Will Denver bring back Singleton?
Q >> Alex Singleton has to be a no-brainer to be re-signed, right? The guy was everywhere on the field for us last year. Him and Josey Jewell could be running the middle of the defense for years to come.
— Marshall, Parker
PARKER >> I think it’s a nobrainer that the Broncos try to find a way to get Singleton back into the fold for 2023 and perhaps beyond, but they won’t be the only team interested in his services. And Singleton, who has bounced around the league after years in the CFL and has never signed a multi-year contract, probably views this as his best chance yet at securing a nice payday. Are the Broncos willing to pay Singleton roughly what Jewell makes? Don’t forget, he’s also an impact special teams player, but many teams are also reluctant to sink extensive resources into the inside linebacker position. I’ll be interested to see how strong his market is.
Q >> Is there any chance that the Broncos will re-sign TE/FB Andrew Beck? He plays hard, and he seems like a good dude and teammate.
— John Brown, Bozeman, Mont.
PARKER >> There’s a chance, but it’s going to depend on what new head coach Sean Payton wants to do with the tight end position. He’s used unique hybrid players in the past. It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but a guy like Taysom Hill comes to mind. Regardless, guys like Beck are always the kinds of players in the NFL you can appreciate. Signed as an undrafted free agent with New England, he got cut, signed in September 2019 with the Broncos off waivers and has been in the league since.
When I talked briefly with him on locker room cleanout day, Beck knew he’d have to wait and see on the new coach and what kind of offense Denver would end up running before knowing what his prospects of returning are. He said he’d love to stay, for what that’s worth. Several in the tight end group are in the same boat and Eric Saubert and Eric Tomlinson have been through it before. We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.
Q >> Are you hearing any word if the team’s going to induct someone new into the Ring of Fame? Guys like Steve Foley, Ed Mccaffrey and Al Wilson have long been overdue for induction. Demaryius Thomas, too.
— Ron, Parker
PARKER >> Not so far, but those are all good candidates. The Broncos, remember, did not induct anybody into the Ring of Fame in 2022 because of the incoming new ownership group and also a desire to honor the 1997 Super Bowl championship team, which happened Week 7 against the Jets. We’ll see what comes for 2023. In the meantime, how long ago does Week 7 feel? It’s been an interesting stretch, for sure.
Q >> I love looking at the draft for “sleepers” and that is what is especially needed with the Broncos this time around with their lack of draft capital. As such, I would like to get your opinion on Jaxson Kirkland of the Washington Huskies. In our greatest area of need, this mammoth player can excel at tackle or guard and only last year was a top-20 projected pick until he sustained an injury and went back to the Huskies and had a stellar year.
PARKER >> I’m penning this mailbag from Indianapolis, where Kirkland will be one of 300-plus players at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. He missed time in three collegiate seasons due to injury, as you said. One thing that’s clear considering the Broncos don’t currently have a pick until early in the third round: They’re going to have to do work in the middle rounds of the draft. And there are always linemen to be found in that range. Perhaps Kirkland is one of them.