Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said at the NFL scouting combine that the Broncos would use some 3-4 looks but stopped short of saying they would make a total conversion to that defense.

That the Broncos are looking at using the 3-4 isn't surprising. McDaniels comes from New England, which used many 3-4 looks, and one of his first acts as head coach was to hire Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. Nolan prefers to the 3-4 defense as well.

The challenge for the Broncos will be to find the players who can fit that system. They are already rebuilding the defense, especially after releasing five players who started last year on that side of the ball.

One of the Broncos' most talented players in the front seven is defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who doesn't have an obvious spot in a 3-4 defense. He could move to outside rush linebacker but has no experience in coverage.

Defensive end Jarvis Moss is another player who will have to move. The 2007 first-round pick, who is slight for a normal 4-3 defensive end and hasn't made much impact in two seasons, could be a more natural fit on the outside in a 3-4.

The Broncos also need to figure out their situation at linebacker to move to a 3-4. D.J. Williams is the one obvious piece, and he has shown over his career he can play inside or outside. The Broncos were expected to hit free agency hard, especially on the defensive side, so what they get on the market could determine where Williams ends up.

The Broncos are making wholesale changes on defense after finishing 29th in total defense last season. A couple weeks before free agency the team released linebacker Jamie Winborn, safety Marquand Manuel, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, defensive end John Engelberger and cornerback Dre Bly, each of whom were regular starters in 2008.