The Denver Broncos will be the team to watch in the AFC West. They’ve added pieces to a talented roster via the 2020 NFL Draft and filled some holes through free agency. Let’s start with the offense.
Offense
The question is: can Drew Lock be the guy? Although we only got a small sample size of five games in 2019, he did enough to leave the fan base and front office optimistic. He was 4-1 in five starts and threw seven touchdown passes. Courtland Sutton had a breakout year, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. They certainly need more consistency from left tackle Garett Bolles—especially with right tackle Ja'Wuan James opting out of the 2020 season. Although Bolles has been a mixed bag since his arrival, the team saw enough not to address either tackle position during the draft. They added more offensive weaponry instead. Lloyd Cushneberry could see action very early. Jerry Jeudy was the top wide receiver on many people’s boards, and KJ Hamler has Tyreek Hill-like explosion. After adding Melvin Gordon through free agency, Denver appears to be gearing up for a shootout with their AFC West rivals in Kansas City.
Defense
The Broncos still have the feared pass rush tandem of Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. Miller is still very effective and recorded eight sacks last season. Former Pro Bowler Jurrell Casey was added via a trade from the Tennessee Titans. A.J. Bouye will fill the hole left by Chris Harris Jr. They still have Bryce Callahan, the 2019 free agent that missed the entire year due to a foot injury. If he gets hurt again, look for 2020 draft pick Michael Ojemudia to play early and add depth in sub-packages. Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons form one of the best safety combos in the division.
Coaching
Vic Fangio has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the history of the NFL. He has accomplished things as a coordinator that very few have. He coached the linebacker unit nicknamed the “Dome Patrol,” the only time in NFL history where an entire linebacker unit made the Pro Bowl. He was an assistant on the historic Baltimore Ravens defensive staff. As a defensive coordinator, every defense he ever coached was better when he left than when he arrived. He was the defensive coordinator when the San Francisco 49ers went to three consecutive divisional championships and the Super Bowl. So I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten how to coach. I believe it’s only a matter of time before he leaves his imprint and turns the Broncos around.
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