First-round pick Bradley Chubb led the way, setting a new franchise rookie record with 12 sacks. Running back Phillip Lindsay became the first undrafted rookie in NFL history to earn a Pro Bowl selection. Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton combined for 947 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Third-round pick Royce Freeman had 521 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Fourth-round pick Josey Jewell started nine games and racked up 58 total tackles.

"We're definitely going in the right direction in terms of players," wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. "I think they did really good with the draft last year. We definitely have a nucleus of guys, especially with the D-line. I look at [outside linebacker] Von [Miller] and I look at Chubb, and I look at all of those guys. We've got playmakers. We've got [cornerback] Chris Harris [Jr.] in the back end. We've definitely got players. You look on the offensive side of the ball, me, Courtland, Phillip Lindsay, we've still got [center] Matt Paradis if we can bring him back. These are top guys at their positions.

"We definitely have a nucleus of guys that can win games. It's all about executing and bringing the right guy in here that can be a leader to these young guys and an offensive coordinator that can dial up plays [so] that we can get explosive plays, and a defensive coordinator that understands his personnel and that can stop offenses."

With that young foundation, coupled with a group of elite veterans including Sanders, Miller and Harris, the Broncos are confident that the next head coach will have the tools to build a contending team. In Elway's eyes, that makes the Broncos' coaching opening a compelling job.