Broncos may look ahead when drafting in 2015

As Jon Heath pointed out, the Broncos have plenty of options at TE and FB heading into the season. Add a young stable at HB, and assume a deal will get done with Demaryius Thomas and you have an offense that is more or less set heading into Mini Camps.

Though there are still glaring question marks along the offensive line, there is still plenty of competition and some viable moving parts going forward.

On the defensive side of the ball, the biggest hole may be DT which may or may not be remedied by a draft pick.

Though the Broncos have lost some valuable pieces of their team through free agency, they have gone about replacing them through cheap-depth acquisitions that should provide good competition going forward.

Looking ahead however, the Broncos are facing yet another mass exodus as rookie and short-term contract come up.

2016 UFA: Offense

Chris Clark, Manny Ramirez, Bubba Caldwell, Brock Osweiler, Ronnie Hillman,, Gino Gradkowski.

Here we have some former starters and a lot of rotational depth. There is not a single name on this list that any Bronco fan should worry about losing sans Brock Osweiler--and that will be heavily dependent upon several factors, the most important being Brock's continued development.

2016 UFA: Defense

Von Miller, Antonio Smith, David Bruton, Derek Wolfe, Reggie Walker, Steven Johnson, Marvin Austin, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan

The Broncos have the potential to lose 4-6 starters to free agency next season. If Von Miller can stay out of trouble and post a monster season in Wade Phillips 3-4,  he should be a top priority for the team to resign. Behind him are starting DE's Wolfe and Jackson, and cover LB Danny Trevathan. (Note: Brandon Marshall will be a Restricted Free Agent next season).

Forget "BPA" the Broncos might be thinking "BPA16."

Right now, I don't think any player drafted on the offensive side of the ball except at one of the line spots could contribute immediately. On defense you could say the Broncos need a better option at NT, ILB (Mike), and perhaps FS, but again adding a rookie along these spots should not be the determining factor in a championship run.

The Broncos have plenty of draft ammunition to aggressively target a player they think can make an impact in 2015.

Then again It might make more sense for the Broncos to think a year ahead when their number comes up on April 30th. .

Call this option "Plan B".

2015 Projected starters:

-  Trying to pencil in starters along the OL is like filling out an NCAA bracket--the draft DOES NOT change that

-  Yes I like Shaq Barrett, a lot.