The offseason breeds optimism around each NFL team. Every young player is going to get better, every signing will make a key difference, every draft pick is going to hit the mark, and every player is finally healthy and reporting himself “in the best shape of his life.”
The Denver Broncos are no exception.
After a strong offseason in which the team quickly circled quarterback Drew Lock and acquired some key veterans through the defense trade, the Broncos appear to be trending toward playoff containment in the 2020 season with a roster. general improved. A tough task for a team in a division with the best quarterback in football and reigning Super Bowl champions, but after three losing seasons in a row, the Broncos look set to announce themselves as ‘back’ on the stage of the NFL.
Pro Football Focus agrees that the Denver Broncos have a real shot at resurfacing in 2020. As is well known, Lock’s ‘skeptics’, despite their skepticism about the quarterback, PFF still ranked on the list. The Broncos ranked 14th in the NFL. This speaks volumes about the work that General Manager John Elway has done building a nest around the young quarterback and Vic Fangio’s presence for the Denver defense.
Where PFF was most impressed was with the exciting arsenal of passers on offense. With one of the best young receivers at Courtland Sutton, the Broncos strengthened their strength with their first and second round picks in the 2020 draft. Here’s what PFF said about Denver guns:
14. DENVER BRONCOS
More Strength: The 2020 draft was about getting quarterback Drew Lock to have more weapons. And now, those offensive weapons stand out as one of the team’s strengths. Courtland Sutton agreed on the fall issues that plagued him as a rookie and ended the 2019 season as PFF’s top-10th wide receiver, and Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler should provide plenty of support early in their NFL careers. Jeudy, in particular, was the best catcher on the big PFF board this offseason, able to create a better separation than any other college-level road racer. His addition gives the Broncos two No. 1 wide receivers.
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While tempering 2020 expectations for Jeudy and Hamler in their rookie seasons is probably prudent, it’s hard not to get excited about the duo’s speed and how well they both complement Sutton and 2019’s first-round pick, Noah Fant. . Say what you want about the offensive line and tackle position, the players around Lock give the Broncos a chance to get a fair evaluation of him in 2020. He’s at Lock to succeed (within reason).
The Broncos did a fantastic job tackling skill positions on offense, but defensive skill players specifically on the cornerback could be an Achilles heel next season. In the AFC West, with so many teams possessing equally explosive offensive players, the Broncos cornerback group is troubling and worth monitoring in the future.
Biggest Weakness: The Broncos have some pretty pieces in place in high school with Kareem Jackson, Justin Simmons, and Bryce Callahan. However, the cornerback position is still up in the air. AJ Bouye had a borderline elite career from 2016 to 2018, but things fell to the ground again with a coverage rating of 55.4 in a season that saw the Jaguars trade Jalen Ramsey. The other outside spot, assuming Callahan stays in the slot, appears to be an open competition, with third-round rookie Michael Ojemudia standing out as the favorite. In any case, it is difficult to feel secure in the position for 2020.
Fortunately for the Broncos’ concerns at cornerback, DC Ed Donatell and coach Fangio are known to get the most out of their cornerbacks. A lot depends on the health of Bouye and Callahan, but under the coaches it wouldn’t be surprising if one of Michael Ojemudia, De’Vante Bausby, or even Isaac Yiadom emerged this coming season. It also doesn’t hurt that Denver also has one of the best safety duos in the NFL.
Even if the Broncos had the best weapons, offensive line, and defense in the NFL, it could all be for good if the quarterback position struggles. He’s the great equalizer in the league and without a franchise quarterback, a team will need an incredible roster and a lucky break to make waves in the league.
This holds true for the Broncos and makes them one of the most volatile teams to project in 2020. Lock was very successful last season, but a sample size of five games against mostly poor pass defenses only has a lot of predictive power. .
If Lock emerges and proves to be a great quarterback, the sky is the limit for this team, but if not, Denver could easily find itself in the top 10 once again and go back to searching for a long-term option as quarterback. countryside.
X factor for 2020: This team will go as far as Lock takes it this season. The Broncos have put him in a position to succeed with a talented offensive cast around him, but some of Lock’s exaggerations this offseason have gotten a little out of control. He had a couple of good displays, but his overall rating of 57.6 in the last five weeks of the season ranked 28th out of 32 qualifying quarterbacks. At this point, it’s too early to say what he’ll look like in his second season, making him a true X-factor in what would otherwise be a talented roster.
The 2020 version of the Broncos is probably the most talented roster the organization has had since winning Super Bowl 50. With a fantastic defensive coach and a veteran defense combined with a young and exciting offense, the Broncos could become darlings of the NFL once again and must- watch television on the explosive AFC West.
How far can this team go? It is likely that it all comes down to Lock. If you can prove you are a franchise quarterback, this Broncos team will be incredibly fun to watch in 2020 and beyond.
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKendellMHH and @MileHighHuddle.
