What we learned about the Broncos from behind the scenes in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — Every year in Indianapolis, the entire NFL world gathers in the city for a week of information gathering, evaluating, and also networking.

It’s an interesting scene that has you sharing a sidewalk with Jon Gruden and passing by Roger Goodell in a stairwell, but it also provides opportunities for conversations that you simply cannot get anywhere else.

Despite the fact that the Broncos were underrepresented at the event, DNVR was still able to have many conversations with sources around the NFL pertaining to the team. Below is a sampling of what we learned.

Lock is the truth

• In speaking with several sources around the league, it’s clear that there is a lot of belief out there in Drew Lock as a future franchise quarterback.
  • Phrases like “he’s the truth” or “he’s the real deal” were the norm in Indy.
  • In a conversation about the Super Bowl, one source told me, “Lock is better than Jimmy G right now.”
  • Many believe that Lock will have the Broncos back competing for the playoffs next season.

Sell the team?

• Potentially the most interesting sub-plot of our conversations in Indy was the constant reappearance of the phrase, “When they sell the team.” Not if.
  • On several occasions, that phrase came up in conversations in an extremely nonchalant manner, as if it were a foregone conclusion.
  • Now, because this type of stuff is so high-level, I wouldn’t file this under the “scoop” category, but it is notable how many NFL people believe that is where things are heading, and the truth is, it’s hard to disagree with that.

Bolles has to go

• A lot of the things we heard were things that we already believed, but it’s always interesting to hear those things from people inside the league.
• Several sources that we talked to identified Bolles as the main problem for the Broncos offense over the last couple of years.
  • While most fans focus on holding penalties because they are so overt, those that we talked to focused more on the offense calling plays to avoid counting on Bolles to execute.

Ja’Wuan James is key

• In conversations about the Broncos offensive line, two separate sources were quick to point out that the team’s best half of offensive football came in one of the only halves that Ja’Wuan James was available.

Decision to leave coaches home was not well received

• As the entire NFL world came together in Indy, Broncos coaches were stuck at the facility watching film, and according to our sources, those coaches were not happy about it.
  • While much of it is about evaluating, a big part of the combine from a coaching perspective is networking with other coaches. A lot of times, a simple conversation between a couple coaches can result in a call when one of them is building a staff.
  • Another thing that was pointed out to us is a lost opportunity to create relationships with the players. Many coaches like to get phone numbers for the players they meet with and interact with them while they are reviewing their film throughout the draft process.
  • Last but not least, the combine is a chance for these guys to reunite with dozens of old friends.

Replace Royce

• Another thing that we have talked about quite a bit that was fortified in Indy is the Broncos’ need to replace Royce Freeman as their second back.
• One source who was familiar with the Broncos’ offense on tape flat out said Freeman “sucks” as a runner.
• The feeling from multiple conversations was that it should be a priority for the Broncos to find a compliment to Phillip Lindsay.

Ruggs Love

• Last year at this time, the name that everybody was tying to the Broncos was Drew Lock, this year, it was Henry Ruggs. Surely, Broncos fans will be happy if Ruggs sees the same fate as Lock.

Broncos not flush with cash

• One thing that coaches talk a lot about is resources, guys know where it’s easy to get things done and where it isn’t.
  • In speaking with coaches around the league, it became clear that Denver is not necessarily  a place where it is easy to get things done.
  • These are things like technology and equipment that coaches may find helpful for what they are trying to accomplish but can often be expensive.
    • It’s not hard to see why a team without an owner wouldn’t have the same resources available as a team like Carolina, whose owner is worth 10 billion.
• With all of this being said, it should be noted that, in the “Trust Era” (since 2014), the Broncos have spent upwards of $50 Million on things like facilities upgrades, technology upgrades and things of that nature.