ENGLEWOOD, COLO. (AP) -- Not that long ago, Broncos rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe was down to his last $7 and wondering how he was going to pay rent.

Now, after recently signing a four-year, $5.2 million contract, the second-round draft choice is looking at condos and pricing out new Ford trucks.

Everything has fallen into place for the University of Cincinnati standout who was once so broke he contemplated leaving school early.

Only, Wolfe says, "I haven't earned anything yet."

That hunger may be what the Broncos appreciate most about Wolfe.

And it's also why they think he'll make up ground in no time as he returns to the team this week for minicamp. Wolfe couldn't participate in the offseason workouts until his school was out.

So now he's cramming to catch up.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)