BRONCOS FANTASY NEWS

February 18, 2006 1:00 PM ET

Mike Shanahan coached his team to the AFC Championship game in January. Although the Broncos failed to advance to the Super Bowl, Shanahan and other team officials appear willing to do whatever it takes to take that final step. In fact, Shanahan is so determined to get back to the big game that he is reportedly entertaining the idea of acquiring running back Ricky Williams or wide receiver Terrell Owens via trade.

Are the Broncos only a player away? Would making a proverbial deal with the devil pay off for the Mile High bunch? Or would such a move blow up in their faces just as it did for the Eagles two years after they signed Owens while under the impression that he was the final piece to their Super Bowl puzzle?

Honestly, we're not even sure how the Broncos could fit Owens, Williams, or any other marquee player under the salary cap. The squad was built for a run last season, and they will be forced to cut several current players just to squeeze below the 2006 salary cap.

Needs
We're not sure why Shanahan would even consider the idea of signing Williams when he already has capable running backs Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. In fact, Denver is loaded at said position, so we can only assume that Shanahan has a strange infatuation with Williams. We could be wrong, but it appears to us like Shanny has a savior complex, which might also explain why he felt the need to select running back turned common street thug Maurice Clarett during the draft last April.

At least Owens would fill a need, as quarterback Jake Plummer doesn't have much to work with. Rod Smith will be 36 before training camp opens, and Ashley Lelie took a giant step backwards last season and finished the year with fewer touchdown receptions (one) than offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell (two), who only appeared in eight games. All indications are that Smith will be back for another season, but Denver needs to find an heir apparent, and Lelie doesn't appear qualified to assume such a role. Worse yet, the team lacks depth behind Smith and Lelie.

The salary cap situation isn't pretty, but it didn't stop them from re-signing center Tom Nalen earlier this month. Meanwhile, left tackle Matt Lepsis has the option of voiding out the remaining years of his current deal, but the team is in the process of negotiating a new contract. Likewise, defensive tackle Gerard Warren is also talking with team officials about extending his stay.

The Broncos could be in the hunt for a defensive tackle if they can't re-sign Warren. Meanwhile, free safety John Lynch isn't getting any younger, and team officials would like to add some depth at his position.

Salary Cap Situation
We don't have an official number, but the Broncos are rumored to be roughly $30 million over the projected 2006 salary cap. Ouch!

Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Ron Dayne, TE Mike Leach, C Tom Nalen, DT Monsanto Pope, DE Marco Coleman, LB Patrick Chukwurah, S Sam Brandon

Restricted Free Agents
WR Charlie Adams, DT Demtrin Veal

The Draft
The Broncos hold the No. 29 overall pick in the draft. Given the presumed salary cap casualties, they could have an abundance of needs to fill. Given Smith's age and Lelie's stalled progression, wide receiver could be one the spots Shanahan targets if he doesn't sign Owens or a free agent wideout. Unfortunately, the rookie class of 2006 isn't loaded with receiving talent.

The top three wideouts are Santonio Holmes (Ohio State), Chad Jackson (Florida), and Sinorice Moss (Miami-FLA). That being said, Maurice Stovall (Notre Dame) fits the Broncos mold due to his large frame and physical play. Most draft followers consider him a mid-second-round pick, though, so the Broncos would either have to reach by taking him in the first or trade up in the second.

The Broncos would have to swing a trade to acquire offensive tackles D'Brickshaw Ferguson (Virginia) and Winston Justice (USC). They might have a shot at Marcus McNeill (Auburn), assuming the Buccaneers don't try to reunite him with Carnell Williams via the No. 25 pick. Ryan O'Callaghan (California) and Eric Winston (Miami-FLA) could also work their way into late-first-round consideration if they perform well at the scouting combine next month. Denver's offensive line isn't getting any younger, so taking a rookie lineman looks like a logical move on paper.

Top defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (Oregon) should be gone long before the Broncos pick, but they might have a shot at Brodrick Bunkley (Florida State) or Gabe Watson (Michigan) or Claude Wroten (LSU) if they decide to target said position.

The top safeties are Michael Huff (Texas), Ko Simpson (South Carolina), and Darnell Bing (USC). Huff will most likely go in the top-10 leaving Simpson and Bing as the more likely candidates to still be on the board when the Broncos go on the clock.

Injury Watch
One of the keys to the Broncos success last season is that they avoided major injuries. All-World cornerback Champ Bailey separated his shoulder in week one, yet he managed to play through the pain for the remainder of the season, thanks in part to a harness he wore. Bailey announced at the Pro Bowl that his physician does not believe the injury will require offseason surgery.

Of course, tight end Stephen Alexander is to the injury list what the Beatles were to the top-40 charts. He's suffered so many injuries over the years that it would be easier to point out the parts of his body that he hasn't hurt rather than rehash all of his previous ailments. We're not sure whether the toe injury that bothered him late in the season has healed. Honestly, it doesn't matter. Fantasy owners should assume that something will be bothering him by the time training camp opens this summer.

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