Broncos had interest in Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin - Horse Tracks

Good morning, Broncos Country. Tim and the MHR Staff and I keep playing with the format of this Horse Tracks/Six Pack feature. We want to provide you with the latest Broncos news and tidbits around the web - your orange and blue coffee, as my predecessor might say - but we want to do it in a meaningful way.

It was a terrifically busy day across the NFL Friday, and many of the news items had an impact on the Broncos. Let's get to it.

Jeremy Maclin

The Eagles re-signed Jeremy Maclin, but it was only to a one-year deal. Look for him to be proving his status for a bigger deal in 2015 - pricing him out of Denver's market, who reportedly had interest.

Until WR Jeremy Maclin reached agreement with Philadelphia on a 1-year deal, Jets and Broncos were preparing to make a run at him.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2014

The Red Bryant Effect

The Seahawks released big run-stuffing defensive end Red Bryant. The impact on the Broncos is potentially two-fold: if both routes go as expected, both will be of negative impact on the Broncos. First, Bryant could find himself in the division. The Chiefs are already believed to have interest, and Bryant would be a fit there. Second, it makes it more likely the 'Hawks will keep free agent defensive end Michael Bennett, who's more of a pass rusher than Bryant but has the size to move inside and rush from the defensive tackle position. He's my favorite free agent.

Franchise Tags

NFL releases 2014 franchise, transition tag numbers - NFL.com
The 2014 NFL salary cap will be $133 million, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Friday. According to Breer, the league also released the official franchise and transition tag numbers per position.

Jimmy Graham to get franchise tag from New Orleans Saints, per report | Audibles - SI.com
According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints are prepared to place the franchise tag on tight end Jimmy Graham by Monday's deadline, and that move could set off a historic series of events that could decide how hybrid players are paid in the future.

10 things to know about the Jimmy Graham franchise tag | ProFootballTalk
Now that the Saints have applied the franchise tag to tight end Jimmy Graham, plenty of things can happen over the next four months or so. Here are 10 things to know about the situation, which could get more and more interesting as time goes by. 1.  The Saints don't designate the position.

Greg Hardy of Carolina Panthers receives franchise tag - ESPN
The Carolina Panthers placed their franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy on Friday.

Greg Hardy is The MMQB's top-ranked free agent this offseason | The MMQB with Peter King
On the Friday before the Super Bowl, amidst the height of a media maelstrom, Greg Hardy arrived at radio row with two childhood pals to play an entirely new game.

Jets place franchise tag on kicker Nick Folk - CBSSports.com
New York Jets kicker Nick Folk will be making three times more money in 2014 than he made in 2013 after the Jets placed the franchise tag on him on Friday.

Broncos

Jonathan Kraft: Wes Welker’s agent had unrealistic expectations | ProFootballTalk
Patriots president Jonathan Kraft says Wes Welker could have stayed in New England and made more money than he's making in Denver, if his agent hadn't pushed him to test the market.

Free Agency Outlook: Safeties
Independent analyst Andrew Mason takes a look at the best safeties set to enter the free agent market.

Free Agency Outlook: Wide Receivers
Independent analyst Andrew Mason takes a look at the top wide receivers set to enter the free agent market.

Cardinals reportedly reach out to D’Qwell Jackson | ProFootballTalk
Freedom is working out pretty well for linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. His release from the Browns has been met by a lot of interest around the league and he reportedly has meetings set up with the Broncos and Titans this weekend as he looks for a team to call his own for the 2014 season.

Ex-Patriot Koppen joins R.I. high school coaching staff | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com
Former Patriots and Denver Broncos center Dan Koppen has joined the football coaching staff at Bishop Hendricken High in Warwick, R.I. as a volunteer.

Finding a Pass Rusher For the Broncos in the 2014 NFL Draft | Bronco Planet
This years crop of Defensive End prospects is pretty good, even after Jadeveon Clowney, Kony Ealy and Dee Ford. There is no way those three will fall to Denver at 31, so we will look at the 2nd round and beyond.

Broncos GM John Elway looks to repeat history in offseason - ESPN
When Mike Shanahan was hired by the Denver Broncos in 1995, he inherited a future Hall of Famer at quarterback in John Elway. Shanahan proceeded...

Best of Cheerleader Photos 2013 Season
Take a look back at the year in Cheerleader photos.

Report: Louis Delmas visits with Dolphins | ProFootballTalk
Former Lions safety Louis Delmas has seen a fair amount of interest around the league since he was released by Detroit and he followed up with one interested party on Friday. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that Delmas visited with the Dolphins on Friday.

Division and NFL

2014 pro days schedule - NFL.com
Between the NFL Scouting Combine and the 2014 NFL Draft, NFL coaches and scouts -- not to mention the prospects themselves -- turn their attention to the various college pro day workouts.

Donald Butler re-signs with San Diego Chargers - ESPN
Middle linebacker Donald Butler, considered the San Diego Chargers' top priority in free agency, has agreed to a multiyear contract, the team confirmed Friday.

Butler: "It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This"
Donald Butler couldn't wipe the smile off his face after signing a multi-year contract to remain in San Diego.

Raiders re-sign offensive lineman Khalif Barnes | ProFootballTalk
The Raiders have re-signed one of their offensive line starters of recent seasons. The club said Friday it had reached a new contract with tackle/guard Khalif Barnes, who started 11 games at left tackle in 2013 in place of Jared Veldheer. Barnes also started five games at left guard.

Miami Dolphins shopping 2013 first-round pick Dion Jordan - CBSSports.com
The Miami Dolphins are shopping disappointing first-round pick Dion Jordan, league sources tell Jason La Canfora, as well as stars Mike Wallace and Cameron Wake.