PALM BEACH, Fla. — As the movers and shakers, dreamers and doers of the Denver Broncos and the NFL settle into their lavishly-appointed lodgings within a short Bo Nix screen pass of the Atlantic Ocean, there are a few burning topics that stand out and are likely to dominate chatter in the coming days — at least in regards to the Orange and Blue:
1. THOUGHTS ABOUT RUNNING BACK?
Similar to the quarterback position at this time last year, it’s the one spot that hasn’t been addressed in some form or fashion.
Now, the dynamic is much different given the primacy of QB, as well as the scarcity of options at that position compared to running back; one can reasonably expect to find a plug-and-play primary ballcarrier into the third or fourth rounds of the draft. Thus, even if the Broncos pass on running back in Round 1, it doesn’t mean that they can’t find an instant answer to their needs.
Payton will likely be asked about running back when he meets media Monday morning. Don’t expect much more than bread crumbs.
2. AN UPDATE ON THE STADIUM SITUATION?
January brought rumors regarding the Broncos having conversations regarding a potential stadium solution in Lone Tree near Park Meadows, but nothing substantive.
And while the expiration of the team’s Empower Field at Mile High lease in 2031 seems far away, the truth is that the work needed to complete such a project has so many moving parts that the pieces should start coming into focus within the next 12 months.
3. HOW WILL TRAINING CAMP LOOK?
All indications are that training camp will take place at Broncos Park Powered By CommonSpirit despite the massive ongoing construction project to build a new headquarters building. The team has a goal of having fans be able to watch practice. How that will look — and where fans will be — is a question that will be asked of team president Damani Leech and CEO Greg Penner.
4. WHAT’S THE TOP LONG-TERM CONTRACT PRIORITY?
Extensions will wait until after the draft cycle ends. But which player will come first — Zach Allen? Nik Bonitto? John Franklin-Myers? Malcolm Roach? Courtland Sutton?
Certainly, the draft will play a role. If the Broncos select a wide receiver in the first round — say, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan — one would think that would scratch Sutton’s name from the list, as the Broncos would have their putative long-term WR1 on a rookie contract. If it’s a defensive lineman, the same would be true for Allen. Even edge rusher could come into play.