By: Adamo Marinelli
September 8th, 2018
One day before the Broncos kick off their 2018 campaign, I will briefly analyse the Broncos’ roster and explain how well they can realistically do in the 2018 campaign.
Starting with their offence, the Broncos finally found a reliable QB in whom they trust to lead them to success. The Broncos’ three starting QBs in 2017 had thrown a combined 22 interceptions and their offence amassed 34 turnovers which is horrible and doesn’t help a team win games. Keenum only had seven interceptions last year with the Vikings and added 22 touchdown passes, which means he will do an excellent job protecting the ball and scoring points. In Minnesota, he did a very good job while being pressured with a completion rate of 66% under pressure. The Broncos starting offensive line has improved greatly -- especially with the addition of right tackle Jared Veldheer -- allowing only two sacks this preseason. They allowed the third most sacks in 2017 in comparison.
Their wide receivers have only improved now that they have a reliable and consistent QB. Playing with three QBs is hard as each QB runs the offence differently. Now with Keenum as the starter, Demaryius Thomas should be back to normal, averaging about 1,000 yards a season, Sanders should be back to his elite self with his ankle injury from 2017 fully healed and with two new explosive wide receivers in Courtland Sutton and DeaSean Hamilton, both rookies picked in the 2018 draft ready to make an impact, the receiving game should be amazing. Keenum helps that, but talented wide receivers speak for themselves.
The Broncos released RB C.J. Anderson in the offseason, and it looked like the Broncos running game would struggle. However, after rookie RB Royce Freeman -- who was picked up in round three of the 2018 draft -- had an explosive preseason scoring three touchdowns and rushing for more than 200 yards in four games, and with the veteran Devontae Booker and the undrafted free agent out of Colorado state, Philip Lindsay in the backfield, the Broncos’ RB depth is pretty good. Also, the Broncos’ tight ends have improved, now having Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt working together with draft pick Troy Fumagalli on the IR.
Overall, the new look offence in Denver, led by QB Case Keenum, a born leader, looks pretty effective and appears to be a threat for opponents in 2018. The Broncos haven’t had a real leader at the QB position since Peyton Manning left, so Keenum is very helpful. Is he their guy?
The Broncos’ defence is also exceptional. Their front seven is one of the best in the league and with DE Bradley Chubb on the other side of the line as OLB Von Miller, it will be a nightmare for opposing QBs and offensive linemen all season long. They also have Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, Domata Peko, Shelby Harris, Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis and Demarcus Walker among others as defensive linemen, defensive ends, nose tackles and inside linebackers who will be effective rushing the passer and stopping the run. The Broncos were top five in run defence, giving up only 1430 rush yards in 2017, only projected to get better. The Broncos pass rush was also top 10 in 2017, and it’s only going to improve with Miller and Chubb.
The Broncos’ safeties will be an interesting unit to watch this season. They have a lot of skill in pieces like Darian Stewart, Justin Simmons, Will Parks and Dymonte Thomas, but with Su’a Cravens being put on the IR until at least week eight, there are a few holes in the safety position, especially in coverage. Stewart and Simmons are experienced veterans that can cover but covering tight ends is Cravens’ speciality and without him, that forces the Broncos to improvise.
Their cornerbacks also took a blow by trading Aqib Talib to the Rams. They still have Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby, but the Broncos are known as the team that normally always has three CBs on the field, especially in the No Fly Zone days. Despite the talent of Harris and Roby, the Broncos had better CBs with Talib than without. The Broncos brought in Tramaine Brock and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones to help the cornerback depth as it seems like Isaac Yiadom and Brendan Langley, who both gave up plenty of big plays in the preseason aren’t ready for the NFL just yet.
Despite, the secondary projected to be the biggest concern for the Broncos, it is still likely going to be an average unit at least. The pass rush, run defence and causing turnovers are all strengths of the Broncos defence.
Overall, after an abysmal 5-11 year in 2017, the Broncos have the pieces to be a playoff team in 2017. Speaking as a Broncos fan, I say we can win our division because the Chargers have been overhyped every year only to choke it away, the Raiders have no defence now, after they traded Khalil Mack to the Bears and the Chiefs starting QB is Patrick Mahomes, who’s only played in one game in his NFL career. Also, the Broncos schedule is not as hard as it was last season and with a new QB, better offence and a changed but still talented defence, the Broncos could win 11-12 games, enough to win the division. Realistically speaking, however, I say the Chargers win the division at 11-5 or 12-4 and the Broncos finish 10-6, enough to get a wildcard spot. I say, their floor is 8-8 and their ceiling is 11-5, but 10-6 and a playoff appearance is a nice middle ground for a well deserving and improved team like the Broncos.
