With more needs than money, Broncos general manager John Elway can’t patch all the holes in the Broncos’ roster during free agency. So one of Elway’s most crucial decisions will be: What to do about the Emmanuel Sanders dilemma?

Of all the personnel evaluations Elway has shared with Broncos Country, I found his uncertainty about the team’s injured wide receiver filled with the most intrigue.

“I love the way Emmanuel Sanders plays the game. I love his heart. I love his competitiveness. He would be a great asset for us,” Elway said, when Denver’s scouting staff assembled for the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “But the question is how he is going to come off that Achilles at 31 years old? We’ll be in the process of finding that out.”

You tell me: Was that a vote of confidence by Elway, or a kiss of death?

In order for the Joe Flacco experiment to work, the recycled quarterback needs all the playmakers he can squeeze into the Denver huddle. But can the Broncos count on Sanders, who suffered the Achilles injury in December, to be at full speed and on top of his game from the opening snap of the regular season?

I say Elway not only needs to hedge his bet, but also plan for life after Sanders, who acknowledges that 2019 is probably his last ride with the Broncos.

As league-wide wooing of free agents begins early next week, Elway needs to do more than introduce Flacco when the trade with Baltimore becomes official on March 13. Although it’s widely speculated the Broncos will be tempted to please new coach Vic Fangio by beefing up the defense, perhaps with someone like sturdy Bears safety Adrian Amos, my preference would be for Elway’s first move to be on the offensive side of the ball.

The No. 1 target for the Broncos should be Adam Humphries, a receiver from Tampa Bay. While other pass-catchers on the market, from big vertical threat Tyrell Williams of San Diego to savvy veteran Golden Tate, might grab the headlines, the real catch is Humphries.

Despite playing for the mess that was the Bucs’ offense, Humphries led all NFL receivers in 2018 with 42 receptions that moved the chains for a first down. While Humphries might not be as dangerous in the slot as Tyreek Hill of Kansas City or Pittsburgh’s JuJu Smith-Schuster, he finds space in the middle of the field in a manner guaranteed to raise the efficiency of Flacco by providing a reliable target on low-risk throws.

A year ago, Sanders did what was best for the Broncos, often moving inside to the slot. And he thrived, after years of professing a preference for lining up wide. The addition of Humphries, however, would allow Sanders to again work in space where he’s more comfortable. With Courtland Sutton as the primary deep threat, Denver’s passing attack would pose a serious threat to the defense on multiple levels.

It’s true the Broncos have other needs. The offensive line must be overhauled, especially if center Matt Paradis departs in free agency. With the release of safety Darian Stewart, the only founding member of the No Fly Zone that remains in town is cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Related Articles Kiszla: Hey, Fakers. The Nuggets just burst your bubble of invincibility with 114-106 victory

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But new Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said it best when he claimed no division in the NFL puts more constant stress on defenses than the AFC West. In the arms race, Denver lags behind both the Chiefs and Chargers, who both figure to have a better quarterback than the Broncos, even if Flacco can return to the form that made him a Super Bowl MVP.

Did you love the way Brandon Stokley looked in a Denver uniform? Then you’ll like Humphries. If the Broncos are indeed serious about making the playoffs in 2019, they need to give a serious look at Humphries in free agency.

The real big questions are: How high will the bidding go for Humphries? And, with so many other needs, how much is Elway willing to spend on offensive fireworks?