Roster

Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas said Wednesday he feels as comfortable as ever in his rapport with quarterback Peyton Manning. "It’s sky-high right now," Thomas said of his chemistry with Manning. "I know what he wants. I know where to be on the field. I feel like the more we’re on the field, the better I get, just in seeing what he wants from me and seeing what he’s looking for.”

Safety Brian Dawkins has announced his retirement from the NFL. Taking to Twitter, the 16-year veteran thanked the Eagles and Broncos as well as his coaches and teammates. It is believed that a neck injury suffered last year is part of the reason for his career decision. "Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL," he wrote Monday.

The Broncos' official website reports defensive lineman Ty Warren (triceps) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

The Broncos waived safety Duke Ihenacho Thursday.

Denver safety Quinton Carter continue to work back from a knee injury that kept him on the injured reserve for most of the season and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to the team's official website. “I’m feeling good,” Carter said as he cleaned out his locker. “Being almost four months into the six-to-nine month recovery, I feel like it’s coming along well. I haven’t had any setbacks, any swelling. The doctors are all saying good things about it, so I’m anxious about it.”

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that Willis McGahee was cut by the Broncos in part because of health concerns. McGahee tore his MCL and broke his leg last season and had only a limited amount of reps in minicamp last week. The official team website reports McGahee was cut because the team wanted to get younger at running back. Saving salary cap space was also a benefit for the Broncos.

Knee, leg - Probable for start of training camp

The Cardinals have released veteran linebacker Stewart Bradley and cornerback William Gay.

The Broncos must like what they've seen so far from rookie Montee Ball -- they cut some of his competition. On Thursday the Broncos released veteran Willis McGahee, eliminating the only likely running back who would have taken from Ball's role as an inside rusher. Denver still has Ronnie Hillman and Knowshon Moreno as part of their backfield. "For me, I’m approaching every day like I did before when he was here and even before when he wasn’t here, during OTAs," Ball said. "I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. ... Obviously, my goal is to be the starter."

On Monday, the Broncos signed LB Dominic Douglas, RB Jeremiah Johnson, RB Brandon Minor, DB Nick Polk, WR Eron Riley and DL Mitch Unrein to future contracts.

The Broncos have chosen former North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams with the 28th pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft. Williams (6-3, 313) possesses the strength and quickness necessary to wreak havoc in an opponent's backfield, though he has struggled with consistency at times. Still, Williams was solid enough to earn first team All-ACC honors as a senior at UNC after recording 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. And he may just be getting started. Williams has only played competitive football for five years, and he started his career as a junior college player before transitioning to the ACC. He showed flashes of greatness, but he also struggled to anticipate cut blocks and is susceptible to other lapses in awareness. However, Williams has the potential to be a star -- something that was apparently quite evident to the Broncos.

Denver released backup quarterback Caleb Hanie Saturday, reports the Denver Post. Hanie was replaced on the roster by defensive tackle Sealver Siliga.

USA Today reports Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason but will be ready for the start of training camp.

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Lance Ball signed his restricted free-agent tender, putting him on the Broncos roster for 2013.

The Broncos re-signed defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson to a two-year deal, ESPN reports.

Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard turned in one of his more productive performances in Week 16 against the Browns. Woodyard, who has been playing through an ankle injury, collected 1.5 sacks in the 34-13 win to go along with eight tackles -- four solo. He was also credited with a pair of QB hits and one tackle for loss.

The following Broncos were cut on Friday: DB Rafael Bush, CB Drayton Florence, LB Jerry Franklin, DT Ben Garland, WR Jason Hill, DB Duke Ihenacho, TE Cornelius Ingram, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Mike Mohamed, WR Greg Orton, WR Gerell Robinson, CB Syd'Quan Thompson and QB Adam Weber.

Broncos rookie linebacker Danny Trevathan turned in a quality performance as he picked up his first sack of his career against the Bengals in Week 9. Trevathan registered six tackles (one solo) in a 31-23 victory.

The Cardinals waived or released the following players Friday: cornerback Crezdon Butler, linebacker Antonio Coleman, safety Blake Gideon, linebacker Clark Haggans, defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin, linebacker Colin Parker, cornerback Larry Parker, wide receiver DeMarco Sampson, tight end Steve Skelton, running back Alfonso Smith, linebacker Quan Sturdivant, defensive end Ronald Talley, defensive end Everette Thompson, tight end Martell Webb and wide receiver Isaiah Williams.

Broncos receiver Eric Decker was asked Wednesday if he's concerned that his stats will decline following the addition of Wes Welker as a free agent this offseason. "Ultimately, there may be some passes or targets that are taken away, but in the grand scheme of things it’s about winning football games," Decker said. "I want to get to the World Championship. I want to have a ring on my finger. If that’s the case — if I lose some catches, if I lose some yards — it really isn’t a big deal to me personally because of what our ultimate goal is here.” Decker also said having Welker on the field could help him. “Depending on the game and the defensive scheme that goes against us, you may see more one-on-one coverages," Decker said. "You may see opportunities in certain plays and certain calls that you didn’t see as much last year. That’s something we’re going to build off."

Broncos wide receiver Trindon Holliday made NFL history Saturday in the Divisional round of the playoffs against the Ravens. Holliday became the first player in NFL history to return both a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in the same postseason game. Holliday scored first on a 90-yard punt return in the first quarter, and then added a 104-yard kickoff return to begin the second half. Both of Holliday’s returns also represented the longest in NFL playoff history.

The following Broncos were cut on Friday: DB Rafael Bush, CB Drayton Florence, LB Jerry Franklin, DT Ben Garland, WR Jason Hill, DB Duke Ihenacho, TE Cornelius Ingram, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Mike Mohamed, WR Greg Orton, WR Gerell Robinson, CB Syd'Quan Thompson and QB Adam Weber.

Wide receiver Andre Caldwell signed a two-year deal with Denver on Wednesday. Caldwell ended last season on the injured reserve because of a groin injury but he's expected to be ready for the start of the season. In 13 games for the Bengals last season, Caldwell caught 37 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. He has 124 career receptions in four seasons. Caldwell said that Peyton Manning signing with Denver was a big factor. "He's a veteran quarterback who knows how to win games. He knows how to put players in positions to be their best. He gets the best out of his receivers," Caldwell said. "It got real serious after they got Peyton. It heated up and I was all on board after they signed Peyton."

The Denver Post reports that Broncos coach John Fox and team executive John Elway said Monday they were impressed with rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler during the season even though he attempted only four passes as the seldom-used backup to Peyton Manning. Fox and Elway were asked if they had seen enough of Osweiler on the practice field to consider him the Broncos' quarterback of the future. "I believe so," Fox said. "Brock didn't get as many game situations. I think that's a positive thing (that he wasn't needed). What he did, I thought he did well. You get evaluated by what you do (on game days). But I like his temperament. I feel real positive about Brock Osweiler. The Broncos selected Osweiler in the second round of the 2012 draft, the 57th overall pick. This season in mop-up duty, Osweiler completed 2 of 4 passes for 12 yards, usually handing off the ball to run out the clock at the end of victories. "Brock made the progress that we thought he would," Elway said. "I've gotten to know what he is as a guy and how he is on the practice field. He fits in real well in this building."He does really well with his teammates and in working with Peyton. I'm thrilled with his progress so far."

Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme had a solid impact in Saturday’s Divisional round playoff matchup against the Ravens. Tamme finished third on the team with three receptions for 44 yards, while bringing in each pass thrown his way. He was held out of the end zone, in a 38-35, double overtime loss.

Denver defensive lineman Robert Ayers recorded one of the seven sacks against Carolina quarterback Cam Newton Sunday of Week 10. Ayers finished with five tackles and two came for a loss.

Broncos defensive back Mike Adams was credited with two more passes defended in Week 17 against the Browns. Adams, who has now broke up 10 passes on the season, finished with four solo tackles in the 34-12 win. He was also credited with a QB hit.

San Diego linebacker Shaun Phillips tallied 2.5 sacks and four tackles during the Chargers' 27-17 win over the Jets in Week 16. Phillips' total ranked second on the team that managed 11 total sacks on quarterback Greg McElroy, who was making his first NFL start.

Denver defensive back Tony Carter intercepted a Cam Newton pass and took it 40 yards to the house in the Week 10 win over Carolina Sunday. Carter finished the game with two tackles for the Broncos.

Denver defensive back Chris Harris had a solid performance in the Week 10 win at Carolina Sunday. Harris led the team with seven tackles and six of them were solo stops for the Broncos. He added one of seven sacks against Cam Newton on the game. Two of his tackles went for losses.

The Broncos gave Matt Prater enough work Saturday in the Divisional round of the playoffs against Baltimore, however most of it came on extra-point attempts. Prater attempted just one field goal in the game, a 56-yard try that could not find its target. Prater did get five extra-point attempts, nailing each in a 38-35, double overtime loss.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning recently told CBSSports.com NFL Columnist Pete Prisco that his arm is stronger this year after coming back from the neck surgery that sidelined him for the 2011 season. Denver receiver Eric Decker agrees with that assessment. “We worked out at Duke in March or April, and I definitely felt like he had more zip on the ball," Decker said. "I think he’s come back stronger. ... I think some of those throws that he fits in the holes, you feel a little more zip on it, and he is getting it to you quicker.”

Broncos running back Jacob Hester made the most of his touches in Week 17 against the Chiefs. He gained 55 yards on seven carries and also caught a 7-yard pass in the 38-3 win.

Broncos executive vice president John Elway confirmed that Champ Bailey will stay at cornerback instead of move to safety. "I don't think that's gonna happen," Elway told 104.3 The Fan in Denver. "I think that's a rumor out there. I think the plan right now is to leave Champ at corner. We haven't had any discussions. I know there's been some talk out there but in this building there's not been any talk as far as moving Champ to safety."

The Broncos have cut running back Mario Fannin.

The Denver Post reports that new Broncos receiver Wes Welker doesn't expect to reach his average for receptions, which was 112 over the past six seasons with the Patriots. "If I have to catch 112 balls, that probably means we're in trouble," Welker said. "(The catches) are not the goal," Welker said. "The goal is to go out there and help your team win games. However many catches that is, however many blocks that takes, however many routes I've got to run, whatever. I think we all feel the same way about that." The report says that in New England, the Patriots don't feature their outside receivers. In recent years, they have become a tight end-slot attack. Not so the Broncos. For all the questions about Peyton Manning's arm strength last year, he threw enough outside the numbers to help Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker develop into one of the NFL's top receiver tandems. "I mean, we have two really good guys. We can't ignore them," Welker said. "If one guy is catching 112 balls, the defense is focusing in on that guy. We want defenses focusing on everybody and having to worry about everybody. That was one of the main reasons I came here."

You might not know much about Broncos backup tight end Julius Thomas but the third-year player has looked outstanding during OTAs, according to the team website. Thomas' best catch was a seam-route grab in stride from Peyton Manning. Thomas' last two seasons have been limited because of ankle injuries but he's healthy now and making big impressions on a pair of veteran teammates. "I'm not surprised by what he's doing. He's been doing that for the last two years," Champ Bailey said. "It is just getting that opportunity to do it with the first team and getting some reps there." Thomas' quarterback agrees with Champ. "He is a great athlete. A big target," Manning said of Thomas. "If you can't complete a ball to Julius, as a quarterback, something is wrong with you."

The Broncos placed defensive lineman Jeremy Beal on season-ending injured reserve Friday with a torn ligament in his left knee as the team finalized its roster for the start of the regular season.

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Justin Bannan expects his second stint with the Denver Broncos to go much better than his first. The 11th-year defensive tackle signed a one-year deal Wednesday to return to the team he played for during a 4-12 season in 2010, the worst in franchise history. Now, he gets to play between Pro Bowl pass-rushers Elvis Dumervil, who missed the entire 2010 season, and Von Miller, the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Denver linebacker Nate Irving was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Texans in Week 3 after suffering a concussion. Irving sustained the injury while making a tackle on Trindon Holliday during punt coverage late in the second quarter. Medical trainer had to remove the facemask out of his helmet as he was assisted back to the locker room for further examinations.

Broncos DB Andre' Goodman left Week 14 against Chicago with a neck injury in the third quarter. He was taken to the locker room and his return is questionable.

Dallas signed linebacker Orie Lemon to help Week 3 on special teams against the Buccaneers. The Cowboys released CB/S Mario Butler.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller didn't play in the 2013 Pro Bowl because of a left shoulder injury. He's not expected to miss any time this offseason. The injury did not require surgery. "It was an injury I had lingering from my first professional game against the Raiders last year," Miller told his official team website. "It’s an injury that I've had. It hasn't been a problem – obviously I haven’t missed any games from it and I wouldn't have missed any other games from it if it was a game that we needed. But, it was the Pro Bowl. I went and got another opinion on my shoulder so I can be ready to go for next year."

Broncos defensive back David Bruton finished without a tackle, but registered his first career interception during Denver's 17-9 win at Kansas City in Week 12. Bruton picked off quarterback Brady Quinn on the final play of the game to represent the Broncos' only takeaway.

Receiver Brandon Stokley tells the Broncos official team website he does not want to retire after resurrecting his career in 2012. Crediting Peyton Manning for his latest chance, Stokley says he'll re-sign with the Broncos if they want him. "I'd love to be back," Stokley said. "I still love this game and still have the passion to play. So we’ll see what happens."

Denver linebacker Joe Mays, who is already on IR with a broken left leg, will have surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken fibula, reports the Denver Post.

The following Broncos were cut on Friday: DB Rafael Bush, CB Drayton Florence, LB Jerry Franklin, DT Ben Garland, WR Jason Hill, DB Duke Ihenacho, TE Cornelius Ingram, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Mike Mohamed, WR Greg Orton, WR Gerell Robinson, CB Syd'Quan Thompson and QB Adam Weber.

The Broncos drafted Georgia wide receiver Tavarres King at No. 161 in the fifth round Saturday. King, 6-1, 200, made 136 catches for 2,602 yards during his college career — an impressive 19.1 yards per catch. He has been clocked electronically at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has the ability to shift into a higher gear and gain separation from cornerbacks, according to the Denver Post. "Tavarres has great deep speed," vice president John Elway said. "We think he has a lot of upside." During his teleconference with Broncos media Saturday, King sounded showed no lack of confidence. "(At Georgia), I did a lot of different things," King said of his responsibilities as a receiver. "My game is very polished. I'll be a weapon for the Broncos."

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

The Broncos have selected speedy cornerback Kayvon Webster from the University of South Florida in the third round of the NFL Draft. Webster, a surprise selection with the 90th overall pick, collected 190 tackles in his four seasons in college with 8.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. Broncos Executive Vice President John Elway said Webster "has excellent cover skills and speed, which you need in this league."

With an estimated 15 pounds of muscle added this offseason, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman told NFL Network he believes he can handle being the primary rushing option this season ahead of veteran Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball. 

"Of course you hear [criticism]," Hillman said about being too small to handle the amount of reps a starting running back gets. "I'm not going to sit here and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go. Obviously, getting 22 carries in negative-13 degree weather against the Ravens (in the divisional playoffs), they shouldn't have much else to say about that if they're paying attention."

Hillman noted that he's actually younger than Ball and that the coaches would prefer he slim down 5-10 pounds. Perhaps the weight issue is because the team doesn't want him to trade his explosiveness for his bulk. 

Terrance 'Pot Roast' Knighton signed with the Broncos on Wednesday, fortifying the team's defensive line.

Broncos tight end Virgil Green broke out for his best game of the season in Week 8 against the Saints. Green lead all tight ends on his team with three catches for 44 yards in a 34-14 victory.

Veteran NFL running back Laurence Maroney has been acquitted of a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, a move his attorney says frees him up to try and join a new team. Maroney, who is from St. Louis County, was arrested in January in St. Louis.

In his first NFL game, Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe got into the backfield and recorded the first sack of his career. He finished the game with three tackles overall, with one tackle for a loss.

Long-time Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer has signed with the Broncos. Coach John Fox confirmed Jammer will get a look at safety.

The Broncos' official website reports Knowshon Moreno continued to work in team drills and hasn't looked limited. He's working his way back from a right knee issue believed to have been suffered in the playoffs in January and was healed using stem cells. On one play he caught a pass from Brock Osweiler and turned upfield for a big gain thanks to his acceleration.

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Broncos linebacker Keith Brooking left Week 5 against the Patriots due to a concussion and did not return. Brooking collected four tackles (three solo) before the early exit.

Denver defensive back Rahim Moore intercepted a Cam Newton pass in the Week 10 win over Carolina Sunday. Moore returned the interception 23 yards but did not score. He finished with four tackles in the game and three of them were solo tackles.

The Broncos inked cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a one-year, $5 million deal, ESPN reports.