Today’s NFL is all about the passing game: executing or stopping it. All AFC Teams addressed the passing game during the draft, with Denver adding a prototypical TE (trade), an explosive, speedy WR, a LB/pass rusher and two secondary defenders. Denver managed to trade up twice and have three picks within the range of 63-83 without sacrificing much in the way of future draft capital (rd 3 pick, 2024).

WR Marvin Mims, Jr. RAS 9.41 5’11 183 4.38 Mims deserved to be drafted at #63, and he will make a big impact, even with Payton looking to go run heavy this year. He will push to start even before Denver moves on from Jeudy and/or Sutton. He is a dynamic playmaker and an elite punt return specialist.

ILB Drew Sanders RAS 8.97 6’4 235 Denver is looking for instant impact from Sanders on special teams and as a unique weapon on defense. Likely to become a starter. Jersey Jewell is a free agent in 2004.

CB Riley Moss RAS 9.68 6’1 193 4.43 Moss’s elite athleticism gives him an ability to play a significant role right away---through special teams immediately and playing cornerback in nickel and dime packages. Moss can really help the defense.

S JL Skinner RAS 9.16 6’4 209 Skinner was projected to go in the 3rd-4th round prior to an injury that prevented his working out at the combine and his pro day. His range and athleticism allows him to move around the formation, attack the line of scrimmage, matchup with tight ends, and make plays. Skinner has an innate ability to read QBs exceptionally well. His study and preparation are outstanding.

C Alex Forsyth 8.97 6’4 303 Denver added value with the versatile center/guard in the last round. Forsyth is a high level developmental prospect with immediate concerns in his game. However, the Broncos have the potential to clean it up as he matures. What Forsyth lacks in power, he makes up for with technique. He is able to battle larger and stronger defenders with his attention to detail. He is in the hunt to start at center.

· Nate Adkins | TE | South Carolina

· Seth Benson | LB | Iowa (4^th most likely to make roster)

· Henry Byrd | IOL | Princeton (3^rd most likely to make roster)

· Dallas Daniels | WR | Jackson State

· Darrious Gaines | DB | Western Colorado

· Art Green | CB | Houston (2^nd most likely UDFA to make roster).

· Taylor Grimes | WR | Incarnate Word

· Thomas Incoom |OLB/DE | Central Michigan (most likely UDFA to make roster)

· Kris Leach | TE | Kent State

· Devon Matthews | S | Indiana

· Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | Youngstown State (my favorite UDFA to make the roster)

· PJ Mustipher | NT | Penn State

· Alex Palczewski | OL | Illinois (steal)

· Emanuel Wilson | RB | Fort Valley State

· Demontrey Jacobs | OL |south Florida

· Marcus Haynes |LB/OLB |Old Dominion

Thomas Incoom | OLB/DE | Central Michigan

Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | Youngstown State

Christopher All|edge| Alabama

Jalen Virgil | WR | Appalachian State

Lil'Jordan Humphrey |TE hybrid| NO Saints

Ja'Quan McMillian |CB | East Carolina

Riley Moss |CB | Iowa

Drew Sanders | ILB | Arkansas

With QB Russell Wilson entering the later stages of his career on a tight leash and focusing on plays that cater to his strengths, the team's success will depend on the performances of key players like WR Jerry Jeudy and RB Samaje Perine. HC Sean Payton needs Jeudy and Perine to establish a potent/dynamic offense. Jeudy needs to become the go-to receiver who is deployed in various positions on the field, creating mismatches and exploiting weaknesses. Perine is a versatile and skilled running back who will be the No. 1 guy or share the workload. His skills as a pass protector and receiver out of the backfield make him a three down weapon. Plus, in short-yardage and goal-line situations, he has the physicality and ability to break tackles. TE Adam Trautman will play a substantial role at the tight end position, while decreasing TE Eric Dulcich’s overall targets. The dual-threat Trautman combined with the receiving Dulcich will be essential for the success of Sean Payton’s offense.

A Sean Payton priority is building in the trenches. He signed two high dollar offensive linemen and will look to draft some homegrown talent early in future drafts. However, he is comfortable with unproven linemen as back up. Payton will probably keep eight offensive lineman on the 53-man roster. Payton likes continuity and will do what he has to to get it.

WR Jerry Jeudy projects as Denver’s number one receiver. However, Marvin Mims, Jr is the speed demon that will make the Denver offense (and Wilson) sizzle.

Picked up WR Jerry Jeudy’s fifth-year option. Were allocated DL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi 6’7, 323 through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. Signed S Kareem Jackson. Released OLB Jake Martin. Cut: OT Casey Tucker, RB Tyreik McAllister and OG Parker Ferguson. Signed FA QB Ben DiNucci after rookie minicamp tryout. Signed FA RB Jacob Patrick after rookie minicamp tryout. Released UDFs: WR Dallas Daniels, CB Darrious Gaines, TE Kris Leach and RB Emanuel Wilson. Resigned RB Tyreik McAllister and S Kareem Jackson. Released K Brandon McManus. Signed NT Tyler Lancaster. Re-signed T Cam Fleming. Waiver OT Hunter Thedford.

There will be four groups of players: draft picks, signed free agents, tryout free agents and veteran tryouts. Three of the best XFL players will tryout: passing yards leader, QB Ben DiNucci; #2 rusher, RB Jacques Patrick; and, edge rusher Trent Harris who led the league in sacks and tackles for a loss.

The Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs twice in three weeks. The first meeting is a Thursday night game in Week Six. They enter the game after playing a physical NY Jets team on the road, a 15 game losing streak to KC, and a short preparation week. The Broncos also have some stiff competition outside the AFC West: New York Jets; Buffalo Bills; Miami Dolphins; and, Minnesota Vikings.

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 2: vs. Washington Commanders

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs (TNF prime-time)

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: at Buffalo Bills (MNF prime-time)

Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings (SNF prime-time)

Week 12: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 13: at Houston Texans

Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 15: at Detroit Lions

Week 16: vs. New England Patriots (SNF prime-time)

Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week 18: at Las Vegas Raiders

HC Sean Payton prefers his team to go about their offseason work far from the spotlight, which makes you think he’d prefer to keep the media out. However, NFL rules require all teams to open one day a week of Phase II OTA’s to media that regularly cover the team. The media is likely to focus on the following players during their viewing sessions:

1. QB Russell Wilson: Is Wilson ready for Payton’s coaching style and scheme? Wilson appears ready.

2. CB Damarri Mathis. Will he continue to grow and hold off the push from third round rookie CB Riley Moss?

3. WR Tim Patrick. Will he have recovered enough from his ACL injury, so that the Broncos aren’t pushing him too fast?

4. OLB Randy Gregory. Can he earn the trust of the new coaching staff so they can use his size and speed?

5. QB Jarrett Stidham. Will he show solid work and provide a better backup than last year?

RB Javonte is participating in a limited capacity.

QB Russell Wilson is a low-end backup

RB Javonte Williams is a low-end 2

RB Samaje Perine is a 3 with upside

WR Jerry Jeudy is a 3 with upside

WR Courtland Sutton is a 4 with upside

WR Tim Patrick is undervalued

TE Greg Dulcich is a backup

K Vacant

The defense is top 10

Payton and Paton were disciplined and that got Denver excellent value out of the draft as the Broncos move on from players (some with value) who don’t fit in the Broncos’ future plans.

It’s all on QB Russell Wilson now, as he learns a new scheme for the third consecutive year. Wilson will be on a tighter leash with an offense that caters to his strengths. But, he is now surrounded with weapons-- Jeudy, Sutton, Patrick and Mims-- putting it all on him. However, Denver will run the ball early and often, so don’t sleep on TE Adam Trautman who doesn’t need to come off the field.

Denver’s number one running back has played 16 games only 50% of the last six seasons. Javonte Williams will miss at least the first two games and may not be the same back in 2023. Samaje Perine, at 27 has low mileage and is a good option to Williams, but he needs a backup with upside. RBs Tony Jones Jr and Damarea Crockett have the size to pound the ball, but have little experience. Both the receivers and the backfield need to be monitored closely for the pecking order if you want to draft Denver’s players.

The Broncos are talented on both sides of the ball. They have star players and/or budding stars on both sides. The defense should be rock solid and on offense, there will be fierce competition.

Now, we will see if Payton is the man to get the most out of the roster.

End.