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5 Keys for the Denver Broncos Offseason

When Peyton Manning inked his deal with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2012 season, the team’s sights were set on a Super Bowl. Two tremendous seasons followed, including one Super Bowl berth and two consecutive AFC West titles, yet no championship has been brought to the mile high region.

Broncos’ general manager John Elway stacked the deck even higher for the team in a win-now mode last offseason, signing Aqib Talib and Demarcus Ware to blockbuster deals. Yet Manning and the Broncos fell short again in 2014, this time at the hands of Manning’s replacement in Indianapolis, Andrew Luck. Denver has, at most, two more shots at glory with Manning at the helm so they must make the most of this retooling period.

Manning’s $96 million deal expires after the 2017 season. Denver wants to make the most of their near-$100 million  gamble. Entering the offseason, the Broncos’ cap number rests at $122,543,330 but the team does have $23,871,193 to play with. Denver will need that wiggle room with 20 free agents, 13 of which are unrestricted, set to test the open market.

Interestingly, Manning has yet to fully commit to playing next season—an eventuality that could come within days.

Re-signing key free agents such as Terrance Knighton and Rahim Moore will take priority during the team’s path to the draft, but that will be just the start of the team’s offseason if Elway’s previous moves are any indication of the future.

5. Improve Pass Rush

Courtesy of Washington Post: Ware struggled big time in a pass-rushing role this year.

Courtesy of Washington Post: Ware struggled big time in a pass-rushing role this year.

Football games are won along the line of scrimmage, and for all the flashy weapons Denver has at the skill positions, it lacks depth along both sides of the line. Ranked 12th by PFF in pass rush, the Broncos’ were mediocre along the defensive line. Brandon M. Marshall and Von Miller held down the outside linebacker spots for Denver. On the inside, Nate Irving played just 353 snaps. While Denver’s linebackers were excellent, its linemen were simply average. Malik Jackson led all Broncos pass rushers in PFF rating with a mark of +24.2, but played just over 500 snaps. It was Demarcus Ware and Derek Wolfe that actually struggled the most in this category. Denver must add depth to the defensive line if it hopes to put more pressure on the quarterback next season.

4. Overhaul Special Teams Coverage

Oft-overlooked in the NFL is the importance of special teams. As great as Peyton was for the Broncos over the last few seasons, field position still plays an important role no matter who is under center. The Broncos struggled big time on special teams this past season. They failed to return either a punt or kickoff for a touchdown in 2014, and were outgained on special teams by 178 yards despite returning five more balls than their opponents this season. Enter free agent Steven Johnson, who was tied for 29th among all special teamers in terms of efficiency and the leader of the Broncos’ special teams last season. He’s going to be an under-the-radar target for the team to re-sign.

3. Re-Signing Julius Thomas

Manning’s arsenal has been ripe with talent his entire tenure in Denver. From Eric Decker and Emmanuel Sanders to Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas, Denver’s offense thrives on star power at the skill positions. With Welker likely to be a name of the past, joining Eric Decker on the list of former-Manning targets, re-signing the weapons Peyton has now becomes all that more important. What a better way to keep the pressure off of new head coach Gary Kubiak’s zone-rush attack— led by C.J. Anderson— than to load up the talent at receiver and tight end?

Ranked 13th by PFF among tight ends with a rating of 5.4, Thomas’s lack of blocking skills are out-shined by his attributes of a receiver. Despite missing three games and the better part of three more, Thomas still managed to accrue 489 yards on 43 catches and a whopping 12 touchdowns. Thomas caught just one less touchdown than games he played in, exemplifying his importance to the Broncos’ scoring offense. The Broncos’ tight end made just $645,000 in 2014, leading many to believe Thomas is in for a big payday this offseason.

2. Protect Peyton Manning, Re-Tool the Offensive Line

Courtesy of USA Today: An immobile Manning needs more pass protection upfront.

Courtesy of USA Today: An immobile Manning needs more pass protection upfront.

Free-agent to be Orlando Franklin ranked as the 13th overall guard for PFF last season. Franklin, along with center Will Montgomery, is set to hit the open market this offseason, leaving major gaps in a unit that was already shaky at best. Denver’s offensive line is in need of a tune up heading into 2015. The Broncos’ downfall late in the year can be attributed to pressure on the quarterback. During plays with no pressure, Manning had a completion percentage of 68.8% and a touchdown ratio of 32-12. Conversely, in plays in which Manning faced pressure from a pass rush, the Broncos’ quarterback had a completion percentage of 51.2, and a touchdown to interception ratio of 8-3.

Protecting the face of the franchise is vital to Denver’s success next season. And while Kubiak’s zone-blocking schemes will certainly help, re-signing Orlando Franklin must be a priority as well.

1. Lock Up Demaryius Thomas

Thomas caught 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns as the centerpiece of Peyton’s offensive arsenal this past season. Thomas is the second-most important player in a Broncos’ uniform, but will command top dollar on the open market. After making just over $3 million last season, the Broncos’ receiver is due for a big payday, and the Denver brass would be wise for it to be their dollars spent on the team’s top target. Manning and Thomas have a shot to have a relationship reminiscent of Manning’s former pass-catching prodigy Marvin Harrison. Why fix what isn’t broken? The Bronocs must keep Demaryius Thomas no matter the price. It’s that simple.

Photo: Fox Sports

 

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