How likely do you think the Broncos will trade out of the No. 20 spot? I’m in the best-player-available camp after the pickups this offseason. If someone wants to give us several picks to move down, I think we have to jump on it. I’d love to have another third-rounder if that means we drop down to the bottom of the first or into the second round. What do you think?

— Mike, Denver

Hey Mike, thanks for writing in and for getting us going this week. The draft is, at long last, almost here. Next week, we settle in for three days that promise to be fascinating. The Broncos are set at quarterback, but this is a critical draft nonetheless — really, they all are.

Denver’s got its first four picks still in hand, the first time that’s been the case since 2021, George Paton’s first draft as the general manager. You’ll remember that class started out with Pat Surtain II, Javonte Williams, Quinn Meinerz and Baron Browning and finished with Jonathon Cooper in the seventh round. Two All-Pros, a cornerstone edge rusher and two now-departed regular starters beset by injury. Not too shabby.

Put simply: Denver’s got capital to move around the board with.

Do I think they’ll move out of the No. 20 spot? Impossible to say from here — there are so many moving pieces ahead of the Broncos on draft night — but there’s an interesting set of conditions brewing.

First, this is a good time for the caveat that teams have substantially more information than we do and, of course, they’ve got an entire staff of scouts, coaches and executives tasked with putting together a plan independent of whatever consensus is out there. We talk to as many people as we can, think through scenarios and possibilities, rely on people we trust, etc., but we still, at the end of the day, are looking in from the outside.

All that being said, let’s look in.

The Broncos could just stick and pick at No. 20. That’s probably the most likely scenario.

There’s plenty of reason to go your direction, Mike, and trade down. Several talented draft analysts think this is a year light on elite, top-end guys but filled with quality players. So at 20, if you’re past the top of the bell curve and into a pool of players that are graded similarly, it makes sense to want to move back a few spots, get a player of similar caliber and also pick up picks.

But if other teams have the draft pegged along a similar track, then why would they want to move up? That’s the practical inhibitor to moving back. It takes two to tango. The best bets from here seem like a team that is either quarterback or tackle needy and gets itchy to move up (or back into the first round) to get their guy.

Denver’s situated just ahead of Pittsburgh in the draft order and the Steelers could be in the QB market. So perhaps if a team wants to jump ahead of them, they’d at least call the Broncos and see what it would take.

Here’s the other inhibitor to moving back: Sean Payton. He’s never traded back in the first round. Not in Denver. Not in all of those years in New Orleans. Nada. Zilch.

The Broncos also haven’t traded back, period, since he’s been here. They moved up for Marvin Mims Jr., Riley Moss and Troy Franklin, but they haven’t moved back.

Heck, general manager George Paton last year said he would have had a cake ready to celebrate the occasion if Denver had traded out of No. 76, a move they were considering if Jonah Elliss hadn’t been available.

Paton likes the darts. Payton prefers to focus almost solely on the target.

So, long story short, the conditions ahead of the draft look ripe for teams around Denver’s position to want to try to trade down. History tells us a Sean Payton-led organization is much more likely to trade up.

I’ve seen several mock drafts that have Quinshon Judkins going to Denver in the second round. If we go that route, who would you like to see us pick in the first round?

— Marvin R., Fort Collins

Hey Marvin, that’s an interesting way to look at it. Let’s assume no trades and Judkins is the pick at No. 51. Cool, he’s a good back. There are a ton of them in this class.

In that scenario, conventional wisdom would be that you’re talking about having drafted a tight end or a defensive lineman in the first round. Maybe a surprise like safety Nick Emmanwori out of South Carolina.

But if you’re asking for ideal scenarios, let’s say Michigan TE Colston Loveland or Oregon DT Derrick Harmon.

With Judkins going at No. 51, the Broncos won’t be able to bank on getting a TE like LSU’s Mason Taylor or even Littleton native and former Oregon standout Terrance Ferguson in the third round. Maybe, but no guarantee. Loveland’s more of a pass-catcher than a blocker and he dealt with a shoulder injury last fall. All the same, he’s widely considered one of the best players in the class. Putting him in the same room as 31-year-old Evan Engram gives you security long term, and in the short term, it turns a weakness last year into a potentially serious strength this fall.

Harmon’s just a high-quality, disruptive defensive lineman. Denver’s stacked there this year but will almost certainly have significant reps to replace after the 2025 season. There are other defensive linemen who could go in a similar range if the Broncos prefer a slightly different flavor.

Is there any shot we land Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton without having to trade up? Their stocks have been rising like crazy!

— Ryan, Lakewood

It’s possible, though almost assuredly not with Jeanty. He’s likely to be long gone by the time the Broncos pick No. 20.

You’ll find consensus that Hampton is a really good prospect and less agreement on exactly whether he’s a bonafide first-round grade or whether he’s more in line with the second wave of backs. Remember, there might only be 15 players in a draft class who any given team grades as a true first-round talent. This year, there could be even slightly fewer than that.

All the same, Hampton could well be gone by 20. Or he could be there and then you’re weighing him against a defensive tackle, tight end or traditionally premium position that’s more of a current strength on the Broncos’ roster like edge or corner.

Predictably, there’s been a lot of buzz about quarterbacks as the draft gets closer. If Miami’s Cam Ward goes No. 1 and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders goes somewhere in the top 10, it will be interesting to see if teams decide they don’t want to risk waiting until Day 2 for Ole Miss’ Jaxon Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or even Louisville’s Tyler Shough.

Quarterbacks always go early. The fifth year of control is important. And the value is so outsized if you find your guy. The higher and higher second and third contracts go, the more incentivized teams are to keep swinging in the draft, even with an elevated rate of misses.

The ideal situation for the Broncos is a mini run on quarterbacks either early or in the middle of the round. If the Giants go position player at No. 3 and want to get back into the first round? Great. The Los Angeles Rams want to move up from No. 24? Terrific. New Orleans wants to go that route at No. 9? The more the merrier. Any of that would push talent down toward Denver at No. 20.

Jeff Schmedding was announced as the new Broncos inside linebackers coach by The Denver Post and others on May 21, 2025. As of this writing, they have yet to officially acknowledge him on the Broncos’ own website. Why is that, and do we actually have him as a coach?

— Areferee, Greeley

Hey, Ref, you’re right that the Broncos haven’t officially acknowledged Schmedding’s hire online as of Tuesday afternoon, but I’m told he’s on staff and working as expected.

Payton didn’t directly talk about Schmedding at the NFL owners meetings because he wasn’t asked about him, but he did in a way point to the hire when he said, “I think we’re full” on the staff.

There were a lot of moving pieces this offseason for Payton, who said last month, “I felt like every time I left town, when I came back there was another coach gone.” Now the group’s in place and working with the front office and scouting departments to finalize the draft board.

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Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Signed Dre Greenlaw and re-signed Justin Strnad.

Under contract: Greenlaw (three years), Strnad (one year), Alex Singleton (one year), Drew Sanders (two years), Levelle Bailey (two years), K.J. Cloyd (two years)

Need scale (1-10): 4. Best-case scenario is the Broncos have depth inside this year and beyond. Greenlaw stays healthy and plays like one of the best in the business, Singleton bounces back from ACL surgery and Sanders puts it together in the middle of the field after settling in, at long last, to a supposedly permanent role. Of course, that’s not always the way it goes in the NFL. Still, Denver’s got a nice blend of proven production and developmental projects. The biggest risk at this point: Greenlaw, Singleton and Sanders have all dealt with major injuries. So, is ILB likely to be an early area to target? Not so much. But Denver’s always looking for athleticism and projectability, so a linebacker selection at some point along the way can’t be ruled out.

Top five

Jihaad Campbell, Alabama: A rangy athlete with good cover skills at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Campbell could hear his name called in the first round. Some teams might like him on the edge, but he can be a difference-maker in coverage. Had 117 tackles (11.5 for loss) in 2024. Ran 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine (1.52 10-yard split) and looks like a sideline-to-sideline player.

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA: Burst onto the scene in 2024, his first season as a starter. Went from role player to first-team All-American. He always seems to find his way to the ball, leading to 136 tackles (8.5 for loss) in 12 games for the Bruins.

Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma: Not quite as big as the Broncos’ Drew Sanders, but Stutsman’s not entirely dissimilar at 6-3 and 233 pounds. He ran 4.52 in the 40 at the combine and is a really good athlete. A first-team All-American in 2024 with 110 tackles (eight for loss) at OU.

Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon: Started 43 games and appeared in 55 over four seasons for the Ducks, so he’s got major experience. Never put up eye-popping numbers, but that kind of consistency and time on task in a high-quality program will get NFL teams’ attention. Ran 4.63 in the 40 at the combine at 6-1 and 232 pounds.

Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss: Paul’s not very big at a shade under 6-1 and 222 pounds, but he was a consistent producer in the SEC for three seasons. He racked up 26 tackles in that span for Arkansas and then Ole Miss last fall. Could be an interesting mid-round developmental project for a team and a missile on special teams right away.

More Broncos options

Cody Simon, Ohio State: The Broncos are no stranger to Buckeye linebackers and Simon is a good one. He’s 6-2 and 229 pounds and is a sure tackler. The likely Day 3 pick racked up 112 tackles (12.5 for loss) and seven sacks (and seven passes defensed) in 2024 for the national champs.

Smael Mondon, Georgia: Mondon’s athleticism stands out at 6-2 and 224 pounds. He ran 4.58 in the 40 at the combine (1.56 10-yard split). His biggest statistical season for UGA came in 2022.

Jack Kaiser, Notre Dame: A six-year college player, Kaiser played 69 games for the Irish. Broncos coach Sean Payton said it’s hard to find starting linebackers as rookies, so perhaps an experienced player would help smooth out the learning curve.

Eugene Asante, Auburn: Played for now-Broncos ILB coach Jeff Schmedding at Auburn in 2022, though Asante appeared in four games and redshirted that season after transferring. Undersized at 6-1 and 223 pounds, but ran a blazing 4.48 in the 40 at the combine. Younger brother of former NFL linebacker Larry Asante.

Jailin Walker, Indiana: Like Asante, Walker is small. IU listed him at 6-foot and 219. But he can fly (4.40 in the 40 at his pro day). A Broncos 30 visitor who would be a potential option with their final selections in the sixth round or as a free agent after the draft ends.

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Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Re-signed D.J. Jones

Under contract: Jones (three years), Zach Allen (one year), John Franklin-Myers (one year), Malcolm Roach (one year), Jordan Jackson (two years), Eyioma Uwazurike (two years), Matt Henningsen (one year), Jordan Miller (two years),

Need scale (1-10): 6. The Broncos are in great position for 2025, returning every defensive lineman who played a snap last fall. But don’t let that mask what lies just beyond the horizon. Even if Denver and Allen come to a massive extension this summer, Franklin-Myers and Roach are entering the final years of their deals. If Denver extends JFM, too, the need for cheap young talent around him, Allen and Jones will be all the more critical. Jackson took a nice step in 2024, but none beyond the top four are guaranteed long-term contributors. No matter how you slice it, the Broncos should be in the market for defensive line help. Perhaps as early as the first round.

Top five

Mason Graham, Michigan: One of the very best prospects in the 2025 draft class regardless of position, Graham is a load inside. He’s got short arms, but it doesn’t stop him from making his presence felt in both the run game and as a pass-rusher. There are more prototypical athletes and perhaps more enticing traits elsewhere in the group, but it would be a surprise if any of them went before Graham later this month. He should be off the board comfortably in the first 10 picks.

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: In some ways, the opposite of Graham. Stewart’s got perhaps the most exciting skill set of all the front-line players. The head-scratcher: He had just 4.5 career sacks at Texas A&M. Still, he led the Aggies in pressures and ran 4.59 in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds. He’ll likely play heavier than that in the NFL, depending on the scheme. The combination of traits without college production is reminiscent of players like Rashan Gary, who went No. 12 to Green Bay in 2019. A similar range wouldn’t be a surprise for Stewart.

Derrick Harmon, Oregon: A player who feels like a pretty clean fit for the Broncos — and many other teams — in the first round. Harmon has size and length at 6-5 and 313 pounds, he’s athletic and disruptive, and he’s got a reputation for playing hard all the time. Played three years at MSU before transferring to Oregon and compiling five sacks, 10.5 TFLs and a pair of forced fumbles.

Kenneth Grant, Michigan: Massive interior player who checked into the Combine at 6-4 and 330 pounds. He made a dynamite college pair with Graham. Will be interesting to see how much more pass-rush he can add to his game as a pro, but there aren’t a lot of guys built like him. He’ll have a chance to hear his name called in the first round.

Walter Nolen, Ole Miss: A terrific athlete at 6-4 and 296 pounds and disruptive pass-rusher who started his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. Then he racked up 14 tackles for loss to go along with six sacks. It’s a deep group overall and at the top. All five of the players listed here will still be 21 years old on draft day.

More Broncos options

Darius Alexander, Toledo: An older player who will turn 25 during the preseason, Alexander spent six years at the college level. He ran 4.95 in the 40 at the combine at 6-4 and 305 pounds. Like several others in this group, he’s got the ability to play different spots on the front and could be a useful role player as a rookie.

T.J. Sanders, South Carolina: Another of the litany of athletic interior players in this class, Sanders goes 6-4 and 300 pounds and reportedly ran sub-5.0 in the 40 at USC’s pro day. He’s got pass-rushing chops and is the kind of versatile player who could fill a role as a rookie and grow into a bigger role in 2026 and beyond.

Vernon Broughton, Texas: A Broncos 30 visitor, Broughton first became a starter at Texas last fall, his fifth collegiate season. He’s a massive guy at 6-5 and 311 with a nearly 84-inch wingspan. He could end up going Day 2 or could be available early on Day 3 if the Broncos address other positions early in the draft.

Ty Robinson, Nebraska: Started five seasons at NU and got better and better throughout his tenure. Robinson is an enormous guy, checking into the Combine at better than 6-5 and 288 pounds. Then he ran 4.98 seconds in the 40. Had seven of his 12 career sacks and 12.5 of 26.5 TFLs in his final college year. Combined with the testing, he might have played his way into a Day 2 pick.

Rylie Mills, Notre Dame: Essentially Robinson’s equal in terms of size (6-5, 293), Mills injured his knee during the Irish’s College Football Playoff run. Even if he’s not entirely ready for the start of the 2025 season, he could potentially serve as a role player with room to grow into a bigger role in the future.

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The Broncos wide receiver was all smiles here Saturday as he kicked off a campaign for his newly released candy, Sutton Sours. Later this month, he’ll get back to what until last summer had been a normal part of his offseason routine: taking part in Denver’s voluntary offseason workout program and organized team activities.

That even though Sutton and the Broncos have not yet come to terms on a contract extension.

Still, Sutton told The Denver Post on Saturday here that he believes his representation and the club are “moving in the right direction” regarding a long-term deal.

“My team has had a really good conversation with the guys up there in the front office, and I think it’s working in the right direction,” Sutton said. “Ultimately, you just want to know you’re working in the right direction. I think they see and have seen what I’ve brought to the team.

“I’m open and optimistic about the fact that I’ll be able to be here for the rest of my career.”

That’s a substantial tone shift and change in approach from a year ago, when Sutton skipped all of the Broncos’ voluntary offseason work. When he reported to a mandatory minicamp in June — the only portion of the offseason he could have been fined for missing — he called contract talks between himself and the only organization he’s ever played for a “stalemate.”

Eventually, Sutton agreed to add up to $1.7 million in earnable incentives to his contract and cashed in $1.5 million of it by putting together the best football of his career — and certainly the best season he’s had since tearing his ACL in 2020.

Sutton caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns while becoming the go-to option for rookie quarterback Bo Nix and being voted a captain by his teammates for a fourth straight year.

In the process, he made a convincing case for a contract extension. Sutton is entering the final season of a four-year, $60.1 million extension he signed in November 2021. He is due a $13.5 million base salary for 2025 and has no guaranteed money left on his contract, though that will change if the sides can agree on an extension in the coming months.

Sutton said Nix’s ascendance, Denver’s return to the playoffs and his confidence in how the organization thinks of him all add up to an excitement level to attend the voluntary portion of the offseason.

“One of the biggest things is the season we had last year was amazing, and leaning into that and wanting to build on that and not wanting to take any steps back from that, I think the offseason is a big part of that,” Sutton said. “And then obviously us having a quarterback. Man, going into the offseason knowing, “this is going to be our quarterback of the future — being able to build on that and having that consistency and that foundation already set going into the offseason is amazing.”

In acknowledging that Sutton is planning to attend the voluntary portion of team workouts two weeks ago at the NFL owners meetings in South Florida, head coach Sean Payton said there is “no timeline” for an extension.

“I’m excited that he’ll be there whenever we get going and we’ll go from there,” Payton said.
But I know there isn’t any timeline.”

General manager George Paton narrowed it down slightly, saying he thought any contract extensions the Broncos work on will happen after the NFL Draft, which runs April 24-26. The Broncos have several players who are due or close to due for extensions, including Sutton, defensive lineman Zach Allen, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and potentially others, like defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.

“You’ve seen how we’ve done our business,” Paton said at the owners meetings. “Typically, let’s get through the draft. We’ll be open to conversations after the draft and into the summer and sometimes into the season as well.”

Last year, Denver finalized massive extensions for right guard Quinn Meinerz in mid-July and for cornerback Pat Surtain II the week of the Broncos’ season opener.

In the meantime, the only pursed lips for Sutton might come if he tried his own candy. He was relaxed and smiling wide as a long line of Broncos fans filtered through a sporting goods store to buy his newest concoction and score an autograph in the process. At least a couple hundred people — and a few furry friends — got photos and autographs from Sutton, who spent weeks on different candy options from Colorado Candy Company before settling on a sour.

“I love candy,” Sutton said. “It’s something that, it’s one of my Achilles heels for sure. … They probably sent a good amount, we went back and forth for a couple weeks — it might have been more like a month — trying to figure out what we liked. We narrowed it down to some flavors and we got it right.

“I love sours. I’m thinking about it right now and it’s making my cheeks tingle.”

That’s the only sour taste in Sutton’s world these days.

The Broncos are back to being a playoff-caliber team, they have a quarterback, and Sutton feels good about his place in the organization.

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Uncertainty abounds. Does Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders go in the top three picks or start falling toward the middle of the first round?

Is anybody itching to trade up? Or might this be a year in which most teams let the board come to them?

Who will be around at No. 20 when the Broncos are first slated to be on the clock?

A raft of mock drafts out there jumped to pair Denver with North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton after free agency. He’s widely — though not unanimously — considered the No. 2 back in the class after Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, but that’s where the consensus ends.

Respected draft minds differ on whether he’s a blue-chipper. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Hampton ranked No. 13 overall. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler? No. 29. That’s the difference between a true first-round grade and not.

The first time The Denver Post did this exercise after the opening phase of free agency, Michigan tight end Colston Loveland was the pick at No. 20. That still feels like a good fit — though there’s no guarantee Loveland will still be available — but what’s the fun in just rolling out the same picks for Version 2.0?

So, this time around, let’s assume the top two tight ends are off the board in Loveland and Penn State’s Tyler Warren. So, too, is Jeanty, and either somebody’s jumped at Hampton — looking at you, Dallas Cowboys — or Denver doesn’t consider him worthy of No. 20.

The rest of the parameters: No trades. Seven Denver picks. And a bonus: A dark-horse option for each of the first three rounds.

No. 20: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Is this early for Henderson? Maybe. Would it be ideal if Denver could move back a few spots and still nab him or even take him at No. 51? Absolutely. But the draft doesn’t always work out that way.

Here’s one thing we know about Broncos head coach Sean Payton: If he loves a player, he’s not afraid to take him, regardless of any consensus notion of value. And there are several reasons the Broncos could end up loving Henderson.

The 5-foot-10, 202-pounder has home run ability out of the backfield, he’s a weapon in the passing game, and he’s a quality pass-protector. He’s got the ability to be the type of three-down back Payton and general manager George Paton said they’re looking for in this class.

Payton’s often referenced Detroit’s 2023 draft class because the Lions found two “Jokers” in the same crop. Part of that haul? Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who went earlier than almost anybody expected at No. 12 overall and turned into a matchup nightmare. Henderson might not be exactly that caliber of prospect, but he’s got similarities and he’d profile as a great lead to pair with the bigger, powerful Audric Estime. If the Broncos think Henderson elevates the entire offense, then why not?

Dark horse: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina. Conventional wisdom is the Broncos will look for a back, tight end or maybe a defensive lineman in the first round. Emmanwori is none of those, but he’s an athletic marvel (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical and 11-6 broad jump at the combine) and a unique talent. He’d be a fun player to watch defensive coordinator Vance Joseph deploy.

No. 51: TE Mason Taylor, LSU

The son of former NFL great Jason Taylor fits a lot of what Payton and company are looking for at tight end. He can run, and he’s a better blocker than most of the quality receivers available. Plus, the Broncos have a ton of familiarity with him.

Denver has always had good insight into LSU players, given the staff history there — Jamar Cain and Beau Lowery, among others — but also because new defensive QC Brian Niedermeyer coached him for a year at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Florida in 2021. The question is if he’ll be available at No. 51. Some metrics — like ESPN’s predictive modeling — suggest the likelihood is high, but if Taylor is the third tight end off the board, it may be before this spot.

Dark horse: OLB JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State. The Broncos don’t need edge help given their current quartet, but if a difference-maker is available, any team will at least consider it. Denver’s dipped into the Buckeye well many times over the years defensively, including OLBs Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning.

No. 85: DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska

Denver could address the defensive front line as early as the first round, but here they wait until later on Day 2. Robinson is an older player in the class after six years with the Huskers, but he put together the best football of his career last fall when he tallied seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

At nearly 6-6 and 288 pounds, Robinson ran 4.83 seconds in the 40 at the combine. He’s a versatile front-line player who could serve in a reserve role as a rookie and grow into starting work down the road.

Dark horse: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State. A big, long, fast cornerback? That’s a player Payton and Paton could add to an already-strong group and hope it pays big-time, long-term dividends.

No. 122: WR Tory Horton, Colorado State

The Broncos took a swing at receiver early on Day 3 last year with Troy Franklin and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did so again this spring. Horton was super productive for the Rams in 2022-23 before a knee injury limited his 2024 campaign. Still, he’s had a good predraft process. Denver wide receivers coach Keary Colbert was on hand for his pro day, and he’s got the kind of speed and vertical ability to give Bo Nix and company another weapon that makes defenses think twice about the deep ball.

No. 191: CB Korie Black, Oklahoma State

Black didn’t get invited to the combine, but he’s got experience after starting three years at OSU. He’s also got good size at 6-foot and, according to several outlets, he ran 4.35 in the 40 at his pro day.

No. 197: OL Hayden Conner, Texas

A three-year starter at left guard for the Longhorns, Conner checked into the combine at 6-6 and 314 pounds. That makes him the kind of big, rugged interior offensive lineman Denver likes. The Broncos should be looking for interior options for 2026 and beyond with center Luke Wattenberg entering the final year of his contract and left guard Ben Powers playing with no guaranteed money left on his deal.

No. 208: LB Jailin Walker, Indiana

A 30-visitor of the Broncos, Walker can really run. He ran in the 4.4-range at IU’s pro day and was productive in one year for the Hoosiers after transferring from James Madison. He’s not a big second-level player — the Hoosiers listed him at 218 pounds — but he’s got real athleticism and could be an interesting special-teams and developmental player.

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Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Re-signed Matt Peart.

Under contract: Garett Bolles (four years), Ben Powers (two years), Luke Wattenberg (one year), Quinn Meinerz (four years), Mike McGlinchey (three years), Matt Peart (two years), Alex Forsyth (two years), Alex Palczewski (two years), Nick Gargiulo (three years), Calvin Throckmorton (one year), Frank Crum (three years), Will Sherman (three years).

Need scale (1-10): 4. The Broncos have enviable continuity up front. They return all five starters and all of their top reserves. Most of them are under contract beyond 2025, even. But that doesn’t mean stasis is guaranteed. Wattenberg is entering the final year of his contract. Powers doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal, and McGlinchey doesn’t after 2025. That doesn’t guarantee multiple departures after this year, but it does mean the time to plan for the future is now. And now means the middle rounds of the draft.

Top five

Will Campbell, LSU: A three-year starter at left tackle for the Tigers, Campbell has proven he can handle the edge. Doesn’t have ideal arm length, but is a good athlete who ran a sub-5-second 40-yard dash at 319 pounds. Safely a first-round pick.

Armand Membou, Missouri: Not many improved their draft stock in 2024 more than Membou, who was a dominant player for the Tigers. A two-plus year starter at right tackle for Mizzou, Membou could be the first offensive lineman off the board.

Josh Simmons, Ohio State: Simmons might have been the top lineman in the class had it not been for a torn patellar tendon in October. At 6-5 and 317, he started at right tackle in 2022 and left tackle each of the past two years. A team with a bit of patience might land a steal later in the first round or early on Day 2.

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State: The Bison churn out pro talent at the FCS level and Zabel’s the latest. He started up and down NDSU’s offensive line over the course of his career, including 2024 at left tackle. NFL teams may see him mostly as an interior player, but one with versatility.

Kelvin Banks, Texas: A three-year starter at left tackle for the Longhorns. Banks won the Outland Trophy in 2024 and was a first-team All-American. Has been a blue-chip prospect and player since high school.

More Broncos options

Jared Wilson, Georgia: Wilson’s not the biggest interior offensive lineman, but he’s a good athlete and started just one year at Georgia. Broncos center Luke Wattenberg is entering the final year of his rookie contract, meaning Denver could be on the hunt for a center to develop and compete with Alex Forsyth in the future.

Cameron Williams, Texas: Another potential developmental candidate, Williams has size and talent that can’t be taught. He’s 6-6 and 317 pounds with long arms. Teams are always looking for tackles and Williams would be an interesting fit along with Frank Crum and Alex Palczewski learning under offensive line coach Zach Strief.

Logan Brown, Kansas: Another tackle the Broncos have shown pre-draft interest in, Brown was a five-star recruit out of high school who eventually started for Kansas at right tackle in 2024. He got limited work in college but will get Day 3 looks from NFL teams.

Trey Wedig, Indiana: Like Brown, a Wisconsin transfer who caught on and started at right tackle for a really good Indiana team. Wedig had a good week at the Shrine Bowl but didn’t get an invite to the combine. He was a 30 visitor for the Broncos.

Tate Ratledge, Georgia: Broncos coach Sean Payton likes big interior linemen, and Ratledge is that at 6-5 and 308. He’s a mauler who, like others on this list, could be a developmental player and potentially compete as a successor to Powers — or just quality young depth in the group.

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Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Signed Trent Sherfield

Under contract: Courtland Sutton (one year), Marvin Mims Jr. (two years), Devaughn Vele (three years), Troy Franklin (three years), A.T. Perry (three years), Michael Bandy (two years), Sherfield (two years)

Need scale (1-10): 6. The Broncos are bullish on their returning receiving corps. Mims is a breakout candidate in 2025 after a strong finishing kick, while Vele and Franklin each need to take steps forward as second-year players. Perry is an interesting young guy and Sherfield brings physicality to the room as a special teams player and quality blocker. Still, it’s not hard to squint and see one more hit in the draft making this group all the more dangerous. Productive pass-catchers can be found throughout the draft. Identifying a good one on Day 2 or 3 is the Broncos’ challenge.

Top five

Travis Hunter, Colorado: A one-of-a-kind talent who is arguably the top receiver, top cornerback and top overall prospect in this draft class. Hunter put up incredible numbers last fall, tallying 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while also solidifying himself as an elite cornerback en route to the Heisman Trophy. He could go as early as No. 2 overall.

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: Egbuka’s played in the shadow of megastars in Columbus, first Marvin Harrison Jr. and then freshman sensation Jeramiah Smith in 2024. But make no mistake: This guy can play. That he might shine brighter in the pros than in college is a wild thing to say about OSU’s all-time leading receiver, but it’s possible.

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: Put up silly numbers the past two years, going for 174 catches, 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a physically imposing receiver at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds. McMillan is not a straight-line burner but doesn’t have to be thanks to his frame and contested catch ability.

Matthew Golden, Texas: Burst onto the scene during his lone year in Austin. Had decent numbers in two years at Houston (584 and 404 yards in 2022 and 2023, respectively) and then 576 though Texas’ first 12 games last fall. He went nuclear from the SEC title game on, though, and stamped his place near the top of the receiver class. Then he ran 4.29 seconds in the 40.

Luther Burden, Missouri: Burden draws Deebo Samuel comparisons at 6-feet, 206 pounds. Had a down year last fall, but in 2023 was among the very best players in college football when he went for 86 catches, 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. Ran 4.41 in the 40 at the combine. Would project as a versatile, ‘Joker’-esque player if the Broncos looked his direction at No. 20.

More Broncos options

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State: Higgins might not last until No. 51, so Denver would likely have to be aggressive to land him. He checks a lot of boxes at 6-4 and 215 pounds. He’s a terrific athlete for that size, running 4.47 in the 40 and jumping 39 inches vertical and 10-8 broad. Played two years at ISU and tallied 2,166 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Jalen Royals, Utah State: One of the most enjoyable guys in the class to watch. The smart and savvy Royals had 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023 and followed it up with 834 (15.2 per catch) and six last fall. Ran 4.42 in the 40. Has productive, versatile pro written all over him.

Tory Horton, Colorado State: Horton opted to return to CSU for 2024 but a knee injury ended his season after six games. Before that had back-to-back 1,100-plus yard seasons. The 6-3, 195-pounder got back in time to put together a strong combine performance (4.41 in the 40) and pro day earlier this month in Fort Collins with Broncos WR coach Keary Colbert in attendance.

Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas: Intriguing player who transferred to Arkansas for two years from Division II. TeSlaa didn’t have huge numbers but averaged 19.5 yards per grab last fall. A big slot receiver at 6-4 and 214, TeSlaa ripped up the combine by going 4.43 in the 40, jumping 39.5 inches in the vertical and benching 17 reps.

Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee: A former teammate of Bo Nix’s at Oregon, Thornton transferred to UT and averaged a 25.4 yards per catch last fall. At 6-5, Thornton ran 4.3 in the 40 but is thin and not particularly refined. If Troy Franklin grows into a more diverse role, Thornton would be an interesting vertical option for Denver’s offense.

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Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: None.

Under contract: Audric Estime (three years), Jaleel McLaughlin (two years), Tyler Badie (three years), Blake Watson (three years).

Need scale (1-10): 9. This is really the position of the draft for the Broncos. They’ll be after several others, but if they land a difference-maker at running back — they haven’t had that since before Javonte Williams’ 2022 knee injury — they can unlock a new dimension to the offense, help Bo Nix and make everybody else more dangerous, too. Denver has options on the roster. Useful ones, even. But they don’t have the guy. That’s what they’re after. Not just a back. But a three-down, top-of-the-room dude.

Top five

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: The Heisman Trophy runner-up is among the very best prospects in this draft class. He racked up 2,601 yards and 29 TDs rushing and is a tackle-breaking, explosive play-making ball-carrier. His highlights are the stuff of legend and he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called in the first round. Could he end up in the AFC West to Las Vegas at No. 6?

Omarion Hampton, North Carolina: In a running back class a mile deep and a mile wide, Hampton is out to prove he’s closer to Jeanty than to the rest. Over the past two years at UNC, he rushed for 1,504 and 1,660 yards, respectively, and had 15 rushing TDs each year. He also combined for 67 catches in that span and is a big, physical back who ran 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash at 221 pounds. A likely first-rounder and a potential Broncos pick at No. 20.

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State: Some years, Henderson could challenge to be the top back drafted. He draws comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs and Alvin Kamara for his combination of big-play ability and receiving acumen. Henderson was 202 pounds at the combine and ran 4.43 in the 40. He’s a home-run hitter and capable of playing all three downs.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa: Johnson was prolific in Iowa’s zone rushing attack. He’s a great fit in an outside zone-based offense at the next level and might adjust well to just about any scheme. His 40 time didn’t wow at 4.57 seconds, but the production (1,537 yards and 23 total TDs in 2024) speaks for itself.

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State: The thunder to Henderson’s lightning in OSU’s backfield during their national title run. Judkins is 221 pounds and ran 4.46 in the 40. He’s rugged and was remarkably consistent through two years at Ole Miss and one at OSU.

More Broncos options

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State: Opinions vary widely on Skattebo, but he’s a freight train who is tough to tackle and is a good receiver, too. Coaches will love him even with a 40 time in the mid-4.6 range.

DJ Giddens, Kansas State: A Broncos 30 visitor, Giddens put up impressive testing numbers at the combine — 4.43 in the 40 and a 39.5-inch vertical jump at 212 pounds — after major production at KSU. He rushed for 1,343 yards (6.6 per carry) last fall and had 50 catches over the past two years.

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech: Great name with big-time game. Tuten put on a show at the combine. He ran 4.32 in the 40 (with a blistering 1.49 10-yard split) and had a 40.5-inch vertical. Averaged 6.3 yards per carry. Not big, but might have enough mass at 206 pounds.

RJ Harvey, UCF: Racked up 1,577 yards on 6.8 per carry last fall. Produced throughout his career, averaging 6.3 overall at UCF. Harvey has some receiving chops, too, and is yet another 4.4-second 40 guy in the class.

Brashard Smith, SMU: A Senior Bowl standout who flourished after leaving Miami for SMU last fall. He rushed for 1,332 yards and 15 touchdowns. Has always been a good receiver, averaging 31 catches per season over the past three. Ran 4.39 in the 40 at 195 pounds.

Jaydon Blue, Texas: Another Broncos 30 visitor, Blue is a blur. He ran 4.38 at the combine and is a true home-run threat. Not only that, but he’s a terrific receiver (42 catches in 2024). He’s on the smaller side (196 pounds) but is intriguing as a change-of-pace option.

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They hoped the 11 teams in front of them would do what Denver expected them to.

After quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye went with the first three picks and the New York Giants took receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6, head coach Sean Payton said he almost wanted to call around to make sure other teams didn’t panic.

The Broncos, picking at No. 12, knew they wanted Bo Nix. They thought Minnesota, at No. 11, wanted Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy and Las Vegas, at No. 13, wanted Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

“Let’s get on a conference call with all of them and say, ‘None of us spend any money,’” Payton said with a laugh later that night while recalling the sequence.

Hold your water, and everybody gets their quarterback.

Except then came the curveball when Atlanta took Penix at No. 8.

“It got a little crazy there for a minute,” Payton said.

Minnesota felt the need to trade up one spot to ensure it got McCarthy. Denver, of course, got its guy at No. 12 anyway.

As the Broncos gear up for the 2025 draft, they do so with Nix as their apparent long-term answer at the game’s most important position. That alone makes for a more comfortable offseason and a different set of stakes during April’s final weekend.

Picking at No. 20, though, they are almost assuredly in for more of the same guessing game about who will ultimately be available when they pick and when they might address the biggest single need left on their roster: running back.

“Who’s going to be there? Do we have to move up? Maybe we move back,” general manager George Paton said Monday at the league’s spring ownership meetings. “All those scenarios come into play.

“The challenges are always ahead, no matter what.”

The Rubik’s cube

No roster move happens in a vacuum.

The Broncos set out to reinforce several positions of need earlier this spring in free agency and, for the most part, did so.

That to-do list was based on roster need but also on what the club thinks the draft class holds.

Payton said he generally has found it’s difficult for a rookie to step in and start at inside linebacker. The Broncos landed Dre Greenlaw on a three-year deal over fierce competition from other teams, including San Francisco.

Denver needed more depth and playmaking at safety — not necessarily a 2025 draft strength. The club signed Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year deal.

And the Broncos’ need for a playmaking tight end became so acute that they pursued a couple heavily in free agency, eventually snagging Evan Engram on a two-year deal, even though they’ll likely take advantage of a deep group in the draft, too.

“When you’re kind of putting this (Rubik’s) cube together, part of it is understanding what’s available in the draft,” Payton said. “What do the odds suggest? It’s deep at interior defensive line, for instance. Those things can affect maybe what you do in free agency. You’re looking to click the last click, have it all fit and get the most out of the players you sign or draft.

“So it would be important to know, as we’re making free-agent decisions, where the draft is depth-wise at certain positions.”

Most pressing need?

The Broncos did damage in free agency, but they did not fill all of their needs.

They have not yet added a running back — Payton called the free-agent crop “pretty lean” — and watched Javonte Williams sign a one-year deal with Dallas last month. They have four young players on the roster, but conventional wisdom suggests Denver is on the hunt for a major upgrade.

Even Denver general manager George Paton brought up the position when asked Monday if he thought the strengths of the draft and Denver’s roster needs lined up well.

“Everyone’s talking about the running backs, so that’s a good thing, right?” he said. “There are a lot of running backs. I think we just need to get depth everywhere. Obviously, we want to get a running back. There are other positions where we need to get stronger depth.

“I do think the draft matches up to some of the places we have needs.”

Paton, during his chat with reporters, was particularly resolute about adding a ball-carrier.

“We’ll get a back in this draft,” he said.

Of course, just because there are many options doesn’t mean they’re all created equal. The Broncos’ current running backs can each do some things. They’re looking for a player who can do everything.

The elusive three-down back.

“There’s not as many three-down backs, but it’s a good class,” Paton said.

Payton indicated he’s seen “a handful” of players who might qualify.

The question: Just how early does Denver have to strike to land one of them?

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently had Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (No. 3) and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (No. 13) among his top overall players in the draft class, then three more running backs ranked between Nos. 34 and 45.

Longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently said he had draftable grades on 31 running backs, but that Jeanty and Hampton are a clear-cut top duo.

“There’s going to be running backs where you say, ‘Hey, I could get this guy in the third or fourth, fifth round,’” Kiper added. “… Opinions all over the place. But I do think the more elite backs are Jeanty and Hampton and then a bunch of guys grouped together in that second tier, and then a third tier and a fourth tier. I do think Jeanty and Hampton are the only two that are special, potentially elite backs in the NFL.”

Jeanty is a near lock to go early in the first round. He won’t be around at No. 20. But many think Hampton’s right in Denver’s range.

Paton’s entering his fifth draft in the big chair and is well-versed in the smoke-screen game that wafts around the league this time of year. So it was interesting when he said, “I think you can get a good back in the second round and all the way into the sixth round.”

Conspicuously absent: any mention of the first round.

An honest read or subterfuge?

Perhaps worth noting: The Broncos have only taken one first-round running back in the past 34 years (Knowshon Moreno in 2009). Sean Payton used two first-rounders on running backs in his New Orleans tenure, selecting Reggie Bush No. 2 overall in 2006 and Mark Ingram No. 28 in 2011.

The waiting — and preparation — game

The Broncos planned to ramp up draft meetings midweek, according to Paton.

Those include all kinds of exercises.

They’ll try to stack and sort positions into more clearly defined strata. They’ll put extra eyes on clusters of players graded closely together across positions.

Then, as the draft gets closer, they’ll start working through what their people and their algorithms predict will happen on April 24 and, thus, who is likely to be available when No. 20 rolls around.

Who is worth trading up for? What might cause the Broncos to want to move back and look for extra picks?

The way Paton and Payton spoke at the owners meetings, they feel they’re in a good position.

They’re armed with their top three picks for the first time since 2021. The running back and tight end classes are deep. So, too, is interior defensive line. A good argument could be made that those are Denver’s top three needs.

The Broncos could arrive at No. 20 and have options at any of those three positions.

They’d be perfectly justified in taking a tight end, despite adding Engram in free agency.

They haven’t taken a true interior defensive lineman in the first round since Sylvester Williams in 2013.

Perhaps Hampton or another back worthy of that lofty draft status will be sitting there atop Denver’s board.

Or they could surprise and take a receiver, a cornerback or a unique defensive player like inside linebacker Jihaad Campbell or safety Nick Emmanwori.

The Broncos will have quite a way to wait that Thursday night, but they’ve also built themselves some flexibility to chart their way through the opening rounds without being boxed into a corner.

From there, it’s about the final clicks on the Rubik’s cube.

“You always think about that, especially the first round,” Paton said. “There’s a guy there you really like, but you think it’s strong (position). Maybe you’ll get him in the second round, so we’ll go this (direction). I think it comes down to you always want to take the best player. The best player on your board.

“Typically, you win in those scenarios.”

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While I think it would be a cool story to draft Bo Nix‘s adopted brother Tez Johnson, do you think that it would be a beneficial move for the Broncos? He seems to be a much smaller version of Marvin Mims Jr., and I think Troy Franklin is due for a lot more targets next year. I just don’t know how much he would add to the offense.

— Owen, Fort Collins

Hey Owen, thanks for writing and for getting us going this week. The Broncos drafting Tez Johnson would be, unequivocally, a really cool story. The Nix family considers him one of their own. They call him their adopted son and brother. He and Nix are inseparable. Nix was up there last month for Oregon’s pro day to watch Johnson and several other former teammates.

Johnson’s a fun watch, too. He’s electric in the open field. But… yeah, he’s really small. He checked into the combine at 5-foot-10 and 154 pounds. And he ran 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Mims, by comparison, was 5-11 but 183 pounds — 29 pounds heavier! — and ran 4.38 in the 40. Interestingly, Johnson’s 10-yard split was quicker than Mims’ despite the slower overall time. Franklin was 6-2 and 176 and ran 4.41 in the 40.

We know Payton prefers big wide receivers as a baseline. He likes to say that it’s not that he dislikes small receivers, just that small receivers have to walk on water. A receiver Johnson’s size would have to be really, truly special to be an impact player in the NFL. Someone will give him a shot. It would make for quite a story if that someone was the Broncos.

We’re talking about needing additional tight ends or running backs or wide receivers. Do we have a strong enough backup QB in case Bo Nix goes down?

— Tilman Adair, Denver

Hey Tilman, thanks for writing in. The Broncos really like what Jarrett Stidham brings to the table. That’s why they signed him for another two years after he played through his previous two-year deal. Would the Broncos be in trouble if Nix missed a big swath of the season? Most likely — though the defense believes it can carry the team regardless of situation. But that’s not unique in the NFL.

In the interim since you submitted this question, the Broncos have also agreed to sign Sam Ehlinger to a one-year deal. Payton’s talked about wanting to constantly be in the quarterback development business, both with his starter and with the reserves. Ehlinger will get a chance to work with Payton, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and a room that got along really well last year. The way the rules work now with being able to have the emergency third quarterback not count against your gameday active list, there’s more incentive to keep three quarterbacks on your 53-man roster.

If the Broncos coaches watched ASU nearly pull off an upset of Texas in their bowl game due to Cam Skattebo‘s terrific play (he single-handedly nearly won the game) when he wasn’t vomiting on the sidelines they would see the tailback that they seek, don’t you think?

— Gary Mason, Aztec, N.M.

Hey Gary, I wrote in last week’s mailbag about how Skattebo checks a lot of boxes the Broncos look for at running back. This week at the owners meetings in Florida, we heard Payton and Paton draw a clear delineation between first- and second-down backs and guys that can play all three downs. Skattebo’s got the receiving ability to play on third down and he’s also got the kind of toughness and demeanor coaches love.

The flip side, if you want to call it that, is he reportedly ran in the mid-4.6s for the 40-yard dash at his pro day. Probably not a big surprise, but that kind of number might keep him from being a true premium prospect. It might even give some teams pause about whether he can really carry a week-in, week-out load and create enough big plays for an NFL team. But the tape is the tape. He’s hard to tackle, he plays with an edge and he’s got real versatility.

I’d love to see the Broncos be aggressive and draft all offense to start off with in this year’s draft, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and LSU’s Mason Taylor getting the call, heck, throw in Utah State’s Jalen Royals or the Sun Devils’ Cam Skattebo!

What are the chances Denver adopts such an idea? This year’s draft is so deep you’d think they’d trade back once or twice to acquire a few more picks to round out the roster. I’d be happy with Ollie Gordon II or Devin Neal, too! It’s crazy how many great backs there are this year. Despite that, picking up JK Dobbins on a one-year prove-it deal makes sense.

We all know they need a new center. What about moving over Quinn Meinerz to center and bringing back Dalton Risner? If not that, maybe draft Tate Ratledge or Jared Wilson out of Georgia to solidify that O-line. I think our defense is set, but we need more depth on the line (Omarr Norman-Lott or Deone Walker?).

I’d love to see at least a couple of fresh new faces at linebacker (Jack Kaiser) or Kobe King? Sebastian Castro or Caleb Ransaw in the late rounds addressing the safety position would be ideal!

— Dennis Moore, Fruita

Dennis has been grinding the tape and is so, so ready for the draft. Love the excitement. It is indeed a fun time of year. Don’t even know where to start with this.

It does seem like there’s the potential for the Broncos to make a run on offensive players in the draft. That’s because of the depth at tight end and running back in the draft class plus the interesting set of mid-round receivers and offensive linemen but also because of the attention the Broncos gave the middle of their defense in free agency. We’ll see if Henderson’s there at No. 51 and Taylor at No. 85. I’d be a bit surprised if both of those happened.

Speeding through the rest: No on Risner returning or Meinerz moving to center. The Broncos have Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth in the middle and if they’re going to do anything, they’ll probably try to get some young talent in the pipeline. That’s good planning in case this is Wattenberg’s final year in Denver or they decide to move on from Ben Powers after 2025.

Agree with you about mining linebacker and safety, too, though we’ll see if the Broncos think they’re getting good value there. Maybe the running back class is so good that they take one on Day 2 and another flavor on Day 3. Not impossible they find a veteran running back still, but Payton made it pretty clear this week that wasn’t a priority, calling the free agent crop “pretty lean” from a talent perspective.

Hey Parker! With the draft right around the corner, it’s an exciting time to see what the pundits are predicting the Broncos do with the 20th pick. I know that the RB class is quite deep in this year’s draft but I’m personally hoping the Broncos don’t mess around and just take North Carolina back Omarion Hampton with the 20th pick as opposed to taking a back in the later rounds. What’s your take on what the Broncos might do at this point in the game?

— Rick Tout, Wilmington, N.C.

Hey Rick, thanks for the note. Very interesting this week in Florida to hear Paton, quite specifically, say he thinks there are running backs to be found in this draft from the second through the sixth rounds. Conspicuously absent: The first round. Now, the draft is only a few weeks away and that means it’s smokescreenin’, subterfugin’, lyin’ season for every team in the league. Maybe the Broncos are trying to coax Hampton down to No. 20. Maybe they like Ohio State’s TreyVeon Henderson, who has some late first-round buzz, enough to take him there or enough to trade back a few spots and hope he’s there in the mid-20s. .

What’s interesting is there are three spots I keep coming back to as it pertains to the first round: Running back, tight end and defensive line. But those three positions also have depth, so they could address any of them on Day 2 as well. I still think if the right tight end or defensive lineman is there at No. 20, that would be difficult to pass up.

Now watch them take a corner or an edge or something.

If you’re the Broncos, you’re hoping Ole Miss quarterback Jaxon Dart goes in the top 19 picks in addition to Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders and, probably, that several offensive linemen and corners get picked. Push the talent at other spots toward No. 20.

In your opinion, which AFC West team has done the best job so far in signing free agents, extending its own players and overall roster management? And if not the best, where do the Broncos rank?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Hey Ed, thanks as always for the question. It’s a good one. It strikes me that Denver and Vegas have probably been the most active overall. Kansas City’s had to rework its offensive line and has set about doing that. The Chargers had some tough decisions to make but are still in good shape.

Denver on paper has done a really nice job of addressing needs in free agency and retaining D.J. Jones. They lost a couple guys they wanted to keep and were in the mix for a handful of free agents who went elsewhere like tight end Juwan Johnson, but that’s part of life this time of year.

All that said, I do think the Raiders have done a good job this offseason and not just on the roster front. Hiring Pete Carroll brings instant credibility and then pairing him with GM John Spytek and having the Tom Brady influence, too, makes for an interesting front office. Then trading for Geno Smith and getting Maxx Crosby to commit to a big extension are both solid moves.

At the beginning of the offseason, it felt like they were teetering. But the waters are calmer now, they’ve got their quarterback and a cornerstone defensive player and a Super Bowl champion coach. Oh, and Brock Bowers. They’ve got a ways to go, but the bet here is they won’t be a pushover with Carroll at the helm.

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