The Denver Broncos are coming into the draft with some interesting needs and while a Mark Ingram trade with the Saints could be an option, the team may look to trade up in the first round for targets like For Zack Martin, Justin Gilbert, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Ryan Shazier, CJ Mosley or Aaron Donald, as the team has seven picks and is coming off of a Super Bowl appearance.
The Broncos know their strength and they are looking to fill holes on defense and offense and this comes after a busy free agency period. The team lost Knowshon Moreno and Eric Decker, but during that time they added a number of players like DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib. Ingram did not have his option picked up for a fifth year and that is why he could be in the mix, as he is a talented back that fits the system after rushing for 1,462 yards with 11 touchdowns in 37 games for the Saints.
Manning and the Broncos know they have a limited window to win with how old manning is getting and that is one reason the team spent so liberally in the offseason. While they allowed Eric Decker to leave as a free agent, the team was aggressive on defense and signed DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib to big deals and that should shore up a unit that gave up tons if yards and looked bad in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks. The team has shown that they are willing to make moves right now to help the team and that's why a trade for Ingram could be something to explore.
The Broncos pick at the end of the first round and there is a chance they could trade up for someone like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor and later in the draft they could address the running back position or even wide receiver. The team allowed leading rusher Knowshon Moreno to leave and sign with the Miami Dolphins and that gives Montee Ball the chance to step up as a starter, but it also could mean the team is targeting a back in one if later rounds.
This year the running back position is very deep and the Broncos could have a number of options in the second or third rounds, as names like Carlos Hyde, Andre Williams, Tre Mason and Bishop Sankey could be available. Past those names there are even more players at the position, including options like Ka'Deem Carey, Lache Seastrunk and De'Anthony Thomas, all of whom could fit into the offense with the Broncos, especially Thomas, who brings breakaway speed at returning ability to the mix.
Last season the Broncos went 13-3 and made it to the Super Bowl and while they ranked first in the league in passing yards per game, they were just 15th in rushing and after losing Moreno they could look at running back more in the draft. Hyde and Mason were very positive last season, with both players going over 1,500 yards. Hyde had 15 touchdowns and showed that he can be a solid receiver out of the backfield, while Mason had over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns and if he pairs with Ball it could be an explosive duo. The Broncos could use a tough runner like Hyde to take over fore Moreno and having a consistent running game could help the passing offense even more for Manning.
