 Matt Peart, OT2 Frank Crum, C2 Alex Forsyth

Who Denver could lose: Nobody

What Denver needs: Maybe another swing tackle

Key market options: Wide-open

Denver doesn’t need to spend here, with its current starting offensive line set again for 2026. The Broncos could always look to cut or deal Powers to create cap room and have a ready successor in Alex Palczewski, whom they inked to a two-year extension Thursday. It’s more likely they look to the draft to bolster depth here, although they could certainly cut Peart to save over $3 million in cap room and target another backup tackle in free agency. Players like former Vikings veteran Justin Skule or Seahawks backup Josh Jones could be good value there.

Defensive line

Who Denver has: DE1 Zach Allen, NT1 D.J. Jones, OLB1 Nik Bonitto, OLB2 Jonathon Cooper, DE/DT2 Eyioma Uwazurike, DT2 Malcolm Roach, OLB2 Jonah Elliss, OLB2 Dondrea Tillman (likely to sign ERFA deal), OLB3 Que Robinson, DE/DT3 Sai’vion Jones

Who Denver could lose: DE1 John Franklin-Myers, DE/DT3 Jordan Jackson

What Denver needs: A cheap, productive interior defensive lineman to push Uwazurike, Roach and Jones

Key market options: Logan Hall (Buccaneers), David Onyemata (Falcons), Calais Campbell (Cardinals), Sebastian Joseph-Day (Titans), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Giants)

The Broncos already have massive amounts of money tied up in their defensive line, and Franklin-Myers is already all but gone. His likely landing spot is Tennessee, where recently-acquired defensive end The thinking from agents who spoke with The Post is that Denver could bring in depth to help supplant Franklin-Myers, but will likely rely on its pieces already in the building to fill the void.

Ironically, the Broncos’ movements in the defensive-line market will depend on Franklin-Myers’ own movements. Agents are completely across the board on projecting Franklin-Myers’ yearly value in a weak class; one suggested $12 to $14 million, one suggested $16 to $18 million, and one went as high as $20 to $22 million. If teams end up bidding closer to that higher end, it could price the Broncos out of what they’d be willing to spend for another body in the room. Onyemata, Joseph-Day and Nunez-Roches could all offer cheap, veteran depth.

Inside linebacker

Who Denver has: LB1 Dre Greenlaw, LB2/LB3 Karene Reid, LB2/LB3 Jordan Turner, LB2/LB3 Levelle Bailey, LB2/LB3 Drew Sanders

Who Denver could lose: LB1 Alex Singleton, LB1/LB2 Justin Strnad

What Denver needs: An instant-impact starter, or at the very least a high-end LB3.

Key market options: Devin Lloyd (Jaguars), Nakobe Dean (Eagles), Quay Walker (Packers), Quincy Williams (Jets), Kaden Elliss (Falcons), Alex Anzalone (Lions), E.J. Speed (Texans), Bobby Okereke (Giants)

It’s a great year to need a middle linebacker. Denver could certainly look to a strong draft class to address this spot. But an NFL source who met with Denver at last week’s NFL Combine told The Post that the Broncos will have a “significant appetite” in the free-agent linebacker market.

That could mean they’ll take a monster swing on Lloyd, a 2025 All-Pro and the kind of playmaker that Vance Joseph would have a field day with in the middle of Denver’s defense. It could also mean they’ll re-sign Singleton as their green-dot defensive leader — he’s been pinpointed by multiple NFL sources at somewhere between $5 to $8 million yearly — and add another piece to compete for a starting job. Strnad is likely headed for new pastures, as he told The Post after the season he wouldn’t be back in Denver unless it was in a clear starting role.

The Broncos have interest in Anzalone and Speed, sources said, both potential green-dot options or LB3 pieces who will come in below the top of the market, where NFL sources pinpointed Lloyd likely to come in between $15 and $17 million annually. Dean is another interesting and versatile option who told The Post at the Super Bowl he likes watching the Broncos’ defense and would be interested in Denver in free agency if the price was right.

Secondary

Who Denver has: CB1 Pat Surtain II, CB1 Riley Moss, NB1 Ja’Quan McMillian, NB2/CB2 Jahdae Barron, CB2 Kris Abrams-Draine, S1 Talanoa Hufanga, S1 Brandon Jones, S2 Devon Key (likely to sign ERFA deal), S2 JL Skinner

Who Denver could lose: S2 P.J. Locke

What Denver needs: A third safety to replace Locke and potentially push Jones

Key market options: Tony Adams (Jets), Dane Belton (Giants), Kyle Dugger (Steelers), Andrew Wingard (Jaguars), Alohi Gilman (Ravens), Ifeatu Melifonwu (Dolphins), D’Anthony Bell (Panthers), Rodney Thomas II (Colts)

A notable Broncos development to track in free agency: Denver has expressed interest in adding a safety, several NFL sources told The Post this week. Locke is likely headed elsewhere after a nice fill-in stretch for the injured Jones late in 2025, and the Broncos want to add another piece to replace him, as Hufanga and Jones are both injury risks. Wingard is a name to watch here, a seven-year Jaguars veteran who recorded 84 tackles and nine passes defensed as a full-time starter in 2025.

The Broncos also did work on Melifonwu in last year’s free agency, and Denver tracked Bell’s status on the waiver wire as the Seahawks pulled him between the practice squad and active roster in 2025, sources said. At the very least, expect Denver to sign a depth safety who can also be a special-teams contributor.

Special teams

Who Denver has: K1 Wil Lutz, P1 Jeremy Crawshaw, LS1 Mitchell Fraboni

Who Denver could lose: Nobody

What Denver needs: Nothing

Key market options: Wide open

Denver need not spend much time here on specialists.

Howdy Parker from the Western Slope!

This old fan bought his season tickets in 1971. Needless to say, I have witnessed the lows and highs of our Broncos. Currently, us fans have a lot to be thankful for. We have a better than great ownership; an accomplished head coach who is a teacher; a defensive coordinator who should have been hired this off-season as a head coach; a league-wide respected general manager; and an amazing group of talented high character athletes on offense, defense and special teams.

But what happened in our 2025 NFL Draft? NFL.com rated our draft a C+ good for 23rd of the 32 teams. We invested our 20th pick in the 1st round in a quality defensive back who only started 5 games. We already possessed an elite, loaded secondary. We did not address critical needs for RB or TE with our 20th pick. Our best draft pick may have been our punter Jeremy Crawshaw. Can Paton and Payton learn from this poor showing and help the team more this off-season? Bo has to be moaning …

— Bronco Bill, Grand Junction

After one year, how do we feel about the pack part of the ’25 draft? Will Sai’von Jones, Que Robinson and Caleb Lohner be productive for the Broncos?

— Mark, Centennial

Let����ap open up this week with a double. Thanks to B.B. and Mark for writing in and asking, in slightly different ways, about the Broncos’ 2025 draft class. We’re through a full season and obviously knee deep in 2026 draft stuff, so it����ap as good a time as any for a preliminary revisit.

The common refrain from Denver head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton is that it takes three years to know for sure about a draft class. So let����ap start by acknowledging that this group is far from a finished product.

There will always be conversation about whether the Broncos should have gone a different route at No. 20 than selecting defensive back Jahdae Barron. The club, though, had him graded as one of the 10 best players in the class. They saw it as a value too good to pass up. The bet here is, even with Ja’Quan McMillian as an extension candidate over the next 12 months, that Barron will be a factor in his career. The Broncos love him, he can play anywhere and he got good experience in Year 1, even though he didn’t play as much as some first-rounders do.

Denver could have taken Tre’Veyon Henderson at No. 20 and talked about trying to trade back and take him later in the first round. They were not going to take Omarion Hampton at No. 20 even if Barron had been gone. They liked LSU tight end Mason Taylor, too, though not enough to take him that high. The tight end Denver wanted the most was Michigan’s Colston Loveland, though he went No. 10 to Chicago.

RJ Harvey isn’t a finished product, but he’s got real ability and the Broncos loved his vision coming out of UCF. They believe he’ll get more efficient in the down-in, down-out run game to pair with his dynamic ability in the passing game and in the open field. Harvey led all rookie RBs in touchdowns and, of the 20 drafted after him, only Chicago’s Kyle Monangai (947) and Houston’s Woody Marks (911) had more offensive yards than Harvey’s 896. He’s still got a ways to go, but that����ap a pretty good starting spot.

In the third round, WR Pat Bryant contributed right away at receiver and DL Sai’Vion Jones, as expected, was more of a developmental project. Sixth-round punter Jeremy Crawshaw has a chance to hold his job for a long time and seventh-round TE Caleb Lohner remains a lottery ticket who will be back with the Broncos this spring and summer.

The real surprise of the draft was fourth-round OLB Que Robinson. He flashed as a pass rusher right away in camp and produced in games every time he got a chance. His sack against Drake Maye in the AFC Championship Game was eye-popping.

After the season, Paton said the former Alabama edge, “may have the most upside of anyone in our draft class.” He’s an explosive rusher, but he’s also already one of the Broncos’ more stout edge players against the run, too.

Denver’s got enviable depth on the edge, but Robinson will be a Year 2 breakout candidate.

There’s no guarantee everybody in the class turns into a really good player and, of course, some of the ultimate grading of this group will depend on exactly what Barron’s role becomes and how extensive his impact can be. There’s not a guaranteed star in the class, but there are a couple of candidates. Perhaps some hoped for more Year 1 juice, but I think you can see a pretty straightforward path to the first six picks all being multi-year contributors on their first contracts.

All in all, that feels like a good spot to be in as a group after a year.

Hey Parker, in your last mailbag, you said the Broncos’ biggest priority is finding a top-tier tight end. Who is out there right now that we could land? Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is a great first-round option, but I think we have to move up to get him. Or do we go through free agency and target someone like Cade Otton or Kyle Pitts?

— Mark, Arvada

Hey Mark, thanks for writing and great question. I agree with you on Kenyon Sadiq. Not impossible that he’s there at No. 30, but that probably was a stretch all along and it became less likely when he tore up the combine last week. Sadiq ran a tight end-record 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash at 241 pounds and paired it with ridiculous jumping numbers — 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-1 broad jump. He’s a freak.

Kenyon Sadiq had one of the best days ever by a TE at the Combine:

40-Yard Dash: 4.39 (best ever by a TE)
Vertical Jump: 43.5’’ (second-best ever by a TE)
Broad Jump: 11’1’’ (third-best ever by a TE) |

— NFL (@NFL)

It won’t be Kyle Pitts for the Broncos, either. Atlanta franchise tagged him.

There are several options in both the draft and free agency, but the general sense of people I talked to at the combine is that this isn’t a great offseason to need a tight end. There aren’t many — or any — surefire, high-level options.

Next up after Sadiq in the draft are players like Ohio State’s Max Klar and Vanderbilt����ap Eli Stowers. In free agency, options include Tampa’s Cade Otton, a pair of former Ravens in Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar or any number of other free agents.

Otton is interesting. He played 50% inline in 2024 but only 34% inline this past year. He was lined up in the slot 49% of the time and out wide 16.6%, according to PFF data. If Denver thinks he can be efficient in the passing game and also solid as a blocker, he might be as good an option as the team has this offseason.

One other quick thought: We’ll see who gets released this week. Remember that Evan Engram wasn’t a free agent until Jacksonville released him four days before the legal tampering period began last year.

What guardrails are in place to ensure the Broncos don’t end up with a similar salary cap situation to the New Orleans Saints? I know Sean Payton loves his veterans, and it’d be great to be more active in free agency now that Russell Wilson’s dead money is gone, but what will be done so that the mistakes Payton made with the Saints aren’t repeated?

— Eric, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Hey Eric, thanks for writing in and good question. The Broncos very much do not want to end up in the same spot that New Orleans did.

The Saints’ situation was not all on Sean Payton. And, frankly, the club probably wouldn’t have ended up in such dire straits without COVID-19. They were pushing money out aggressively as Drew Brees aged, trying to make sure they loaded up each year in an attempt to win another Super Bowl. They might have been able to walk the tightrope — or at least not get completely hammered — if the cap wouldn’t have taken an unforeseen step back in the wake of the pandemic. Even if they had ended up in some form of a salary cap straightjacket, it wouldn’t have been like this, where it takes years and years to unwind.

That����ap what pushing money out into the future essentially is: Risk. Every team accepts at least some and some teams accept a lot. A global pandemic that caused the only drop in the cap in the modern era wasn’t likely, but it happened. More common: Injuries, underperformance or age cause teams to jettison players before they’d planned to and the acceleration of prorated money causes a big dead cap hit.

The Broncos, like pretty much all teams, are using bonuses, proration and void years to manage their cap currently. They’re on an interesting run over recent contract extensions in using option bonuses throughout deals, too. More on that coming later this week.

Overall, they appear to have a good plan for managing their cap in the short term and long term. That doesn’t mean they’re immune to it going awry, but they’ve got a coherent plan and they’ve so far stuck to it.

I should say, I don’t think this is a Sean Payton vs. the front office situation, either. There are a lot of people involved, from Payton and general manager George Paton to CEO and owner Greg Penner to VP of football administration Rich Hurtado and football administration and strategy manager Rob Simpson.

If you want to build something successful and sustainable, you have to be smart, strategic and aggressive, but you also have to be disciplined.

Denver has enviable financial wherewithal, the cap room to be flexible and the stability in personnel atop their football operation that makes following a plan and process easier — though not a guarantee.

Time to name the new stadium what it is: Mile High Stadium. The Walmart family doesn’t need the money from naming rights. Doesn’t the Rob Walton group still have around $70 billion, and the Walmart heirs have a combined worth of around $450 billion? What is $5 million a year in naming rights to this family? You want to make a lasting name for yourselves? Call the stadium what it is in our hearts, Mile High Stadium.

And call the entertainment area around it Mile High Village or Bronco Town or any number of names (hire me, I’ll come up with it). Just don’t say the name Burnham Yard one more time. It sounds like the name of a dump.

— Dan, St. Louis, Mo.

Hey Dan, thanks for writing in. I’ll go ahead and put you in charge. Consider it done. Thank you for your service.

Really, though, the name will be an interesting conversation at some point down the road — perhaps multiple years down the road. What you’re saying would be interesting, but the bet here is the club will not forego naming rights. Businesses don’t just give up millions in annual revenue, even if the folks who own it could afford the hit. In fact, I’d imagine the Broncos will have a bunch of suitors, whether that����ap Empower or somebody else. Logic would also dictate that the naming rights on a brand new building that the Walton-Penner Ownership Group hopes is a crown jewel in the NFL will cost substantially more than the current $5-6 million per year.

I know that supposedly Sean Payton “loves” Jarrett Stidham but after his immobility and indecisiveness were exposed against New England, it’s obvious that if Bo Nix is injured, the Broncos would be lucky to beat any NFL team. Should the Broncos look to add a backup QB whose skill set more closely resembles Nix’s?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Hey Ed, thanks as always for writing. Not sure I entirely agree with you on this one. Beating New England in an AFC Championship Game is a little bit different than trying to win a game or two in the regular season. Like almost any team that has a franchise-type quarterback, Denver would be in trouble if it lost Nix for an extended period of time. But the Broncos think they could survive a stretch with Stidham and I tend to agree. It matters, naturally, what else is happening around the quarterback. Is the OL healthy? Are the backs healthy? If Stidham’s playing the AFC title game with J.K. Dobbins and Troy Franklin, maybe it looks a little bit different.

All of that said, though, I do think there’s at least a little intrigue in the QB room this spring. Will Sam Ehlinger be back as the No. 3? If not, who will Denver circle as a guy to get a look at? Is there any trade interest out there for Stidham? This conversation might have been a lot different had Denver beaten the Patriots, but there are still a couple of things to sort out.

Is there any future for Drew Sanders here? He had a lot of buzz when he was drafted. But since then, he’s done nothing here. Is this year his last chance in Denver?

— Mike, Denver

Hey Mike, thanks for writing in. It is indeed likely Drew Sanders’ last chance with the Broncos because 2026 is the final year of his rookie contract. Denver, really, has interesting decisions to make for different reasons on each of its top three picks from the 2023 class: Mims, Sanders and cornerback Riley Moss.

For Sanders, the challenge this year is just to stay healthy and play. If he stays healthy and is a good linebacker, hey, that����ap terrific and a pleasant surprise. If he’s a quality special teams player, you’ll take it. Then decide what the future looks like after that.

Sanders played in all 17 games as a rookie in 2023 but has played in just four out of 34 regular-season games since then (all at the end of 2024). He had the Achilles tear in the spring of 2024 and then the training camp foot injury that ultimately cost him all of 2025.

That is a lot of development time missed and a lot of lost ground to make up.

It wasn’t.

Instead, the offseason arrives in bitter fashion.

Here are 7 thoughts on Denver’s final game of the 2025 season.

1. The Broncos could not have asked for a better start to Jarrett Stidham’s first start in two years, and that means this one will sting even more.

The gut reaction was to doubt.

The football world wondered.

Sean Payton, a week ago, said, “Just watch.”

He expressed steadfast confidence in his backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, for a week after his starter, Bo Nix, fractured a bone in his right ankle last weekend against Buffalo.

That confidence was about Stidham and about the rest of the Broncos’ ability to navigate a game — two, Payton figured — without Nix.

And, boy, did Denver have a golden opportunity to do just that.

Everything Payton could have asked for, the Broncos delivered early in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

The defense came out humming.

Stidham hit Marvin Mims Jr. for 52 yards on Denver’s second drive to help settle the nerves, then Courtland Sutton for a 6-yard touchdown on a beauty of a bootleg to the right.

The Broncos punted on their third drive, but dominated the field position game early. They started their first four drives at an average of their own 35.5. New England’s first four drive averaged their own 19.

When Stidham and the Broncos started moving the ball on Drive No. 4, it felt like everything was falling into place perfectly.

He hit tight end Evan Engram for the opening first down of the drive. Then Lil’Jordan Humphrey on a well-timed out-breaker to convert a third-and-3.

In all, the Broncos ran 10 plays. None of them went for more than 7 yards, but, critically, they all resulted in positive progress.

Denver looked poised to go 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-snow all the way to the Super Bowl.

Payton, too, in those first 20 or so minutes, called a terrific game. He got Stidham in enough of a rhythm and kept him enough out of harm’s way.

Stidham flirted with negative plays a couple of times early, but overall, he did what he needed to do.

Then, he came up a football short of a first down on a third-and-6 scramble and everything changed.

Payton decided to keep his offense on the field and go for it rather than kick a 31-yard field goal attempt that, given the still-docile weather, was a gimme for Wil Lutz.

A 10-point lead was good, Payton figured, but he felt like Denver had momentum and that 14 might be insurmountable.

Of course, that all backfired. Payton had a “nickel run” called, he said after the game, but then he called a timeout. He called a boot to the right instead, but the Patriots got immediate pressure, RJ Harvey had no space in the flat and Denver turned it over on downs.

The Broncos did not score again, and Stidham was not the same the rest of the way.

Before the fourth-and-1 play, Stidham was 7-of-11 for 79 yards and a touchdown. After, he went 10-of-20 for 54 yards and an interception.

“I know this. I’m going to look at it and be critical of myself,” Payton said of Stidham’s day and his offense’s outing in general.

Stidham’s big mistake came on Denver’s next offensive drive, but the Broncos shouldn’t have been working with that slim a margin in the first place.

If you’d have told Payton before the game that Stidham would throw an early touchdown and that his defense would allow 206 total yards, 12 first downs and go 10 of 12 drives, giving up one or zero first downs, he’d have asked which hotel the Broncos were staying at for Super Bowl week.

From the moment Payton found out Nix broke his ankle and was done for the season, he authored a masterclass in leadership that ran one week, one quarter and change. It put the Broncos in prime position to do what most around the league figured they couldn’t: Win an AFC title without their quarterback.

That it fell apart — and that he didn’t take a different course ahead of the snow that arrived during halftime when Denver was in advantageous position — won’t quite stack up to his worst lightning bolt postseason heartbreaks like the Minneapolis Miracle and the no-call pass interference. But it will certainly cause some restless nights over the coming days and weeks.

“There are always regrets,” he said. “I mean,  look, I felt like here we are, fourth-and-1. We felt it was close enough that — and it is also a call you make based on the team you’re playing and what you’re watching on the other side of the ball. There will always be second thoughts.”

That call will lead the pack from this game, but more broadly, the overall inability to capitalize when, considering the week Denver had in the wake of Nix’s injury, the opening stanza of the game went so perfectly is going to hurt.

2. Just that fast, the offseason arrives and the Broncos have a clear need — which Payton alluded to after the game.

Payton and general manager George Paton have been bullish on Denver’s receiving group for two years. They love running back RJ Harvey’s potential and the rookie showed more flashes Sunday in a physical game.

Overall, though, Denver lacks juice among its offensive playmakers.

“There were a number of things that we just had to do better,” Payton said Sunday. “We didn’t finish some runs and we dropped some passes. Again, felt like that was a problem all year.”

Evan Engram had the best season for a Broncos tight end in years and it was still underwhelming at 40 catches and 461 yards. The rest of Denver’s tight ends combined for 258 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Troy Franklin’s season stat line — 65 catches for 706 yards and six TDs — will say Year 2 breakout, but it����ap fair to wonder if he is a true No. 2 receiver at this point or if Courtland Sutton is a true No. 1.

Harvey is not a finished product by any stretch and Denver just didn’t get a ton of production from the other backs besides J.K. Dobbins on the roster.

The Broncos need to likely add at all three positions this offseason but they need a top-flight receiver and a difference-making tight end, perhaps more than any other element on what is a deep and solid returning roster.

Look at the barnburner of an NFC Championship Game in Seattle that followed Sunday’s tilt in Denver. The Los Angeles Rams rolled out Puka Nacua and Davante Adams at receiver, three quality tight ends and running back Kyren Williams. Seattle plays Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp at receiver and, when healthy, a dynamic running back duo in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

Denver has to find more explosiveness in those positions, but likely will have to do so without breaking the bank. First, there may not be true top-flight talent to hit the free agent market other than perhaps Kyle Pitts, the tantalizing 25-year-old tight end who finally put together a big year in Atlanta in his contract season.

Plus, Denver will be drafting at No. 30. The Broncos will have to find talent without the benefit of a high draft pick and they have other areas they could address early in the draft, too.

3. One potential in-house solution to the issue: The guy who seems to make plays every time he gets an opportunity.

If the Broncos’ offensive coaching staff makes one vow when it turns its attention to the 2026 season over the coming weeks, how about this: Play Marvin Mims Jr. more than half of offensive snaps and see what happens.

Mims got more opportunities in the postseason because of injuries to Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant and he made the most of them.

STIDHAM GOING DEEP TO MARVIN MIMS JR.

NEvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on

— NFL (@NFL)

The third-year man had 37 catches (51 targets) for 377 yards and a touchdown in the regular season and then 12 catches (14 targets) for 155 yards and a touchdown in a pair of playoff games. He also drew the game-clinching, 30-yard pass interference penalty against Buffalo.

Sunday, he made Denver’s biggest offensive play when he ran past star cornerback Christian Gonzalez for a 52-yard gain. He might have made another big play in the first half had Stidham not zinged a well-set-up screen too wide for him in the right flat.

More broadly, Mims seems to find a way to make plays every time he gets a chance. He just doesn’t get a ton of chances.

Payton and Paton traded up for him late in the second round and made him the first draft pick of Payton’s tenure here.

In Mims’ first three seasons, though, he’s not seen more than 52 targets or played more than 34% of the Broncos’ offensive snaps.

Now he heads into the final year of his rookie deal at a crossroads. Is he a punt return specialist capable of making a big play here and there in the passing game? Or is he, despite being relatively small, a guy who can be a real, explosive, foundational piece of an offense into the future with Nix?

If this postseason was any indication, the Broncos should at least get him involved enough in 2026 to find out.

4. While we’re transitioning to offseason mode, it will be interesting to see just how much continuity the Broncos end up with defensively

The single biggest piece of that puzzle, of course, is Joseph and whether he lands a head coaching job. Either way, a strong core is set to return for the Broncos.

Perhaps the biggest player question is if Denver gets a long-term deal done with nickel Ja’Quan McMillian. He’s turned himself into one of the very best in the business and he’s just a restricted free agent, so Denver has control of his rights.

What a play in OT by Ja'Quan McMillian

BUFvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on

— NFL (@NFL)

Will the Broncos bother putting a second or even a first-round tender on him? Remember, teams can put those tenders on RFAs and it gives them the right of first refusal to match any deal another team offers the player, plus a draft pick equal to the tender. So the Broncos can protect McMillian with a high-round tender. That will also mean giving him a one-year deal with a decent cap number — at $7.83 million and $5.66 million, respectively. Denver could sign McMillian to a top-of-the-market long-term deal for a slot man and do better than that as it pertains to cap hits.

But, also, the Broncos just drafted Jahdae Barron in April and he didn’t play much because of McMillian. So, where does it go from here? Does Barron move outside and compete with Moss? Do the Broncos entertain trading McMillian, who is exactly the kind of player they’ve sought out over the past three years?

Other curiosities: What happens at inside linebacker and if the plan is as straightforward as it looks on the defensive line?

Start at linebacker. The Broncos signed Dre Greenlaw to a three-year deal in March because they felt like they needed to upgrade over Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.

Greenlaw showed playmaking ability but also struggled to stay on the field, first with recurring quad injuries and then later in the season with a hamstring. He provided forceful play in run support but was not the coverage asset he made himself earlier in his career. Then again, Joseph didn’t put Greenlaw in a ton of passing situations because of the rate at which the Broncos deployed their nickel and dime packages, combined with wanting Singleton on the field at all times.

Greenlaw’s contract was structured as essentially a one-year deal, a move that felt prudent at the time and has aged well given the ‘backer’s durability issues. Denver can save $6 million on its 2026 cap while incurring about $4.3 million in dead cap charges by releasing Greenlaw, or it can retain him at a $10.4 million cap charge for 2026 the season.

Singleton and Strnad are each impending free agents and each could well command solid starting money. Will Denver be willing to give the 32-year-old Singleton, say, three years and $30 million to keep him from testing the market? Strnad could be in a similar range, given the year he had and that he’s three years younger than Singleton.

The Broncos don’t have surefire replacements in younger players, but they have seen promising signs from undrafted rookie Jordan Turner, got a solid camp from Levelle Bailey and have what amounts to a lottery ticket in the oft-injured Drew Sanders. A lot to sort through for the Broncos and their staff. If Joseph gets a head coaching job, he may well want Singleton — whom he’s been highly complimentary of throughout his time in Denver — or Strnad to come with him to help put together his next unit, too.

On the defensive line, Franklin-Myers is ticketed for free agency and should command a lucrative deal after a 7.5-sack season. One executive told The Post it wouldn’t surprise if Franklin-Myers’ market started at $15 million per year and potentially pushed up from there. Some believe he’ll be the best pass-rushing defensive lineman available in free agency.

Last year this time, it looked like D.J. Jones would hit the market, too, but the Broncos decided at the last minute to pony up and keep him. Not as likely this year with Franklin-Myers, but nothing is certain until March.

Denver looks poised to give his snaps to Eyioma Uwazurike and potentially Sai’Vion Jones.

All the same, put both defensive line and inside linebacker on the list of positions the Broncos could address with their first pick in the draft.

5. The coaching carousel is about to start spinning again and Denver’s staff figures to continue being popular

Now that the Broncos are eliminated, their coaches can not only conduct in-person, second-round interviews with any team that still has an opening, but they can also interview with teams whose openings didn’t come up until after the wild-card weekend — Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

The biggest names to watch on the head coaching front are defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. Four teams still have coaching openings in Las Vegas, Arizona, Cleveland and Buffalo.

Joseph worked for Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill for four years as defensive coordinator from 2019-22. Webb is seen nationally as a strong candidate for the Raiders job and has described Bills quarterback Josh Allen as “my best friend.” He spent three years in Buffalo as Allen’s backup and said it����ap his favorite place he ever played.

Webb just turned 31 this week, but his star is rising fast.

“I think he’s going to be a really good head coach and I think a really smart organization would hire him,” Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger told The Post recently.

Webb has impressed Ehlinger all season and was a big part of the reason Ehlinger turned down a chance at returning to Indianapolis after Daniel Jones’ injury there.

He said this week was just another example of Webb’s teaching prowess when Stidham was thrust into the starting role for the AFC title game.

“Davis has stayed the same throughout the season,” Ehlinger said. “He coaches us all individually throughout the season. So nothing really changes. He’s always asking whoever it is. If you sat in the QB room with us, you would never know who the starter is. He’s always asking questions to other guys and making sure other guys are prepared as well.”

Joseph finished his third season as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator with a flourish and should have suitors, though the pool is shrinking quickly.

Does he think the Cardinals are a good fit for him, given an overall poor roster and an unclear path forward at quarterback with Kyler Murray a candidate to be traded this offseason? Does Buffalo have interest after firing a defensive-minded head coach in Sean McDermott? Who wants the Browns’ job?

The answers to those questions should start coming relatively quickly now that Denver is out.

Meanwhile, the coordinator landscape has changed quite a bit for hopefuls like Denver secondary coach Jim Leonhard in recent days. On Sunday alone, Green Bay and the New York Giants filled their defensive coordinator spots. Those two seemed like natural candidates for Leonhard because he grew up in Wisconsin — and turned down the Packers defensive coordinator job in 2021 — and because he played for new Giants coach John Harbaugh in 2008. Leonhard also interviewed in Dallas but the Cowboys hired former Broncos secondary coach Christian Parker.

The New York Jets are still in the market, as could be the Broncos if Joseph gets a job. There are likely other possibilities as well. Plus, Denver has other young assistants who could be in line for promotions or jobs elsewhere over the next couple of weeks, including offensive quality control coach Logan Kilgore, outside linebackers coach Isaac Shewmaker, cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch, running backs coach Lou Ayeni and more.

6. Another item on the Broncos’ offseason to-do list: Extend general manager George Paton

Pretty simple here. Paton signed a six-year contract when he was first hired in 2021, meaning the 2026 season would be the last on his original deal.

After early failures like trading for and extending quarterback Russell Wilson and hiring Nathaniel Hackett, Paton has not only steadied the ship, but he’s made a terrific pair with Payton and has turned the Broncos’ roster from light on talent to one of the deepest in football.

“I’d heard so many good things about him prior to meeting him and then when I met him that day we interviewed, I found him to be just like what everyone had described,” Payton said of Paton earlier this month. “I can’t speak for him, but I really enjoy working with him. We both are passionate about the same things. I think he likes that I love scouting, and I like that he comes from a coach’s family. … We come from a lot of similar backgrounds. I enjoy him and you have to because you spend so much time together, but it����ap probably one of the more undervalued aspects.

“Find me the head coach and GM tied at the hip, and then you have a chance. I feel like he and I have an extremely close relationship, trust, but also we see things in a similar fashion.”

����apEO and owner Greg Penner has repeatedly expressed confidence in Paton and, considering the club appears to have a long-term solution at quarterback and is coming off an AFC title game appearance, there shouldn’t be much to consider here.

Payton’s through three seasons on a five-year deal, so perhaps the only call to make is if Penner wants to extend them in tandem or tackle Paton this offseason and Payton a year from now.

Regardless, Denver looks like it����ap in position to have stability atop its football operation for years to come.

7a. A couple of more game-specific items to close this thing out

Denver engineered a touchdown on its second offensive possession of the game thanks to a 52-yard completion from Stidham to Mims Jr. After that, though, Stidham and the Broncos offense could not find any kind of rhythm. They came up empty on 10 straight possessions after the touchdown, including five punts, a turnover on downs, two missed field goals just before halftime and a Stidham interception in the fourth quarter. Most critical was Stidham’s fumble in the second quarter that set the Patriots up at Denver’s 12-yard line. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye finished that drive off with a 6-yard touchdown run. That sequence was part of the reason the Broncos allowed just 72 yards and four first downs in the first half and yet found themselves tied at 7 going into intermission.

7b. Payton lamented after the game that his team didn’t run the football better.

“I was frustrated,” he said. “I felt like we’d be able to run the ball more consistently. I thought that was going to be important. We felt like we had one of our better run plans going in.”

Instead, New England stymied Denver’s ground game from the start. The Broncos ran 24 times for just 79 yards and did not have a rushing play go for more than 9. They averaged 3.3 per carry for the game and 3.0 over two postseason games. Those marks sting all the more considering they may well have had Dobbins back in uniform for the Super Bowl had they survived Sunday. Denver got just 93 postseason rushing yards from its running back trio of Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. Against New England, the team generated just two first downs on the ground. When the snow fell, the Broncos had little in the way of security on the ground.

Before Dobbins got hurt, Denver averaged 133.6 rushing yards per game and 4.9 per carry. Afterward, 96.5 and 3.7.

Again, it����ap a position the Broncos will need to look at once again over the next couple of months.

7c. New England quarterback Drake Maye didn’t have a prolific outing passing, but he changed the game for the Patriots time and time again with his legs.

Maye ran seven times for 68 yards and a touchdown and almost every one of his carries did damage. The second-year Patriots quarterback generated either a touchdown or a first down on each of his first five carries of the game and six of seven overall.

First came a touchdown on a 6-yard quarterback draw. Then Maye picked up a third-and-15, a third-and-9 and a fourth-and-1, all with his legs.

He saved his best for last, beating Jonah Elliss to the edge on a game-deciding naked bootleg with less than two minutes to go. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 draft put together an MVP-caliber regular season by leading the NFL in completion percentage and throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, but his ability to run the ball was an underrated element the entire time.

He had 450 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season and sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl with his legs, too.

7d. Thanks for reading this year.

We’ll have you covered from the locker room cleanout Monday, through the coaching carousel, the NFL Scouting Combine in February, to free agency in March, the draft in April and around the dial again when OTAs begin in May.

It����ap been a heck of a season for this Broncos team and it����ap been a privilege to bring you stories from a fascinating group. Let����ap do it again.

Or, at least one of them.

Teams have had success throughout the season throwing the ball to tight ends, who often end up in coverage matchups against Joseph’s defense this season.

The Broncos in the regular season gave up the seventh-fewest passing yards overall but the sixth-most to tight ends. The numbers for opposing running backs are more moderate, but there have been instances of major hits against the defense out of the backfield, including long touchdown receptions by Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley.

Joseph has a logical answer for why teams test his middle-of-the-field players.

“Our corners are really good players,” he said, referring to the starting pair of Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss plus nickel Ja’Quan McMillian. “Pat, obviously, the best in football in my opinion. And Riley is always close. Sometimes, in (defenses’) minds, their better matchups are with backers and safeties. They can control the leverage, which is smart. So we understand that.”

That approach, Joseph said, is nothing new.

“That’s been that way for two years now,” he said.

It will likely be that way again on Sunday in the AFC championship. New England’s offense is balanced and features a high-quality tight end in Hunter Henry (768 yards and 7 TDs in the regular season) and a pair of capable backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, who combined for 67 catches.

The onus isn’t just on inside linebackers like Alex Singleton, Dre Greenlaw and Justin Strnad or safeties Talanoa Hufanga and P.J. Locke, though they do have to make their plays in coverage.

Joseph said it’s on him to put those players in more advantageous situations, too.

“Having certain calls to help our ‘backers and safeties cover these guys is always important,” he said. “But also putting (tight ends and running backs) in certain structures where it����ap pressure structures where they have to block first before they go out. You can cover a back or tight end with certain structures. He can’t leave until he blocks first. So, absolutely.

“It����ap tough to find tight ends, especially on first and second down. But on third downs, that����ap the matchup they want because they get the leverage they want. That����ap just football. It����ap always been that way for my defense. We understand that.”

Joseph, Bonitto up for awards. Joseph and edge Nik Bonitto each were named finalists for awards on Thursday and Joseph won one, too.

The defensive coordinator won the Pro Football Writers Association of America’s assistant coach of the year award and was named a finalist for the same award given by the Associated Press.

“It����ap cool, but I go back to the players and the coaches and the entire team,” Joseph said. “When you win games in this league, coaches get rewards and players get rewards. It����ap a team game. It speaks to our team winning.

“The more we win around here, the more people will get rewarded for doing their job.”

Bonitto was named one of five finalists for the AP’s defensive player of the year award, which Surtain won last year.

“I’m super excited when I saw that news,” head coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “They’re two great candidates. Vance has been outstanding and a big reason we’re here. Then Nik, with the season he’s had — you know how I feel when they do these voting things every once in a while.

“Bonitto is an All-Pro player and a Pro Bowl player, and I’m happy for both of them.”

Bonitto finished one vote shy of earning second-team All-Pro from the AP last week and was seventh in voting among outside linebackers. But his 14-sack campaign was enough to land him among the top five for an award given to the best defensive player in football. Go figure.

Broncos’ health trending up. Every player on the 53-man roster except for quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) practiced Thursday. Nix is a mere formality on the team’s injury report before he is transferred to injured reserve, likely Saturday.

Rookie receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) was upgraded to a full participant, meaning he’s set to clear the concussion protocol and be cleared to play Sunday. Bryant wore a Guardian Cap during practice on Thursday, while other players did not. He could wear one during the game on Sunday.

Elsewhere, the rest of the injury report looked the same. Among active roster players, WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) and C Alex Forsyth (ankle) were again limited.

Among the quartet of injured reserve players who are practicing, RB J.K. Dobbins (foot) was limited, while C Luke Wattenberg (shoulder), LB Drew Sanders (foot) and TE Lucas Krull (foot) were full participants.

Denver and New England will report game statues Friday afternoon.

The Paytons had no trampoline, growing up in Naperville, Illinois. No swimming pool. No motorcycle. Thomas Payton’s kid knew every possible sharp corner that existed in their home. And maybe — just maybe — it explains why he reads his play-sheet the way he does, 62-year-old Sean Payton said.

“When I was younger, we’d run a reverse on the 8-yard line and then think nothing of it,” Payton recalled.

He was a 30-something offensive coordinator in New York then, and his next stop in Dallas brought the cold wisdom of Bill Parcells, who advised Payton that play-callers with overstuffed call sheets were insecure. And yet Payton’s sheer confidence — teetering into arrogance — formed an irremovable piece of his identity as a Super Bowl-winning offensive mind in New Orleans.

Two days before his latest foray into the playoffs, Payton was particularly introspective after what could stand as the Broncos’ last practice of the year. Age has brought thoughts of conservatism scurrying into the back of his mind. Of the ramifications of a trick play that doesn’t hit.

He wants that gone.

“It was said, as you get older, maybe you don’t drive in the rain at night. You begin to — I can’t let that happen as a play-caller,” Payton said.

The timing of such self-reflection was notable, on the direct horizon of an AFC divisional-round matchup against a Bills team that’ll require calls-to-the-wall swaggering from Payton. The Saints clicked into gear in 2009 and beyond by Payton throwing the entire kitchen sink at opponents. Even with a 14-3 Broncos team in 2025, he’s left more than a few items in the cupboard. The Broncos played unusually muted in two games to finish the regular season, winning the time-of-possession battle in two ugly offensive performances and wiping their hands.

Last week, Payton made clear that Denver’s offense had to be “sharper.” On Thursday, he told reporters he had to be “daring at the right time” as a play-caller. His approach is clear, heading into Buffalo.

“I have to mentally make sure — it’s quick,” Payton said. “It’s quick. And decisive.”

Perhaps that’ll mean playing with more tempo, a concept quarterback Bo Nix lamented he could’ve done a better job of orchestrating in a sleepy 19-3 Week 18 win over Los Angeles. Perhaps that’ll mean dialing up more shots to take the top off the Bills’ passing game, as Buffalo will be down a notable piece in starting safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring injury). Perhaps it’ll mean more aggressiveness in specialty situations.

Definitely more aggressiveness, actually. Payton said Thursday he was going to look at the past two years’ worth of third-down looks in the red zone. To wit: Denver converted just a third of its third downs against the Chargers, and went 0-of-3 in the red zone.

“I might’ve been a pain last night in the red-zone meeting, and it might’ve went later,” Payton said. “And that����ap just part of the deal.”

The caffeine’s been flowing. The hours have been late. And Denver’s head man wants to head into Saturday’s playoff game with his young man’s conviction.

“I think that����ap the thing,” Payton said, “that I’ve gotta focus on.”

Broncos rule out Sanders, Krull for Saturday. Two of the Broncos’ latest injury-reserve returnees won’t make their playoff debuts Saturday, as linebacker Drew Sanders and tight end Lucas Krull were both ruled out for Denver-Buffalo. Sanders, though, was officially a full participant in practice for the first time since training camp.

Starting ILB Dre Greenlaw, meanwhile, had his first full practice since injuring his hamstring in a Week 16 loss to Jacksonville, and is officially active against the Bills.

Safety Brandon Jones, however, is not among them and, according to head coach Sean Payton, is not likely to be.

Payton, asked Tuesday if the starting defensive back who injured his pectoral muscle against Green Bay, could still be in line to return at some point this postseason, paused for a moment. Then he said, “I don’t think so. I don’t think so.”

Jones, multiple sources told The Post, had surgery to repair the pec injury after he sustained it in the middle of December. He was put on injured reserve right away but there was never a clear indication of whether he’d have a chance to get back on the field during the playoffs.

Now, Payton indicated he will not.

Has Sean Payton been holding back on offense ahead of NFL playoffs? | Broncos Mailbag

In his absence, P.J. Locke stepped into the starting lineup and has played solid football. Locke injured his ankle against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 and did not return to the game, though he took part in Denver's late-week practices last week and was not listed at all on Denver's Tuesday injury report.

"Yeah, no, B.J. was an amazing player," fellow safety Talanoa Hufanga said of Jones. "It sucks that we lose a guy like that. But a guy like P.J. who studies his ass off is right there in line to be the next-best guy. So for me to play with him, it����ap been amazing. We’ve never had, like, any lack of communication. It����ap just learning what we’re comfortable with. We didn’t get training-camp reps together, it was a lot of me and B-Jones.

"So, for me, just getting these reps with him, we’ve definitely kinda settled into what we can disguise together, where we’re trying to be. And at the end of the day, meet at the ball, and try to take it away.”

Outside of Jones, though, the Broncos appear on track to get several other players back in the mix.

Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) practiced Tuesday and Denver opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Lucas Krull (foot), who has been on injured reserve since Week 5. Inside linebacker Drew Sanders (foot) was a limited participant Tuesday after having his return-to-play window opened Saturday.

Starting defensive end John Franklin-Myers also returned to practice Tuesday, after missing last Friday with the birth of his third child.

Two other players who missed snaps due to ankle injuries against the Chargers, left tackle Garett Bolles and center Alex Forsyth, were not listed on Tuesday's injury report and are thus considered fully healthy.

Center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder) isn't eligible to return from injured reserve until next week, but he did conditioning work on the side field Tuesday during the open portion of practice. Payton said after Wattenberg was hurt that his injury would keep him out right about the minimum of four weeks, so it's possible he'll be in the mix for the AFC Championship Game should the Broncos advance past Buffalo on Saturday.

Broncos vs. Bills: Setting up Denver’s first home playoff game in a decade | Podcast

Banged up Bills. While Denver had every player on its 53-man roster at practice in some capacity plus two candidates to return from injured reserve, the Bills had a lengthy injury report.

They listed 14 players overall, including quarterback Josh Allen with foot, knee and right finger issues. They also found out that receiver Tyrell Shavers tore his ACL.

Overall, Buffalo had five players on the 53-man roster who didn't practice at all Tuesday. Everybody on the 53 in Denver practiced.

Buffalo could get a couple of players back from injured reserve in defensive tackle Ed Oliver (bicep) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow). Oliver was limited and Samuel full on Tuesday.

Bolles appreciates All-Pro nod. Left tackle Garett Bolles is having a banner year in his ninth NFL season. He is a Pro Bowl starter, he is the Broncos' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and Saturday he was named an Associated Press first-team All-Pro.

"I'm proud to represent this organization and to be able to get that accolade," Bolles said Tuesday. "We have a lot of people in that locker room that deserve it. ... I'm grateful for all of them. We know where we're going. And, obviously, when you're winning and you're doing those types of things, obviously you're going to get those kind of accolades. I'm super grateful and honored and God is good."

Hi Parker, do you think Sean Payton is holding anything back offensively that he’s waiting to unleash in the playoffs? It just seems like against lesser opponents, they don’t try to be as dynamic as they can. Thanks.

— Brandon Brown, Rogers, Minn.

Hey Brandon, thanks for writing in and getting us going this week.

At the basic level, no, I don’t think Sean Payton and the Broncos offensive coaching staff is sitting on some big, secret set of plays that they’ve just been waiting to unveil.

There is obviously nuance in the conversation about how the final two games went against backup quarterbacks. Then throw in two games against the Raiders and half of their final eight felt like kind of ugly, vanilla slugfests.

Broncos vs. Bills: Setting up Denver’s first home playoff game in a decade | Podcast

First, here’s what Payton himself said when asked if they played intentionally basic on offense over the final two weeks of the regular season against the Chris Oladokun-led Kansas City and the Trey Lance-led Chargers.

“I’d like to say that, but honestly, you guys know me well enough,” Payton said. “We’re going to have to play better. I’d love to say that we pulled a bunch back, but the tape from last week wasn’t really good offensively. It wasn’t great at Kansas City either. It was good enough to win that game. We have to be sharper as we get to these next few games here. We’re going to see good teams that can score, and we’re going to see (quality) defenses.”

Now, there’s a difference between holding things back and understanding what it����ap going to take to win a game. If you tell Bo Nix and the offense, “the only way Oladokun is beating us is if we turn the ball over a bunch,” that might lead to more conservative decision-making in terms of trying to push the ball down the field, throwing into coverage, so on and so forth. It might lead to a slightly different posture in two-minute scenarios or deciding what to do on fourth downs.

As for the postseason, Payton on Friday very much wanted to say that Denver would be much more aggressive going forward, but even then, he’s so matchup-driven that he still couched his answer.

“Do I think (Nix) needs to be more aggressive going downfield in the playoffs? A lot of that would be based on who we’re playing,” Payton said. “We want to be aggressive. We obviously want to -- we will take our shots. But a lot of it is, tell me the opponent and then it����ap, ‘All right, tell me how that����ap going to be done? Are they a zone team, or are they a man team? We’ll definitely stretch the ball down the field.

“We feel like we have some guys that can go down and get it. We’ll be aggressive in how we call these games.”

That����ap a long way of saying that the Broncos didn’t have to take much risk to win their final two games. In fact, they saw that risk as unnecessary.

The question is whether they can flip the switch and effectively attack Buffalo. Another version of the question: If the Bills play Denver top-down and try to force Nix into the kind of dink-and-dunk outings that popped up several times in the second half of the season, are the Broncos comfortable playing that way? Or will they feel the need to push the envelope and dial the risk meter up?

Was Sean Payton holding back the last few weeks of the season on offense? We were able to put together some long, methodical drives but finding the end zone seemed to be an issue. I know the offense isn't the most dynamic, but it seemed like we weren't going all out against the Chiefs and the Raiders. What do you think?

--Sam T., Grand Junction

Hey Sam, basically got to most of this in the above question, but your red zone point here is a good one. In the win at Las Vegas, Payton and Nix were happy with the three mega drives that ended in two touchdowns and a field goal.

The final two weeks would have looked and likely felt a little different had similarly bruising, methodical drives hit paydirt.

In the final two games of the regular season, Denver had four drives of 8:02 or longer that all went to the opponent's 11-yard line or deeper. They resulted in three field goals and a touchdown.

The wild card games are a good reminder: So much of the NFL -- and particularly in the postseason -- is about the red zone and third downs.

When Bo Nix scrambles (and I mean pretty far from the original line of scrimmage), he carries the football with his grip still on the laces and away from him, like he's ready to throw a pass. I get it when you're at the line of scrimmage, but as soon as you're 5 yards clear, you better be tucking the ball in a traditional running back mode, or someone soon is going to knock it out of your hands. Have you noticed?

-- David S., North Charleston, S.C.

Hey David, good observations. Nix does indeed do that. It seems as though he’s got a pretty good feel for when he needs to put the ball away and protect it. He doesn’t go gallivanting through the middle of the field with the ball hanging out loose in one hand.  Most of the time, when he keeps something like his normal throwing grip on the ball, it����ap when he’s out near the sideline and headed out of bounds.

Ball security has never been an issue for Nix. In fact, he’s put it on the ground twice this year -- one lost -- and that was his first lost fumble since his days at Auburn. He didn’t fumble his rookie season or either of his two years at Oregon.

This season, he had a ball knocked away in the pocket and had one bad exchange with running back Jaleel McLaughlin.

So, he’s quite literally not had an issue with open-field ball-handling in at least the past four seasons. Of course, it only takes once to change a playoff game.

Hi Parker, is there any chance Bronco’s ownership pays Vance Joseph as one of the highest-paid coordinators in order to keep him from moving to a head coaching position? Would this work?

-- Kevin, Pueblo

Hey Kevin, Joseph is well paid as it is, but the choice for Joseph isn’t really about money. It����ap about whether he wants to be a head coach again. Joseph has said, clearly, multiple times and on the record, that he does. Now, that doesn’t mean, necessarily, that he should or will jump at any job that comes up. Payton talked on Friday about advising his staff to consider the quality of job opportunities as they come up. Joseph has been on the head coaching interview circuit for two seasons now and he’s talked with a bunch of teams already in preliminary fashion this week.

He can be picky, but there are now nine openings. It����ap difficult to imagine a better set of circumstances for trying to find a second head coaching gig.

What's going on with Drew Sanders? I saw he was designated for a return. Is he going to play for us this week?

-- Matt S., Wheat Ridge

Hey Matt, thanks for writing and good question. The short answer: Sanders probably will not play this week. Beyond that? We'll see.

It����ap just been a really long time since he’s been on the field in any capacity. A Saturday walk-through was his first time on the practice field since July. He still hasn’t tackled anybody in that span and hasn’t played in a game for a year.

The way the injured reserve rules work is he’s got up to 21 days to practice before the Broncos have to decide on whether to return him to the 53-man roster.

That means Denver doesn’t have to decide on his roster spot until after a potential AFC Championship Game.

Basically, he can get up to three weeks of work in and then, if the Broncos are playing in the Super Bowl, they can decide whether to activate him.

If Denver did activate him, then he’d count against the 53-man roster. In that scenario, you’d be saying he’s going to be an upgrade over a guy who has played special teams and/or backed up at linebacker previously, like, say, Karene Reid or Jordan Turner. At this point, that seems unlikely, but not impossible.

Hello from Finland! Who are your favorite draft prospects for the Broncos that fans should monitor? Drop some names, please. A tight end, perhaps? What about free agents?

-- Jude, Lahti, Finland

Jude, thanks as always for writing. Funny thing about a postseason run: It causes a delay in really diving into things like the draft and free agency.

You’re right about tight end being a need. In terms of the draft class, Oregon’s is considered a likely first-rounder, but there aren’t the kind of no-doubters in this class like there were last year in Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren.

I like Ohio State TE and Vanderbilt����ap is interesting, too. It����ap too early to talk free agency because there will certainly be players who end up re-signing with their current teams before mid-March arrives. Obviously, Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts broke out this year, catching 88 balls for 928 yards and five touchdowns. He hadn’t approached those numbers since his rookie season. If he hits the market, he’ll have suitors, but he’s the kind of pass-catching weapon the Broncos are still lacking. Payton and general manager George Paton have long been bullish about their receiving corps, but there are a couple of prospective free agents that are interesting, at least on the surface level, in Green Bay's Romeo Doubs and Indianapolis' Alec Pierce.

Early impressions on the draft class overall: There are a bunch of defensive players that would be interesting late in the first round. If you’re looking for a very early list of Denver needs, let����ap say tight end, defensive line, linebacker, safety and wide receiver. Not all critical, but all positions the Broncos could conceivably target early in the draft -- and you can never count Payton and Paton out when it comes to corners and tackles.