2018 Recap
The hunt for a quality Quarterback was the main priority for the Broncos during the 2018 offseason. They thought they found their man in Vikings free agent Case Keenum. Denver signed Keenum to a two year, $36 million contract with $25 million in total guarantees. That experiment proved to be futile as Denver finished 27th in Offensive Passer Rating and Scoreability, and 24th in Real Passing Yards Per Attempt. Compare those finishes to their 2017 season and Denver barely made an improvement.
The lone bright spot for their Offense came via undrafted free agent running back Phillip Lindsay. The rookie rusher was one of nine running backs int he league to top 1,000 yards. Lindsay was also heavily involved in the passing attack, catching 35 passes for 241 yards. He finished with 10 total touchdowns on the year. With the help of fellow rookie running back Royce Freeman, the Broncos finished third on our Offensive Rusher Rating.
As usual, the Broncos defense was solid both against the pass and run. Their 75.73 Defensive QB Rating was fifth lowest in the league and their 87.50 rating on our Defensive Rusher Index was eighth best. Led by sack master Von Miller (14.5 sacks in 2018) and last year’s fifth overall pick Bradley Chubb, Denver finished with the eighth-most sacks in the league (44) and finished eighth on our Defensive Hog Index.
Despite the defense’s attempt to carry the team, the Broncos offense kept dragging them down. The AFC West sqaud finished with a 6-10 record, its second consecutive losing season. The back-to-back poor finishes led to the firing of head coach Vance Joseph.
The Broncos wasted no time in announcing the hiring of Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio as the team’s 17th head coach. Denver also wasted no time in realizing the Keenum experiment wasn’t going to help the team win more games in 2019, so they traded for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in February.
Denver’s cap situation is less than an ideal. With roughly $21 million in cap space, the Broncos have the 12th-least amount of space in the league. They do, however, have the No. 10 overall selection in April’s NFL Draft.
Key Free Agents
Bradley Roby, Defensive Back
Shane Ray, Linebacker
Brandon Marshall, Linebacker
Jared Veldheer, Offensive Line
Domata Peko, Defensive Line
Matt Paradis, Offensive Line
Shaquil Barrett, Linebacker
Bill Turner, Offensive Line
Tramaine Brock, Defensive Back
Jeff Heuerman, Tight End
Max Garcia, Offensive Line
Zach Kerr, Defensive Line
2019 Draft Picks
1st Round: 10th overall
2nd Round: 41st
3rd Round: 71st
4th Round: TBD
5th Round: two picks, TBD
6th Round: TBD
7th Round: N/A
Team Needs
Thanks to the Joe Flacco trade, Denver is no longer in the hunt for a quarterback, otherwise that would have been their most pressing need. Instead, look for the Broncos to solidify their offensive line and interior defensive line, which is in danger of losing a handful of starters to free agency. The likely decision to cut linebacker Brandon Marshall creates a need to find an inside linebacker. Defensive backs Bradley Roby and Tramaine Brock are unrestricted free agents, which may open up a big hole in Denver’s once vaunted secondary. They could also use a tight end if last year’s starter Jeff Heuerman doesn’t re-sign.
Offensive Line
Keeping the Broncos offensive line intact is going to be troublesome for Denver’s front office. The group ranked ninth on our Offensive Hog Index in 2018 and allowed just 34 sacks on the year (11th least). Center Matt Paradis finished his season on Injured Reserve and is now hitting free agency, while right tackle Jared Veldheer is also heading to the open market. Re-signing one or both is a top priority, as is bringing in a versatile guard that can play on both the left or right side. Denver hired one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL in Mike Munchak this offseason.
Defensive Back
Other than lockdown corner Chris Harris, the Broncos may be in trouble if they can’t re-sign cornerback Bradley Roby. Their pass defense was solid in 2018 (fifth in Defensive Passer Rating) and though new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio certainly knows how to get the best out of his players (Bears were Number 1 in DPR in 2018) Denver lacks long term depth. Safety Darian Stewart turns 31 and fellow safety Justin Simmons along with CB Chris Harris are free agents this time next year. We could see the beginning of a massive overhaul in the Broncos secondary.
Defensive Line
34-year-old nose tackle Domata Peko says he wants to re-sign with the Broncos. Considering his age, he likely won’t get much interest on the open market. If the Broncos bring him back on a one-year deal, they’ll be in the same position this time next year, unless of course they do sign him but also draft his replacement come April.
Linebacker
Releasing 29-year-old linebacker Brandon Marshall would clear $4 million in cap space and, as previously mentioned, the Broncos could use it, considering they only have about $21 million available. Marshall has missed 10 games the last three seasons, and though fellow LB Todd Davis is solid on first and second downs, Denver will need to replace Marshall, who was once a capable coverage and off-ball linebacker but has seemingly lost a step.
Bottom Line
Von Miller and Bradley Chubb were already wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Add in defensive mastermind Vic Fangio, and Denver’s defense will certainly help keep them in games. The biggest question becomes whether Joe Flacco is the right man to help their offense improve enough to get them back into the playoffs.
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Tanner Kern breaks down the biggest news from the NFL world, discusses fantasy football stategy, and gives his future bets for the 2022 season on the debut of the CHFF Show.