ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos chief football decision-maker John Elway has consistently said free agency is for addressing the biggest needs.

The 2020 NFL draft, on the other hand, is about collecting the best players available.

Taking into account all of the Broncos' transactions this offseason -- both by trade and signing -- here are the top needs remaining and where they might intersect with the talent on the board:

Wide receiver

Future NFL starters could be found well into the third day of the draft in this loaded wide receiver class. The Broncos should find an appealing receiver prospect on the board almost every time they are on the clock.

Alabama's Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb are expected to gone by the time the Broncos pick at No. 15. But Alabama's Henry Ruggs III, LSU's Justin Jefferson and Clemson's Tee Higgins should be available.

But there is no reason to be impatient or reach at receiver -- there never is, but really no reason this year. There will be a crowd of future starters for the Broncos' second-day picks at Nos. 46, 77, 83 and 95.

Offensive tackle

If Ruggs is gone by the time the Broncos select at No. 15 -- or even if he's not -- they might be looking at a draft board where two of the top four tackles are still available.

Alabama's Jedrick Wills Jr. and Louisville's Mekhi Becton are considered top 10 picks by many in the league, but even those two could get pushed down the board if a run on quarterbacks hits the top 10. Iowa's Tristan Wirfs and Georgia's Andrew Thomas are worthy of heavy consideration for the Broncos' first rounder as well.

After those top four tackles, thoughts around the league are varied. USC's Austin Jackson and Houston's Josh Jones are in the second tier with a variety of developmental prospects available later. One intriguing option down the board for the Broncos, if their medical personnel got the information they wanted, would be TCU's Lucas Niang.

Niang didn't allow a sack in his last two seasons, but also had hip surgery this past November to repair a torn labrum. If he's healthy and the Broncos have been able to gather the information they wanted that is a potential high-value pick late in the draft's second day or early in the third day.

Cornerback

Bryce Callahan, who didn't play a game last season because of a foot injury, will be a question mark at cornerback until he shows he can stay in the lineup. The trade for cornerback A.J. Bouye got the Broncos a starter, but they have to cover for Chris Harris Jr.' departure in free agency and Callahan's injury.

There are several bigger cornerbacks in the draft, but no real consensus on who is best after the top two -- Ohio State's Jeff Okudah and Florida's CJ Henderson -- are selected. Beyond those two it's simply a matter of preference.

In the unlikely event either Okudah or Henderson slip out of the top 10, the Broncos would have to take a long look with their first pick. Into the second day, TCU's Jeff Gladney is a feisty player and a fit for the Broncos along with players like Alabama's Trevon Diggs, LSU's Kristian Fulton and Auburn's Noah Igbinoghene.

Defensive end

The Broncos opened free agency with three defensive ends who started last season -- Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis -- set to hit the market. Wolfe signed a one-year deal in Baltimore, while Gotsis is still unsigned.

Harris has returned to the Broncos on a one-year, $3.25 million deal. The team believes Dre'Mont Jones, who played 31% of the defensive snaps last season and had a two-sack game against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, is ready for a more prominent role. The trade for five-time Pro Bowl selection Jurrell Casey filled a big need in the defensive middle, but the Broncos could look to some athletic, productive defensive ends well into the third day of the draft.

Baylor's James Lynch (18.5 sacks over the last two seasons) and Tennessee's Darrell Taylor are just two who will be worth a long look as Day 2 and Day 3 roll around. Arkansas' McTelvin Agim, an athletic big man with plenty of room to grow into a productive pro, is also worth a look.