The Broncos’ quarterback crew got a major makeover from last year. Goodbye, Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly. Hello, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock and Brett Rypien. Kevin Hogan, who’s been on the team since September 2018, is the longest tenured man in the room.

So has the Broncos’ situation behind center improved in the offseason? Or is it just another question mark entering the 2019 season? Here’s a look at what some of the national media think:

The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer places Flacco at No. 30 of the 32 NFL starters: “Flacco’s big arm is not as booming anymore. He will need to come through more with the mental aspects of his game to contribute effectively as a bridge QB in an offense built around its running game. He will feel the heat of Drew Lock while trying to keep the pocket warm for the rookie.”

In terms of commitment to their quarterback, ESPN’s Dan Graziano ranks Denver at No. 30: “They drafted Missouri’s Drew Lock in the second round, so the clock is ticking and Flacco is under pressure to perform and hold off the rookie. Kind of like he was in Baltimore last year, and you can see how that worked out.”

How about the top QB-RB-WR combo? CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin puts the Joe Flacco-Emmanuel Sanders-Phillip Lindsay corps at No. 25: “The Broncos seem more likely to turn the keys over to Drew Lock more quickly than the Giants will to Daniel Jones, though, even if only because John Elway is slightly less defiant about this stuff than Gettleman.”

Bleacher Report’s ranks the Broncos’ situation 24th in the league: “If the 11-year veteran stays upright, he should have a decent season with those playmakers around him. … Flacco can produce right away, but Lock offers some long-term upside. … If Flacco falters, Lock could become a solid starter.”

USA Today’s Steven Ruiz doesn’t have the same faith, firming planting Denver at No. 32: “Joe Flacco is bad and still overpaid. Drew Lock’s tape is full of red flags. The team is paying Case Keenum $7 million to not play for them. And the incompetent GM might be the best quarterback on the payroll. Other than that, the Broncos’ QB situation is decent.”

— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post

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What’s on tap?

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Must-Read

A good thing for Walker could be the arrival of head coach/defensive play-caller Vic Fangio, who retained defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Walker’s problems last year were mostly with head coach Vance Joseph, who was fired. Walker always felt Kollar was in his corner. Read more…

Champ Bailey made history earlier this year when he became the first Broncos defensive player to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Monday, Bailey achieved another milestone when he was voted to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, the first player in team history to earn those two honors in the same year. Read more…

Here is why new Broncos tight end Noah Fant should be fired up about catching passes from quarterback Joe Flacco. Read more…

Quick Hits

+ Former Broncos LB Brandon Marshall was left without a team until “Jon Gruden came through.”

+ Courtland Sutton confident his red zone production will improve in second season.

+ Chad Kelly, former Broncos QB, signs with Indianapolis Colts.

+ Latest rumor about Peyton Manning could take him to the New York Jets.

+ Forget Jets GM, Peyton Manning could be modern-day “Jerry Jones,” former teammate says.

+ NFL and players’ union to study potential use of marijuana for pain management.

+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran here.

+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.

By The Numbers

33

How many members will be in the Broncos Ring of Fame once Champ Bailey is inducted on Oct. 13. Read more…

Parting Shot

Long said he “enjoyed my fair share” of marijuana during his playing days and became the latest player or former player to question the effectiveness of the NFL’s drug-testing policy and its policy prohibiting marijuana. Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.