With the 2023 NFL draft now just one week away, we discuss the team’s top needs on this week’s Broncos Wire podcast. The episode also touches on some of the team’s remaining free agents, the team’s upcoming alternate helmet and more.
This week’s episode (No. 77) with host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on Twitter) can be heard below:
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Our unedited notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
1. Latavius Murray unlikely to re-sign?
- Murray visited the Bills last week and 9News reported that the running back is unlikely to re-sign with the Broncos.
- That very well might be the case, but I can’t help but think back to the Melvin Gordon situation last spring.
- When Melvin Gordon was unsigned into April last year, many speculated that he wouldn’t return to Denver. It looked like he was set to sign with the Ravens … then, right before the draft, the Broncos re-signed Gordon.
- I don’t think Murray will re-sign before the draft, but I haven’t ruled out the possibility of him remaining in Denver.
2. What are the Broncos’ positions of need in the NFL draft?
- Denver currently has five draft picks, with two in the third round.
- Here are five remaining positions of need:
- 1. Cornerback: Damarri Mathis showed last year he’s capable of starting across from Pat Surtain, but I’d love him as a CB3 instead of a CB2.
- 2. Center: Right now, Lloyd Cushenberry is penciled in as the starter with Kyle Fuller providing competition. Would like more upside at C.
- 3. Defensive line depth: After losing Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams, the Broncos did add Zach Allen, but they still need more depth.
- 4. Offensive line depth: The Broncos could use a backup swing tackle and another interior offensive lineman.
- 5. Third-string RB with upside: Samaje Perine is an excellent insurance back with Javonte Williams facing an uncertain recovery timeline, but the Broncos still need a quality third-string RB (who could be the RB2 early in the season).
- Bonus: New model of Taysom Hill (such as Jack Colletto) and a returner candidate (perhaps a WR or CB who returns). You can also never have too many pass rushers.
3. Broncos’ in-house free agents still unsigned
- RB Latavius Murray, DB Kareem Jackson, OT Cam Fleming, TE Eric Tomlinson, OL Dalton Risner, QB Brett Rypien, OT Billy Turner, OL Tom Compton, RB Marlon Mack, RB Marlon Mack, OLB Jonathan Kongbo and CB Darius Phillips are still available.
- Perhaps Denver will bring one or two of them back after the draft.
Miscellaneous: Sutton note, NFL franchise cost, new helmets and a new stadium
- The Ravens tried to trade for Courtland Sutton this offseason but Denver turned them down. We don’t need to rehash the WR situation because we discussed it last week, but just a note that the Ravens had interest. They later signed Odell Beckham.
- After failing to buy the Broncos last offseason, a Josh Harris-led group is expected to buy the Washington Commanders for $6 billion. Denver went for a $4.65 billion price last year. Rob Walton got a “Great Value” buy.
- The Broncos will debut new alternate helmets with their Color Rush uniforms this season. In a teaser photo, the helmet appears to be white. Denver has also hinted that new uniforms are in the works, but those won’t be ready before 2024 at the earliest.
- The Broncos have started polling fans about the possibility of a new stadium and — of course — personal seat licenses (PSLs) to help build it. With the richest ownership group in the NFL (by far), the Broncos should not be asking fans to help build a new super stadium.
- Also, a new stadium would likely include a roof for hosting a Super Bowl. If that happens, it could be retractable, but a roof would likely rule out the possibility of snow games. Don’t love that.
What’s next?
- The NFL draft is next week! We’ll recap my final Broncos mock draft on next week’s episode.
Ryan and I will return next week to give a final Broncos mock draft right before the NFL draft begins. If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!
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