Horse Tracks: Broncos currently hold the 9th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

With week 15 of the NFL schedule in the books, the Denver Broncos currently hold the 9th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Their current two-game win streak has moved them from picking 4th overall to 6th overall to now having the 9th overall pick. If this win streak continues, It looks like the Broncos will be picking in the mid-teens. However, if they go back to #EmbracingTheTank and start Paxton Lynch the final two weeks, they could reach the top five once again depending on how everything else shakes out.

This win streak had knocked the Broncos out of likely getting either of the top quarterbacks in the 2018 draft but keeps them in range for potentially Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, or Josh Allen if they decide to go that route. If they acquire a starting quarterback through free agency, look for them to target an offensive lineman, cornerback or potentially another edge rusher here.

Some non-quarterback names to keep an eye on are guard Quenton Nelson, tackles Orlando Brown and Connor Williams, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, running back Saquon Barkley, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive ends Bradley Chubb and Arden Key as well.

Getting a top 5 to 10 pick and a veteran starting quarterback like Kirk Cousins could get the Broncos back into contention rather quickly.

It’s still VERY early, but what names excite you the most if the Broncos do indeed get a top 5 to 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft?

Horse Tracks:

Devonta Freeman leads Falcons in nail-biter over Bucs - NFL.com
Devonta Freeman overcame a pair of fumbles to pound out a season-high 194 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, leading the Atlanta Falcons to victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jerry Richardson giving up day-to-day control of Panthers - NFL.com
Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is stepping aside from day-to-day control of the team effective immediately in order to focus of the team's sale, NFL Network's Judy Battista reports.

Thomas Davis suspended two games for hit on Adams - NFL.com
The NFL suspended Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis two games for his hit on Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams in Sunday's game.

The Debrief, Week 15: Winners and losers as playoff picture sets - NFL.com
Gregg Rosenthal breaks down winners and losers from Week 15, including a dominant-as-ever Rob Gronkowski and a slipping Seattle Seahawks defense.

Aaron Rodgers to play Week 16 for Packers? 'We'll see' - NFL.com
Aaron Rodgers' comeback could be close to shutting down. After the tough, physical game the Green Bay Packers quarterback had on Sunday, it remains to be seen if Rodgers will play on Saturday.

Bill O'Brien: I will never resign as Texans head coach - NFL.com
Bill O'Brien has no plans to bail on the Texans. The coach emphatically denied a weekend report suggesting he could soon be out of Houston.

Cam to Clay Matthews before TD pass: 'Watch this' - NFL.com
Carolina Panther quarterback Cam Newton and Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews provided a great on-field back-and-forth early in the game Sunday.

Antonio Brown (partially torn calf) out until playoffs - NFL.com
Pittsburgh's best weapon has been sidelined until the postseason. Steelers star wideout Antonio Brown suffered a partially torn calf muscle, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source.

Referee: Index card reaffirmed Cowboys first down - NFL.com
In Sunday night's Cowboys win over the Raiders, Dak Prescott dove into a pile on 4th-and-short on his own 40-yard-line. Referee Gene Steratore wanted to use the index card to confirm his judgment of the call.

Jack Del Rio did not appreciate Gene Steratore’s smirk after first down measurement – ProFootballTalk
When referee Gene Steratore ruled that the Cowboys picked up a crucial first down on Sunday night, it was so close that he pulled out a slip of paper to see if there was any space between the ball and the stick marking the line to gain.

Joe Callahan’s re-signing opens possibility of Packers shutting down Aaron Rodgers – ProFootballTalk
The Packers are re-signing quarterback Joe Callahan to the 53-player roster, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports. That could signal the end of Aaron Rodgers' season. At a minimum, it means the Packers are at least considering the possibility of shutting down their star quarterback.

NFL says Jerry Richardson investigation will continue – ProFootballTalk
Jerry Richardson announced on Sunday that he is putting the Panthers up for sale after the end of the 2017 season, which led to a question about whether or not the league would continue investigating allegations of workplace misconduct made against Richardson.

Joe Haden will return this week – ProFootballTalk
The Steelers hoped to have cornerback Joe Haden back in the lineup against the Patriots. It didn't happen. Haden, though, will return this week against Houston, barring a setback, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.