Broncos Sign Gaffney, Paxton

It happens every offseason. A team hires a new head coach, and he ends up remaking the roster in the image of his former team often with many of the same players. For Josh McDaniels, the guy tapped to replace Mike Shanahan in Denver, it's no different; the former Patriots offensive coordinator wasted little time in recruiting a couple former New England players.

On the first day of free agency, the Broncos signed former Patriots wideout Jabar Gaffney a four-year, $10 million deal ($3 million guaranteed). His role in Denver should be similar to that in New England: a third or fourth wide receiver who creates matchup problems for opposing defenses. Brandon Marshall's still the go-to guy and Eddie Royal proved he's a worthy No. 2 receiver. Gaffney and Brandon Stokely will see the field in multiple-wide receiver sets.

The Broncos also inked former Patriots long snapper Lonnie Paxton to a five-year, $5.5 million contract, which makes him the second-highest paid player at his position. Hey, everybody's good at something.

In other personnel news: the Broncos signed former Dolphins safety Renaldo Hill, the second-best defensive back they added to the roster Friday.