Playing the last game of the season makes the first day of the NFL draft a challenge. The Broncos have the 31st pick, meaning their ideal player might not be available. The Broncos could be on the move.
Broncos general manager John Elway, sticking to the NFL tradition of saying a lot without saying much, talked in general terms at a news conference Monday at Dove Valley.
“We are thrilled to be picking 31, and we would rather be picking 32,” Elway said. “There’s always options. We are looking at options of moving up. There’s plenty of talk. We are also looking at options at moving back.”
The Broncos could use a cornerback, but it’s possible Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller or Texas Christian’s Jason Verrett might not be around when Denver is on the clock. Elway said the Broncos’ improvement the past three years, if not in free agency, doesn’t mean they have to draft for need. They will continue to look for the best player. Offensive line and linebacker are possibilities.
Left tackle Ryan Clady’s return from injury, which creates an avenue to experiment with Orlando Franklin at left guard, leaves the Broncos with flexibility. The Broncos also signed Will Montgomery to compete for a starting job in the interior. If a lineman becomes the pick, Denver could move back.
“It allows us more options (with Clady and Franklin). We are not going to change mindset. If offensive tackle and offensive guard is on the board (as best available), we could take them,” Elway said.
Middle linebacker is shrouded in uncertainty, though Elway expressed confidence in Nate Irving. Irving can play first and second down, and Elway said safety T.J. Ward’s flexibility figures into the equation. The top linebackers in this draft include Alabama’s C.J. Mosley and Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier.
“We are more concerned on third down. Ward can step down into the box (in nickel situations),” Elway said. “We are fortunate we don’t have huge holes to fill.”
In a 20-minute session with reporters, Elway addressed issues outside the three-day draft, which begins Thursday. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin was signed on Monday, in part, because of the high grades he received in Denver’s predraft workout in 2011.
“We had a first-round grade on him three years ago. He’s had some injuries,” Elway said. “He’s healed from back surgery and we thought he could help us. He’s had some issues in his past and hopefully he’s outgrown those.”
Pass rusher Von Miller’s fifth-year option was exercised last week before the deadline. Elway said it was an easy choice.
“There was nothing to do with timing. We just had other things going on, and we knew when we had to get the info to the league,” Elway said. “It was an easy decision.”
Troy E. Renck: , trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
