NFL Offseason 2015: The AFC West
Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares to pass in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Signed:
- TE Owen Daniels
- DE Antonio Smith
- DE Vance Walker
- S Darian Stewart
- G Shelley Smith
- ILB Reggie Walker
Resigned:
- CB Tony Carter
- S Virgil Green
- ILB Steven Johnson
Trade:
- Broncos give Ravens a 2016 4th-rounder for C Gino Gradkowski and 2016 5th-rounder from
Lost:
- NT Terrance Knighton
- ILB Nate Irving
- C Will Montgomery
- S Rahim Moore
- TE Julius Thomas
- TE Jacob Tamme
- G Orlando Franklin
- DT Mitch Unrein
State of the Broncos:
With all the changes coming, it almost seems like Denver Broncos are rebuilding around a 39-year-old Peyton Manning this offseason. They have a new coach that’s bringing in zone-blocking and that means an overhaul of the offensive line. Plus they lost a lot of good players in free agency due to being up against the salary cap.
But it’s not quite a rebuild because they have players like Von Miller on the defense and Demarius Thomas on offense. So it’s really hard do tell just how good they’re going to be in the 2015 season. You can make a case that they’re going to be good, citing zone-blocking and running the ball as the help Manning needs as it was for John Elway.
You can also make a case that he’s not Elway and Elway didn’t lose his arm strength the way Manning did.
Is Manning going to willingly throw the ball less than he did in 2014?
Are the Broncos going to protect him well?
What Manning does in the playoffs when he gets there is a question in itself too.