National Football League

John Elway gets his quarterback without overpaying

Published Apr. 30, 2016 10:40 p.m. ET

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) John Elway's spring makeover of Denver's Super Bowl-winning roster seemed like more of a prolonged hangover to many Broncos fans pondering Peyton Manning's replacement ever since his retirement.

Elway's patience paid off as he emerged from draft weekend with his long-term answer at quarterback, a restocked roster and the financial flexibility to re-sign stars Von Miller, Emmanuel Sanders and Brandon Marshall in the months ahead.

Beginning with Brock Osweiler's high price tag, Elway steadfastly refused to overpay for a quarterback, passing on the high demands of the 49ers for Colin Kaepernick and the Eagles for Sam Bradford.

Instead, he grabbed Manning's heir in the draft in mobile Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, the crown jewel of a 2016 class loaded with promise and projects.

With a big frame and strong arm, Lynch is tailor-made for Gary Kubiak's offense, but he could use some seasoning and Elway has been saying all spring he'd be fine going with Mark Sanchez under center when the Broncos begin defense of their title against Carolina on Sept. 8.

Elway doesn't plan on bringing in another veteran quarterback anytime soon because the Broncos need Sanchez, Lynch and Trevor Siemian to get plenty of snaps.

So, Sanchez continues to inch closer to being a full-time starter for the first time since 2012.

He'll make $5 million this season. Lynch will get slightly more than $9 million over four years - less than the $11.9 million Kaepernick is slated to earn in 2016 alone and about half of what Bradford's salary calls for this upcoming season.

Osweiler's deal with the Texans was for $72 million over four years with a whopping $37 million guaranteed for a player who's started just seven games in the NFL.

After selecting an offensive player for the first time in his six seasons as GM, Elway reloaded his dominant defense on Day 2. He replaced lineman Malik Jackson with athletic Australian Adam Gotsis of Georgia Tech in Round 2. Then, he filled the void left by David Bruton Jr.'s exit with Boston College safety and special teams ace Justin Simmons, who had a 40-inch vertical leap at the NFL combine.

On Saturday, Elway was back on the offensive, selecting Utah running back Devonte Booker in the fourth round, Missouri guard Connor McGovern in the fifth and Nebraska fullback Andy Janovich with his first of two six-round picks.

He wrapped it up by selecting Arizona safety Will Parks in the sixth round and Syracuse punter Riley Dixon in the seventh.

Dixon's selection could be bad news for eight-year pro Britton Colquitt, who carries a $4 million cap hit and $3.25 million salary for next season. The Broncos also signed punter Will Johnson over the winter.

Some other takeaways from Denver's draft class:

VERVE & VERSATILITY: McGovern set a slew of weight-room records at Missouri, where he benched closed to 500 pounds and squatted close to 700. He also played left tackle, right tackle and right guard in his four seasons with the Tigers after spending his first year as a redshirt center.

''I am comfortable at all positions,'' McGovern said.

TRAINERS ROOM: Booker and Gotsis are both coming off surgeries and won't participate in the two-day rookie minicamp next weekend but expect to be ready by training camp.

Booker said he was at 90 percent after sustaining a knee injury in November that hurt his draft stock. Gotsis is still on the mend from a torn ACL he suffered Oct. 31.

WEIGHTY ISSUES: Gotsis said he's back up to 298 after losing 30 pounds during his rehab, just shy of the 300 pounds Elway would like.

''I can be 305, 310, I can be 285 if they want,'' Gotsis said. ''Whatever they want me to weigh and wherever they want me to play. It's part of the job now.''

WHEELING & DEALING: Of Denver's eight draft picks, only Gotsis was selected with the Broncos' own selection. The other seven were acquired via trades or were awarded by the league as compensatory picks for losing key free agents in 2015.

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Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton