Big game last night for Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders; that's the positive news for the Broncos and particularly their passing game. We've been cool on the notion of Sanders replacing Eric Decker, but his 2-TD game sparked optimism that he can be a difference-making wideout working with Peyton Manning.
And the Broncos might really need him. Wes Welker was knocked out of last night's game with a concussion, a concern for any player, but this is a 33-year-old slot receiver who missed the last three regular-season games a year ago due to a concussion.
Should Welker miss time, the rest of Denver's receiving depth chart includes Andre Caldwell and Cody Latimer. Or maybe we'd see more Jacob Tamme out there. Last year, the first game Welker missed, Caldwell caught 2 TDs while filling in.
Less important, but still meaningful, Broncos kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for the first four games of the season due to a violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Unless you actually want to carry two kickers for the first five weeks of the season (the Broncos have an early bye), do not draft Prater. The Broncos will need to find a fill-in for their first four games. '
David Akers? Rian Lindell? Lawrence Tynes? Rob Bironas? These are some of the names Denver will likely take a look at this week.
--Andy Richardson