Last year was about mastering the foundational pieces of Payton's system. This year is about layering in the bells and whistles. Ideally, you want a tight end who projects to finish first or second in team target share, with Engram that's not just likely — it's expected. With all of the youth in the wide receiver room, they can be better in 2025 with Sutton as a legitimate no. 1 target. "There’s a work ethic, and a toughness and a consistency day-to-day that I think is a great benefit to a young quarterback." (Payton on Sutton). But one or more wide receivers need to step up. The hope Mims continues to grow and Troy Franklin makes a Mims like jump in his second year. RB Audric Estime is a back that requires enough touches. "He’s going to get those opportunities." (Payton). To defeat Mahomes the defense needs to play man, rush, blitz and hit him. It needs to: create at least two turnovers; have a good spy on him and not let him run on third down or in the fourth quarter. WR Trent Sherfield, S Sam Franklin, and LB Que Robinson ensure the Broncos' special teams will remain at or near the top of the league. Contract year: WR Courtland Sutton, Edge Nic Bonitto, DL Zack Allen, DL John Franklin-Myers, ILB Alex Singleton, C Luke Wattenburg, and TE Adam Troutman.

OTA #2

QB Bo Nix and RBs RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin were explosive on pass plays. Undrafted WRs looking good: Kyrese White, Jerjuan Newton, Joaquin Davis and Courtney Jackson. Veterans looking good: WR Cortland Sutton, WR Devaughn Vele, S Talanoa Hufanga CB Kris Abrams-Draine is a potential gunner. Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw had multiple punts with at least 4.8 seconds of hang time. Second-year T Frank Crum played left tackle in place of Garett Bolles (excused absence). CB Jahdae Barron worked inside and outside. It was a rough day for QB Jarred Stidham as rookie edge rusher Que Robinson was a one-man tsunami during one team period and continued to wreak havoc as practice progressed with second-year edge rusher Dondrea Tillman. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and Rookie DE Sai’Vion Jones also had multiple pressures.

Entering Mandatory Minicamp

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix is the starter, Jarrett Stidham is the back up and Sam Ehlinger is number three and it remains to be seen if he will be carried on the 53-man roster.

Running Backs

JK Dobbins is going to be playing a significant role in the offense this coming season. That's probably bad news for Audric Estimé. RJ Harvey will get his touches, but after him it is murky. Audric Estime needs to win the coaches' trust (ball security) to emerge. Tyler Badie can run between the tackles and he is good at pass protection. Jaleel McLaughlin is a speed-change-of-pace option who works extremely hard. Blake Watson is the wildcard who needs to stand out at camp. Payton has three primary roles he loves to have: explosive back (Harvey), power back (Dobbins), and slasher back (McLaughlin, Badie?, Watson?). Estime maybe on the roster bubble.

Wide Receivers

The Broncos have many young players at the position and are betting on their growth and development. Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele, and Marvin Mims Jr. are the top three receivers. Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin are likely receivers four and five. Trent Sherfield is likely the leading veteran candidate for wide receiver six because of his special teams prowess. Young wide receivers whose best shot is through special teams or a spot on the practice squad: Courtney Jackson, Joaquin Davis, Jerjuan Newton, Kyrese White.

Tight End

Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are the top two tight ends; Evans for receiving and Trautman for blocking. Evans is guaranteed a roster spot, but Trautman may be challenged for his spot by number three TE Nate Adkins who can also play fullback. Lucas Krull and Caleb Lohner will compete for tight end four if Payton decides to carry four.

Mandatory Minicamp

Sean Payton knows how to run a winning operation, and part of that is a bit more cutthroat than many would like: "One thing about the NFL locker room: It hasn’t changed, and it never will. Come on in if you can help us win—we want you here. If you can’t—all right, we probably want you to leave. I’m talking from a player’s perspective."-- Sean Payton. The Broncos' young receivers really stepped up at OTAs and Minicamp. WR Pat Bryant made the most of the reps he got, especially playing with QB Bo Nix. WR Devaughn Vele (leg injury) was not out at the practices and Bryant took advantage of the additional reps. QB Bo Nix looks more comfortable and is playing faster. Five players that helped themselves: WR PAT BRYANT; EDGE RUSHERS QUE ROBINSON AND DONDREA TILLMAN; WR TROY FRANKLIN; and, TE CALEB LOHNER. The Broncos now have about five weeks off to enjoy the summer before training camp gets underway.

Training Camp

Rookies report on Wednesday, July 16; veterans report Tuesday, July 22. Joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in California on Thursday, August 7, ahead of their preseason matchup; host the Arizona Cardinals for a joint practice on Thursday, August 14, ahead of their preseason matchup. Tickets for open practices sold out as quickly as they were available.

Transactions

Signed TE Caden Prieskorn. TE Cole Fotheringham waived/injured. Signed RB JK Dobbins, one-year, $5.25M. Signed CB Mario Goodrich, waived S Tanner McCalister.

Orangeman’s Take

Both WR Devaughn Vele and WR Troy Franklin stood out at OTAs 1 & 2 that were open to media observation. Vele made plays downfield and Franklin showed his ability to accumulate yardage after the catch. RB Tyler Badie earned praise from Payton for his pass protection and may be a dark horse for a roster spot. JK Dobbins is the best pass protector in the backfield. The five players listed above help themselves the most in the off season. Expect to see the starters to play in pre-season to get ready for the grueling regular season. STC Darren Rizzi expects the kickoff returner to get a lot of opportunities as opponents try to kick away from Mims. Rizzi really likes P Jeremy Crawshaw and K Wil Lutz made the Pro Bowl the first year Rizzi coached him.

The defense is the best reason for optimism about the Broncos, but it will also require QB Bo Nix to take the next step forward. Nix looks more comfortable, is playing faster and banters with the defense. It is the competitive Nix’s team in his second year. If the organizations can continue to keep players healthy through their approach to nutrition, training and practice approach the rest of the NFL needs to look out. Some already are adapting things from the Broncos, but they are a step behind. Fantasy Outlook The biggest concern in drafting Bronco players in 2025 is that they are likely to be over valued by players in some leagues. But in some leagues, they are also likely to be undervalued. If your league undervalues them, they could be value picks. The trick is to not over reach for them because there are too many unknowns surrounding them. Sean Payton and how he decides to use each player is a big unknown.

QB Bo Nix is a low end fantasy QB1 with upside.

RBs RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins may be best drafted as running back threes with upside to be determined by Paytons usage. Harvey’s ceiling makes him worth drafting. RB Jaleel McLaughlin is likely the number three back. No one knows how many backs the Broncos will keep on the 53-man roster or if FB Michael Burton will have a spot.

WR Courtland Sutton is a solid WR2. WR2 is up for grabs between Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant. Trent Sherfield and AT Perry may vie for the final WR spot, but there are several undrafted wide receivers who could end up on the roster due to special teams ability. However, TE Evan Engram is likely to be the number two receiver for the team.

TE Evan Engram is a low end TE1 whose upside may be limited by having touchdowns vulture by TE Nate Adkins or the running backs. Adam Troutman will be primarily a block with a few sneaky receptions.

PK Wil Lutz should be a #1 kicker because of the potential of the Broncos offense and the strength of the defense.

Denver’s defense is being touted as the number one defense. It will cost you to draft them early, but they are a solid bet to be at least top 5. Their sack total is likely to regress, but they are looking to create more turnovers.

End.