ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It took only 14 days in the spring for Shane Ray’s long-planned future to fade into a cloud of uncertainty.



It was April 20, less than a week before the 2018 NFL draft, when Ray spoke with optimism and hope that his lengthy recovery from wrist surgery — three wrist surgeries — had reached its end. He regained 20 pounds of muscle he had lost in the process and awaited Broncos general manager John Elway to inform him that, yes, the Broncos would pick up his fifth-year contract option. Because when healthy, Ray was a starting pass rusher for a team that values pass rushers almost as much as quarterbacks.



“I think that it’s going to get picked up,” Ray said that day. “I think that I’m going to be here and I’m just looking forward to this opportunity.”



Six days later, the Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb, whom Elway labeled as the best defensive player in the class of 2018, with the...