The Denver Broncos still have roughly $23 million in cap space available, but aside from signing quarterback Case Keenum, the only noteworthy additions have been cornerback Tramaine Brock and nose tackle Clinton McDonald. Brock projects as a second-string defensive back and McDonald will most likely fit in as a rotational defensive lineman.
In an interview with Les Shapiro and Ronnie Kohrt of Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7, former Bronco safety Nick Ferguson joined Afternoon Drive to help justify general manager John Elway’s decisions so far this offseason — and what he expects from the team going forward.
“Everyone is looking for that big splash free agent, and sometimes that player may not be the player that is the right for you,” Ferguson noted. For example, if Bradley Roby struggles at corner, the Broncos have the ability to thrust Brock into the fold, so the added depth with the veteran signing has the potential to pay dividends. Ferguson pointed out that depth has been an issue for the Broncos, both offensively and defensively, so the signings of Brock and McDonald are a clear effort to add some much-needed depth.
“They (the Broncos) really don’t have a lot of money to go out and really be selective as far as free agents that they are bringing in,” Ferguson said. One area that still needs some patching up is the offensive line. The Broncos traded for Arizona tackle Jared Veldheer on Friday, but given the Broncos’ struggles last year, it’s obvious that they can’t have enough quality offensive linemen. Fortunately, the addition of Keenum will also help the beleaguered line. “With a guy of Case Keenum’s athletic ability, now there [are] so many things that you can do [with] the offensive line that you couldn’t do last season,” Ferguson said. With Keenum at quarterback, in order to take pressure off the offensive line, more bootlegs and waggles are expected to be called -– similar plays to the ones the Broncos called for Jake Plummer, Ferguson’s old teammate.
As for the draft, Ferguson does not envision the Broncos taking a quarterback with the fifth overall pick. “You really don’t need to go out and get a quarterback — there are some other holes that this team could definitely plug, and with a guy like Case Keenum under center, you plug those holes, you still have a chance within your division,” Ferguson said, before recommending that the Broncos trade down the first round to stockpile additional picks.
Sorry – this audio content is no longer available., including what he had to say about the young Broncos quarterbacks, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly, or listen to the podcast below.
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