The Broncos have not been the team they once were since the loss of Peyton Manning, having only losing records since he retired. For the first time in a few years, now is their chance to become a winning team again and this is why they will.
The Broncos are an extremely young and talented team. The defense is deadly, filled with great players and competitors. At OLB, they have Von Miller. Miller is an 8-time Pro Bowler who is 31 years old and still making a huge impact on this Broncos team.
Safety Justin Simmons had a career year last year, intercepting a career-high 4 passes in 2019. Simmons is 26 years old and only getting better. Bradley Chubb was the Broncos first-round pick in 2018 and played amazing in his first season, but then had to sit out all of 2019 due to injury. The Broncos were also able to acquire former All-Pro CB AJ Bouye from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Pro Bowl DE Jurrell Casey from the Titans.
The Broncos drafted QB Drew Lock last year with the 42nd pick in the Draft. He only played 5 games and was able to record 1020 yards and 7 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions.
The receivers are some of the best and youngest in the league, as they have Pro-Bowler Courtland Sutton who showed he could be a WR1 last year. The Broncos also took receiver Jerry Jeudy from Alabama with their first-round pick. Jeudy was the best or second-best receiver on most draft boards. Then, in the second round, they selected speedy receiver KJ Hamler from Penn State. Hamler, Jeudy, and Sutton will compliment Lock nicely in his sophomore season.
Denver also brought in RB Melvin Gordon in free agency. Gordon had a great 2018 season but did not play many games in 2019 due to a hold out. Keep in mind, the Broncos also have Phillip Lindsay at RB.
In the 2019 Draft they selected TE Noah Fant in the first round. Last season he racked up more than 560 yards and was a force in the run game helping Phillip Lindsay run for 1000+ yards.
This Broncos team seems to be in great hands with talented young players on both sides of the ball. If the young players can live up to their expectations then this team should have no problem at all making it to the playoffs.
Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
