Zach Kerr had options in free agency. He was intrigued by the prospect of joining Detroit’s defensive line after spending the first three years of his career in Indianapolis. He also generated interest from 49ers and Giants.

But it all changed when the Broncos called.

“Actually, I was in Detroit when I got the call, and I really liked Detroit,” he said. “But as soon as I got the offer from Denver, I was, ‘Let’s go.’ It’s a great defense, it’s been a great defense and you’d be a fool to not want to play here.”

Kerr is used to moving around on the line to fill gaps where needed. His versatility, a key reason he was sought by the Broncos, has been exploited.

“Wherever they want me to be: nose, three-, four-technique, five-technique, I’m here to help,” Kerr said. “I did that at my previous team, so whatever they want me to do here, I’m open to. I’m not the kind of guy (who says) ‘I want to play nose,’ or ‘I don’t want to play five.’ Wherever they want me to play, whatever they want me to do on the field, I’ll be there.”

But so far in organized team activities (OTAs), Kerr has received the majority of his snaps at nose tackle. And he’s often relied on the advice and pointers from a fellow free-agent acquisition, Domata Peko.

“He’s done it a long time, and playing the nose position in the NFL is a pretty tough task,” Kerr said. “I asked Peko a lot of things. He helps me out with offensive sets and, ‘If they come out in this,’ and, ‘If you hear this.’ Nose is a thinking man’s game. Football is, in general, but really at the nose, you have to be really, really be a quick thinkers because you come out and everything is right there in your face.

“A lot of guys think (nose) is just being a big guy in the middle, just taking up space,” Kerr continued. “But you can ask any of the guys that are truly ends — (Adam) Gotsis, (Kyle) Peko — everything at nose happens so much quicker, but you have to be patient. Your blocks happen quicker, but you have to be patient but if you jump gaps too quick, that could be a 60-yard touchdown because the defense is built around that position.”

Packing on pounds

An emphasis for the Broncos’ front lines this offseason was to get bigger. The defense added Kerr and Peko in free agency, Gotsis packed on 20 pounds and veteran Derek Wolfe said he added 20 himself to get to around 310.

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Crick, who said he played under 275 pounds at times last season, has gained 15 pounds this offseason and hopes to add another five.

“We were undersized last year and we knew it,” said Crick, who played more than expected last season to account for injuries on the line.

Instead of eating four meals a day, Crick said he has around six now and is the heaviest he’s been in his career.

Intensity and comradery

The Broncos D-line isn’t short on boisterous personalities, and Kerr expected as much when he signed. The veteran lineman has a memorable, if limited, history with defensive line coach Bill Kollar when Kollar was with Houston and Kerr was hoping to make it big out of Delaware.

“Bill was one of the first guys I talked to at the combine coming out when he was at Houston. So we had a conversation for about 10, 15 minutes at the combine,” Kerr said. “It was interesting to say the least, but it’s cool to get back with him now. He gets a lot out of players, so I’m excited about that.”

The short conversation was Kerr’s introduction to Kollar’s intensity. But he didn’t know about the other side to the Broncos’ defense. Not that he needed another selling point — “What’s not to like about the defense?” he said — but Kerr found one after he signed.

“Everybody will probably look at the numbers and the ‘No Fly Zone’ and stuff like that. And all that stuff is great. My first day here with all the guys, everybody was like, ‘Hey, what’s up, I’m Aqib (Talib) and I’m T.J. (Ward) and I’m Chris (Harris).’ Everybody just coming together and welcoming you to the team, that was a cool thing. It’s the most intense defense I’ve been around and I think this is the first place — obviously I’ve only been two places — I’ve seen where the DBs are the nucleus of the defense. It’s exciting to see the skinny guys get after it sometimes.”

Heavy metal

Metallica has arrived. The band is set to perform at Sports Authority Field on Wednesday evening, and one guest has already been confirmed.

Wolfe, a longtime fan, will be there.

“It’s going to be a good time,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go to a Metallica concert. I’m excited about that.”

Don’t be surprised if he takes the stage.

“I’m just showing up and doing whatever they tell me,” he said.