Ask Aric: Introducing DenverBroncos.com's new mailbag

[Miles]

Broncos Country —


As the new league year is set to begin, it's time for a new mailbag.


In "Ask Aric," I'll tackle the best questions that you have to offer about the Broncos, the NFL and whatever else is on your mind.


Already know what you want to ask? Click here to submit your questions for a mailbag later this week.


With the legal-tampering period in full swing ahead of the official start of free agency, though, there's already plenty to talk about. The Broncos are headed toward an exciting season as they aim to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. As we try to get back to the postseason, I can't wait to field your questions along the way.


Let's get going with just a few questions. We'll get to some more after some free-agency news becomes official later this week.


"I understand why teams can't visit draft prospects in person and vice-versa, but why hold the draft as scheduled when you're missing out on those valuable opportunities to evaluate prospects? Beyond video conferences, how will teams adjust when evaluating prospects?" – Mike Wacker


Mike, you make a good point — and I'm sure this wasn't a decision made lightly by the NFL.


First, we should recognize that while COVID-19 is impacting the NFL and sports leagues around the world, that's far from the most serious aspect of what's going on. The novel coronavirus is a public health crisis that has already impacted Denver and the United States — and certainly many other countries, as well. If you're able, please consider helping one of the Broncos' community partners as they try to serve at-risk members of our population. The Broncos previously announced they would donate 100,000 meals to Food Bank of the Rockies, and kicker Brandon McManus added 20,000 of his own.


Back to football. I suspect the overarching theory behind holding the draft as scheduled is to keep the league year on track as much as possible. The NFL already announced that free agents aren't allowed to travel to team facilities, and the offseason program has been delayed indefinitely. It's currently unclear whether organized team activities will be pushed back, or if several weeks (or perhaps all) of the offseason program will be cancelled. In any event, the NFL's main goal — assuming it's safe at that point — should be to ensure training camp, the preseason and regular season continue as scheduled.


Part of the way to do that is to ensure the Broncos and other teams know who will be on their rosters. If the draft gets delayed, that could delay any second- or third-wave free-agent signings. Perhaps if we knew that the COVID-19 crisis would be settled in six weeks, it would make sense to delay the draft. But there's no guarantee that the country's response to the pandemic won't stretch into the summer.


And while it's unfortunate that public aspects of the draft have been cancelled — Bradley Chubb and Randy Gradishar were scheduled to announce picks — it is true that the draft can be held remotely. The Broncos will be able to rely on their phone calls or video chats to get to know some prospects, but you shouldn't forget that they've been evaluating tape on these players for months and months. The Broncos' assistant coaches may not have met players at the Combine, but they were back in Denver watching tape all week. That work — plus the team's normal draft prep meetings that can still be held remotely if need be — will prove invaluable.


One final point: Even if the Broncos met prospects during the 30 in-person visits, that's still a small fraction of the available pool of players. Say the Broncos used 10 visits to meet with their potential first-round pick. That means the remaining 20 visits are spread out over the remaining six rounds of the draft. All that to say: the odds of a team drafting a player they never brought in for a visit are high.