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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- On a team that stumbled through the 2017 season with players and coaches alike saying that the players needed to step forward and lead the way, linebacker Todd Davis said Thursday he’s prepared to do just that in 2018. Davis, who signed his new three-year, $15 million deal Thursday at the Denver Broncos' complex, is the only one of the team’s unrestricted free agents who has been re-signed. Coach Vance Joseph has called Davis “exactly’’ the kind of player he wants and Thursday defensive coordinator Joe Woods echoed those sentiments. “Todd embodies everything we look for in a Denver Broncos football player,’’ Woods said. “He’s smart, he’s tough and he had outstanding work ethic.’’  Woods even pointed out that his starting inside linebacker looked just fine in “a new suit.’’
Now comes the hard part for Davis and others in the Broncos’ defense in the weeks and months ahead as they try to close a visible gap between the team’s veteran players and some of those in the past two draft classes who struggled at times to find their way into the lineup. Linebacker Von Miller, one of the Broncos' leaders, said as the season drew to a close he would examine how he approaches his teammates because “we can’t have seasons like this.’’ And on Thursday Davis, who has made the climb to a starter after being an undrafted rookie waived four times by the New Orleans Saints in 2014, said he’s ready to move to the front of the line as well. “I think I need to become more a leader vocally and also a leader on the field,’’ Davis said. “ … There’s a lot we can do better on defense.’’ While they did finish No. 3 in total defense last season, allowing 290 yards per game, the Broncos were tied for 22nd in scoring defense, allowing 23.9 points per game. They also surrendered 29 touchdown passes -- only four teams surrendered more -- last season and opponents scored 142 points, or 8.9 points per game, on drives that followed Broncos’ turnovers. Davis did receive interest from several teams, he said, but after that quick dip into the open market he said the Broncos’ three-year deal was the one he wanted to quickly sign. “You say test the market, but you know where your heart is,’’ Davis said. “ … It was perfect timing because I wanted to be here.’’ The Broncos have shown little inclination to pursue their other unrestricted free agents in the opening days of free agency. Davis, wide receiver Cody Latimer and tight end Virgil Green were the team’s most prominent players in the market; Green signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. In the Broncos’ complex to formally sign his contract Thursday, Davis did cross paths with the Broncos’ new quarterback, Case Keenum, who was also putting pen to paper. “I think he’s going to come in here and do great for us,’’ Davis said. “I think he didn’t get enough credit for what he did [last season in Minnesota]. He’s great under pressure. I’m really excited to see what he does. … He’s going to be really, really good.’’
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