On the cusp of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos were still sorting themselves out after head coach Gary Kubiak was forced to step down due to health concerns. The 2016 season under Coach Kubes had brought a respectable 9-7 record- not bad for a team that had lost its all-time great franchise QB to retirement. And despite the changing of the guard among the coaching staff, the roster had a decent stock of talent.
Broncos Country was looking forward to the 2017 season with anticipation. The franchise had a new head coach in Vance Joseph, apparently the hand-picked favorite of GM John Elway, and a young 1st round quarterback in Paxton Lynch who we collectively expected to take a step forward to contend for the starting role in his 2nd season.