The Broncos are probably closer to rebuilding than rebounding as NFL playoff contenders. But you can bet John Elway won't be thinking that way in NFL free agency.

As one of the most demanding and decisive general managers in the league, Elway faces a second consecutive offseason of critical decision-making for his team.

The good news is he and the rest of Broncos brass are well-equipped to restock in the NFL Draft with 10 picks, including an additional third-rounder awarded as a compensatory selection last week. Before then, however, Denver has about $23 million under the salary cap (per OverTheCap.com) to consider using on free agents. It can is set to clear another $11 million by trading cornerback Aqib Talib to the Rams. Running back C.J. Anderson is the other top release candidate, given his $4.5 million cap number for 2018.

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With their growing, league-average pool of money available, where might the Broncos target their veteran spending? Here's a look at the five positions at which they can find the most value to fit their top needs.

Quarterback

As much as the Broncos might want to lock into former Redskins starter Kirk Cousins, it will come with too much financial stress. Denver wants to get much better at QB, as coach Vance Joseph put it at the Combine, but it might need to settle for an athletic passer who can be more complementary to their running game and defense to replace the ugly, three-headed monster of Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch.

Siemian is being shopped via trade before a potential cut. Osweiler is already a free agent. Lynch is under his cheap rookie contract for two more years, so it makes sense to keep him around as a developmental backup without the pressure to compete for No. 1 for a third straight offseason.

Rather than splurging for Cousins, the Broncos' best move would be signing a cheaper, shorter-term veteran and drafting another QB, as well, to hit reset on their options. The Vikings' Case Keenum could work as an acceptable consolation, given he started his career in the West Coast offense under former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak in Houston. An even wiser move might be waiting for the Bills to release Tyrod Taylor.

Although Buffalo has been coy about whether it's keeping Taylor, given its lukewarm feelings toward him during the season, it would be silly for the team not to recoup the salary-cap space, which would be $9.4 million by cutting him before June 1 and $15 million after. The Broncos with Bill Musgrave now have an offense suited for Taylor, while the change from Rick Dennison (a play-caller with strong Kubiak/Mike Shanahan ties to Brian Daboll) further keeps Taylor from fitting the Bills anymore.

The dream of convincing Cousins to come to Denver is not yet dead, as he conveniently has the same representation as Siemian. But the Vikings and Jets have the means to come up with stronger offers. That said, the Broncos ending with Keenum or Taylor and Baker Mayfield, or whatever QB they deem worthy of the No. 5 overall pick, is a more responsible plan.

Wide Receiver

Speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Elway said wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, both signed through 2019, are set to be retained for 2018. The Broncos needed to keep them around for the next QB, and it would have been harder to get adequate replacement veterans at the same price.

But there's room for a veteran addition here. Bennie Fowler, not the ideal No. 3, is a restricted free agent. Cody Latimer, a second-round disappointment from 2014, is an unrestricted free agent. Jordan Taylor, who recently had hip surgery, is an exclusive rights free agent.

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The team wasn't interested in former Bronco Eric Decker last offseason, but he's exactly the seasoned slot type they should target. The Bears' Kendall Wright or the Bills' Jordan Matthews would work and not cost much.

There's been too much on Thomas and Sanders. Thanks to poor quarterback play, either forcing the ball to them too much or not getting the ball consistently to both, has made it easier to bottle up one or the other. At this point, they are the team's most attractive assets to draw in a free-agent QB, but they are not enough veteran-wise to help make that QB successful.

Offensive line

The Broncos used a first-round pick on left tackle Garret Bolles last year, and Elway also said right tackle Menelik Watson would be returning. But Watson struggled last season, and behind both, Donald Stephenson is an unrestricted free agent.

Inside is looking better with center Matt Paradis, Denver's best returning lineman and a priority restricted free agent. Right guard Ron Leary had a solid season, but he turns 29 in April and is coming off a season-ending back injury. Left guard Max Garcia was up and down and is only signed through 2018, while backups Allen Barbre and Billy Turner are UFAs.

The Broncos need to look for some veteran swing depth before the draft, with the potential of that lineman being able to start over Watson or Garcia if needed. Justin Pugh played both positions for the Giants last year and would be guaranteed to start at one. The Steelers' Chris Hubbard offers strong inside/outside versatility, as well. The Colts' Jack Mewhort and the Titans' Brian Schwenke are cheaper options to consider from West Coast offenses.

Bang for the buck is critical for Denver here, with run blocking and pass protection both needing more improvement.

Tight end

Since the Broncos replaced Julius Thomas with Owen Daniels for the latter's final NFL season in 2015, they've struggled to find either steady blocking or receiving from this position with a lot of injuries hurting them. It led to them falling down to the league's worst red-zone offense in 2017. Virgil Green, a once-reliable blocker who has faded, is unlikely to be re-signed as a free agent who turns 30 in August.

Jeff Heuerman hasn't been able to stay healthy and becomes a free agent in 2019. The team is hoping Jake Butt, a second-year fifth-rounder who had his rookie season wiped out by a knee injury, can contribute something.

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It would make sense for the Broncos to get in on heavy interest for Eagles backup Trey Burton, who would be a perfect fit for the offense and a provide an immediate security blanket for new starting QB. Older, cheaper types who can plug a hole for 2018 are the Panthers' Ed Dickson and former Brown Gary Barnidge.

Inside linebacker

The Broncos likely will need a replacement next to Brandon Marshall, who is locked up through 2020. Todd Davis, a solid two-down, run-stopping type, is an unrestricted free agent, as is deep reserve Corey Nelson.

The best veteran upgrades from a 3-4 are the Titans' Avery Williamson and the Redskins' Zach Brown, but they will cost too much. The Jets' Demario Davis and the Colts' Jon Bostic are bound to come a little cheaper. Because of having Marshall and still being strong outside with Shaq Barrett set to be retained as a restricted free agent, the Broncos also could feel confident enough to find the answers here in the draft.

What the Broncos do in the quest for a veteran QB will dictate how much Elway will be willing to spend elsewhere.

But not stretching themselves on Cousins would give the Broncos much-needed flexibility with their multitude of roster holes.