Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season.
You can pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here. Follow Ryan for more daily updates on Twitter.
The Broncos firing offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello is a plus heading in the right direction, especially if the Broncos can get Pat Shurmur from the Giants. Will the Broncos run more fullback and tight end plays? And will the Broncos keep Chris Harris and let Isaac Yiadom go?
— Sam Jones, Fairfield, Calif.
We’ll see if moving away from Scangarello and to Shurmur is a positive. What stood out watching the Giants-Arizona game (Shurmur was New York’s coach and play-caller) was that they didn’t use the fullback (only six snaps). That would be a major departure from the Shanahan System used by Scangarello. But the offense should be tight end friendly. In 2018, Evan Engram had 45 catches in 11 games and he had 44 catches in eight games this year. That’s good news for Noah Fant. The other component is a tailback who can catch passes. Saquon Barkley had a whopping 141 catches in two seasons. As for cornerback, Yiadom is under contract so his status is unchanged right now. Harris hits free agency in mid-March and I’m probably in the minority in believing he will stay with the Broncos.
Ryan, how will Pat Shurmur shape the Broncos’ offense? He seems like he has a strong track record with quarterbacks. I’d love to see what he can do with Drew Lock, but do you think we need more weapons to beef up the receiving corps? We have talent but lack experience and depth.
— Kyle, Fort Collins
I hit on some parts of Shurmur’s offense in an analysis piece earlier this week. In the game I charted (home loss to Arizona), he used “11” personnel (three receivers/one back/one tight end) on 51 of 70 snaps. That amplifies the need for the Broncos to consider a speedy receiver in the first round to complement Sutton. The challenge for general manager John Elway: The draft is supposedly loaded at receiver so does he take a cornerback or inside linebacker at No. 15 knowing he can still get a good one in the second round? The skill players on hand gained valuable experience over the last year (Lock/Fant) or two seasons (Sutton/Phillip Lindsay/Royce Freeman).
What’s the best use of all the draft picks? Fill several holes or package some of them and go big?
— Stu Mitchell, Santa Monica, Calif.
This will be a great talking point for the next three months. The Broncos currently have five picks in the opening three rounds and seven picks in rounds 1-4 — plenty of chips to help the depth chart … or move up to get a player they covet. I’ve always favored the filling of several spots because the more kicks at the can, the more chances to hit on a pick. But watch for the second round: The Broncos could use one of their third-rounders to move to the top of the second round. A lot depends on what depth boxes are checked during free agency.
Ryan, I got it! Backup quarterback, go get Trevor Siemian. You weren’t here when he was, but he’s experienced and kind of competent. What do you think?
— Jim, Denver
Siemian is a free agent after starting one game for the New York Jets and sustaining a season-ending broken ankle. He has 25 starts of NFL experience (24 with the Broncos, 13-11 record). But this is where Shurmur’s imminent arrival could change the plan at quarterback. Scangarello may have been comfortable with Brandon Allen and/or Brett Rypien as the backups to Lock. Shurmur may prefer a No. 2 quarterback who is well-versed in his offense.
Aside from the penalties, how do you rate left tackle Garett Bolles‘ blocking? I’m wondering if he needs to be replaced even if he can stop getting the penalties.
— Craig B., Lehi, Utah
Bolles led the Broncos with 17 penalties and 10 enforced penalties. Way too many as everybody knows. But what the Broncos are counting on is the improvement he showed in the second half of the season carries over to 2020. Games 1-8: Nine penalties, 15 pass-rush “disruptions” allowed and 1 1/ 2 “bad” run plays (gain of one or fewer yards). Games 9-16: Eight penalties, five pass-rush “disruptions” and three “bad” run plays. The strides in protection are notable. I wouldn’t pick up his fifth-year option, though — make him earn that second contract.
The best way for the Broncos to reach the playoffs in 2020 is to win the AFC West and the only way to do that is to beat Kansas City. And the only way to beat the Chiefs is to draft a player to finally cover a good tight end. Until John Elway and Vic Fangio figure out how to stop teams with a mediocre or better tight end, they will continue to lose games. Ryan, what do you suggest? Too much time on my hands now that our pheasant season closed.
— George Vandel, Pierre, S.D.
The Broncos scored one touchdown against the Chiefs in two games this year. Kansas City scored four touchdowns … in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over Houston. The gulf is wide. The Broncos had a chance to draft inside linebacker Devin Bush at No. 10 overall last year, but traded down 10 spots to take Fant, part of a package that includes a third-rounder this year. What the Broncos decide with leading tackler Todd Davis will crystallize if they think covering the tight end is a big problem. The Broncos should take a close look at all of the top inside linebackers and see if they can make a good tandem with Alexander Johnson.
Do you think Randy Gradishar gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year? He was incredible way back when for Denver.
— George Miller, Parker
Colleague Kyle Newman wrote about Gradishar’s candidacy earlier this week. The final 19 members of the “Centennial Slate” will be announced on NFL Network starting Wednesday at 5 a.m. MST. Gradishar is one of 38 finalists for the 15 spots reserved for senior players. That the “Orange Crush” defense doesn’t have a Hall of Famer is confusing. He made seven Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro selection and his 2,049 tackles are most in Broncos history.
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January 14, 2020 at 08:00PM
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Broncos Mailbag: Best draft strategy for John Elway — Go big or stockpile picks? - The Denver Post
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