The Lead
It's never too early to talk power rankings, and in the newest set from NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus, he has the Broncos as one of the biggest risers since free agency.
Now, that doesn't have them rocketing up the board into the top 10 or anything (they're at No. 21, harrumph), but they're one of only four teams that rose four spots since his previous version. At the very least, it seems like he believes there's a chance that the pieces they have could deliver a return to contention.
"If Elway is right about Lock, the Broncos should be able to hold their own in the high-flying AFC West," Hanzus wrote.
Meanwhile, Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is more bullish on Denver, which placed 15th in his power rankings.
"They're on the fence as AFC playoff sleepers," Iyer wrote.
As Head Coach Vic Fangio told Phil Milani on this website, "You've got all the ingredients, now we've got to make the recipe and put it together."
Below the Fold
Though the NFL is preparing to announce a full regular-season schedule coming up sometime soon, a new report from Sports Business Daily says the league has formulated contingency plans — including starting the regular season as late as Oct. 15 — in case the COVID-19 pandemic forces a change of plans this fall.
9NEWS’ Mike Klis spoke with KJ Hamler and his mother and learned about the heart that Hamler has. "You are getting a very humble, respectful young man," his mother said. "He's going to bring a lot to you guys' organization. I'll tell you what, if you're ever in a down spot, he's going to be one to brighten it up and try to make a positive from a negative."
In Peter King’s newest Football Morning in America, he talked a little bit to President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway, who offered some praise for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for standing his ground to hold the virtual draft. Elway also discussed his motivation for drafting receivers with the Broncos' first two selections: "We're going to have to score points to win in our division. … It's hard to go 80 yards in this league, and we feel like we drafted two guys who can. Kansas City has those guys, and the quarterback [Patrick Mahomes] is obviously going to be great for a long time."
