After Droughns deal, Denver close to pact with DE Brown

In Ekuban, the Broncos get a sixth-year veteran who had eight sacks last year but underwent knee and shoulder surgery at the end of the season. Myers, a seventh-year veteran, had one sack and started seven games for Cleveland last season.

Denver's other key offseason move on defense was the re-signing of linebacker Ian Gold, who played for the Broncos from 2000-03, but left last season for the Buccaneers.

The Broncos finished the season ranked fourth in defense, but had trouble creating turnovers and getting to the quarterback. After being picked apart by the Colts and Peyton Manning for the second straight year in the playoffs, they are looking to revamp.

The 3-4 formation will be part of the changes, and Brown and Warren will both have a chance to start.

"I think the 3-4 over the last few years has really been good because you never know which linebacker is coming," Shanahan said.

The Broncos lost last year's leading pass rusher, Reggie Hayward, in free agency.

Still in limbo is the future of Trevor Pryce, who missed most of last year with a back injury.

Pryce is scheduled to count $9 million against Denver's cap this season. The Broncos, who had only about $3 million in cap room before the signing of Brown, gave Pryce permission to seek a trade.

If the Broncos can get a first- or second-round pick for Pryce, they'll likely take the deal. If not, they'll try to rework the contract and bring him back.

"He's a good player. So there's a scenario" in which the Broncos would bring him back, Shanahan said.