But as the Broncos’ executives, scouts and coaches continue to interview prospects and watched their workouts this week at the NFL scouting combine, they must also find a way to stop a similar kind of instability at right tackle.

Bobby Massie and Cam Fleming, who started 13 and four games, respectively, last year are free agents and Calvin Anderson, who competed for the right tackle spot in camp and started three games at left tackle, is a restricted free agent.

Surveying the right tackle wreckage …

*Since 2013, the Broncos have used 20 starting right tackles. Twenty!

*The Broncos haven’t had a right tackle start every regular season game since Orlando Franklin in 2012.

*In the last five years, no Broncos right tackle has started more than 13 games in a season.

*And the Broncos used four right tackles in 2017 and three apiece in 2014 and ’18-19.

Part of the problem is a lack of commitment to drafting and developing a right tackle. Since 2011, the Broncos have not drafted one in the first round and only two in the top three rounds — Franklin (second round in ’11) and Ty Sambrailo (third round in ’15).

Since 2017 in particular, it����ap been The Band-Aid Strategy.

A two-year contract for Menelik Watson; he started seven games. A trade for Jared Veldheer; he started 12 games in his one year (’18). A four-year contract for Ja’Wuan James; he started three games before he was cut last offseason. And in response to James’ opt-out and injury/departure, one-year deals for veterans Demar Dotson (’20) and Massie and Fleming (’21).

“If we didn’t sign Bobby or Fleming, we would have been in a bind last year,” general manager George Paton said. “There are some positions you can’t have enough — tackle (and) corner.”

Paton said Massie and Anderson are “definitely options,” to return.

The Broncos, though, should consider using one of their combined four second- and third-round picks in an attempt to settle down an important spot.

Three left tackles could go in the top six picks — Alabama’s Evan Neal, North Carolina State’s Ickey Ekwonu and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.

Neal or Ekwonu could go to Jacksonville at No. 1, the other to the New York Jets at No. 4 and Cross to Carolina at No. 6.

If the Broncos go edge rusher or quarterback with the ninth pick, they could see Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning and Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann available in the second round.

Penning (6-foot-7, 330 pounds) started three years at left tackle and was one of the top offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl.

Raimann (6-6, 304) is one of the best stories of this draft season. Born and raised in Austria, he moved to the United States as a foreign exchange student and started his college career as a tight end before moving to left tackle.

Raimann said Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles is one of the players he watches on video. The Broncos shouldn’t rule out adding Raimann to join Bolles as the book-end tackles.

Constant changes

A look at the Broncos’ starting right tackles since 2012:

2012: Orlando Franklin (16).

2013: Franklin (15), Louis Vasquez (1).

2014: Vasquez (8), Chris Clark (5), Paul Cornick (3).

2015: Michael Schofield (13), Ryan Harris (3).

2016: Donald Stephenson (13), Ty Sambrailo (3).

2017: Menelik Watson (7), Allen Barbre (4), Stephenson (4), Cyrus Kouandjio (1).

2018: Jared Veldheer (12), Billy Turner (4).

2019: Elijah Wilkinson (12), Ja’Wuan James (3), Jake Rodgers (1).

2020: Demar Dotson (8), Wilkinson (7), Calvin Anderson (1).

2021: Bobby Massie (13), Cam Fleming (four).

In 12 days, the league will descend on Indianapolis for the first time in two years for the Scouting Combine. The free agency/trade period begins a month from Wednesday. And teams like the Broncos kicked off organizational meetings Monday.

Despite six consecutive years out of the playoffs and five straight losing seasons, the Broncos are being discussed league-wide because they have the elements — salary cap space, draft picks and in-house players — to go veteran quarterbacks shopping.

Here is a primer for the NFL/Broncos offseason:

Key dates

• Tuesday: First day teams can designate players with the franchise or transition tags.
• March 1-7: Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
• March 14: Starting at 10 a.m., teams can begin contract negotiations with the agents of unrestricted free agents on other teams.
• March 16: Beginning at 2 p.m., the 2022 league year begins and teams can finalize trades and sign unrestricted free agents from other teams. Prior to 2 p.m., teams must submit contract tenders to their restricted free agents.
• March 27-30: Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
• April 4: Teams that hired a new head coach, including the Broncos, can begin offseason workout programs.
• April 18: Teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs.
• April 28-30: NFL Draft in Las Vegas — round 1 (April 28), rounds 2-3 (April 29) and rounds 4-7 (April 30).
• May 2: Deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option for 2019 first-round picks (outside linebacker Bradley Chubb for the Broncos).
• May 6-9 or 13-16: Teams can hold one rookie minicamp on either of the two weekends following the draft.
• Late May-early June: Teams can conduct organized team activity practices.
• Mid-June: Mandatory minicamp to wrap up the offseason.

Most/least cap space

The NFL salary cap is projected to be $208.2 million, up from $182.5 million in 2021. Data according to Over The Cap.

Most space

Fewest space (all over the cap)

The Broncos currently have six players with cap numbers of at least $10 million — left tackle Garett Bolles ($21 million), safety Justin Simmons ($15.1 million), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb ($13.926 million), receiver Courtland Sutton ($12 million), cornerback Ronald Darby ($12,823,529) and defensive end Shelby Harris ($10,970,588).

Players on their rookie deals who are eligible for extensions are Chubb, left guard Dalton Risner and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones.

Broncos priorities

1. Quarterback. The Broncos are heading toward a sixth different Week 1 starter in as many years, a pattern that not-so-coincidentally aligns with their recent and current offensive struggles. All plans should be centered on acquiring two-time reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay wants him back, but the Packers’ desire to plant public seeds last weekend about the kind of contract they would offer him reeked of a “Hail Mary” move. This is Rodgers’ shot to call.

2. Right tackle. The Broncos’ lack of continuity at quarterback is matched by the revolving door of right tackles. Donald Stephenson (2016). Stephenson/Menelik Watson (’17). Jared Veldheer (’18). Eljiah Wilkinson and others (’19). Demar Dotson (’20). And Bobby Massie (’21). If the Broncos actually used their ninth overall pick, might Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross be an option?

3. Pass rusher. Chubb will enter the final year of his contract, but had no sacks in seven games in ’21. Malik Reed and rookie Jonathon Cooper had five and 2 1/ 2 sacks, respectively. The Broncos need to prioritize adding an edge rusher.

4. Nickel back. Bryce Callahan was effective when healthy, but he wasn’t often healthy and is a free agent. Callahan missed 16, six and six games during his three-year contract. Ideally, the Broncos acquire a cornerback in the draft who can play outside and allow presumptive defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero the option of moving Pat Surtain II inside to cover the slot receiver in certain situations.

4. Inside linebacker. Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson are free agents and when they were lost to injury, the Broncos received solid play from Baron Browning, Kenny Young and Jonas Griffith. Does general manager George Paton re-sign Jewell or Johnson to pair with Browning? Or re-sign Young to play alongside Browning? Or tender exclusive rights free agent Griffith and make him a starter?

Improving through draft

The Broncos, due to receiving second- and third-round picks from the Rams in the Von Miller trade, currently have five selections among the top 100 (projected to be Nos. 9, 40, 64, 75 and 96) for the eighth time since 1975.

Two years ago, the Broncos had five of the 95 picks and selected receivers Jerry Jeudy (No. 15) and KJ Hamler (46), cornerback Michael Ojemudia (77), center Lloyd Cushenberry (83) and defensive tackle McTelvin Agim (95). Through two seasons, only Jeudy and Cushenberry have become regular starters.

The play of Paton’s first draft should be encouraging if he decides to trade first- and second-round picks to acquire a quarterback. Post-round 2 last year, the Broncos found contributors in rounds 3 (Browning and right guard Quinn Meinerz), 5 (safety Caden Sterns) and 7 (Cooper).

As the NFL playoffs begin with the Wild Card round this weekend, here’s a look at all the players and coaches with Colorado ties who still have their Super Bowl dreams alive. This list includes guys who played high school/college football in the state, as well as ex-Broncos.

AFC

Chiefs

DT Mike Pennel (Aurora/Grandview/CSU-Pueblo); OC Eric Bieniemy (played at CU, coached at Thomas Jefferson, coached at CU); Asst. QB Coach Joe Bleymaier (ex-CU offensive quality control coach)… Defensive asst. coach Connor Embree (Superior native).

Bills

WR Isaiah McKenzie (Broncos 2017-18); Asst. WR coach Marc Lubick (ex-Broncos assistant); practice squad WR Tanner Gentry (Aurora/Grandview).

Colts

G Sam Jones (Highlands Ranch/ThunderRidge/Broncos 2018, 2019 preseason), OL coach Chris Strausser (Broncos assistant OL coach 2017-18), practice squad T Jared Veldheer (Broncos 2018).

Steelers

TE coach James Daniel (Broncos coaching fellow 1992).

Browns

FB Andy Janovich (Broncos 2016-19), QB Case Keenum (Broncos 2018), S Tedric Thompson (CU), offensive assistant T.C. McCartney (Broncos QB coach 2019, grandson of ex-CU coach Bill McCartney), WR Rashard Higgins (CSU).

Titans

P Brett Kern (Broncos 2008-09); T Ty Sambrailo (CSU, Broncos 2015-16); WR Kalif Raymond (Broncos 2016); Special Teams Coordinator Craig Aukerman (ex-Broncos special teams assistant); practice squad C Daniel Munyer (CU).

Ravens

DE Calais Campbell (Denver/Denver South), DE Derek Wolfe (Broncos 2012-19), CB Jimmy Smith (CU), injured reserve CB Davontae Harris (Broncos 2019-20).

NFC

Packers

P JK Scott (Mullen); K Mason Crosby (CU); T/G Billy Turner (Broncos 2016-18); injured reserve T David Bakhtiari (CU); injured reserve CB Kabion Ento (CU); practice squad WR Juwann Winfree (CU, Broncos 2019); injured reserve DL Billy Winn (Broncos 2016).

Saints

CB Ken Crawley (CU); WR Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos 2014-19); DC Dennis Allen (Broncos DC 2011).

Bears

LG Arlington Hambright (CU), QB Kyle Sloter (UNC), ILB Danny Trevathan (Broncos 2012-15), DC Chuck Pagano (Boulder native/Fairview).

Seahawks

No Colorado connections, unless you count Russell Wilson (the Rockies’ 4th-round pick in 2010 who played two minor league seasons in the team’s system) and defensive assistant Tom Donatell (son of Broncos DC Ed Donatell).

Rams

DE Morgan Fox (Fountain/Fort Carson/CSU-Pueblo); QB Blake Bortles (Broncos 2020); LB Justin Hollins (Broncos 2019); DC Brandon Staley (Broncos OLB coach 2019).

Washington

QB Steven Montez (CU); DC Jack Del Rio (Broncos DC 2012-14); Asst. DB coach Brent Vieselmeyer (Valor Christian coach 2007-12); Offensive quality control coach Luke Del Rio (Valor Christian); practice squad WR Tony Brown (CU).

Buccaneers

OLB Shaquil Barrett (CSU, Broncos 2015-18); C Ryan Jensen (Fort Morgan/CSU-Pueblo).

— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post

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Several familiar names and players on roster bubbles took turns on the unemployment line — with some finding new jobs.

As teams now turn their focus to preparing for Week 1 after what has been an unusual summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, coaches and general managers are scouring the free agents lists with one big question:

Who’s left that could help us?

In a nutshell, there aren’t as many big-name veterans on the open market as there might usually be, especially at the quarterback spot. Some of that might be attributed to the fact teams can keep a practice squad of 16 players — up from the usual 10 — and as many as six of them could be vets who have accrued any number of seasons in the NFL.

Other teams are also playing it safe — and probably smart — by keeping players around at key spots, such as the Jets having five total QBs (Sam Darnold, Joe Flacco, David Fales, Mike White and James Morgan) combined on their active roster and practice squad.

Some of the biggest unsigned free agents through the summer ended up finally latching on with teams late in camp or even after, such as Jadeveon Clowney (Titans) and Logan Ryan (Giants). Adrian Peterson was cut last week by Washington, but quickly landed in Detroit.

Here’s a look at notable available players at each position:

QUARTERBACKS

Blake Bortles, Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer, Trevor Siemian, Drew Stanton.

Slim pickings here, and that’s not counting Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since 2016. Bortles is just three years removed from leading Jacksonville to the AFC championship game, but spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams as a backup. Kessler, Kizer, Siemian and Stanton all have previous starting experience in the NFL.

RUNNING BACKS

Devonta Freeman, Lamar Miller, Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, Theo Riddick.

Freeman had a visit with the Jaguars, but left without a deal. The 29-year-old Miller was in camp with the Patriots, but was cut Saturday. He was scheduled to visit the Bills.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Mohamed Sanu, Hakeem Butler, Quincy Enunwa, Chester Rogers, Demaryius Thomas, Jermaine Kearse, Ryan Grant, Jordan Matthews, Laquon Treadwell.

Brown wants to play again, but was suspended the first eight games of the season by the NFL for multiple violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy. Bryant, also looking for a comeback, had a tryout with Baltimore last month. Sanu and Butler could find jobs over the next few days after being cut over the weekend.

TIGHT ENDS

Delanie Walker, Jeff Heuerman, Ed Dickson, Charles Clay, Richard Rodgers.

The 36-year-old Walker spent much of last season on IR with an ankle injury, but still might provide a team a veteran boost at the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Cordy Glenn, Ron Leary, Justin Britt, Jared Veldheer, Jonotthan Harrison, Donald Penn, LaAdrian Waddle, Brent Qvale, Jordan Mills, Ted Larsen, J’Marcus Webb.

Lots of veterans here with plenty of starting experience all over the O-line. Any of these players could be on teams’ short lists to bring in because of an injury.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Marcell Dareus, Damon Harrison, Ezekiel Ansah, Jabal Sheard, Cameron Wake, Brandon Mebane, Kerry Wynn, Kyle Love, Domata Peko.

Both Dareus and Harrison have been among the NFL’s top run-stopping D-linemen in recent seasons. Ansah has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, but is healthy and recently worked out for the 49ers.

LINEBACKERS

Clay Matthews, Alec Ogletree, Nigel Bradham, Kareem Martin, Todd Davis, Mychal Kendricks, Wesley Woodyard, Darron Lee, Darren Bates, Vontaze Burfict.

The 34-year-old Matthews’ days as a dominant pass rusher are behind him, but he still can provide a presence off the edge for a defense needing a final piece. Ogletree has been a tackling machine for most of his career. Bradham was cut by the Saints last month a few weeks after signing as a free agent.

CORNERBACKS

Trumaine Johnson, Aqib Talib, Prince Amukamara, Tramon Williams, Ross Cockrell, Morris Claiborne, Coty Sensabaugh.

Johnson was released by the Jets in June after being a massive disappointment after signing a five-year, $72.5 million contract in 2018. Talib has been one of the league’s best, but he’s 34 and spent the last half of last season on IR.

SAFETIES

Earl Thomas, Reshad Jones, Tony Jefferson, Eric Reid, Morgan Burnett, Antoine Bethea, HaHa Clinton-Dix.

Thomas obviously stands out in this group and his on-field performance is unquestioned. But, he punched Baltimore teammate Chuck Clark during practice last month and was released by the Ravens a few days later because of the incident.

KICKERS

Stephen Hauschka, Adam Vinatieri, Matt Gay, Greg Joseph, Brett Maher.

Hauschka was cut by the Bills and his name will surely be linked to any team that has struggles with their kicker early in the season. Gay’s release by Tampa Bay was also a bit unexpected after a mostly solid year, but the Buccaneers opted to go with Ryan Succop. The 47-year-old Vinatieri still wants to play, but had career lows in field-goal percentage and extra-point percentage before a knee injury ended his season.

PUNTERS

Matt Bosher, Ryan Allen, Lachlan Edwards.

Dustin Colquitt was on this list until Monday, when he signed with Pittsburgh following his release by Kansas City after 15 years. Bosher had a tryout with the Bills, and Edwards was in camp with them this summer.

You can pose a��Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here.��Follow Ryan for more daily updates on��.

Ryan, who’s next to join the Broncos’ Ring of Fame? I’d love to see a guy like Al Wilson get his due.

— Mark, Arvada

Mike Shanahan was voted in earlier this summer and he’ll be inducted in 2021, likely with quarterback Peyton Manning since doubling up Pro Football Hall of Fame/Ring of Fame makes sense.

After Shanahan and Manning, here are five names: Al Wilson, Riley Odoms, Ed McCaffrey, Gary Kubiak and Demaryius Thomas. A look at their statistics …

Wilson (linebacker): Eight years, 125 games, 723 tackles and four Pro Bowls.

Odoms (tight end): Twelve years, 153 games, 396 catches (41 touchdowns) and four Pro Bowls (two-time All Pro).

McCaffrey (receiver): Nine years, 121 games, 462 catches (46 touchdowns), one Pro Bowl and two Super Bowl titles.

Kubiak (player/assistant/head coach/advisor): Twenty-four years with team. Assistant coach on first two Super Bowl winners and head coach for third title team.

Thomas (receiver): Nine years, 125 games, 665 catches (60 touchdowns), four Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl title. He has not officially retired.

Hi Ryan, with Ja’Wuan James opting out this year and with possible COVID concern during the season, are the Broncos going to sign a free agent offensive tackle? If so, who’s the better option Demar Dotson or Cordy Glenn?

— Brandon

Once James opted out last week, I listed Dotson and Glenn as two of the right tackle depth options and the Broncos moved quickly to get Dotson into town on Sunday. An 11-year NFL veteran, Dotson has played 130 games (106 starts), all for Tampa Bay. A mountain of a man (6-foot-9, 315 pounds), he would provide experience behind Elijah Wilkinson.

I know the Broncos would be loathed to do it, but if the right tackle position becomes a real issue and the team tries Dalton Risner in that spot, who are the candidates to replace him at left guard and who do you think would have the inside track to start there?

— Evan Lukassen, Gunnison

Correct, the Broncos feel Risner’s best position is left guard, the spot he played at last year and the spot where they want him to stay because it will aid both center Lloyd Cushenberry and left tackle Garett Bolles.

But for the sake of the question: Risner played right tackle at Kansas State so the footwork and hand placement techniques would quickly return to him.

If Netane Muti, the rookie from Fresno State, was not coming off Achilles and foot injuries in 2018-19, the Broncos may have considered him ready to play left guard and try Risner outside.

If the Broncos felt Muti wasn’t ready, the other possibilities are Austin Schlottmann, Patrick Morris and I would even throw Wilkinson into that mix.

Ryan, what’s your take on Alexander Johnson this season? I can see him taking the leap to the next step and becoming that monster inside linebacker that we’ve been lacking since Danny Trevathan left.

— Carter Phillips, Denver

If Johnson can match last year’s totals of 93 tackles and two interceptions, it should be considered another good season and line him up for a future with the Broncos.

The key for Johnson will be if coach Vic Fangio trusts him in man coverage situations; most of Johnson’s work last year was in zone coverage where he could retreat and react. If he can capably track tight ends down the field, he could be an every-down player.

How do you think the AFC West is going play out? The Chiefs will win the division — that seems like a no-brainer — but what about the rest? I feel like the Broncos will land at No. 2 and be a wild card team, followed by the Raiders and Chargers.

— Marshall, Salt Lake City

That����ap my predicted order of finish: 1. Kansas City. 2. Broncos. 3. Las Vegas. 4. L.A. Chargers.

And you’re right, the Chiefs are a no brainer to win a fifth consecutive division title. Things then get complicated.

The Broncos/Raiders pick for second is a coin flip, but I give the edge to the Broncos’ skill position players on offense and pass rushers on defense as the difference.

The addition of a seventh playoff team in each conference will help the Broncos, who could slide in with a 9-7 record.

I’m a little worried about our cornerback depth. A.J. Bouye is great but then the talent level drops off. I can’t see Isaac Yiadom being the No. 2 guy. Any shot we have at landing a Logan Ryan or Dre Kirkpatrick to give us a true starter?

— Don, Minneapolis

The Broncos’ depth in the secondary as a whole is concerning. At safety, they would have to turn to Trey Williams or Alijah Holder if starters Kareem Jackson or Justin Simmons are unavailable.

At cornerback, there are questions after Bouye. 1. Can Bryce Callahan stay healthy after missing all of 2019? 2. Can rookie Michael Ojemudia be a quick study at outside corner? 3. Who will emerge as the fourth cornerback among Yiadom, Duke Dawson, De’Vante Bausby and Davonte Harris?

If Callahan is healthy, he solves the nickel back issue since he’ll slide inside to cover the slot receiver. If his status was in doubt, Ryan would make sense on a one-year deal to be the nickel.

Jared Veldheer had a nice run with us in 2018 and played well for the Packers last season when Bryan Bulaga went down. I think he’d be a great replacement for Ja’Wuan James. What do you think?

— Peter G., Boulder

Veldheer started 12 games at right tackle for the Broncos in 2018. He signed with New England last offseason, but announced his retirement on May 21, 2019, but reconsidered, was waived by the Patriots on Nov. 26 and claimed by Green Bay the next day.

Veldheer started the divisional round playoff win over Seattle when Bulaga was inactive.

The Broncos have elected to pursue Dotson as a backup right tackle, but Veldheer would have made sense, too.

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the offseason.

You can pose a��Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here.��Follow Ryan for more daily updates on��.

“The time we’re going through right now is basically our normal Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the offseason, but with some training camp hours,” Fangio said. “It����ap different. We’re really not in training camp yet. Training camp practice No. 1 for me is Aug. 14 and everything prior to that is more offseason-type stuff with more hours than they’re used to in the offseason.”

The Acclimation Period (continuing this week) is Phase 1. Teams are allowed 60 minutes apiece of weight-room and on-field conditioning work in groups of no more than 15 players. Quarterbacks can throw to receivers but no offense vs. defense. Walk-throughs of no longer than 60 minutes were permitted for the first four days and 75 minutes for the final four days.

The Gradual Ramp-Up Period (starting Friday) is Phase 2. Practices of helmets-only (90 minutes on Day 1 and a 15-minute daily increase not to exceed 120 minutes) followed by helmets-and-shells practices.

The Contact Integration Period can begin Aug. 18 and run until Sept. 6. Teams are allowed 14 padded practices.

Add it up and it����ap a race to get to the Sept. 5 cut from 80 to 53 players and the Sept. 14 opener against Tennessee. The Broncos’ rookies have already been tested to transfer the knowledge they picked up during virtual meetings to the field.

“It’s a step to go from the classroom virtually — which is different and not as good as a real classroom — to now, taking it to a slow-pace walkthrough,” Fangio said. “It’s been good. … (When) we take it to the full-speed practices, that will tell us more at that time. It’s a work in progress. I don’t expect them to be perfect by any means early on. But we want them to be close to perfect by the time we line up against Tennessee.”

Polis on NFL fans. In an interview with The Post����ap Andy Yamashita, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said there are “just no plans yet,” for allowing fans into Broncos home games this year. The NFL has left it to each team to decide, based on state and local guidelines, how many (if any) fans can attend.

“(The Broncos) would have to approach Denver with a plan about how they would plan to do (it) in a safe way,” Polis said. “I think everybody in Colorado wants to be able to have in-person fans back as soon as we can as long as it doesn’t mean setbacks for our economy and our jobs and as long as it doesn’t cost lives. So we’re happy to have that discussion with everybody about how to bring folks back sooner rather than later.”

Last month, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said the team has been in regular contact with representatives from the offices of Polis and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

Most opt-outs: There were 66 players who chose to opt-out this season due to concerns about COVID-19. The most were New England (eight); Cleveland and Detroit (five); Dallas, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, San Francisco and the New York Giants and Jets with three apiece.

No opt-outs: Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

AFC West opt-outs: Denver (two) –�� defensive lineman Kyle Peko, offensive tackle Ju’Wuan James;�� Kansas City (three) — guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, running back Damien Williams and offensive tackle Lucas Niang. Las Vegas (three) — linebacker Ukeme Eligwe, defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga and cornerback D.J. Killings.

Biggest names: Duvernay-Tardif and Williams from the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Chicago defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, Buffalo defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Philadelphia receiver Marquise Goodwin, Giants left tackle Nate Solder, Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley and New England safety Patrick Chung and linebacker Don’ta Hightower.

McCaffrey’s outlook. Carolina running back/Denver area native Christian McCaffrey has a new contract (four-year, $64 million extension), new quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater from New Orleans), new coach (Matt Rhule from Baylor) and new offensive coordinator (Joe Brady from LSU).

Brady, in his first NFL play-calling post, gets to use a figurative nuclear weapon in McCaffrey, who had 1,387 rushing and 1,005 receiving yards, respectively, and 19 combined touchdowns last year. He became only the third player in league history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and receiving.

“It����ap going to be a lot of fun,” McCaffrey told reporters. “We have so many weapons on offense, from the receiving position to the tight end position to a very talented offensive line and obviously Teddy.”

Footnotes. As a part of the “NFL Votes” initiative, the Broncos launched their “����apountry Votes” program Thursday. An official Colorado voter registration drive, the program’s goal is to educate players, alumni, staff and fans about registering to vote and casting a ballot. Eligible fans can start the process by visiting . According to the�� NFL, 100 million voter-eligible Americans did not vote in 2016. … Following James’ opt-out decision, the Broncos weren’t linked to any free-agent offensive tackles during the week, which is fine. Guys like Jared Veldheer, Demar Dotson and Cordy Glenn should be still available in a few weeks if Fangio and offensive line coach Mike Munchak feel the in-house depth isn’t good enough. … It����ap been amusing to see players whining on Twitter about getting left off the NFL’s Top 100 list or how their teammates were snubbed. They should know the list is more about past performance and name recognition than actually being good. … We’re five weeks from the first Sunday of games and Chicago (Mitchell Trubisky/Nick Foles), Washington (Dwayne Haskins/Kyle Allen/Alex Smith), New England (Cam Newton/Jarrett Stidham) and Miami (Tua Tagovailoa/Ryan Fitzpatrick) have quarterback decisions to make without the benefit of preseason games. … What happens first: A verdict in the trial of the Pat Bowlen Trustees vs. Amie Klemmer/Beth Bowlen Wallace (pushed ahead to 2021 on Thursday) or solving Altitude’s dispute against Comcast?

“(The Chiefs have) lost eight games in the last two years; all of those games except one, the other team has scored 31 of more points,” Fangio said. “That paints a little picture for you.”

No, Vic, it actually paints a large picture. The most accurate picture. And the most important picture.

In order to challenge the Chiefs in the AFC West, the Broncos must score more points. Period.

“You’ve got to be able to slow them down somewhat, which to some degree we did a little bit (in ’19),” Fangio said. “But obviously you’re going to have to score some points.”

To that end, the Broncos added offense (right guard Graham Glasgow, running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Nick Vannett) and defense (defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and cornerback A.J. Bouye) last week.

Yes, the Broncos have to be better front to back defensively to slow down Patrick Mahomes and Co. But the Broncos’ chief mission is to get out of their four-year scoring rut.

If finding offense is like throwing darts, the Broncos haven’t hit the board since 2015. They won the Super Bowl in 2016 with the 19th-ranked scoring offense, and in their current streak of four consecutive years out of the playoffs, they’ve finished 22nd, 27th, 24th and 28th. Only Cleveland and the Jets have scored fewer than the Broncos’ 1,233 points during that span.

So what should be the target for an offense that averaged 17.6 points per game last year?

Think 25 points per game.

In the last decade, an average of 6.8 out of 12 playoff teams each year have averaged at least 25 points per game, including six of the last seven Super Bowl champions (the ’15 Broncos being the outlier).

Since 2016, the Broncos are 12-1 in games in which they scored at least 25 points; they are 3-27 in which they failed to reach 17 points.

Are the Broncos taking the right steps offensively? After the first wave of free agency, here is a look:

Quarterback

Last year: Joe Flacco (eight starts), Brandon Allen (three) and Lock (five) combined to throw for 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

This year: Lock is the no-doubt starter. Flacco was released last week, and Allen remains a free agent. The Broncos have a contract agreement with Jeff Driskel to be the backup along with Brett Rypien.

Improvement?: Yes. Lock’s 4-1 record (seven touchdowns, three interceptions and an 89.7 rating) was enough of a sample size for the Broncos to feel comfortable moving forward. And Lock’s athleticism and ability to make off-schedule plays should give the offense a boost.

No. 1 running back

Last year: Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman had a near-even split of playing time (516 and 514 snaps, respectively). Lindsay rushed 224 times for 1,011 yards and seven touchdowns. Freeman averaged only 3.8 yards per carry but was second on the team with 43 catches.

This year: The Broncos didn’t agree to a two-year, $18 million contract with Melvin Gordon for him to watch. The running game is expected to go through him. He is at 4.0 yards per carry for his career (not great) and has a nose for the end zone (36 rushing touchdowns in his last 53 games). Gordon also has 224 career catches.

Improvement?: Label us “skeptical,” and not because we think Lindsay is a perennial 1,000-yard rusher. The Broncos could have allocated their money toward another position of need and waited for the draft to select a back. But like the trades for Casey and Bouye, acquiring Gordon is a “must compete in 2020” move.

No. 1A running back

Last year: Freeman served as Lindsay’s complimentary back and rushed 132 times for 496 yards and three touchdowns.

This year: Assuming Gordon leads the way, Lindsay should seamlessly slide into a new role that should still feature a steady workload of carries.

Improvement?: Absolutely. A third-round pick in 2018, Freeman just hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunities presented to him in two years. He may make the team as a third back if the Broncos don’t keep a true fullback, but his rotation days are over.

Right guard

Last year: Ron Leary started the first 12 games (766 of 1,025 snaps), and his eight enforced penalties were second-most on the offense behind left tackle Garett Bolles (10). Leary was shut down because of a concussion, and his contract option was declined. Austin Schlottmann started the final four games.

This year: It looks like the Broncos’ plan was to pay for a right guard or a center, but not both. They agreed to a four-year, $44 million contract with Glasgow to play right guard, which allowed the New York Jets to add center Connor McGovern.

Improvement?: Totally. Leary couldn’t stay healthy, his three years with the Broncos ending with back, Achilles and head injuries. Glasgow has twice played every offensive snap in a season, and his experience/durability should aid right tackle Ja’Wuan James and the to-be-determined center.

Center

Last year: McGovern, in his first year as the full-time starter, played every snap and wasn’t called for an enforced penalty.

This year: Don’t know. Patrick Morris is an in-house candidate and Glasgow/left guard Dalton Risner could play center, but indications are the Broncos want to keep Glasgow/Risner at guard. There’s a very good chance the Week 1 center isn’t on the roster yet.

Improvement?: Probably not initially. If the Broncos go with a rookie, they can only hope he has the impact Risner did as a rookie left guard last year. If it����ap a rookie or Morris, there will be a transition as he learns Shurmur’s new offense and gets in sync with Lock and the linemen.

No. 2 tight end

Last year: Rookie Noah Fant had 704 snaps to lead the tight ends. Jeff Heuerman was going to be the No. 2 tight end until a knee injury derailed his season (399 snaps).

This year: Vannett����ap two-year contract suggests he will get a chance to be the Broncos’ No. 2 tight end behind Fant. Shurmur is expected to use two-tight end instead of two-back personnel (fullback Andy Janovich was traded to Cleveland). In the New York Giants’ season opener last year at Dallas (Shurmur was the coach/play-caller), the offense ran 54 snaps of three-receiver compared with only two snaps of two-back. He did use two or more tight ends on 11 snaps.

Improvement?: Like at right guard, it should be viewed as an upgrade, because Vannett has missed only two games in the last three years compared to nine for Heuerman.

No. 2 receiver

Last year: Courtland Sutton was named to the Pro Bowl (as an alternate) following a 72-catch, 1,112-yard, six-touchdown breakout of a second season. But after that … not much. The next-closest receiver to Sutton in catches was Emmanuel Sanders (30) and he was traded in October. DaeSean Hamilton had 28 catches, Tim Patrick 16 (injury-shortened season), Diontae Spencer six and Fred Brown two.

This year: All of the Broncos’ activity last week suggests a receiver in the first or second rounds, right? The unknown is what do they prefer — a speed guy to attract safety help or a possession guy who can work the edges and middle of the field?

Improvement?: If the Broncos are to reach 25 points per game, getting more production out of non-Sutton receivers is critical, which is why the No. 15 pick should be used to acquire help.

Changing cast

Since the start of 2018, the Broncos’ offense has undergone near-constant changes:

Jared Veldheer had played his final NFL game, a Week 16 game with the Broncos in 2018. Had being the key word.

Veldheer, who started 12 games with the Broncos in 2018, went from retiring in May to joining the Packers in December to starting against Seattle in the NFC divisional round. He played in every single offensive snap for the Packers on Sunday, helping Green Bay to a 28-23 win over the Seahawks. Ryan Wood of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailed the offensive tackle’s .

It started with a flu bug that took down Green Bay lineman Bryan Bulaga prior to the game, similar to the one that afflicted left tackle — and former CU Buffs star — David Bakhtiari.

“I just had the sweats, body ache, fever, chills,” . “It was nasty.”

Wood writes, “Bakhtiari wouldn’t divulge Bulaga’s illness, but the 10th-year veteran is one of the toughest players inside the Packers’ locker room. If he can’t play in a postseason game, you know he’s sick.”

On Veldheer’s performance? Wood writes, “Veldheer, evaluating his night, said there were mostly little mistakes to polish, but he was mostly clean. His lone, noticeable poor play came on the Packers’ first red-zone snap of the night. And, all things considered, it was understandable.”

Green Bay takes on San Francisco in the NFC championship game on Sunday.

If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter or by email.

— , The Denver Post

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What’s on Tap?

• Nuggets: Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m. Wednesday, ALT
• Avalanche: San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. Thursday, ALT
• Nuggets: At Golden State Warriors, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, TNT

TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today

Scoreboard

NHL: Stars 3, Avalanche 2
Full story |

.

Must-Read

Kiszla: Avs blow another game, revealing lack of both championship habits and Cup-worthy goalie

At this point, Colorado is a team of undeniably Cup-worthy talent but unreliable championship habits. Read more…

Broncos hire Pat Shurmur as new offensive coordinator

The Broncos have hired Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator Tuesday, according to a league source. Shurmur, 54, will be the Broncos’ fifth play-caller in as many years and replaces Rich Scangarello, who was fired by coach Vic Fangio on Sunday. Read more…

Dallas Stars reflect on Jim Montgomery’s firing, entrance into alcohol treatment: “Good for him that he’s getting the help he needs”

Montgomery, coach of DU’s 2017 NCAA championship hockey team, was dismissed with cause from the Stars on Dec. 10 for “unprofessional conduct” — with no further explanation from Stars ownership. Montgomery later told The Dallas Morning News that his firing was the “appropriate call” and announced that he entered an inpatient residential program for alcohol abuse, Kyle Fredrickson reports.��Read more…

Quick Hits

+ Rockies Mailbag: Fans are not thrilled about the possibility of Nolan Arenado being traded

+ Nuggets notebook: Jamal Murray talks about 3-point struggles; Gary Harris joins injury report

+ CSU Rams coach Steve Addazio names offensive coordinator, associate head coach

+ Broncos offseason hub 2020: Important NFL dates, draft picks, free agents, more

+ Rapids add more Toronto FC influence, talented French winger in Nicolas Benezet

+ After getting right against Utah, No. 20 CU Buffs basketball hits the road

+ Delay in new NFL stadium roof for Raiders in Las Vegas causes concern

+ Broncos Noah Fant, Dalton Risner named to PFWA all-rookie team

+ Antonio Gates announces retirement following 16-year career

Ask The Experts

+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .

+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .

+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .

+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .

By The Numbers

$92 million

AP source: Twins, 3B Josh Donaldson agree to $92M, 4-year deal

The Minnesota Twins and 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson have agreed to a $92 million, four-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. Read more…

Parting Shot

Red Sox manager Alex Cora fired in sign stealing scandal

The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on Tuesday, a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred implicated him in the sport����ap sign-stealing scandal. Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something that����ap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion,��email me at dboniface@denverpost.com��or��tweet me .

off one edge, Melvin Ingram off the other.

huffing from one side, Jadeveon Clowney puffing from the other.

“Because of guys like (Bradley) Chubb, guys like , they’re all transitioning to that right-tackle side,” James says with a shrug. “It����ap a game where both sides (matter). The game has evolved.”

Welcome to the new NFL reality: If you’re an edge protector in the pocket these days, there’s everywhere to run — and no place left to hide.

Left tackles still draw the draft love and the big bucks. But the way defensive coordinators are loading up on weapons on both sides of the box — the Broncos being a prime example, with wreaking havoc off one edge and off the other — if a tackle on either side can’t handle a stud speed-rusher, kids, that����ap where the traffic’s a-coming.

And coming.

And coming.

“You know, they always say the left tackle is the best offensive lineman you have,” James says. “But it����ap really evolved, because they’re putting (defensive) pieces everywhere.

“(They’re) so good, you have to have great guards now. All they’re trying to find is a weakness — honestly, that����ap all defenses are trying to find. And if you’ve got guys that are working together up front, then you won’t have a weakness.”

The right tackle slot hasn’t always been a weakness for the Broncos this decade, but it sure as heck hasn’t been what you’d call a strength. Or, for that matter, all that consistent: The franchise hasn’t fielded a starter at right tackle in consecutive opening weekends since 2011-13, when Orlando Franklin held down the fort over three consecutive seasons. The 27-year-old James is expected to be the Broncos’ sixth different No. 1 at the position over the past six seasons.

“He fits what they want to do (as) an offense — move side-to-side, and then can play (the) power (game) whenever you need him to,” Broncos nose tackle Shelby Harris notes. “So having a top-notch right tackle like that, one side of the offensive line is definitely locked up, so no worries over there.”

The Broncos (presumably) went into this past winter with a plan. Step 1a: Lock up the right side, luring James from Miami with the sweetest free-agent contract ever bestowed upon an NFL right tackle — at least until word got out that Oakland handed Trent Brown a 4-year, $66-million deal. Step 1b: Hire Mike Munchak, one of the best offensive line gurus on the planet, to help shore up the kids on the left side.

“You don’t want to bring someone in who can’t do what we need them to do,” Munchak says of James, the 6-foot-6 first-round pick by the Dolphins in 2014. “So he obviously checks all the boxes, really, for any offense. For a guy that long — still 310, in that 300-plus range, (and) athletic, that guy, he fits almost anything. Which is a good thing, so that in every phase of our game, he has a comfort in.

“With him, he’s younger, he’s been healthy for the most part, he’s got a good, healthy body, he’s got a lot of football ahead of him. He’s got a lot of upside where, to me, he’ll continue to get better.”

Which would explain why the Broncos had James on their radar for at least a year — if not longer. In March 2018, general manager reportedly rang up the Miami front office to inquire about a trade for James, but for naught; Denver instead wound up nabbing tackle Jared Veldheer from Arizona for a sixth-round pick.

“Yeah, I had heard some stuff,” James says of Elway’s ill-fated initial pursuit. “And talking with the Dolphins throughout that time, I did hear some stuff going on with that, there was some interest there, yeah. It was last year, so I try not to think about it, but I’m happy to be here now.”

The family connections are part of the narrative and the legend: James’ wife, Rainey Gaffin, grew up in Thornton and starred for the softball teams at Legacy and, later, at Tennessee, where she first met Ja’Wuan. A homecoming with the in-laws was alluring; the pursuit from Elway, flattering.

The ceiling? Irresistible.

“What helped here was just seeing, honestly, the scheme fit,” James says. “The scheme fit (and) coach Munchak. I’ve played with tons of offensive line coaches; I haven’t had the opportunity to play with one like him before. And just being here now, I feel like he’s helped already, the way he coaches — I feel like the way he’s been able to take stuff from your game and tweak it and then add stuff that����ap new to it. It����ap not, strictly, ‘You’ve got to do this’ or ‘You’ve strictly got to be this.’ He lets you work on what����ap good for you, and he tries to hone in on that. So I feel like that����ap helped me a lot.”

For his part, Munchak was stoked to get his mitts on a 312-pound road-grader with a combination of back-pedaling balance and lethal burst in open space. James’ 7.42-second time in the 3-cone drill was sixth among the offensive linemen in his class at the 2014 scouting combine, while his 29-inch vertical leap tied for fifth overall.

“He moves so well,” Munchak says. “I mean, he can run. He can run with linebackers in the second level. You get to the second level, he’s got long arms, so he can (reach) in the run game. He’s practicing every day against Von Miller, so that����ap a challenge in itself, every single day. So that����ap great work and I think both of them are getting better because of it.”

As a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a blocker, Munchak has practiced plenty of what he preaches. And in today’s market, with today’s defenses, he’d say $51 million could prove to be worth every penny.

The Broncos haven’t had their primary right tackle selected to a since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970, and the franchise’s last Pro Bowl representative as a pure right tackle was Mike Current in January 1970 at the final AFL All-Star game.

“Honestly, (James) deserved it,” Harris says. “He worked hard, he deserved to get paid like that. That����ap how it is. The league rewarded him.”

Mack charging off one corner, Akiem Hicks charging off the other.

Calais Campbell sealing off one side, Yannick Ngakoue sealing off the other.

“I don’t feel any any pressure at all,” James says. “I’m out here to do my job like I’ve done it my whole career, in college, and anything like that. We’re just playing football, man. And doing it at a high level.”

Things get really busy starting Monday when the free-agent negotiating period begins. Players can be signed starting Wednesday. Here is a position-by-position at where the Broncos stand.

Quarterback

Under contract: Garrett Grayson ($570,000).

Free agents: Kevin Hogan (exclusive rights).

Scheduled to be traded: Case Keenum ($21,000,000; Washington).

Analysis: In the view of general manager John Elway, this position will be semi-solved on Wednesday when the trade for Joe Flacco ($18.5 million salary) will be completed with Baltimore. But a big question remains: What is Elway’s future plan at the position? Flacco will arrive with three years left on his contract, but no guaranteed money, so he can be one-and-done if it doesn’t work out. It����ap nearly a must for Elway to draft a quarterback in the opening three rounds this year. That player could serve as Flacco’s back-up and eventual successor, and it would also give Elway protection in case the Broncos improve from last year’s 6-10 record and out of position to draft a top passer in 2020.

Running back

Under contract: Royce Freeman ($910,255), Phillip Lindsay ($575,000), Devontae Booker ($815,848), Andy Janovich ($761,077) and Khalfani Muhammad ($495,000).

Free agents: None.

Analysis: The Broncos are in good shape here, both financially and age wise, because Freeman, Lindsay, Booker and Janovich are all on their rookie contracts. Elway has the luxury of standing pat at this position, but there are questions. Can Freeman stay healthy and be the bulldozer he was at Oregon? Can Lindsay fully recover from wrist surgery? And how does new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello use Janovich?

Receiver

Under contract: Emmanuel Sanders ($12,937,000), Courtland Sutton ($1,554,984), DaeSean Hamilton ($740,660), River Cracraft ($570,000), Fred Brown ($495,000), Aaron Burbridge ($570,000) and Chad Hansen ($570,000).

Free agents: Tim Patrick (exclusive rights — has been tendered) and Jordan Taylor (unrestricted).

Analysis: Until Sanders (Achilles) proves he is back to full strength, which is a big ask considering his injury and age (he turns 32 on March 17), the Broncos don’t have a No. 1 receiver on their roster. If Elway even has a little bit of concern about Sanders, he should enter into free agency to find a receiver who can play outside and in the slot, like Philadelphia’s Golden Tate. Sutton showed flashes of making big plays last year but needs to couple that with being a reliable player on the entire route tree. Hamilton’s rookie year was largely a wash because he was fourth on the depth chart and then sprained his MCL in mid-October.

Tight end

Under contract: Jake Butt ($720,237), Troy Fumagalli ($565,451) and Temarrick Hemingway ($645,000).

Free agents: Jeff Heuerman (unrestricted), Matt LaCosse (unrestricted) and Brian Parker (unrestricted).

Analysis: Signing one tight end in free agency and one in the first three rounds of the draft should be the strategy. Even after his third ACL surgery, don’t count out Butt making an impact this year — he was on his way to becoming the main tight end when he was injured in a Week 4 practice. We don’t know what Fumgalli can do because he didn’t play in a game last year because of a sports hernia injury. The Broncos could go semi-discount shopping in free agency to find a tight end who has experience (Pittsburgh’s Jesse James or Baltimore’s Maxx Williams), which would allow them to draft a pass-first tight end in a very deep post-first round class (UCLA’s Caleb Wilson and Utah State’s Dax Raymond). But that could be expensive — Baltimore’s Nick Boyle signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Ravens on Thursday.

Offensive line

Under contract: Garett Bolles (LT/$3,008,764), Ron Leary (LG/$9,218,750), Connor McGovern (G-C/$2,090,975), Sam Jones (G-C/$612,139), Nico Falah (G/$579,411), Don Barclay (G/$645,000), Andreas Knappe (T/$495,000) and Austin Schlottmann (G/$495,000).

Free agents: Max Garcia (G/unrestricted), Matt Paradis (C/unrestricted), Billy Turner (G-T/unrestricted), Jared Veldheer (RT/unrestricted), Gino Gradkowski (C/unrestricted), Elijah Wilkinson (G-T/exclusive rights — has been tendered).

Analysis: A ton of issues for new offensive line coach Mike Munchak to address. What we know is that Bolles is back at left tackle and Elway said Leary (left guard) will also return despite tearing his Achilles last October. Everything else is uncertain. Will McGovern get the first shot at center if Paradis doesn’t return? Do they like Wilkinson in a right tackle competition or as a back-up swing guy after getting experience at guard last year? Is Veldheer returning at right tackle a fallback option only? Are the Broncos plotting a big splash in free agency to add Los Angeles Rams guard Rodger Saffold, Miami right tackle Ja’Wuan James or New England left tackle Trent Brown? Munchak’s reputation for developing young linemen is unmatched, but the Broncos could use a veteran infusion, which would allow them to be more selective in the draft.

Defensive line

Under contract: Derek Wolfe (DE/$10,925,000), DE Adam Gotsis ($1,252,970), DeMarcus Walker (DE/$1,383,778) and Caushaud Lyons (DE/$570,000).

Free agents: Domata Peko (NT/unrestricted), Zach Kerr (DE/unrestricted) and Shelby Harris (NT/restricted).

Analysis: The Broncos will remain a 3-4 base-front team so that means Wolfe and Gotsis will return as the starting defensive ends. Peko is not in their plans at the moment, which gives Harris the first chance at nose tackle, but the options to start and/or team with Harris include Minnesota’s Sheldon Richardson and New England’s Danny Shelton. Walker fell out of favor on coach Vance Joseph’s staff, spending almost all of 2018 as a healthy scratch. A new head coach and defensive coordinator should equal a fresh start for Walker.

Outside linebacker

Under contract: Von Miller ($25,125,000), Bradley Chubb ($6,198,009), Jeff Holland ($570,000) and Aaron Wallace ($645,000).

Free agents: Shane Ray (unrestricted), Shaq Barrett (unrestricted) and Deiontrez Mount (restricted).

Analysis: One of the few positions on the roster with premium players in Miller and Chubb. But the Broncos need to re-stock the depth behind them. Holland spent most of 2018 on the practice squad, but has the athleticism to win as an edge rusher. Probably not in free agency, but the Broncos, as Elway said at the Combine, will add some pass-rushing depth because it remains remote that Barrett will return. This appears to be the right draft to take a pass rusher in rounds 2-4.

Inside linebacker

Under contract: Todd Davis ($5,000,000), Josey Jewell ($748,496), Keishawn Bierria ($599,602) and Alexander Johnson ($495,000).

Free agents: Joseph Jones (exclusive rights — has been tendered) and Jerrol Garcia-Williams (unrestricted).

Analysis: Davis and Jewell finished the season as the base-down starters because Brandon Marshall’s knee injury limited him to sub-package reps. Marshall is expected to be released. If the Broncos pursue Baltimore’s C.J. Mosley, they will get better at inside linebacker, but it will come at such a cost that they would have to ignore other needs. The Broncos have struggled covering tight ends for many years so Fangio should want to add speed and coverage ability to the mix.

Cornerback

Under contract: Chris Harris ($8,766,668), Isaac Yiadom ($794,129), Brendan Langley ($645,000), Horace Richardson ($495,000), Craig Mager ($805,000) and Linden Stephens ($495,000).

Free agents: Bradley Roby (unrestricted), Tramaine Brock (unrestricted) and Jamar Taylor (unrestricted).

Analysis: Help! It����ap Harris and then everybody else. The Broncos’ record in December after Harris sustained a broken leg — 0-4. Elway figures to talk contract extension with Harris’ camp once the first wave of free agency is completed. A free agent fit would be Chicago’s Bryce Callahan, who played for Fangio and can cover slot receivers, and Houston’s Kareem Jackson, who can play inside and outside. The Broncos didn’t poke around on the top college cornerbacks at the Combine so they may be waiting until Days 2-3 of the draft to add depth.

Safety

Under contract: Justin Simmons ($2,201,335), Will Parks ($2,050,975), Su’a Cravens ($852,816), Shmarko Thomas ($645,000), Jamal Carter ($573,334), Trey Marshall ($570,000).

Free agents: Dymonte Thomas (exclusive rights).

Analysis: The Broncos cut Darian Stewart (a starter since 2015) on Thursday. The knee-jerk reaction was that meant Elway would plot to add one of the many available free agent safeties, led by the New York Giants’ Landon Collins, the Los Angeles Rams’ Lamarcus Joyner or Chicago’s Adrian Amos. Pairing one of those players with Simmons would keep Parks in a sub-package role.

Specialists

Under contract: Brandon McManus (K/$4,000,000), Casey Kreiter (LS/$1,000,000) and Colby Wadman (P, $570,000).

Free agents: None.

Analysis: The Broncos could be set here with McManus, Kreiter (re-signed last week) and Wadman. The focus for special teams coordinator Tom McMahon will be sparking the league’s worst punt return game.

Salary cap numbers via www.overthecap.com. Restricted free agent – if tendered by the Broncos, they have a right to match any signed offer sheet. Exclusive rights free agent – if tendered by the Broncos, they can’t negotiate with another team.