The Broncos are at least one year ahead of their rebuild timetable. To take the next step they must fix the run game, surround Nix with more dynamic weapons, and strengthen the defense's ability to deliver on third downs. The playoffs were a big step, but the Broncos have many more steps to take if they want to win their fourth Super Bowl.

Teams can't perfectly predict how the draft will play out in front of them and who might be available. Denver needs to hit on difference-makers across their roster by trusting their scouts and their draft board.

Denver must find their "'joker"– A tight end or running back with elite receiving skills that is the true joker in Payton's system ( but can be anyone who creates mismatches by working around the field, especially, the short middle). The 2025 draft class is deep at both positions.

A veteran wide receiver falls into Denver’s "need" category. But Payton and Paton must find playmakers at all three positions, requiring a mix of draft and free agency moves.

The best spot to find a running back and tight end is in the draft because running backs typically start to produce right away and true difference makers at tight ends tend to peak at 25 then slowly decline. An impact veteran wide receiver needs to come via free agency or by trading for a young established star. Denver has more "need" positions than not across the roster. They also have openings on their staff: linebackers coach, tight ends coach, and offensive passing game coordinator.

Offense

The Broncos were one of the highest-scoring offenses in the AFC in 2024, totaling 432 points in the regular season. That represented the fourth-most points in the conference, behind only the Buffalo Bills (556), Baltimore Ravens (546), and Cincinnati Bengals(472). Payton has a prototype for legs, lower body, and how running backs are built, (but not height). Payton prefers big, and physical wide receivers with speed and a large catch radius, but he knows how to use any receiver with ball skills. But he needs to heed Sid Gilman’s advice on tight ends: "You put a real tough tight end with good hands in the hash area, and there won’t be anyone who can cover him. Then you really control the passing game." Denver has a solid offensive line, but it takes a lot of talent along the line, to control the game. A top offensive line can make the Broncos perennial contenders for the Super Bowl.

Defense

The Broncos allowed 311 points in 2024. Subtracting that from the 432 points scored, the Broncos come away with a point differential of +114 — the seventh-best differential in the NFL and the third-best in the AFC behind only Buffalo and Baltimore. They also finished with a league-high 63 sacks, 10 of which came from their tandem of backup outside linebackers Dondrea Tillman and Jonah Elliss (fractured scapula). Along with their double-digit sack artists Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper and the consistent pressure from DL Zack Allen (8.5 sacks), they kept opposing quarterbacks on their toes. More talent along the defensive line is critical, if Denver is to dominate in any of their games. They can not rely on blitzing to create pressure and get sacks forever. The priority need for the defense entering 2025 is to shore up the middle of the defense: inside linebacker and safety. The inside linebackers are asked to do an impossible job and Denver’s starters are special teams players and depth quality inside backers. Denver needs to find two starting ILBs and find an upgrade to their #2 safety.

Special Teams

Sean Payton requires top-drawer special teams play from his staff and players. New special teams coordinator/assistant head coach, Darren Rizzi, has a history of doing just that with and without Payton. Rizzi needs to get some of Denver’s special team aces back from fill-in roles on offense and defense to make the most of his talents.

Salary Cap

The NFL’s salary cap for 2025 will be $275.5 million per team. Denver will carry over an additional $1,911,639 from 2024. Denver currently has $41.7M in cap space and plans to have about $52M when the league year opens on March 12.

NFL Scouting Combine confirmed formal meetings (45 max.) with the Broncos: RB: Jordan James, Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Brashard Smith, Cam Skattebo, Ollie Gordon II TEs: Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Gunnar Helm, Terrance Ferguson, Elijah Arroyo, WRs: Tez Johnson The NFL has successfully turned the Combine into a prime-time spectacle, generating significant viewership and buzz. The emphasis on drills, times, and measurements caters to the entertainment value for fans. The NFL Combine serves multiple purposes, but its value to NFL teams is questionable. Medical evaluations and formal interviews are the most valuable aspects, while the on-field drills and measurements are often viewed with skepticism.

Free Agency

The Broncos don't have any free agents listed on ESPN's Top 50, which should make it easier to retain the free agents they want from their current roster. Teams tend to overpay in free agency. Denver needs to avoid that again this year, but they do have a little more breathing room than in 2024. Denver should prioritize experienced players with lower costs and high value this offseason. However, they may make an exception at safety, where they could sign a younger player and release PJ Locke to free up $4.2 million in cap space. While the Broncos could make a splashy signing, it would be better to take a wait-and-see approach.

Draft

Payton has a history of moving up the board to get the guys he wants. Paton likes his picks, but he works well with Payton, making his history of hitting on late-round picks extremely valuable in building Denver’s roster. As usual, the mock drafts are all over the place. Everyone knows what is best for the Broncos to do. But Payton and Paton are playing it close to the vest with some teasing comments. Denver is unlikely to draft a quarterback although they need one to develop and run the practice squad. However, other offensive players fit Denver’s scheme throughout the draft: Running Backs: Ashton Jeantry, Boise State, 5’9, 215; Ollie Gordon II, Okla. State, 6’2, 225; RJ Harvey, UCF, 5’9, 208; Woody Marks, USC, 5’10,208; Donovon Edwards, Michigan, 6’1, 212. Wide Receivers: Luther Burden III, Missouri, 5’11, 208; Tez Johnson, Oregon, 5’10,165; Savion Williams, TCU, 6’5, 225; Kaden Prather, Maryland, 6’3, 210; Traeshon Holden, Oregon, 6’3, 205; Isaiah Neylor, Nebraska, 6’4, 220. Tight Ends: Harrold Fannin, Jr, Bowling Green, 6’4, 230; Colston Loveland, Michigan, 6’5, 245; Gunner Helm, Texas, 6’5, 250; Terrence Ferguson, Oregon, 6’5, 255; Oronde Gadsden, II, Syracuse, 6’5, 236; Molokai Matavao, UCLA, 6’6, 263; Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame, 6’5, 260. Day two/three "jokers:" RB Jayden Blue, 6’, 200. Denver’s gap blocking and featured running back passing game fit Blue’s game. RB RJ Harvey, 5’ 9, 208. Harvey fits Payton's offense and his small size could make him a day three for Denver. TE Harlod Fannin, Jr., 6’4, 230. Fannin is a small and versatile tight end with round 1 talent who fits as Denver’s move tight end. Transactions Hired Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator/assistant head coach. Hired Marwan Maalouf, assistant special teams coordinator. Moved Drew Sanders to ILB. Hired Chris Morgan, assistant offensive line coach. Fired OLBcoach Michael Wilhoite. Tendered all five of their exclusive-rights free agents: OLB Dondrea Tillman, CB Ja'Quan McMillian, S Devon Key, DL Jordan Jackson, TE Lucas Krull. Hired High School head coach, Brian Niedermeyer in a defensive "quality control-type role."

Orangeman’s Take

I’m hoping for serious improvement on the Broncos roster at running back, tight end, wide receiver, defensive line, linebacker, and safety. From the player's perspective, the organization needs to improve its treatment of their families, and the F-rated locker room. Everyone talks about cap space but the real "king" is CASH. Pat Bolen was a great owner, but he never had a great deal of cash. The Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group does. Cash availability allows teams to manipulate the timing of cap hits. Deep pockets allow the team to pay large signing bonuses and guaranteed money which minimize immediate cap hits, and allow a team to front load payments to players while spreading out the cap hit, creating more cap flexibility in the present.

Fantasy Outlook

QB: QB Bo Nix is a top-10 quarterback. No signed backup QB.

RBs: No Denver RBs are in the top 24.

WRs: WR Courtland Sutton is a top-20 wide receiver. No other Dever wide receivers are in the top 36.

TEs: No Dever tight ends are in the top 8 or need to be drafted.

K: PK Wil Lutz is a top-10 kicker.

D: Denver’s defense is a top 3 defense.

End.