Broncos Off-season Update: Reading the Tea Leaves


We've hit that point in the off-season where there is little happening — at least for two weeks until the NFL draft. Most of the big free agent pieces have been taken off the board, teams are managing the salary cap and finishing their big scouting.

Undoubtedly that's left two big priorities for the Denver Broncos:

* Sign Demaryius Thomas to a long-term deal. Everyone says the negotiations are ongoing. Most suggest this will happen, and before the season. But the longer it drags on, the more nervous I get. DT wasn't at Duke, and he's not at the OTAs right now. I understand that, and it makes sense since he's not under contract yet, but it's not a great sign of things to come.

* Draft some help on the line. Both the Broncos' offensive and defensive lines are works in progress. Their few free agent signings have crystalized that. The Broncos need some help on the line, and hopefully that comes in the draft.

Those things aside, there are a few interesting things to glean from what's being said and done this off-season.

* Sanders in the slot. Emmanuel Sanders had a great first year with the Broncos. He is option 1A in the passing game, and was a great deep threat. That being said, Cody Latimer looks to break out some in year two, also, now that Wes Welker is out of the lineup. So it makes some sense to slide Sanders into the slot. The big question is, will he still be effective, and can the team still be effective without the guy that was our best deep threat in 2014. I remain a bit skeptical, especially since Sanders is still listed as our primary punt returner… come on guys, get it together.

* David Bruton, Jr. wants to start at safety. Wish in one hand… Bruton is a great special teams player and captain, and he's a fine depth player in the secondary. The fact he's not listed on the first defensive depth chart makes talk of him starting at safety — and the fact he's a strong safety, just like Pro Bowler TJ Ward — seem like a bit of a stretch.

* The Broncos are committed to some power running. Get ready C.J. Anderson, this could be good. Signing James Casey only makes sense when you consider he could play fullback, indicating a more power running approach. Considering Peyton Manning is 39, and the offensive line is a work in progress, this makes some good sense.

Now it's time to see what the Broncos do on April 30!

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