2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Denver Broncos

It doesn't make sense to talk about the 2012 Denver Broncos through the lens of the '11 team since Denver traded the mania that had defined their season to New York.

Oh, and they signed a 4-time MVP and all-time great to replace him.

By signing Peyton Manning and trading Tim Tebow, Denver put itself at the center of the biggest player moves this offseason.

Had Tebow been replaced by almost anyone else, the level of vitriol among Broncos fans likely would have been significant. When you are able to put Peyton Manning, one of the best to ever play the position, at the media podium though, those attitudes must be tempered.

Tim Tebow was a big reason for the Broncos going from a 1-4 team to a playoff team and his knack to help win close games was a big reason why.

Manning, now under center in Denver, will have the fewest weapons of his career, but some young players who could really benefit from Peyton's unique talents as a communicator and leader.

The Broncos defense isn't exactly terrifying, but Manning has played with worse.
  
Offense
As a run-first offense, the Broncos were terrific last year, finishing at the top of the league rushing the ball. Losing Tim Tebow's numbers there will hurt, but the Denver offensive line is solid and should do a good job of both protecting Peyton and opening up running lanes.

Added Andre Caldwell on the outside and Jacob Tamme at tight end will mitigate, to some degree, the losses of both of Denver's top tight ends and their slot receiver Eddie Royal.

That being said, getting better skill possession players to pair with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are a critical part to making this offense better around Manning.

A running back should be part of the offseason plan as well with the aging Willis McGahee starting.

Peyton immediately makes this offense better just by showing up. Denver will again be a playoff threat thanks to what will undoubtedly be a better passing offense this season.

Key Free Agents:Daniel Fells TE (signed w/ Patriots), Dante Rosario TE (signed w/ Chargers), Eddie Royal WR ( signed w/ Chargers), Brady Quinn QB (signed w/ Chiefs), Matt Willis WR

Defense 

Denver, for what they added on offense with Manning, stands to lose a truckload on defense. All of the beef Denver had - which wasn't much to begin with - is headed out the door with Broderick Bunkley and Marcus Thomas both hitting free agency.

Even Denver's back-up defensive line with Derrick Harvey and Ryan McBean stand to walk, leaving the Broncos to with a literal hole in their defense.

Added Tracey Porter and Mike Adams can improve a secondary that, outside of Champ Bailey, doesn't have much in the way of talent. Getting deeper at defensive back, given the elite offensive teams in the AFC, is always something to be mindful of as well.

Linebacker is an area of strength for this team with Von Miller coming off a dynamic rookie season and both Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard re-signing.

This is an athletic group of linebackers that, if given some big bodies up front, can do plenty of damage in space.

Getting better in the front four has to be a priority for the Broncos this offseason.

Key Free Agents: Broderick Bunkley DT (signed w/ Saints), Brian Dawkins S, Mario Haggan OLB, Derrick Harvey DE (signed w/ Bengals), Jason Hunter DE, Joe Mays ILB (re-signed w/ Broncos), Ryan McBean DL, Marcus Thomas DT, Wesley Woodyard LB (re-signed w/ Broncos)

Draft Targets

Needs:WR,DB,DL,TE,RB

Round 1 (Pick 25): Kendall Wright WR Baylor (Pos. Rank 3, Overall Rank: 23)

Wright was a sliding prospect after he run above 4.6 at the combine. His 4.4 40's at his Baylor workouts quelled some of those concerns and Wright's tape shows a player with explosive capabilities regardless of what his times say. Wright reminds me of Packer wide receiver Greg Jennings, although Wright isn't quite as smooth in and out of breaks. With big, physical receivers in Decker and Thomas opposite him, Wright is an ideal fit to play in the slot for this Denver team.

Round 2 (Pick 57): Trumaine Johnson CB Montana (Pos. Rank: 8, Overall Rank: 58)

Champ Bailey is a Hall of Fame corner, but turns 34 this offseason and isn't the dynamic player he once was. Johnson isn't a ballhawk, but can be dynamic with the ball in his hands and returned kicks at Montana. At almost 6-2 and over 200 pounds, Johnson has the strength and speed to stick NFL wide receivers despite coming from a non-FBS school. If a defensive tackle falls to the Broncos here, there's certainly a possibility to draft one, but Johnson has better value than any available in my mock here.

Round 3 (Pick 87): Mike Martin DT Michigan (Pos. Rank: 11, Overall Rank: 85)
It may seem strange to see Martin here when, just a few days ago, I had him to the Packers with their third round pick, but these mocks are constantly evolving. Martin fills too big an obvious need to get past Denver here and while the Broncos would ideally want a player with a little bit better bulk, playing a 4-3 defense allows Martin to play alongside an end and tackle which masks some of his size limitations. Being in a 4-3 also helps make up for Martin's lack of ideal arm length because most of his movement will be confined inside. Martin is still one of my sleepers and would be a solid contributor on this defense. 

Overall 

Denver has some obvious needs at receiver and on defense, all of which are addressed here. Wright and Martin could be Day 1 starters while Johnson would have a chance to get significant playing time early. Based on value this is a decent to good draft (+3), but when you account for the fact that the team's biggest needs were also addressed, it becomes an excellent one. If the Broncos are able to find a suitable inside partner for Martin and another running back, the Broncos would have a pretty solid personnel base heading into 2012.

Final Thought

Tim Tebow went 7-4 with this team last year and the guy completed 46% of his passes. Another 8-8 season seems like the basement for this team assuming Manning can be the starter for 16 games. Even a much tougher schedule doesn't seem like it should hold the Broncos back from at least fighting for a wild card spot. If they can add a few skill position players and some beef on the defensive line, this is a balanced team. With Manning running the show, I expect they're also a team no one will want to play in December and January. While likely not a true "contender" in terms of the the NFL's tiers, Denver is at least a dark horse. Expect them to be dangerous.