From now until the start of the NFL season, I will be releasing a weekly article called State Of The League. It will cover each of the 32 NFL teams, including their 2023 season, offseason acquisitions, and what to expect from them in 2024 (think best/worst-case scenarios). Enjoy! Up next is the Denver Broncos.
Remember when the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2015? Peyton Manning was in his farewell season (well, we didn’t know that truly until after they won the Big Game). Gary Kubiak was the head coach. The team went 12-4, which was good for the number-one seed in the AFC. Even with a below-average offense, their fourth-ranked defense was the key to their success.
Take this for data: the Broncos only put up 194 yards of offense in Super Bowl 50. Yet, they still won. Why? The defense allowed just ten points to a highly-powered Carolina Panthers offense led by Cam Newton. They forced four turnovers and sacked Cam Newton six times on their way to their third Lombardi Trophy.
But, the past is the past. Literally. Denver has struggled to find success since that celebratory year. They haven’t made the playoffs since then. Except for 2016 (9-7), they have finished with a losing record for seven straight years. After another disappointing season in 2023, change was needed. Can they turn it around in 2024?
2023 Season
- Head coach: Sean Payton
- Record: 8-9
- Offense: 21.0 PPG (19/32)
- Defense: 24.3 PPG (27/32)
- Leading passer: QB Russell Wilson (7-8 as starter, 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions)
- Leading rusher: RB Javonte Williams (217 carries, 774 yards, three touchdowns)
- Leading receiver: WR Courtland Sutton (59 catches, 772 yards, 10 touchdowns(
- Leading tackler: LB Alex Singleton (177)
- Sacks: OLB Jonathon Cooper (8.5)
- Interceptions: FS Justin Simmons (3)
It was a very rough start to the 2023 season for Denver. They fell to the Raiders by one point in the opening game and lost by two to the Commanders the very next week. So, you would think (pattern here) they lost by three to their opponent (the Miami Dolphins) in week three. Well…
They’re gonna move the Broncos to the USFL if they keep playing like this!
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 24, 2023
Dolphins winning 63-13, the backups and practice squad players are currently bearing Broncos starters! #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/dQu4wMNpuM
70-20 was the final score. Not something you see every day. Luckily, they finally got their first win the very next week 31-28 against the Chicago Bears.
Things turned around starting in week seven when the team went on a five-game winning streak that included beating teams like the Packers, Chiefs, and Bills. By the end of week 14, they were 7-6 with an outside chance at the postseason. But, Denver lost three of their last four games and missed the playoffs.
After what looked like a lost season after the first few weeks, the Broncos surprised a lot of doubters and made a shocking run to a near wild-card spot.
Offseason Acquisitions And Departures
- Notable departures: QB Russell Wilson (trade), FS Justin Simmons, TE Chris Manhertz
- Notable acquisitions: S Brandon Jones (three years, $20 million), QB Zach Wilson (trade with Jets), WR Josh Reynolds (two-year deal), DT John Franklin-Myers (two-year deal)
- Re-signings: S P.J. Locke (two years, $7 million), K Will Lutz (two years, $8.4 million)
Favorite Acquisition: S Brandon Jones Someone had to replace Justin Simmons, right? Jones, formerly of the Dolphins, had a great 2023 season. His 76.8 PFF grade ranked among the best in the league, including a 90.1 pass-rushing grade. Not to mention his coverage grade was 78.5. Quarterbacks had just a 68.9 passer rating when targeting him. Though he isn’t at the same level as the departed Simmons, he is a solid replacement. Jones also recorded four pass deflections (a career-high) last year.
Draft
- R1, P12: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
- R3, P12: EDGE Jonah Elliss, Utah
- R4, P2: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
- R5, P10: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
- R5, P12: RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
- R7, P15: WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
- R7, P36: C Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina
Favorite Pick: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon. You drafted the quarterback. So, why not get his college teammate to make the transition to the pros easier? Franklin, a 6’2″ target, was not supposed to fall this far. After all, he was outstanding in 2023 after setting school records in receiving yards and touchdowns. He is a reliable deep threat and a solid route-runner, and Nix will be looking to him often when the two are both on the field. Someone has to replace Jerry Jeudy (traded to the Browns). So, why not Franklin? Look for him to make an impact early in 2024.
2024 Regular Season Schedule (O/U 5.5)
Got our secondary on 🔒
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 27, 2024
DBs 📸's » https://t.co/d0iZ5tTAmf pic.twitter.com/5YZDGgE7Vk
- Week 1: @ Seahawks
- Week 2: vs. Steelers
- Week 3: @ Buccaneers
- Week 4: @ Jets
- Week 5: vs. Raiders
- Week 6: vs. Chargers
- Week 7: @ Saints (TNF)
- Week 8: vs. Panthers
- Week 9: @ Ravens
- Week 10: @ Chiefs
- Week 11: vs. Falcons
- Week 12: @ Raiders
- Week 13: vs. Browns (MNF)
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: vs. Colts
- Week 16: @ Chargers
- Week 17: @ Bengals
- Week 18: vs. Chiefs
Favorite Matchup: Week 7 @ Saints. Head coach Sean Payton’s homecoming back in New Orleans. Will Denver be at least 3-3 before this contest? If so, it makes Thursday Night Football worth watching. If not, what are we doing with our lives?
Thoughts On The Denver Broncos
Look, this team started on the wrong foot and still finished on the doorstep of making the postseason. But, gone is the tension between Russell Wilson and Sean Payton. In comes the rookie Bo Nix. With plenty of experience in college, he and Payton will look to become a successful QB-HC combo for years to come.
Enough about the possible debate about who will be the starting quarterback in week one. There’s no way Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson beat out the 12th overall pick. We’ve seen what Wilson can do at the NFL level (which is… nothing). You don’t draft a quarterback originally projected to go in the second round if you don’t see something in him. Also, Nix’s 77.4% completion percentage broke the NCAA record in a season and led the nation in total touchdowns (45 passing TDs plus six rushing TDs). We, as fans, fail to understand just because a prospect is older doesn’t mean they deserve to be drafted in the early rounds. For Nix, he lands in the perfect destination under a head coach who helped Drew Brees turn into a Hall-of-Famer.
However, the surrounding pieces around the rookie quarterback do have some question marks. Javonte Williams (774 rushing yards on 217 carries) has shown he can be a solid RB1 when healthy but will be challenged by the guys behind him. Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin aren’t scrubs and rookie Audric Estime was a productive back at Notre Dame who has starter traits.
At wide receiver, Courtland Sutton (772 yards on 59 catches) remains and is indisputably the WR1 after the departure of Jerry Jeudy. Josh Reynolds (608 yards, five touchdowns) is currently listed as the WR2 to replace him. But, can Marvin Mims Jr. make an impact after a rough rookie season? I personally am a big believer in Troy Franklin, who will get on the field earlier than many think. It’s not a reach to see him on the outside opposite of Sutton in the early weeks of the season.
A hamstring injury sidelined him for all except two games in 2023, but expect Greg Dulcich to be an underrated difference-maker for Denver. I believe a tight end is a rookie quarterback’s best friend, and if his past says anything, it’s that he will be productive when on the field.
Five days ago, PFF released their 2024 offensive line rankings. Denver is ranked 15th. Tackles Mike McGlinchey and Garrett Bolles are solid on the edge. RG Quinn Meinerz and his 83.7 PFF grade was good for third among all guards. But, with the departure of center Lloyd Cushenberry III, questions remain at that and the left guard position.
Defensively, they allowed the fifth-most points per game to opposing offenses last year. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph returns and will work with a defense that (dare I say) got better this offseason. Free-agent acquisition John Franklin-Myers (70.4 PFF grade) was solid for the Jets in 2023. Rookie Jonah Elliss helps improve the EDGE group, led by Jonathon Cooper (8.5 sacks) and Baron Browning (4.5 sacks). But, don’t forget about Nik Bonitto, as the 24-year-old quietly went from one sack his rookie season to 8 in 2023. If these guys can be a productive group, offensive lines will have headaches dealing with them.
Tackling machine Alex Singleton captains the inside linebackers, and will work alongside Cody Barton to hold down the fort.
At cornerback, free agent addition Levi Wallace (11 pass deflections, two interceptions) joins Patrick Surtain II on the outside to lock down opposing wide receivers. But, keep an eye on rookie Kris Abrams-Draine, who was one of my favorite corners coming out of the draft and will likely play in the nickel to start his career.
Brandon Jones replaces the production of safety Justin Simmons (who, at the time of publishing, remains a free agent). He’ll be fine and will work alongside third-year player Caden Sterns as the last line of defense. The former Texas product had two interceptions and four pass deflections in 2023.
The offense and defensive units are going to be much better in 2024. You don’t remain among the league-worst two years in a row, especially with the amount of talent on this roster. Though they won’t contend for the division or the postseason, I see Denver finishing with a record of 7-10 and will be more of a contender in 2025 than this upcoming season.
Record Prediction: 7-10
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week for more NFL content and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: Denver Broncos/X
