John Elway prefers to fill roster holes in free agency, so that the team can take the best player for the Broncos.in the Draft (staying true to their draft board). In 2018, it seemed possible the Broncos would target skill position players while improving the trenches on both sides of the ball. The team's premium players-- quarterback, left tackle, primary edge rusher and No. 1 corner back need to be manned by quality players. The Broncos feel like they have a squad that allows them to pick the best available player already. If the Broncos aim for defense, the odds of finding a standout player are decent. If edge rusher Bradley Chubb is still there, the Broncos would have the opportunity to select the best edge rusher in the draft, in a draft-pick range that has yielded a solid percentage of dominant pass rushers. The top half of the third round (picks 65-80) has been the "sweet spot" for 1,000-yard backs in the last 10 seasons. If the Broncos trade down, they should not trade down too far. There is elite talent in the draft but the quality drops somewhere between picks 8 and 12. Trading down only works if you nail your picks. Running back and corner back are two positions that the Broncos could look to on the second day.

What did Elway do?

Elway nixed a trade he had in place for the number 5 pick because Bradley fell to the Broncos, as well a moving down often while picking up extra picks.

Round 1, Pick 5 Edge Rusher DE/OLB Bradley Chubb. Elway stood pat at number five and got a real blue-chipper in Chubb, the best edge rusher in the draft, at a draft-pick known for dominant pass rushers. Chubb appears to have very low bust potential and he possesses enough fluidity, speed and power to succeed at outside linebacker, which is where he'll play. Chubb wins with physical strength and a relentless motor and could move inside in pass-rush sub packages. Edge rusher is the position on defense that best counters the quarterback and Chubb and Von Miller will be a lethal pass-rush duo. At a minimum, Chubb will enter games on third downs and obvious passing situations.

Round 2 Pick 40 WR Courtland Sutton. Sutton is a big-body player who can be a red zone threat because of his body control and ability to high point the football, but he is not the most enthusiastic blocker. Sutton is quick off the line of scrimmage but needs to show some improvement in his route running abilities. His size gives him the ability to work on the outside, but his quickness provides the flexibility for him to be used right away in the slot. Sutton is an old-school possession receiver with 4.54 speed who excels on running-after-catch and contested-catches, but doesn’t consistently separate from defensive backs. The Broncos need Sutton to step in and play right away, as well as being part of the succession plan to the ever aging wide receivers.

Round 3 Pick 71 RB Royce Freeman. Freeman possesses elite vision, power and dependability though he lacks true game-changing speed. The Broncos see him as a thumper on first and second downs. Freeman set school records in rushing yards (5,621) and touchdowns (64) and averaged 5.94 yards per carry while showing passing-game ability with 4.54 speed and 79 career receptions at 10.3 yards per catch. Freeman has outstanding size and is a natural runner with good vision who will receive immediate snaps with a backfield committee approach likely. Freeman's niche is as the between-the-tackles bruiser.

Round 3 Pick 99 CB Isaac Yiadom. Yiadom is skilled in both man-press and zone coverage schemes, an ideal fit for a hybrid Denver defense. He's also adept on special teams and should help offset the losses of Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer. Yiadom is well coached, versatile and his calling cards are his plus length and physical style in coverage and as a tackler. He'll compete with 2017 third-rounder Brendan Langley for dime corner reps behind Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby and free-agent addition Tramaine Brock.

Round 4 Pi ck 106 LB Josey Jewell. Jewell is an extremely productive middle linebacker, among the surest tacklers in the nation, with overall athleticism, but who is not naturally explosive. He has mastered the basics, watches a lot of film, and has high football intelligence. He has low-end starter potential as a off-ball tackling machine.

Round 4 Pick 113 WR DaeSean Hamilton. Hamilton isn’t particularly big or straight-line fast, but he is a ball-skills technician with upside. He graduated as Penn State's all-time leader in receptions (214), second in receiving yards (2,842), fourth in receiving TD's, and the nation-best (73.3%) catch rate when targeted 20-plus yards down field. Hamilton is a dangerous red-zone option with exceptional ability to make catches on jump balls in tight windows.

Round 5 Pick 156 TE Troy Fumagalli. With 34 ½-inch arms, Fumagalli wins with a wide catch radius, but has struggled as a blocker. The 6-foot-6, 248-pound tight end worked with the Broncos' coaching staff at the Senior Bowl. Fumagalli was among the top prospects in this year’s draft. He has "great hands", football intelligence, and the necessary skills to be an impact player (TE Coach Geep Chryst). Fumagalli excels at finding soft coverage over the middle, providing a safety-valve for his quarterback. He should prove to be a good run blocker following his time at Wisconsin, while also giving the Broncos the ability to play in two tight end sets.

Round 6 Pick 183 OL Sam Jones. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Jones, a vocal leader from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, projects as a right guard. He has good strength and mobility, along with an adequate skill-set and effectiveness against counter moves. Jones is a lean, athletic guard who has the quickness to make reach blocks and is at his best second level blocking linebackers. Jones’ figures to be a swing-interior reserve who could move to center.

Round 6 Pick 217 ILB Keishawn Bierria. Bierria uses discipline and fundamentals rather than power and athletic ability. Bierria's has a nose for recovering or forcing turnovers. If his turnover touch continues, he could be a contributor for the Broncos. His best shot is on special teams.

Round 7 Pick 226 RB David Williams. Williams is a strong runner and an efficient receiver out of the backfield. He is a big, bruising running back who plays with great effort. Williams will need the team as a special teams player.

The Broncos definitely improved their football team in the draft, but did not help fantasy owners much, if at all for this season.. The offense added two wide receivers and a tight end with potential to contribute this year. Their first new running back should pick up those tough yards that have been a problem, but is likely to be stuck in a committee at least to mid season. The defense got the best defensive player in the draft who will help Denver to restore their pass rush. They also added much needed depth and competition at linebacker plus a corner back with low end starter potential.. The special teams picked up a gunner and perhaps another contributor. The Broncos had a great draft-A. Now, the new rookies need to play to their potential.

College Free Agents The Broncos are expected to release an official list of college free agents in the coming days: Denver's own RB Phillip Lindsay, the number two rusher in CU history; WR Jimmy Williams; LB Jeff Holland; OL Leon Johnson; DT Lowell Lotulelei; DB Trey Marshall; OL Austin Schlottman.

2018 Preseason Schedule Week 1: vs. Minnesota (Aug. 9-12); Week 2: vs. Chicago (Aug. 16-19); Week 3: at Washington (Aug. 23-26); Week 4: at Arizona (Aug. 30)

Regular Season Schedule. Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2:25 p.m. MT) Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders (Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2:25 p.m. MT) Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. MT) Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, Oct. 1 at 6:15 p.m. MT) Week 5: at New York Jets (Sunday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. MT) Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2:05 p.m MT) Week 7: at Arizona Cardinals (Thurs., Oct. 18 at 5:20 p.m. MT) Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. MT) Week 9: vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2:05 p.m. MT) Week 10: BYE Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2:05 p.m. MT) Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, Nov. 25 at 2:25 p.m. MT) Week 13: at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. MT) Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2:05 p.m. MT) Week 15: vs Cleveland Browns (Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. MT) Week 16: at Oakland Raiders (Monday, Dec. 24 at 6:15 p.m. MT) Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2:25 p.m. MT)

QB Case Keenum's fantasy production overall has been mediocre at best. He is a solid if unspectacular quarterback for your fantasy roster. QB Paxton Lynch enters his third development year, but he remains a hope for the future. QB Chad Kelly is a complete unknown after spending 2017 on IR. Keenum is a QB2 at best. RB Royce Freeman, a real thumper, helps the uncertainty around the Broncos offense as a whole, but his fantasy value is limited by his back field mates: third-year RB Devontae Booker and second year RB De'Angelo Henderson. Freeman is comparable to Anderson and the Broncos will be okay but the running back situation remains murky for fantasy owners and a committee is looming. That said, running back is all about youth and Freeman is worth a dynasty stash, or a stash/pickup for your late season playoff push. WR Demaryius Thomas still has a couple of good years left and is the main offensive weapon for the Broncos. Thomas has proved to be a reliable wide receiver no matter who is under center and could have a successful 2018 season, although he has lost a step. WR Emmanuel Sanders is 31, smaller and has fought injuries the last couple of seasons. The rest of the wide receivers have little.no experience or are underachievers. Rookies Sutton an DaeSean Henderson have potential to contribute this year, but maybe not enough for fantasy owners. The same can be said for second year (IR) WR Carlos Henderson. However, a complete turnaround of the Broncos' offense any time soon is unlikely and the performances of the Broncos wide receivers will depend on Case Keenum. Adding Sutton and Henderson is an upgrade to Denver' wide receivers and bodes well for the future. (Denver's next #! and #2 wide receivers?). Thomas is no longer a wide receiver one for fantasy owners, a risky #2 and a # 3 with upside. Sanders is a #3 wide receiver and Henderson, Sutton and Henderson are waiver wirer watches-don't get caught in the hype. TE Jake Butt could have some long term value, although he is just a lottery ticket at this point. TR Troy Fumagalli, like all rookie tight end is not draft able. K Brandon McManus is a risky number one fantasy kicker, but can be worth the gamble. He is a solid #2. DST will be a better real and fantasy defense than they were in 2017. I believe they will be a top real/fantasy defense. They are a #1 fantasy defense.

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