If you read my earlier piece on the Denver Broncos which was a preview of the team heading into the 2025 season before the NFL draft, you can see that I thought Denver had what it took to improve and be better next season, but still not be a Super Bowl caliber team. After the draft and some free agent signings I am still not all in on the Denver Broncos heading into next season, but I have certainly warmed up to the idea that they could contend to win the conference. They had an elite defense, an elite offensive line, and made the playoffs despite having a rookie QB. They have addressed some weaknesses on the roster in key spots and if Bo Nix can take a big step forward going into year 2 in the NFL, the sky will be the limit for this team.
If you read my previous article on the Broncos, you could see that they had what it took on the defensive side of the ball last season as they were one of the premier defensive teams this past 2024 season. But the struggles for Denver last season which led to their season ending, stemmed from a lack of production offensively. The biggest question heading into the 2025 season for the Broncos will be if they can get better offensive production. Addressing the offensive side of the ball, I can offer the following. The major offensive ranks for the Denver Broncos this past 2024 regular season can be found below.
2024 Denver Broncos Key Regular Season Offensive Metrics
10th in points per game
19th in yards per game
21st in offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data, Denver being led by a rookie QB who was a B level prospect to begin with, along with Denver having many question marks in regards to offensive personnel. The Broncos ended up being an offensive team last season that was closer to average. Denver was really exposed offensively come postseason time against the Buffalo Bills in their early postseason loss, as Denver managed to score only 7 points in that game. If you reference my previous article on Denver, the concerns for the Broncos on the offensive side of the ball stemmed from Nix’s youth at the starting QB position and the lack of capable skill position players. With Nix heading into his second season in the NFL, the concerns regarding his youth and inexperience will certainly be addressed. How much so remains to be seen however and it is possible that Nix has a sophomore slump type of season like Jordan Love and C.J Stroud did this past season. The remaining concern for the Broncos this past season on the offensive side of the ball was the lack of strong skill position players, as Denver’s combination of skill position players this past 2024 season ranked among the weakest in the league. A full breakdown of the Broncos’ skill position players from the 2024 season can be found below. I have included the offense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season, as well as my own subjective grade that indicates how strong of players that I deem them to be in totality outside of just 2024. Except in the scenario in which a player has too small of a sample size of snaps. I will begin by analyzing the wide-out unit of the team.
2024 Broncos Wide Receivers
WR1 – Courtland Sutton – (33/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B to B+
WR2 – DeVaughn Vele – (44/110) offense grade in 2024 in 13 games, B- so far as ’24 7th rd
WR3 – Marvin Mims Jr – (51/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C+ so far as ’23 2nd rd
WR4 – Lil Jordan Humphrey – (104/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C+
WR5 – Troy Franklin – (107/110) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, D+ so far as ’24 4th rd
WR6 – Josh Reynolds – (89/110) offense grade in 2024 in 9 games, C to C+
As you can see from the above data, the Broncos were solid but not spectacular from a wide receiver standpoint this past season. Courtland Sutton is likely better suited as a #2 wide out in the NFL as opposed to being a team’s primary wide out. DeVaughn Vele was a pleasant surprise as the teams #2 wideout as he graded above average among all qualified wide receivers as a rookie despite being a 7th round pick. Marvin Mims Jr, who was a second-round pick in 2023 had a meager rookie season but improved upon it this past season ranking above average amongst qualified wide outs in terms of an offense grade. The wide out unit was average caliber this past season but will likely improve next season. Courtland Sutton was drafted very high in the second round in 2018 and is a physical freak of nature at the wide receiver position. Sutton has certainly not been a bust thus far in the NFL as every season he has played in the league so far outside of his rookie season, he has graded above average in terms of an offense grade amongst qualified wide receivers. However, given how high he was drafted and the physical freak of nature that he is, he has not yet lived up to his potential as of yet. The Denver Broncos since the retirement of Peyton Manning have struggled to find their next QB of the future. Sutton has never had a high-level QB throwing him the football and although Bo Nix is talented, he is certainly not close to Patrick Mahomes as of yet, and he was still a rookie this past season. Perhaps if Nix can come into his own next season as he becomes a veteran in the NFL, Sutton can start to fulfill his full potential. The remaining two primary wide outs in DeVaughn Vele and Marvin Mims Jr, have looked solid thus far in their young NFL careers and still have room to grow. Denver can also expect to improve from a wide out standpoint next season with the potential emergence of Troy Franklin who was a fourth-round rookie in the 2024 season. Franklin really struggled as a rookie but being drafted in the 4th round he projects to a solid NFL player. Perhaps as he enters his second season in the NFL, he can begin to play like that. Lil Jordan Humphrey and Josh Reynolds who provided some depth for the Broncos at wide receiver have both departed the team this offseason as well. Outside of adding some depth at the wide receiver spot by signing undrafted free agents and mostly irrelevant NFL players, the Broncos made one key acquisition at wide receiver this offseason by drafting wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Broncos depth chart at wide receiver heading into next season will look like the following.
Broncos Wide Receivers Heading into 2025 Season
WR1 – Courtland Sutton – B to B+
WR2 – Marvin Mims Jr – C+ to B-
WR3 – DeVaughn Vele – B-
WR4 – Troy Franklin – D+
WR5 – Pat Bryant – 2025 3rd round pick
WR6 – Trent Sherfield – C to C-
WR7 – A.T Perry – C
WR8 – Michael Bandy – D
WR9 – Joaquin Davis – UDFA 2025
WR10 – Courtney Jackson – UDFA 2025
WR11 – Jerjuan Newton – UDFA 2025
WR12 – Kyrese White – UDFA 2025
A relative weak point on the Denver Broncos this past 2024 season was the wide receiver unit. Courtland Sutton is very talented but has not produced to quite his full potential as of yet. Marvin Mims Jr and DeVaughn Vele have shown some potential thus far but have not yet reached their potential as both have shown to be nothing more than just slightly above average thus far in their NFL careers. Troy Franklin, as a 4th rookie in 2024, has the potential to blossom into a solid NFL player and 2025 3rd round pick Pat Bryant can potentially turn into a fine NFL player as well. The Denver wide receiving core was solid but not spectacular in 2024 and as of now projects to be solid but not spectacular heading into next season as well. Perhaps if the young wide receivers on the team can continue to grow and reach near their full potential with QB Bo Nix perhaps taking a big step forward going into year 2, the wide receiver unit for Denver can be closer to spectacular next season. The tight end unit was perhaps the biggest weak point of not just the Denver offense this past season but the whole Denver team this past season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Denver tight ends of last season and heading into next season below.
2024 Broncos Tight Ends
TE1 – Lucas Krull – (44/45) offense grade in 13 games in 2024, C to C-
TE2 – Nate Adkins – (28/45) offense grade in 17 games in 2024, C to C-
TE3 – Adam Trautman – (39/45) offense grade in 17 games in 2024, C
TE4 – Greg Dulcich – poor offense grade in very limited snaps in 2024, C-
As you can see from the above data and if you read my previous article on Denver, Denver’s tight end unit from the 2024 season was in the definitive discussion for being the weakest tight end unit in the NFL. Denver did not have a starting caliber tight end on their roster this past 2024 season nor even a high-end caliber backup either. Heading into next season, 3 of the 4 tight ends listed on the depth chart remain the same but Denver has made one big addition at the position. Denver signed the former Giants and Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, and they are hopeful he can fill the void at the position. Engram has been hit and miss at the tight end spot for much of his NFL career but has a very high ceiling and has recently become more consistent as well. In eight NFL seasons playing at tight end, Engram has graded below average in terms of an offense grade on four occasions and above average the remainder of the years. However, he was once graded as high as 5th among all tight ends in terms of an offense grade. While all four of the down years he had can be attributed to playing in an unfavorable New York Giants offense to start his career and also struggling with injury. The past three seasons he has played for the Jaguars and as a result he has posted an above average offense grade in each of the three seasons and improved every year with Jacksonville as well. He has just turned thirty years old, however and has struggled with injuries from time to time in his NFL career as well. Engram if healthy is an above average to a well above average player at tight end. However, given his age and not substantial but certainly noticeable injury history, Denver will need another tight end on their roster to step up for them next season. Greg Dulcich has since departed the team leaving three additional tight ends in Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins, and Adam Trautman on the roster. Krull and Adkins are former undrafted free agents who have not shown that much potential thus far in the NFL. Adam Trautman, however, was a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft and has shown at least some promise thus far in his NFL career. In Trautman’s 2020 rookie season, he graded (25/112) among qualified tight ends although just accumulating 15 receptions. If Trautman or one of the remaining two tight ends can begin to play at a consistently strong level, that would bode Denver well as they would have a strong secondary tight end to Evan Engram. While more importantly having another capable tight end on the roster in the scenario in which a 30+ year old Evan Engram with an injury history misses playing time. If one of the remaining tight ends outside of Evan Engram does not begin to play at a strong level, it would behoove the Broncos to make a move for another tight end to complement Engram. The 2025 projected depth chart for the Broncos at tight end can be found below with me assigning each player a subjective grade that indicates how strong I feel they are.
2025 Projected Broncos Tight Ends
TE1 – Evan Engram – B
TE2 – Adam Trautman – C to C+
TE3 – Lucas Krull – D+ to C-
TE4 – Nate Adkins – C to C-
The running back unit was also a weak point for Denver offensively this past season and I have conducted a similar analysis of it which can be found below beginning with their 2024 lineup. Again, I have included the offense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season as well as my own subjective grade that indicates how strong of players I feel they are outside of just 2024.
2024 Broncos Running Backs
HB1 – Javonte Williams – (47/58) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C+
HB2 – Jaleel McLaughlin – (39/57) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, B
HB3 – Audric Estime – (44/57) offense grade in 2024 n 13 games, C so far as ’24 5th rd
HB4 – Tyler Badie – 12 career rushing attempts and 4 career receptions
HB5 – Blake Watson – 4 career rushing attempts and 1 career reception
As you can see from the above data, although Denver’s running back unit was not as weak as their tight end unit, it was still amongst the weakest in the NFL this past 2024 season. So far this offseason, Javonte Williams has departed the team and the team has made two major acquisitions at running back this offseason as well. Drafting R.J Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signing J.K Dobbins in free agency as well. Jaleel McLaughlin has been hit and miss thus far in his brief NFL career as a 2023 undrafted free agent but has shown a ton of promise. In 2023 as a rookie, McLaughlin graded (5/63) in terms of an offense grade among qualified running backs in 16 games. However, he regressed this past season only grading (39/57) in that same category in 16 games in 2024. If McLaughlin can build upon his rookie season where he was graded amongst the best backs in the NFL albeit in limited action, it would bode the Broncos well. RJ Harvey was drafted very highly for a running back in the second round. Where unless you are a Saquon Barkley level talent, is as high as a running back is typically selected. The signing of J.K Dobbins was a very under-the-radar move this off-season which could ultimately work wonders for the Broncos. Dobbins is talented at the running back position but unfortunately struggles with injuries. If he can stay on the field, however, he will provide some juice out of the backfield for Denver. 2024 fifth round pick Audric Estime remains on the roster for the Broncos and coming off a meager but still a respectable rookie season, he can perhaps turn into a solid player for the team. The lineup out of the backfield for the Broncos heading into the 2025 season can be found below.
2025 Projected Broncos Running Backs
HB1 – R.J Harvey – 2025 second round pick
HB2 – J.K Dobbins – C+ to B-
HB3 – Audric Estime – C- so far as 2024 5th round pick
HB4 – Jaleel McLaughlin – B
If the running backs on this roster all play to their full potential, then Denver will have a very formidable running back unit that ranks amongst the best in the NFL. R.J Harvey was drafted very highly, J.K Dobbins consistently hovered around 6 yards an attempt early in his NFL career and was a borderline MVP candidate to begin last season. Jaleel McLaughlin, albeit in limited snaps, played like one of the premier running backs in the NFL as a rookie. Finally, Audric Estime certainly has what it takes to be a solid capable and potentially even above average NFL running back. Those are a ton of ifs however, but regardless I expect Denver’s running back unit to be substantially better next season compared to what it was this past season where it was amongst the weakest in the league.
As stated previously the offensive line was the calling card for the Denver Broncos offensively in the 2024 season as the unit ranked among the best in the NFL. The offensive line metrics for the Denver Broncos in the 2024 regular season can be found below.
Broncos 2024 Offensive Line Metrics
1st in pass blocking efficiency
Allowed the 4th least sacks
1st in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
11th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
I have provided below a similar analysis of Denver’s key offensive line personnel for this past 2024 season. With me providing the offense grade that each player was assigned over the course of the 2024 season according to Pro Football Focus. As well as my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong of players that I deem them to be in totality outside of just 2024.
Denver Broncos 2024 Offensive Line Starters
LT – Garrett Bolles – (17/87) offense grade in 2024 in 1069 snaps, B+
LG – Ben Powers – (41/83) offense grade in 2024 in 1088 snaps, B
C – Luke Wattenberg – (27/43) offense grade in 2024 in 822 snaps, C
RG – Quinn Meinerz – (2/83) offense grade in 2024 in 1089 snaps, A to A+
RT – Mike McGlinchey – (28/87) offense grade in 2024 in 849 snaps, B
Denver Broncos 2024 Key Offensive Line Reserves
C – Alex Forsyth – (16/40) offense grade in 2024 in 292 snaps, B
T – Matt Peart – (29/79) offense grade in 2024 in 123 snaps, C+
T – Alex Palczewski – (56/87) offense grade in 2024 in 179 snaps, C
-No other reserve offensive lineman for Denver played more than 8 snaps in 2024
As you can see from the above data, the Broncos had a very talented offensive line in the 2024 season with perhaps just a weak link at center. Luke Wattenberg played the majority of the snaps for the Broncos at center this past season but was below average in his time on the field. Backup center Alex Forsyth stepped in for Wattenberg when he was banged up and was above average in his time on the field. How the Broncos will handle their center position next season between those two players will be interesting to see. Denver has not made any key acquisitions or had any key losses on the offensive line this offseason. The eight players listed above will be the eight players leading the Denver offensive front next season as well. Denver will likely have one of the premier offensive lines in the NFL next season as well being led by this core of players. Now that the Eagles, Lions, and Falcons have had key offseason losses on each of their offensive lines, the Broncos offensive line will be in the definitive conversation for being the best in the NFL if it was not already.
In totality, the Broncos were a very average offensive team this past 2024 season and have lots of room to improve. Rookie QB Bo Nix had a solid but not spectacular rookie season as he was the 5th QB drafted in his draft class perhaps for a reason. He will be the starter for the Broncos in the 2025 season but whether or not he will be their long-term starter and/or if he offers the team anything special at the position, remains to be seen. The Broncos’ success on the offensive side of the ball will be mostly contingent upon Bo Nix more than anything else. Head coach Sean Payton is unequivocally a very bright offensive mind, but questions are certainly to be asked how good of a coach he is and whether he is overrated or not. The combination of Nix at QB and Sean Payton as an offensive minded head coach will be the biggest thing that determines the level of success the Broncos see on the offensive side of the ball next season. From a personnel standpoint, questions are also to be asked of Denver on the offensive side of the ball just as they were last season as well. The Broncos last season had one of the premier offensive lines in the NFL and will likely have one of the premier units in the NFL next season as well especially if they can get better production out of their center position. The skill positions were a big concern for the Broncos last season and were the weak point of not just the offense but the whole team. In the 2024 season, Denver’s running back unit was well below average, Denver’s tight end unit was in the definitive discussion for being the weakest in the NFL, and Denver’s wide receiver unit was average at best. They have not upgraded their wide out unit heading into next season but are optimistic that young players in the unit can continue to improve, especially with Bo Nix heading into year 2. They have added veteran and often highly effective tight end Evan Engram to their tight end unit. The Broncos are also optimistic that former 3rd round pick Adam Trautman who has shown some promise thus far in his career can begin to play to his potential. Denver has overhauled their running back unit this offseason moving off Javonte Williams and adding veteran J.K Dobbins and drafting R.J Harvey in the second round. Their running back unit has essentially nowhere to go but up and the unit has a ton of potential but a ton of question marks. As it is unknown how good R.J Harvey will be in the NFL and how good he will be as a rookie. It is unknown how healthy J.K Dobbins will be and how effective of a back he truly is on a consistent basis when he is not placed in Baltimore’s run conducive offense. Jaleel McLaughlin has been very up and down thus far in his brief NFL career despite showing a very high ceiling and it remains to be seen how effective of a back he truly is.
The Broncos were amongst the premier defensive teams in the NFL this past 2024 season allowing the 3rd fewest points in the regular season. Although their defense left much to be desired in their quick postseason loss to the Bills, the lack of production offensively was the primary reason the Broncos lost right away last postseason. As Denver was only able to produce seven points in a very quick postseason exit. Bo Nix, being a rookie who was far from a generational type of prospect to begin with, along with the poor production Denver got from their skill position players was the primary reason for that lack of offensive production. If the Broncos wish to truly contend to win the AFC next season, Bo Nix will have to take a big step forward in his sophomore season and prove to be something special at the QB spot. In addition to that, the skill position players for the Broncos, which the front office has made some key acquisitions to this offseason, will have to prove to be substantially better than they were a season ago. The sky is the limit for the Broncos offensively next season but there a ton of question marks. If Nix can take a big step forward next season and prove to be a definitive tier 2 caliber QB like Jared Goff or Jalen Hurts and if Denver can just get above average production from their skill position players, they absolutely have the caliber of defense, offensive line, and head coach to contend to win the conference. Those are two big ifs however, and even if those two ifs were to occur, I still am of the mindset that the Broncos are at an inherent disadvantage from a coach + QB standpoint in their own division to the Chargers and Chiefs. Which is nothing to be ashamed of as Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs has already proven to be one of the greatest head coach + QB combinations in NFL history. While Jim Harbaugh is perhaps the best football coach I have ever seen while Justin Herbert is one of the most talented QBs I have ever seen for the Chargers. Sean Payton is a remarkable offensive mind, but I still prefer those two offensive minded head coaches over him as of now. Bo Nix is talented at the QB position but is not the type of generational hall of fame caliber talent that Mahomes and Herbert are. From a defensive standpoint, Denver is just as good if not better than the Chiefs and Chargers. From an offensive line standpoint, the Broncos are definitively better than both those teams as of now. Can Denver’s combination of offensive coaching, QB play, and skill position play on the offensive side of the ball be good enough so the Broncos can be on the same level as those two teams despite being at a coach + QB disadvantage?
