The Denver Broncos have become an extreme outlier in quarterback compensation. Gone are the days of paying Peyton Manning, an annual eight-figure salary. I estimate that the club’s QB salary cap is now only $3,021,158 – Trevor Siemian ($538,195), Paxton Lynch ($1,722,963), and Austin Davis ($760,000) – a total outlay significantly lower than any other NFL team. The Oakland Raiders are next lowest at $4.29 million.

Going from Manning, a future hall of famer, to inexperienced Siemian and backup Lynch, the Broncos have completed their transformation from the all-time productive offense in 2013 into a team defined by its powerhouse defense. The payroll structure of the Broncos is truly unique in the NFL, with significant money heavily paid out to the defense. General manger John Elway and coach Gary Kubiak are betting on their acumen to develop quarterbacks by starting a seventh-round draft pick, Siemian, to replace Manning.

When hired to take over football operations, Elway said that he would emphasize developing through the draft. After some high-profile signings of free agents, Elway is doing just that. He has replaced veterans who signed elsewhere in free agency (notably quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive end Malik Jackson) with all eight of this year’s draft picks making the 53-man roster.

Here a some financial highlights, per Spotrac.com, of the latest 53-man roster:

Sixteen percent of the Broncos’ 2016 player cash payroll ($25 million) is paid to linebacker Von Miller. A typical NFL team pays this amount to its starting quarterback.

Six of the top seven highest paid players are defensive players (linebackers Miller, Brandon Marshall ($12.55 million), and DeMarcus Ware ($6.34 million); defensive end Derek Wolfe ($12.43 million); and cornerbacks Aqib Talib ($8.97 million) and Chris Harris Jr. ($7 million).

Broncos have the fourth lowest salary cap for offensive lines ($13.59 million).

The linebacker corp has the third highest salary cap ($28.82 million) with defensive backs ranked the fourth highest ($32.35 million).

The adjusted 2016 salary cap for the club is $154.85 million with cap space of $9.58 million. If the Broncos have an Achilles heel, it may be the lack of offensive line depth. Perhaps Elway will add another lineman through free agency. With the cutting of veteran punter Britton Colquitt, quarterback Mark Sanchez, and running back Ronnie Hillman, the expanded cap space gives Elway the flexible to augment the offensive line if an opportunity arises.