After the Arena Football League decided to indefinitely suspend operations (due in part to Elway's vote), the Colorado Crush was disbanded however at this point Elway had been a part of two professional football franchises for a total of 22 years and gifted Colorado sports fans with 15 playoff appearances, a 2-3 record in Super Bowls, and a 1-0 record in Arena Bowls. But it appeared as if his career in professional football was about to end.
However that's when his former boss, and partner that had helped him lead two franchises to unprecedented heights asked him to return to the NFL in 2011 as his right hand man once again. This time with the title of Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Elway obliged, and retained Brian Xanders as his GM, and worked directly under Joe Ellis the team president. In 2011 the Broncos were coming out of a funk, after two years of Josh McDaniels running the team it was time for a familiar face to return Denver to the glory days. Elway came in at a low point giving him the unique ability to resurrect the same franchise for a second time, and resurrect he did.
After a 11-17 record under McDaniels, and an underwhelming end to the Shanahan era with a 15-17 record in his last two years, Elway knew he had to change the culture and knew the right pieces for the puzzle were out there he just had to find them. The first of those pieces was John Fox, the longtime Carolina Panther coach who had led them to a Super Bowl loss at the hands of the Patriots a few years earlier. Fox had been fired after a few down years in Carolina, but the fit in Denver was impeccable. Denver needed a coach to lead it back to winning ways, and Fox was that coach. But the job wasn't done, they needed a solid offseason to bring it home. So they went out and drafted Von Miller, Rahim Moore, Orlando Franklin, Julius Thomas, and Virgil Green. Insane haul for the first draft of their new VP. Fox led them to the precipice of a championship but fell to Seattle, and wound up getting replaced. Elway then hired his old buddy Gary Kubiak. Kubiak and Elway just like the old days led the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory before just a year later stepping down and more or less handpicking his replacement in Vance Joesph. Joesph failed expectations, and was ultimately replaced by Vic Fangio. Fangio is essentially the second coming of John Fox. He is a no nonsense coach, with a defensive background that believes in a strong run game, and a risk adverse qb that can return this team to the playoffs but only with proper talent something to this point he has lacked.
That was before this offseason. Elway and company used several trades to acquire veteran talent to fill holes on defense bringing in CB Aj Buoye for a 4th round pick, and DT Jurrell Casey for a 7th round pick. They filled holes on offense by signing guard/center Graham Glasgow, QB Jeff Driskel, and RB Melvin Gordon. They then turned to the draft with ten picks in their arsenal including 3 picks in the 3rd round, and 2 in the 7th round.
The draft netted them
Jerry Jeudy in the first round is a number 1 receiver in most offenses but will be asked to be the number 2 target in Denver for at least the next few seasons. Pairing him with Courtland Sutton will be a great move for the Broncos.
In the second round after drafting arguably the best receiver they followed up by drafting one of the highest ranked slot receivers Kj Hamler. This gives Drew Lock 4 receivers with promise now to spread out defenses, and a tight end that is a mismatch nightmare.
Headed into the 3rd round Denver had 3 picks, and still needed help at cornerback, defensive end, and had a glaring hole at center and they knocked this round out of the park.
With the first of three selections they drafted CB Michael Ojemudia from Iowa. Viewed as a relatively raw prospect, he will come in and compete for the job opposite of Buoye. This guy stands 6'1 200 lbs and ran a 4.45 40 yard dash. He may be raw but the team believes he can be a starter in the NFL long term and I agree.
With their second of three selections they drafted a man whose name should ring popular in Colorado. Lloyd Cushenberry, who will likely be the inspiration for the names of several strains of cannabis soon, is a Center by trade. He attended LSU, and much like the pick of Jeudy this was another value pick. This man was the second rated center on many draft boards and expected to go in the second round. Instead Denver finally gets a legitimate center to replace Matt Paradis after using a converted guard in 2019.
With the last of three third round picks Denver went and got a versatile defensive lineman in the mold of Malik Jackson. McTelvin Agim is a 6'3 305 lb defensive tackle who has experience playing end as well. He ran a 4.98 in the 40 yard dash, and put up 27 reps in the bench press. He was regarded as a project as a true defensive tackle but he doesn't need to worry about that now after being drafted to a 3-4 scheme that will ask him to move back to defensive end. He has Jurrell Casey, and Shelby Harris to rotate with and learn from this season but I expect him to be a starter in no more than 2 years. He has a knack for penetrating the offensive line and producing sacks and tackles for a loss he will be perfect for Fangio's defense.
It was at this point Denver started selecting best player available.
With the 118th overall pick the Denver Broncos select Albert Okwuegbunam tight end Missouri. This guy may not be a household name but he played with Drew Lock for two seasons in college. He was Lock's favorite target in the redzone producing 15 tds in two years shortened by injury. He followed that up by putting up 6 more tds in 2019. He simply finds ways to score often. At 258 lbs he ran a 4.49 40 yard dash, displaying game changing speed for a tight end. Pat Shurmur looks to be building a tight end heavy offense with Nick Vannett being signed in the offseason, and that's considering they still have Troy Fumagali, Jeff Heuerman, and Andrew Beck on the roster. I would expect Heuerman and Vannett are competing for the number tight end spot in 2020 with Okwuegbunam as the number 3 option being used in a FB role if any formation calls for it. Beck may also make the roster but I expect Fumagali to be gone, Beck barely hangs on, with either Vannett or Heuerman gone too by final cuts.
5th round pick went to LB finally. After passing on Troy Dye in round 4 Denver selected Justin Strnad from Wake Forest. This guy is a special teams ace, and developmental prospect at ILB for a 3-4 scheme. He is very capable in zone coverage, and shows an ability to hold up in the run game as well. He could pick Josey Jewell off the roster.
Round 6 saw a guard come off the board to the Broncos. His name Netane Mudi Attended Fresno State, but due to three separate leg injuries he played in just 19 games. He had solid athleticism prior to injury but succeeds based on his power so there is the hope these injuries won't spell the end of a promising career. He likely fell this far due to this irregular offseason. Some had him projected as high as the fourth round.
Round 7 the Broncos had two picks available: the first was used to select WR Tyrie Cleveland. Cleveland was a backup wide receiver playing primarily on special teams for Florida. He provides immediate value on special teams and brings prototypical size and speed to the WR position. 6'2 209 lbs, and ran a 4.49 40 yard dash. He is well worth the flier this late in the draft. Depending on how he shows up in camp he could wind up being the 6th receiver.
With their last pick in the draft the Broncos selected pass rushing OLB Derek Tuszka. This man produced 31 tackles for a loss, and 21 sacks In the last two seasons combined. This guy holds value as a rotational pass rusher from day one and strikes me like another Shaq Barrett. A guy who wasnt a flashy pick in terms of measurables but he is a guy who simply produces when given a chance. He should also contribute on special teams.
After a draft and offseason like this Broncos fans should be thrilled yet there is still skepticism among the fans. Understandable after a stretch that they have endured but how can anyone bet on John Elway Colorado's Come back kid? This is simply his third act, I for one would love to see him go out on top again when he decides to hang it up for good. Elway deserves that after the success he at some points singlehandedly brought to Denver.
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