Turbulent offseason brings new acquisitions into focus

Even by the NFL’s standard, the offseason was startling in terms of player movement, both in free agency and via trades. It started a month before the league year on March 13 when the Broncos put a deal in place to acquire Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Receivers Odell Beckham and Antonio Brown and pass rushers Dee Ford and Frank Clark were all traded. Quarterback Nick Foles, running back Le’Veon Bell, linebacker C.J. Mosley, receiver Golden Tate and safety Tyrann Mathieu all moved in free agency.

And then the draft happened.

Leading into the Broncos’ July 18 training camp report date, The Denver Post beat writers Ryan O’Halloran and Kyle Fredrickson will trade opinions in an NFL Look Ahead series.

The first discussion: Which veterans and rookies will have the biggest impact on their new teams?

Question: Let’sstartwith the receiver and edge rusher trade market. Who will have the bigger season — Beckham with Cleveland or Brown with Oakland or Ford with San Francisco or Clark with Kansas City?

Fredrickson: The receiving question is a no-brainer considering the quarterbacks in play. The promise of Baker Mayfield in Cleveland greatly outweighs the Derek Carr reclamation project in Oakland. That should allow Beckham to put up huge numbers even with teammate Jarvis Landry’s high catch rate. It is a bit tougher picking better production between edge rushers, but I’ll side with Clark over Ford, if only because Clark posted on Twitter he played at 60percent health last season with multiple elbow injuries. The guy still racked up 13 sacks. Imagine what Clark might do at 100 percent this season.

O’Halloran: At receiver, Brown will have the better numbers (100-plus catches) because the Raiders will be playing uphill in many games because they’re not very good. But I look for Beckham to have the bigger impact overall — if Cleveland gets off to a good start, it will only fuel Beckham to prove the Giants wrong. I agree on Clark outpacing the player he’s replacing (Ford) in Kansas City because he should get advantageous match-ups working with defensive lineman Chris Jones (15½ sacks last year).

Question: The Broncos’ climb back to respectability starts with being more competitive against Kansas City and the Chargers. What kind of offseason did the Chiefs and Chargers have with their additions?

Fredrickson: The Chiefs get a solid “A” for aggressive moves to fill secondary needs through free agency (Mathieu and cornerback Bashaud Breeland) and the draft (safety Juan Thornhill and cornerback Rashad Fenton). Plus, the rich got richer when they picked first-round wide receiver Mecole Hardman as another speed burner at quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ disposal. I’d hand out a “B” for the Chargers, though, with no splashy free agent additions poised to contribute immediately other than linebacker Thomas Davis (a three-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers).

O’Halloran: I’m not as bullish on the Chiefs’ offseason and their outlook this year. That’s why I’m picking the Chargers to win the AFC West. Kansas City stunk on defense last year and has moved to a 4-3 front with new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Plus, receiver Tyreek Hill’s status is uncertain (off-the-field mess). The Chargers get tight end Hunter Henry (ACL) back and the key is keeping defensive end Joey Bosa healthy. Los Angeles returns 18 starters and that continuity will pay off.

Question: The Broncos focused their attention on adding players instead of re-signing most of their free agents. Which of those free agents allowed to leave will have a big impact for their new team?

Fredrickson: Call me crazy, but expect a bounceback year for cornerback Bradley Roby in Houston. His struggles last season capped a mostly pedestrian four-year stint in Denver.

O’Halloran: I would have no faith in Roby being a factor for the Texans. As for the rest of the free agents the Broncos allowed to walk, there’s a reason for that. They were either injury-prone, old or their development had stalled. Since I have to pick somebody, I’ll go with guard/tackle Billy Turner.

Next week: Which 2018 nonplayoff teams will rise this year?