ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — John Elway started working the phones around midmorning Thursday, long before Roger Goodell took the stage in Nashville. As sports talk radio hosts, reporters and fans alike speculated on the Broncos’ selection at No. 10, the general manager was on a mission that would prove most of them wrong.



He wanted out of the top 10. He didn’t want a quarterback. He didn’t want one of the “Devins.” He wanted capital. And he was really hoping a prospect he liked would still be around in the latter part of the first round.



So he made some calls, garnering a few options when the Broncos landed on the clock at 10. The Steelers, who sorely wanted a linebacker, were in the mix but remained noncommittal as the first nine picks flew off the board.



Elway waited, watching the Raiders surprise with the selection of Clelin Ferrell, the Giants raise eyebrows with the selection of Daniel Jones and Dwayne Haskins tumble on the...