Horse Tracks: Broncos to face a tough schedule in 2015

With the hustle and bustle of Free Agency all but complete, we can now look at what teams have improved and which ones have lost some talent.

The Broncos have lost some significant talent this offseason. Tight end Julius Thomas, guard Orlando Franklin, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, safety Rahim Moore, linebacker Nate Irving, and tight end Jacob Tamme are all playing elsewhere next season. That's five starters missing from last season's team. The Broncos have signed tight ends Virgil Green and Owen Daniels, safety Darian Stewart, defensive lineman Vance Walker, guard Shelley Smith and linebacker Reggie Walker to help replace the lost talent, but majority of these players do not compare to their counterparts.

So with all that said, lets take a look at whom the Broncos will be facing this upcoming season now that we know how their teams will look like heading into the 2015 season.

Notes:

• For the third consecutive season, the Denver Broncos will be facing the reigning Super Bowl Champion.
• Also for the third consecutive seasons, the Broncos will be facing the team that eliminated them from postseason action the season prior.
• Almost half(7) of the teams on the Broncos schedule made the playoffs last season.
• The Broncos will be heading to Chicago to face their former Head Coach John Fox, and former Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase.

On paper, this schedule does concern me. Teams like the Patriots, Packers, Colts, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Lions, and even the Chargers and Chiefs could make things tough for the Broncos. Plus there's always that one or two upset every season(Vikings?).

Combine that tough schedule with concerns about quarterback Peyton Manning, the offensive line, replacing the starters who left this team this offseason, and the coaching/scheme change, things could get tough at times for the Broncos.

Now I'm not predicting doom for the Broncos next season. They still have a very talented team, and Kubiak and Phillips will get things rolling, and they will make the playoffs and hopefully take the AFC West, Just the tough schedule and these unanswered questions do have me a little concerned for next season.

What do you think?

Another day, another mock draft:

I did another mock draft using fanspeak.com's mock draft simulator. Tell me what you think.

Horse Tracks:

• The New York Jets will reportedly work out quarterback prospect Marcus Mariota today.
• The Carolina Panthers claimed recently waived offensive tackle Jonathan Martin off waivers.
• The Carolina Panthers also signed former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin.
• Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin says that he still believes in former head coach Chip Kelly.
• St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher says that the Rams "intend to" draft a quarterback.
• Veteran cornerback Terrance Newman signs with the Minnesota Vikings.
• The Chicago Bears have signed veteran cornerback Alan Ball.
• The city of San Diego is pushing to keep the Chargers in their city.
• The Minnesota Vikings signed Polish offensive lineman Babatunde Aiyegbusi to a one-year deal.
• The Indianapolis Colts will wait to sign head coach Chuck Pagano to a new deal.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to a one-year deal.