For much of his early tenure as the Broncos’ top football boss, John Elway generally had more success in free agency than the draft. His first major signing of 2012, Peyton Manning, turned out all right. So did his three defensive signings in 2014, cornerback Aqib Talib, safety T.J. Ward and pass rusher DeMarcus Ware. He lured Emmanuel Sanders away from Kansas City, nabbed Darian Stewart for the final piece of the No Fly Zone and then, in one of his shrewdest signings to date, landed “street free agent” Wade Phillips to turn the star-studded defense into a Super Bowl champion.



Over the last nine years, Elway has signed 12 free agents — unrestricted, street and college – who combined for 23 Pro Bowl selections as Broncos. In that same period, Elway has drafted only two Pro Bowlers, both from his first draft in 2011: linebacker Von Miller (eight) and tight end Julius Thomas (two).



But over the last two years, the Broncos have found their...