Taking a look at the future rather than the present is a nice way to avoid the negativity in a down season.  Looking over Denver’s roster this list is looking to identify who will be the future of the Broncos over the next five years and who will need to be drafted in the next two years..  I left off players that will be 35 or older in 2015.  I also did not include every possible backup because that is exhausting.  Josh McDaniels has left the organization with several bright spots on offense and glaring holes all over the defense.

QB: Kyle Orton (28) Tim Tebow, Brady Quinn, or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

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Tim Tebow – Because we haven’t seen Tebow during a regular season game it is really hard to know if he is the franchise, but the coach coming in has to believe in him and his Pre-Season performances show that he can improve.  Quinn has been had a for a good price, but Denver is simply not invested in him enough to start him over Tebow in the near future.  Orton is toast.  He may survive the purge to be Tebow's backup next year, but I doubt it.  He is obviously a system QB and not the leader that the Broncos are looking to the future for.

RB: Knowshon Moreno (25) or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

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2011/2012 Draft Pick—Moreno has looked better recently, but doesn’t have the ability to make people miss and break away for a home run.  His backup will likely be drafted, but at some point a RB with better speed and better vision will be desired.  Moreno runs into walls more often than a blind man without a cane.

FB: Spencer Larson or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

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Larson – Denver could always draft a guy, but FB is a blue collar position that Larson seems to be good at.  The guy also plays linebacker so he likes to hit people. Hard.

WR: Demarius Thomas (R), Eric Decker( R), Brandon Lloyd (29), Eddie Royal (24) or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

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Thomas, Decker, Royal, Lloyd – I left Gaffney off simply because I don’t think he will start in front of the other four WRs in 2012.   another McDaniels guy from NE who has no business starting in front of the talent behind him.  The  corps has a bright future.

LT: Ryan Clady (24) or 2011/2012  Draft Pick

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Clady – Had a down year because of injury and an idiot HC that knows nothing about run blocking.  He is a staple at left tackle.

RT: Ryan Harris (25) or 2011/2012  Draft Pick

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Harris – Is a great RT and one of the few that could start for a south paw QB.  His backup is the biggest issue and could be a pick in the next two drafts.

LG: Zane Beadles(R),  or 2011/2012  Draft Pick

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Beadles—Is a tough guy that is really shown improvement. Left Guard is his natural position and could be a real force in the future.

RG: Chris Kuper (27), or 2011/2012  Draft Pick

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2011/2012 Draft Pick – I don’t believe Kuper is the long term answer.  I would like to see a pick added in 2012 to possibly replace Kuper.  He isn’t anything special, but borderline starter.  He really should be a depth guy because he is good enough to fill in for a stud during injury. That’s why McD signed him to a big deal.

C: J D Walton(R), or 2011/2012  Draft Pick

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Walton – Being a rookie center is tough.  Being a rookie center next to a rookie left guard and right guard is impossible.  With better experience next to him Walton could be a pro bowler.

TE: Daniel Graham, Richard Quinn, or 2011/2012 Draft Pick

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2011/2012 Draft Pick

Graham is over the hill and over paid.  Quinn is an absolute stain on the organization from McDaniels’ draft blunders.  I honestly think that TE is going to have to wait until 2012 though for the draft even though this is a weak spot.  There are too many needs on the defense for 2011 and RB and backup LT is the highest need for the Denver offense.  Of course you could always sign a Gates as an undrafted Free Agent