Denver Broncos News & Rumors

Offseason In Review: Denver Broncos

July 2nd, 2023 at 10:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

While last season marked the Broncos’ sixth straight sub-.500 campaign, it was easily the most memorable letdown for the franchise during its post-Super Bowl 50 swoon. Denver’s attempt to pair blockbuster trade acquisition Russell Wilson and first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett backfired spectacularly, with the latter joining Urban Meyer (2021) and Pete McCulley (49ers, 1978) as the only NFL head coaches to be fired before their first season ended. Hackett’s managerial struggles were noticeable early, and they played a role in Wilson slogging through a disastrous 11th season. As a result, the franchise is resetting once again.

The Broncos will attempt to pick up the pieces, putting Sean Payton behind the wheel. Despite the team’s descent to the NFL’s basement offensively, most of the starters from a top-10 DVOA defense remain in place. So do the wide receivers the Broncos have retained as they cycled through quarterbacks and play-callers over the past few years. Expectations are lower for the 2023 Broncos, given Wilson’s concerning 2022, but this looks like bounce-back candidate.

Trades:

Sent No. 29 overall pick and a 2024 second-rounder to Saints for HC Sean Payton‘s rights and a 2024 third
Dealt 2023 sixth-round pick to Saints for TE Adam Trautman and a seventh-round choice

Denver’s fourth coaching search since Super Bowl 50 ended with the franchise reeling in the biggest fish in its history. While Mike Shanahan put together a Hall of Fame-caliber résumé during his 14-year Denver HC tenure, Payton certainly brought a higher profile as a candidate. The 15-year Saints coach — responsible for nine of the franchise’s 10 postseason wins — brings a Super Bowl ring and a reputation as one of the game’s premier offensive minds. The Broncos have now hired back-to-back offensive coaches; Payton will double as a restorer-in-chief given the circumstances here.

Although the Broncos appeared ready to offer DeMeco Ryans their HC gig, Payton hovered on the radar from the start of the franchise’s search. The Rob Walton-led ownership group, which bought the team after the Hackett hire, conducted a search that had stalled by late January. Ryans preferred Houston, while Dan Quinn — a Broncos finalist in 2022 — bowed out. Interviewing for an NFL job for a second straight offseason, Jim Harbaugh stayed at Michigan. Harbaugh loomed as a 1-B option behind Payton, but as the latter interviewed for the Texans, Cardinals and Panthers’ positions, Broncos CEO Greg Penner flew to Ann Arbor for a second Harbaugh meeting. Just as Denver’s HC search teetered on collapse, this ownership group’s first such effort produced a well-received ending.

Payton, 59, held the leverage of spending a second year at FOX. Connected to interest in the Chargers and Cowboys’ jobs last year, the recent TV analyst could have waited for one of those to open up in 2024. (Then again, he seemed prepared to coach Tom Brady in 2022, leading to the Dolphins tampering punishment.) The Broncos needed to convince Payton to make his move in 2023, and doing so likely means a top-market coaching salary. Seeing as there is no coaching salary cap, the NFL’s wealthiest owner was presumably unconcerned about Payton’s financial price tag. But the Broncos also needed to part with major draft compensation for Payton, completing the biggest HC trade since the Buccaneers sent the Raiders two first-round picks and two seconds for Jon Gruden in 2002.

The Broncos’ decision to deal Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins at last year’s deadline proved crucial for Payton ammunition, as Denver sent the Miami-obtained pick to New Orleans as the centerpiece of the swap for the accomplished HC’s rights. The teams also exchanged 2024 Day 2 picks. From March 2022 to January 2023, the Broncos traded three first-round picks to secure a Wilson-Payton foundation. After untested candidates in Hackett and Vance Joseph sandwiched acclaimed defensive boss Vic Fangio, who was given three primary QB1s in three years, the Broncos probably needed to swing big.

Drew Brees morphed from inconsistent Charger to the league’s all-time passing kingpin under Payton, who elevated the Saints to the NFC championship game in his first season (2006), piloted them to a Super Bowl XLIV win and was a historically controversial pass interference non-call from coaching in Super Bowl LIII. Payton harnessed Brees’ talents, but the ex-San Diego draftee’s deadly accuracy drove the Saints’ offense for 15 years. Payton will be in charge of restoring Wilson, who once named the Saints as an acceptable 2021 trade destination before reportedly attempting to bring the coach to Seattle last year.

Under Hackett, Wilson was given significant input in the design of Denver’s offense. Wilson’s attempt to operate as a Brees-like pocket passer crash-landed, leading to relentless criticism of the perennial Pro Bowl QB. If Wilson is unable to rebound at 34 under Payton, his future in Denver — and perhaps his Hall of Fame status, which once seemed a safe bet after two Super Bowl starts and six original-ballot Pro Bowl nods — could potentially be in doubt. Even if Wilson may still have a good chance of reaching Canton regardless of his Denver tenure, a semblance of doubt creeping in creates a fascinating high-stakes backdrop for the Broncos’ 2023 season.

Wilson’s effort to shake off a career-worst QBR (36.7 — 27th) and completion percentage (60.5) figures will go a long way toward solidifying his future and the post-2023 Colorado future of GM George Paton. Hired during the Broncos’ period without a true owner, Paton has hit on some decisions — most notably the Patrick Surtain II pick during what looks like a fruitful 2021 draft for the team — but has now lost power after the Hackett and Wilson calls. While the Broncos’ Payton-Paton partnership (which should produce some good sentence challenges while it lasts) is a go for 2023, it is not hard to foresee the new HC bringing in one of his former Saints allies if Wilson has truly seen his prime conclude.

Free agency additions:

Mike McGlinchey, T: Five years, $87.5MM ($35MM guaranteed)
Zach Allen, DL: Three years, $45.75MM ($32.5MM guaranteed)
Ben Powers, G: Four years, $52MM ($27MM guaranteed)
Jarrett Stidham, QB: Two years, $10MM ($5MM guaranteed)
Frank Clark, OLB: One year, $5.5MM ($5MM guaranteed)
Samaje Perine, RB: Two years, $7.5MM ($3MM guaranteed)
Chris Manhertz, TE: Two years, $6MM ($3.34MM guaranteed)
Tremon Smith, CB: One year, $2.5MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
Riley Dixon, P: One year, $1.75MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Michael Burton, FB: One year, $1.32MM ($1.1MM guaranteed)
Marquez Callaway, WR: One year, $1.14MM ($303K guaranteed)
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR: One year, $1.1MM
Tyler Lancaster, DL: One year, $1.1MM
Tony Jones Jr., RB: One year, $940K
Ben DiNucci, QB: One year, $870K
Elliott Fry, K: One year, $750K

Injuries up front tossed another piece of debris onto the Broncos’ path last season, and the team has made an annual ritual of changing right tackles. In the early hours of the legal tampering period, the Broncos paid up to solve this decade-long problem. McGlinchey, 28, is slated to become Denver’s 11th Week 1 right tackle starter in 11 years. After the Broncos skimped at the position in 2022, via low-cost deals for Billy Turner and Tom Compton, Payton greenlit a top-five right tackle contract that reminded of the deal he OK’d for Ryan Ramczyk in New Orleans. Four years after the Broncos’ 2019 Ja’Wuan James investment bombed, they will bet on another ex-first-rounder at this position.

The 49ers used McGlinchey as a five-year right tackle starter. While not viewed as an elite pass protector, McGlinchey aided Kyle Shanahan‘s offense in the run game. He wrapped his rookie-contract San Francisco run by ranking fifth in ESPN’s run block win rate among all tackles. After Turner missed half of last season and Compton was healthy for all of one game, the Broncos saw their O-line depth issues — compounded by Garett Bolles‘ Week 5 leg fracture — lead to Wilson taking a league-high 55 sacks. To help prevent a recurrence, the Broncos gave McGlinchey a contract that includes a practical guarantee of $52.5MM (via his 2025 base salary locking in by March 2024). This helped push the Bears to drop out of the pursuit.

Dating back to the Jahri Evans–Carl Nicks tandem, Payton has placed a premium on interior protection. This carried through to the Saints’ Andrus Peat–Erik McCoy–Cesar Ruiz trio. The Broncos have not seen Lloyd Cushenberry become an above-average center, but the team is well stocked at guard after prying Powers from the Ravens. Powers, 26, brings an interesting profile; he was battling for a starting job as recently as last year. Powers won Baltimore’s left guard job and parlayed that into a $13MM-per-year contract. ESPN’s pass block win rate metric ranked Powers in the top 10 at guard last year. Set to replace four-year starter Dalton Risner, Powers will pair with 2021 third-rounder Quinn Meinerz — a top-10 guard in 2022, per Pro Football Focus — to form a promising tandem.

Although the Payton-Paton power structure wanted to retain Dre’Mont Jones, one of new DC Vance Joseph‘s Cardinals charges will step in to replace him at a slightly lower rate. A 3-4 defensive end alongside J.J. Watt in Arizona, Allen led all D-linemen with eight pass deflections last season. Allen, who finished last season with career-high marks in sacks (5.5) and quarterback hits (20), spent each of his four Cardinals seasons in Joseph’s system. The 26-year-old D-lineman will team with 2022 free agency pickup D.J. Jones in Joseph’s 3-4 scheme. In McGlinchey, Allen and Powers, the Broncos signed three of PFR’s top 19 free agents.

In landing Perine during the tampering period, the Broncos took an unexpected route at running back. Despite the likes of Devin Singletary, Damien Harris and Kareem Hunt remaining on the board, the Broncos brought in Joe Mixon‘s longtime backup. Perine performed well in relief of Mixon over the past two years, and even with the ex-Mixon Oklahoma sidekick (and owner of a still-standing Division I-FBS single-game rushing record) heading into his age-28 season, he has taken just 401 handoffs over a six-year career. As teams shy away from late-20s running backs, the Broncos will bet on one that should have some notable mileage left.

The Perine addition may be impeding the Broncos re: Dalvin Cook, though the team is tentatively expecting starter Javonte Williams — who tore his ACL and LCL in Week 4 — to return by its regular-season opener. Payton’s Pierre Thomas–Reggie Bush/Alvin Kamara–Mark Ingram backfields point to Perine seeing extensive run. Perine last totaled more than 100 carries in a season in 2017.

At this point last year, the Broncos looked set to deploy a deep edge-rushing corps. But the team’s $14MM-per-year Randy Gregory investment took on some water after his early-season knee injury. After trading Malik Reed, the Broncos later dealt Chubb to the Dolphins. With Gregory coming off another injury-limited season and converted inside linebacker Baron Browning set to miss training camp time due to a summer knee surgery, Clark will be asked to step in.

Given a monster extension after a Seahawks tag-and-trade transaction, Clark did not live up to the five-year, $104MM pact. The former second-rounder did not exceed eight sacks in a season in Kansas City, but he made a habit of playoff production. Highlighted by a five-sack 2019 postseason, Clark ended his Chiefs run third — behind Willie McGinest and Bruce Smith — in all-time playoff sacks (13.5). Clark, 30, working as a complementary presence will be a step back after he was asked to be the Chiefs’ top defensive end. Assuming Gregory is healthy, the Broncos do not figure to demand as much from the veteran edge player.

Stidham went from possible Tom Brady successor to afterthought in New England, but a 365-yard, three-touchdown pass showing — against Ryans’ No. 1-ranked 49ers defense — with the Raiders put the former fourth-round pick back on the map. Payton has spoken highly of Stidham, though his game ledger (131 career attempts) does not separate him much from 2022 backup Brett Rypien (130, with a higher completion percentage). The guarantee the Broncos authorized points to Stidham being viewed as a legitimate backup and potentially, in the event Wilson starts this season as badly as he began the 2022 slate, an emergency option in case Payton starts charting a non-Wilson course for the mid-2020s.

Re-signings:

Alex Singleton, LB: Three years, $18MM ($9MM guaranteed)
Cameron Fleming, T: One year, $2.35MM ($850K guaranteed)
Kareem Jackson, S: One year, $2.67MM ($153K guaranteed)
Essang Bassey, CB: One year, $1MM

A Montana State product who began his pro career in the CFL, Singleton initially signed a low-end Broncos deal (one year, $1.1MM) after the Eagles nontendered him as an RFA last year. Singleton made the most of his Denver opportunity, helping Ejiro Evero‘s unit stay afloat as the offense’s ineptitude raged. Moving into the starting lineup alongside Josey Jewell, Singleton posted two 20-tackle games. At 29, Singleton enjoyed a limited window to cash in. Considering where the linebacker market went after Tremaine Edmunds and Bobby Okereke inked eight-figure-per-year deals, Singleton did well to collect the $9MM guaranteed. He fared better than bigger-name ILBs like Germaine Pratt, David Long, Leighton Vander Esch and ex-Eagle teammate T.J. Edwards in that regard.

McGlinchey will be expected to be the Broncos’ right tackle for the foreseeable future, but the team lost three of its 2022 cogs — Billy Turner, Calvin Anderson, Tom Compton — and needed depth. The Broncos have not viewed Fleming — initially added during the 2021 offseason, when Ja’Wuan James suffered an offsite ACL tear — as a preferred starter. But the injuries to Bolles and Turner keyed a 15-start season from the journeyman. Quietly a top-30 tackle, in the view of PFF, Fleming profiles as Denver’s swing tackle ahead of his age-31 slate.

Only the Bills (Micah Hyde–Jordan Poyer) boast a longer-running safety tandem than the Broncos’ Jackson-Justin Simmons pairing. After Jackson signed an $11MM-AAV deal to leave Houston for Denver in 2019, he moved from cornerback to safety on a full-time basis and has started 61 games. This is Jackson’s fourth Broncos contract, but its low guarantee signals a legitimate competition between he and third-year safety Caden Sterns.

The top backup over the past two seasons, Sterns is coming off hip surgery but is believed to be a true threat to unseat Jackson, 35. Having made one of this era’s more successful corner-to-safety transitions, Jackson started 17 games last season and tallied a career-high 94 tackles.

Notable losses:

Calvin Anderson, T
Andrew Beck, FB/TE
Jacob Bobenmoyer, LS
Mike Boone, RB
Tom Compton, T
Ronald Darby, CB (released)
Chase Edmonds, RB (released)
Graham Glasgow, OL (released)
Dre’Mont Jones, DL
Jacob Martin, OLB (released)
Brandon McManus, K (post-June 1 cut)
Latavius Murray, RB
Brett Rypien, QB
Eric Saubert, TE
Eric Tomlinson, TE
Billy Turner, T
Corliss Waitman, P (ERFA tender rescinded)
DeShawn Williams, DL

The team is making changes at kicker and punter. Weeks after bringing Dixon back into the fold, the Broncos jettisoned their kicker of the past nine years. Performance-wise, McManus checked in below the likes of Jason Elam and Matt Prater. McManus made just 77.8% of his field goal tries last season — the second-lowest mark of his career — though he did convert eight 50-plus-yard attempts. The Broncos, who have employed just three primary kickers since 1993, used the money from the McManus cut to sign Clark. Elliott Fry, who has kicked in three career games (for three teams), is now the only kicker on Denver’s roster. He will need to fend off a to-be-determined challenger in training camp. The Broncos initially traded Dixon, a 2016 seventh-round pick, to the Giants in 2018. The 30-year-old punter spent last season with the Rams.

Jones, 26, loomed on the Broncos’ extension radar since they traded potential franchise tag candidate Bradley Chubb. While the Broncos expressed steady interest in keeping Jones, the former third-round pick was less than enthusiastic about staying. The Ohio State alum changed his tune a bit during the run-up to free agency, but with the Broncos deciding the tag was too steep in this case, he took ex-teammate Shelby Harris‘ spot with the Seahawks. Jones totaled between 5.5 and 6.5 sacks and notched either 10 or 11 QB hits in each of the past three seasons. Despite modest production, Jones did not need to settle for a midlevel deal. The Seahawks gave him a three-year, $51.53MM accord. That contract, however, contains less guaranteed ($23MM) than Zach Allen‘s.

A return to the deep waters of a guard market reminds of recent Broncos misses here. Neither Denver’s Ronald Leary move (2017) nor the Glasgow signing (2020) worked out. Glasgow signed a four-year, $44MM deal during John Elway‘s final offseason running the show, but after a midseason 2021 injury, Glasgow lost his starting job to Meinerz and was forced into a 2022 pay cut. The Broncos saved more than $26MM combined with the releases of Glasgow, Darby and Edmonds. Darby signed a three-year, $30MM contract in 2021, but injuries continued to plague the ex-Eagles Super Bowl starter. Most recently, a torn ACL sidelined Darby. The 29-year-old corner remains unsigned.

The departures of both Jones and Williams open the door for 2022 draftees Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike on the D-line. Denver also returns veteran nose tackle Mike Purcell. But Williams, who signed with the Panthers, spent the past three seasons with the team and served as a regular starter. Quietly, the former UDFA started 34 games as a Bronco.

Draft:

Round 2, No. 63 (from Chiefs through Lions): Marvin Mims, WR (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 3, No. 67 (from Colts): Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas) (signed)
Round 3, No. 83 (from Seahawks): Riley Moss, CB (Iowa) (signed)
Round 6, No. 183 (from Lions): JL Skinner, S (Boise State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 257 (from Saints): Alex Forsyth, C (Oregon) (signed)

Perhaps bored without a pick until the third round, the Broncos traded into the late second to nab Mims. Wide receiver could have been considered the team’s deepest position, pre-draft, especially after Marquez Callaway followed Payton to Denver. But the team has not seen deep threat KJ Hamler progress as it had hoped. The former second-round pick has struggled with consistency and injuries, and he is rehabbing a torn pec sustained in the offseason.

Mims’ Sooners yards-per-catch figures jump out, with the 5-foot-10 playmaker topping 20 per grab in 2021 and ’22. Last season, Mims totaled 1,083 receiving yards despite Lincoln Riley’s offseason departure for USC. Mims figures to push for immediate time as a receiver and in the return game. Hamler anticipates being ready to go for training camp, but his roster spot no longer seems secure. It is hard to see roles for both he and Hamler; the Broncos can save nearly $2MM by waiving the latter. The Broncos have since added some injury insurance to Hamler’s contract.

The latest Seahawks trade did not involve a pick from the Wilson swap. That said, the Broncos paid up to climb 25 spots for Moss. Denver sent Seattle No. 108 and a 2024 third-rounder. The team does hold an extra 2024 third from the Payton trade, but this was one of Day 2’s more interesting transactions. Moss utilized the NCAA-granted fifth year of eligibility stemming from the pandemic. The three-time All-Big Ten honoree finished with 11 career INTs and three defensive touchdowns; ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rated him as the No. 62 overall prospect. The 6-foot cover man profiles as a key backup behind Patrick Surtain II and projected CB2 Damarri Mathis.

Other:

Released Ejiro Evero from defensive coordinator contract; hired Vance Joseph as replacement
Added Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator
Picked up WR Jerry Jeudy‘s $14.12MM fifth-year option
Discussed Jeudy, WR Courtland Sutton in trades
Hired Ben Kotwica as special teams coordinator, Mike Westoff as assistant HC
Hired Davis Webb as quarterbacks coach, Zach Strief as offensive line coach

Evero interviewed for the Broncos’ HC job (along with meetings about the other four 2023 vacancies) after a breakthrough year. Evero had spent five seasons on Sean McVay‘s staff and only advanced to DBs coach by Year 5, but he is a close friend of Hackett’s. Broncos ownership attempted to see if Payton and Evero could coexist, but seeing as the team dumped Hackett after 15 games, it made sense his right-hand man — who had declined an offer to finish out last season as interim HC — passed on staying. After helming a quality unit despite injury trouble and the Chubb trade depleting it, Evero is now the Panthers’ DC.

A more interesting plot point emerged after Evero declined and Vic Fangio — whom Paton fired after the 2021 season — determined the rumored Payton partnership occurring in Denver would be a poor fit due to the timing. Fangio passing led to his Broncos HC predecessor coming back.

An ex-Colorado Buffalo, Joseph agreed to return to the team that fired him after the 2018 season. Joseph went 11-21 as Denver’s HC, but his defenses mostly held up. And the veteran defensive coach produced sound Cardinals defensive work in 2020 and ’21 (10th and sixth in DVOA, respectively). Justin Simmons and Josey Jewell remain on defense from Joseph’s HC stay, and although the Eagles showed interest, the 50-year-old coach will try his hand in Denver again.

Lombardi, 52, will stay in the AFC West, catching on with his old boss weeks after the Chargers fired him as OC. Criticized for not maximizing Justin Herbert, Lombardi was working with an injured version of the star passer last season. This will be Lombardi’s third chance as an OC, though the ex-Lions and Bolts play-caller will step out of the spotlight a bit. As he did throughout his Saints tenure (excluding the 2012 Bountygate year), Payton will call plays. Lombardi spent 12 years on Payton’s Saints staff. After the Broncos hired an unseasoned OC in 2022 (ex-Packers tight ends coach Justin Outten), Lombardi will bring four years’ experience in this position and a strong rapport with Payton.

Perhaps a more notable move came when Webb’s playing career abruptly ended. The Bills had attempted to hire Webb as their QBs coach last year, but he opted for a Giants playing offer. After serving as a Daniel Jones mentor, the 2017 third-round pick will step up in responsibility. Replacing ex-OC Klint Kubiak, the 28-year-old Webb will be a key part of the Broncos’ Russell Wilson revival effort. This promises to be one of the more interesting forays into coaching in recent NFL history.

Rumors about Jeudy and Sutton’s availability swirled for weeks — before Payton and Paton shot them down. Jeudy, 24, closed last season strong and finished with a career-high 972 receiving yards. It is still difficult to pin down Jeudy’s trajectory, since the Broncos have cycled through quarterbacks and coaches throughout his career. The Broncos sought a first-rounder for the Alabama product, who came up in trade rumors before the 2022 deadline as well. They aimed at a second-rounder for Sutton and discussed the 6-foot-4 target with the Ravens, who pivoted to Odell Beckham Jr. Sutton’s four-year, $60MM contract runs through 2025; Jeudy now has a guaranteed 2024 salary.

The volume of rumors engulfing Denver’s top two receivers suggests the team will still entertain offers ahead of the season. One of the preeminent deadline sellers in recent years, the Broncos have made two major in-season wideout trades since 2018 — in unloading Demaryius Thomas (2018) and Emmanuel Sanders (’19). Mims’ progress might dictate Denver’s interest level in making another. As it stands, both Jeudy, 24, and Sutton, 27, are in line to anchor the team’s pass-catching contingent again.

Sutton joined Tim Patrick in signing what turned out to be team-friendly deals — thanks to the 2022 receiver market boom — during the 2021 season. A one-time 1,000-yard receiver, Sutton has played with an unexpectedly shaky Wilson, Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock, an aging Joe Flacco and Case Keenum in his final full season as a starter. Payton brings the Broncos’ best chance to unlock their receivers’ potential. The return of Patrick, a possession target who missed all of 2022 with an ACL tear, will help Wilson’s rebound effort as well. After years of delays, this sets up as a seminal year on the Broncos’ receiver timeline.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Russell Wilson, QB: $22MM
Courtland Sutton, WR: $18.27MM
Justin Simmons, S: $18.15MM
Garett Bolles, T: $17.82MM
Randy Gregory, OLB: $16.1MM
D.J. Jones, DL: $12.99MM
Tim Patrick, WR: $11.07MM
Josey Jewell, LB: $7.13MM
Zach Allen, DL: $6MM
Mike McGlinchey, T: $6MM

Slotted in four primetime games over last season’s first six weeks, the Broncos saw their dysfunction morph from leaguewide curiosity into a running joke. Last year’s catastrophe drained more from the primes of Simmons, Bolles and, most importantly, Wilson. This is quietly not a young team. Bolles, Simmons and Patrick will turn 30 this year. Seven other starters are beyond their rookie contracts. Wilson (35 in November) should have some quality football left, but his woeful Denver debut — regardless of the circumstances- and injury-heightened uphill battle he waged — should probably cause even the staunchest of the ex-Seahawks star’s supporters to temper expectations.

It would cost the Broncos $35MM in dead money to designate Wilson a post-June 1 cut in 2024. Teams have eaten more dead cap to move QBs (Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz) in recent years. Payton and Wilson jelling will bury that talking point, but the slimmer QB resembling his 2022 form will make the topic difficult to evade. Wilson’s 2023 will define the Broncos’ future, as the $49MM-per-year extension producing a poor second season will thrust the Seattle-Denver trade into at least the second tier of NFL transaction infamy.

But a stronger case exists the Broncos can recover. Improved health, Payton’s track record, a beefed-up offensive line — perhaps the Broncos’ most talented front since Peyton Manning‘s record-setting 2013 — and a solid defense may well stabilize this operation and put it back on the road most expected it to travel in 2022. While the AFC’s strength likely lowers the Broncos’ 2023 ceiling, the high variance here presents the team’s recovery mission as one of the NFL’s most interesting storylines.

Latest On Javonte Williams, Broncos’ Backfield

July 1st, 2023 at 9:17am CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos intend to bring Javonte Williams along slowly as he returns from a devastating knee injury. If Williams isn’t ready to go for the start of the regular season, the team does have enough running back depth to temporarily get by, but Mike Klis of 9News.com believes the front office could still add another player to the mix.

Klis writes that it’s “possible” the Broncos bring in a veteran RB to their current grouping. However, a move wouldn’t be made before head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton get an extended look at Williams during training camp.

Williams’ sophomore season came to an end in Week 4 when he suffered a torn ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner. Week 1 of the 2023 campaign would mark 11 months since the RB suffered his injury, and Klis writes that Williams did look good during his limited work at minicamp.

The Broncos’ ideal plan would be to have Williams in the starting lineup for the start of the season, but the team doesn’t want to be unprepared if the former second-round pick is forced to miss time. After splitting work with Melvin Gordon for the first two seasons of his career, Williams is primed to lead the RB room in 2023. After compiling 1,219 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns as a rookie, Williams had 280 yards in three-plus games before suffering his knee injury in 2023.

The Broncos brought in Samaje Perine to serve as the top backup in 2023, but with little starting experience in six NFL seasons, he would’t be relied on to be an every-down back with Williams sidelined. The Broncos are also rostering Tyler Badie, a sixth-round pick by the Ravens in 2022 who was scooped up by Denver late in the season. Former Saints backup Tony Jones Jr. and undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin round out the RB room.

The Broncos have been connected to Dalvin Cook throughout the offseason, but this most recent report indicates that the organization is looking for a temporary fill-in for Williams…not someone who would completely revamp the depth chart.

Broncos Rework WR KJ Hamler’s Contract

June 30th, 2023 at 10:50am CST by Adam La Rose

KJ Hamler is entering the final year of his rookie contract, one which he and the Broncos hope will involve a clean bill of health for the first time in his career. Tweaks to his deal reflect the injuries which have marred his NFL tenure to date.

The Broncos have agreed to an adjusted pact with the wideout, as detailed by ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Hamler’s base salary ($1.58MM) will remain the same, but $417K in incentives have been added, giving him extra earning potential ahead of free agency next March. Protections for the team are present as well, however.

An IR split specific to a particular injury has been included in the new deal, Yates adds. As a result, Hamler’s cap hit will be lowered if he spends time on injured reserve with the particular injury mentioned in the clause. The 23-year-old has battled a number of ailments since being drafted by the Broncos, including ACL, hip and hamstring issues.

As a result, he has played just 23 games across his three years in the NFL, including 10 in the past two seasons. Hamler has made 12 receptions over that span, and his 52.5% career catch percentage, coupled with his availability issues, have left his future with the team in doubt. Denver has Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton at the top of the WR depth chart, as well as returnee Tim Patrick. The Broncos also signed Marquez Callaway in free agency and selected Marvin Mims in the second round of this year’s draft to give themselves protection against further injury issues.

Hamler is currently recovering from a torn pec suffered in March. The Penn State product is expected to be healthy in time for training camp next month, but injuries will no doubt be a talking point ahead of his fourth (and potentially final) season in the Mile High City. He will enter 2023 with a new contract in hand, while the team will have insurance against a repeat of his previous missed time.

Broncos WR KJ Hamler Expects To Be Ready For Training Camp

June 28th, 2023 at 1:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the NFL after an injury prevented a workout at the 2020 Combine, KJ Hamler has not been able to avoid health setbacks as a pro. The Broncos wide receiver finished the past two seasons on IR and is now rehabbing a pectoral tear.

Hamler sustained the chest injury while training independently earlier this year, going down before the Broncos began their offseason program. While Hamler’s latest injury required surgery and put him on shaky ground for training camp, the speedy wideout expects to be cleared by the time the Broncos reconvene late next month, Denver7’s Troy Renck tweets.

Of course, it is worth wondering where Hamler stands with another new Broncos coaching staff. Since Hamler’s pec injury, the Broncos signed ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Marquez Callaway, doing so after pursuing free agents Allen Lazard and Adam Thielen. Most importantly in Denver’s offseason receiver puzzle, Oklahoma deep threat Marvin Mims arrived via a second-round pick. The Broncos traded up to No. 63 for Mims, making him their first 2023 draftee despite entering the draft without a clear receiver need. Mims topped 20 yards per reception during the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

The Broncos are set to go into camp in better shape at wide receiver compared to how they finished last season. In addition to Hamler finishing another year on IR, the Broncos played all of 2022 without starter Tim Patrick. The former UDFA-turned-extension recipient has been cleared from the ACL tear he suffered during Denver’s 2022 camp, while Mims stands to provide an intriguing wild card for a position group still headlined by Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Both of the Broncos’ top wideouts spent weeks in trade rumors, but Payton said before the draft the team would not move either. This did not stop teams from calling after the Mims pick. It should not be considered a lock Jeudy and Sutton will both be back, though Denver placed a high asking price — first- and second-round picks, respectively — for the veterans.

The Broncos became the first team since the 2003 Cardinals (Bryant Johnson, Anquan Boldin) to use first- and second-round picks on wideouts in the same draft. That move has not produced stability at the position. While Jeudy has grown into Denver’s No. 1 receiver — in an offense that has struggled to establish consistency — Hamler has not topped 400 receiving yards in a season. He has missed 28 career games, with ACL and hip injuries in September 2021 being his most significant deterrents. A hamstring problem sidelined Hamler for the close of last season. He finished with 165 receiving yards in seven games.

In addition to Hamler, Kendall Hinton looms as an uncertainty to be on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. But the former COVID 19-induced emergency quarterback remains with the team and has made steady contributions as a backup over the past two seasons. Hinton is also recovering from an offseason surgery, per Renck, who notes the former UDFA underwent an arthroscopic knee procedure. Hinton, 26, is also on track for what will be an interesting training camp for this position group.

Dolphins Make Offer To Dalvin Cook; Other Teams Remain On Radar

June 27th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

After communicating with Dalvin Cook in the days since his Vikings release, this market’s long-rumored frontrunner has extended an offer. The Dolphins made their first offer to Cook, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).

This is not the only offer Cook has received, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show the six-year veteran has received multiple proposals. Around a “half-dozen” teams are in this market, Pelissero adds (video link).

Cook, who has said he wants to land with a contending team that has a need at running back, is not believed to be mandating a deal be done before training camp. It would not surprise if Cook attempted to drag this process into August, as proven veterans are generally fine with avoiding the rigors of camp. An injury or a team viewing its backfield situation as insufficient during camp could change Cook’s market, but it seems significant interest exists now.

Miami has loomed as the Cook favorite for months; PFR readers widely expect the Florida State alum to sign there. The Dolphins discussed a Cook trade with the Vikings but ultimately stood down and waited for a release. Cook is a Miami native who has expressed interest in joining the Dolphins. That said, the longtime Viking should not be expected to take a discount to end up in South Florida, Pelissero adds. But it is not known who the other suitors are here.

Although Cook mentioned the Jets as a team he has been linked to, it is unclear if New York has reached out with contract terms. The Jets do not have a need for a starting running back, with Breece Hall expected to be back from ACL surgery by Week 1, though their depth does not match the Dolphins’. While Miami’s backfield is deeper than New York’s, Cook would be positioned as a starter for Mike McDaniel‘s team. The Dolphins re-signed ex-McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson and used a third-round pick on Texas A&M speedster Devon Achane. It would seem the Dolphins could get by without Cook, given Mostert and Wilson’s system fits. But Mostert is 31 and has run into major injury trouble in recent years. Wilson also missed a chunk of time in 2021 due to a foot injury.

While Pelissero also mentioned the Broncos and Patriots as potential destinations, neither has been connected to possessing genuine interest. The Broncos emerged as an early Cook suitor, with a report indicating Denver had monitored Cook for a stretch ahead of his release. But a subsequent report pegged the Broncos as a team more likely to stay out of this market.

Like the Jets, the Broncos have a starting back (Javonte Williams) coming off an ACL tear. Williams has made progress, participating in OTAs, and is expected to be ready by Week 1. Denver also signed Samaje Perine, who is on track to play a regular role in Sean Payton‘s offense. The Patriots did not re-sign Damien Harris or add a veteran backup to replace him; as of now, Rhamondre Stevenson is ticketed for a three-down role in his third season.

The Dolphins are not planning to make Cook an offer close to the $10.4MM base salary he was to earn with the Vikings, but if there are legitimately a handful of teams in the market, the six-year Minnesota starter is unlikely to be forced to settle for the low-cost deals Mostert, Wilson and Harris signed in March. It will be interesting to see how close Cook comes to the $10.4MM mark, as even with interest forming, he is a running back going into his age-28 season — and in free agency when teams’ budgets are largely depleted.

Broncos To Conduct Training Camp K Competition

June 26th, 2023 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos will have a kicker not named Brandon McManus in place at the start of the 2023 season, but it remains to be seen who his successor will be. Only one kicker is on Denver’s roster at the moment, but that is likely to change in the near future.

Elliot Fry took part in spring practices for Denver after signing with the team last month. His lone competition at that point was veteran Randy Bullock, who was brought in on a tryout basis without joining the team’s 90-man roster. The former will be a participant in the Broncos’ kicking competition during training camp, but it remains to be seen who will be challenging him.

Mike Klis of 9News notes that at least one addition at the position will be coming in time for next month, which could include Bullock or another experienced option on the lookout for a new opportunity. The likes of Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby, Ryan Succop and Brett Maher remain unsigned, and it will be interesting to monitor their markets as teams look for upgrades or participants in their own competitions. Klis adds that roster cuts could be another source of Denver’s eventual Week 1 kicker.

Fry, 28, has made just three regular season appearances during his career (the most recent of which came in 2021), so his spot is certainly far from assured heading into training camp. Bullock, by contrast, has 138 games of experience but was let go by the Titans as part of a widespread cost-cutting effort on the team’s part. Either of those two, or another addition to be made later, will face the challenge of effectively replacing McManus after his nine-year run in the Mile High City which included generally consistent performances along with a dip in accuracy last season.

“Making that transaction was a tough call,” special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said on the decision to release McManus. “I think there was a lot of thought going into that… He’s done a lot of great things, but that’s part of the business. Transactions occur, and there will be more transactions. We wish him nothing but the best.

“Going to Jacksonville, I think that’s a great spot for him,” Kotwica added. “We’re excited about the guys we have in Elliott and Randy. We’ll see how this takes fold as we move forward to the season.”

Poll: Who Will Sign Dalvin Cook?

June 21st, 2023 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Indicating on multiple occasions he plans to take his time during his first go-round in free agency, Dalvin Cook is surveying the field. The six-year Vikings running back is believed to have attracted interest from a few teams, but the market has not produced many known suitors yet.

When determining a Cook destination, it is probably logical to start with the Dolphins. Cook is a Miami native who dropped a bit of a hint about his hopes after the Vikings released him. Mutual interest is believed to exist between these parties, and while the Dolphins are not planning to give Cook a contract on par with the $12.6MM-per-year deal he signed with the Vikes back in 2020, they are expected to make an offer.

Miami adding Cook would crowd its backfield, given the re-signings of ex-Mike McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, along with Myles Gaskin (though, Gaskin’s deal contains no guarantees). The team also drafted Texas A&M’s Devon Achane in Round 3. Cook would fit in on a Dolphins team loading up around Tua Tagovailoa‘s rookie contract. Tyreek Hill‘s deal represents the only notable skill-position contract on Miami’s payroll, and Tagovailoa is due to count only $9.63MM against the team’s cap this season. Next year becomes trickier, with Tua’s fifth-year option bumping his cap number to $23.17MM.

Elsewhere in the AFC East, the Jets have not exactly made their desperation a secret. They have brought in three veteran skill cogs already, in Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb, to team with Aaron Rodgers. New York features a question at running back, with Breece Hall coming off ACL surgery. But the 2022 second-round pick is on track to be ready for Week 1. The Jets have Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda. The Bills appear less needy, having signed Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. But the team does roster Dalvin’s younger brother, James Cook, and is aiming to capitalize on a Super Bowl window that has been open for years.

Beyond the competitive AFC East, the Bengals loom as an interesting option. They are still planning to seek a Joe Mixon pay cut. A refusal by the six-year starter would deal a blow to a locked-and-loaded offense, but in the event the $12MM-per-year back balks, the Bengals would check Cook boxes of a contender with a clear need. That said, Mixon would not have many options were he to refuse a cut. It will be interesting to see how much of a reduction Cincy requests.

The Ravens have seen their J.K. Dobbins–Gus Edwards backfield plan thrown off course by injuries, and considering the aggressive moves to bolster a long-shaky receiver situation, would Baltimore consider a veteran back without major injury questions? Cook has said he is recovered from the February shoulder surgery he underwent. The Browns are likely to explore the addition of a Nick Chubb backup, though the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot notes the team is unlikely to chase a Cook- or Ezekiel Elliott-level back for this role.

The NFC East profiles as another division to watch here. Elliott remains in play to return to Dallas on a significant pay reduction; Cook would be an upgrade on the popular Cowboy. But how much money would the team be comfortable shelling out during an offseason in which it tagged Tony Pollard at $10.9MM? Washington has Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson rostered, but the team is looking into former Eric Bieniemy Chiefs charge Kareem Hunt. Cook may need to compromise on his interest in landing with a contender, given the uncertainty surrounding likely Commanders QB1 Sam Howell. But the team’s running back interest should be factored into this equation.

Last month, the Buccaneers were connected to the pursuit of a veteran to complement Rachaad White. Cook would be overqualified for such a role, and Tampa Bay’s post-Tom Brady contender status is in question. But the Bucs, their Chase Edmonds acquisition notwithstanding, profile as a team that could stand to add a backfield piece. The Broncos initially came out as a team monitoring the four-time 1,100-yard rusher, joining the Dolphins in this regard, but they have since been mentioned as a team expected to steer clear of this market.

Kirk Cousins mentioned a potential Vikings reunion — which would need to come at a significantly reduced rate — and Cook has spoken highly of Minnesota. Though, this does not seem likely. Is there another team that should be mentioned as a Cook destination? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this summer free agency storyline in the comments section.

Who will sign Dalvin Cook?

Miami Dolphins 38.90% (1,114 votes)

He will return to the Vikings at a lower rate 8.94% (256 votes)

New York Jets 8.48% (243 votes)

Buffalo Bills 8.00% (229 votes)

Dallas Cowboys 6.77% (194 votes)

Denver Broncos 6.01% (172 votes)

Cincinnati Bengals 5.17% (148 votes)

Baltimore Ravens 4.68% (134 votes)

Another team (specify in comments) 4.02% (115 votes)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3.74% (107 votes)

Cleveland Browns 3.07% (88 votes)

Washington Commanders 2.23% (64 votes)

Total Votes: 2,864

AFC West Notes: Jackson, Jones, Broncos

June 19th, 2023 at 8:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

J.C. Jackson suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during an Oct. 23 Chargers-Seahawks matchup. While this injury is among the toughest to surmount for an NFLer, the high-priced Bolts cornerback expects to be ready for training camp. Jackson has an appointment with the surgeon who performed his surgery, Dr. Neal El Attrache, this week, ESPN.com’s Lindsey Thiry notes. The sixth-year cornerback did not participate in the Chargers’ minicamp practices and will be a candidate to begin camp on the team’s active/PUP list. The Chargers could remove him from that list once he is cleared to practice. Only a placement on the reserve/PUP list once 53-man rosters are set would delay Jackson’s 2023 debut.

The Chargers, who gave Jackson a five-year deal worth $82.5MM in 2022, did not draft a cornerback or sign a notable free agent. The team has not re-signed veteran slot defender Bryce Callahan, though Asante Samuel Jr. has experience playing both inside and outside. A Callahan return would provide some insurance for the Bolts, but the 31-year-old cover man remains a free agent. Here is the latest from the AFC West:

In talks with the Chiefs about a third contract, Chris Jones skipped minicamp and is lobbying to become the NFL’s second-highest-paid defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald. While these negotiations might bring complications — due to Donald’s AAV being $8.2MM north of the current second-highest-paid DT (Jeffery Simmons) — SI.com’s Albert Breer expects it to be finalized before training camp. It does not sound like these are particularly acrimonious negotiations. It will be interesting to see if Jones makes an aggressive push to approach a Donald-level salary, since the Chiefs would be unlikely to franchise-tag him in 2024 because of the 120% rule. The team tagged Jones in 2020, making his 2024 tag price 120% of his 2023 pay. That would give Jones a $33MM-plus cap figure if re-tagged, providing the All-Pro with leverage ahead of his latest platform year.
Shifting back to the secondaries in this division, the Broncos did brought back one of their veteran DBs midway through the offseason. Kareem Jackson re-signed for a fifth year in Denver. But the 14th-year pro only secured $153K guaranteed. That opens the door for the Broncos to move on, and 9News’ Mike Klis notes Caden Sterns is making his strongest effort yet to unseat Jackson for the safety gig alongside Justin Simmons. A 2021 fifth-round pick, Sterns has worked as Denver’s top backup safety for two seasons. A season-ending hip injury halted that run last year, and while Sterns entered the offseason as no lock to be ready for training camp, he made it back during Denver’s OTA sessions and participated in minicamp. Simmons and Jackson, 35, have been Denver’s safety starters since 2019.
The Chargers also added to their staff recently. They hired Noah Evangelides as a football research analyst, Neil Stratton of Insidetheleague.com tweets. Evangelides most recently served as a Northwestern graduate assistant.

Broncos, Frank Clark Agree To Deal

June 15th, 2023 at 4:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

JUNE 15: Clark’s guarantee checks in at $5MM, GOPHNX.com’s Howard Balzer tweets. The Broncos will spread out the veteran edge defender’s $4.24MM signing bonus using void years, a common Payton-era Saints practice. As a result of the through-2026 void years, Clark’s 2023 cap number checks in at just $2.27MM.

JUNE 8: Another domino on the edge-rushing front fell Thursday afternoon. Not long after Leonard Floyd agreed to terms with the Bills, Frank Clark is set to join the Broncos. The former Seahawks and Chiefs edge defender intends to sign with Denver, The Score’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

Clark spent the past four years in Kansas City, but after being the team’s top edge player throughout that term, the Super Bowl champions released him ahead of free agency. The Broncos entered Thursday with a less certain edge group, one dependent on Randy Gregory staying healthy. Clark stands to add a veteran piece to the mix.

The Broncos will give Clark a one-year deal worth up to $7.5MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Close in numbers to Buffalo’s Floyd deal, Clark’s Denver accord will include a $5.5MM base salary guarantee. The other $2MM will be divided into incentives, with Schefter adding that $1MM comes via potentially achievable incentives while the other million will be classified as unlikely to be earned escalators. Floyd signed for $7MM guaranteed Monday, likely laying the groundwork for the Broncos and Clark.

Clark, who will turn 30 next week, did not live up to the monster extension he signed with the Chiefs upon being acquired via trade in 2019. Despite not producing a 10-sack season in Kansas City, the eight-year veteran has three Pro Bowls on his resume. A former second-round pick, Clark has tallied two double-digit sack slates. Both came with Seattle.

Upon designating Brandon McManus as a post-June 1 cut late last month, the Broncos freed up $3.75MM in 2023 cap space. That will end up going toward Clark’s guarantee, with Sean Payton noting post-release the team was looking into other areas on its roster. Clark and Payton spoke this week and “hit it off,” Schefter tweets. While the Broncos still have George Paton in place as GM, Payton almost definitely has considerable personnel power given what it took to acquire his rights this winter.

“The situation with Sean Payton is good for me,” Clark said, via CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter). “I get to play alongside Randy Gregory and stay in my in division that I am very familiar with. I also want to help the Broncos get back to the mountaintop.”

Clark will join a pass-rushing stable featuring Gregory, converted inside linebacker Baron Browning and 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto. The Broncos struggled to consistently generate pressure after trading Bradley Chubb last year, with Gregory on the shelf for much of the campaign. Browning also missed time due to injury, while Bonitto totaled just 1.5 sacks in 15 games. Denver carried considerable edge depth coming into its 2022 training camp, but after trading Malik Reed to the Steelers and seeing Gregory go down with a knee injury early in the season, the Broncos created a need by dealing Chubb to the Dolphins. Denver did not draft a defensive lineman or outside linebacker this year, though third-round pick Drew Sanders totaled 9.5 sacks from his inside linebacker post at Arkansas last season.

While Clark’s regular-season numbers in Kansas City left much to be desired — based on the five-year, $104MM deal he signed in 2019 — the former Michigan talent did produce in the playoffs. Clark totaled five postseason sacks for the 2019 Super Bowl champion Chiefs squad, three in 2020 and added 2.5 during Kansas City’s latest Super Bowl run. His 13 postseason sacks trail only Willie McGinest (16) and Bruce Smith (14.5) in NFL history. Clark, however, has not topped six sacks in a regular season since 2019.

Off-field trouble followed Clark to Kansas City. After a domestic violence arrest led to Michigan booting him from the team in 2014, Clark was arrested on two gun-related charges in 2021. He resolved both matters but served a two-game suspension last season. The Chiefs reworked his lucrative contract earlier in 2022, avoiding a cap-casualty transaction, but ended up parting ways with Clark a year after doing so. He will attempt to aid the Broncos as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season.

Broncos Work Out K Randy Bullock, RB Benny Snell

June 13th, 2023 at 3:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Broncos signed Elliott Fry, Sean Payton said the team would continue to search for kicker aid. The team is holding an early competition, bringing in Randy Bullock for a minicamp workout.

Former Steelers running back Benny Snell is also at the Broncos’ minicamp, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Ditto running back Ryan Nall. Bullock spent the past two seasons as the Titans’ kicker, but the team released him during a February purge.

Bullock, 33, has Fry lapped many times over for NFL experience. While Fry has kicked in just three regular-season games — for three teams — Bullock is a 10-year veteran. Prior to his two-year Tennessee stay, Bullock spent the previous four seasons in Cincinnati. He struggled to find a steady gig in his early seasons, but the former Texans fifth-round pick has played 138 career games.

Last season, Bullock made 17 of 20 field goal attempts and went 28-for-28 on extra points. Since posting a 90% field goal accuracy rate with the 2017 Bengals, Bullock has hovered between 80% and 88%. He has not been asked to try many 50-plus-yard field goals and has made more than two in a season just once (three, in 2020) in that span.

Denver parted ways with longtime kicker Brandon McManus and used the funds created from the post-June 1 cut to bring in Frank Clark. The team likely is not settled on Fry, who looks to be facing a minicamp challenge for the job. Fry signed a one-year, $750K deal that did not include any guarantees.

Snell played out his rookie contract with the Steelers, finishing his Pittsburgh run as a Najee Harris backup. While James Conner health issues allowed for five Snell starts from 2019-20, he fell behind UDFA Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh’s pecking order last season. Snell has proven durable, not missing a game since his rookie season, though he did not make a big impression during his rookie deal. Although the former fourth-round pick did not clear four yards per carry over his first three seasons, he managed 4.5 per tote last year. Though, that came on just 20 handoffs.

The Broncos have Javonte Williams making strides in his recovery from ACL and LCL tears; the former second-rounder participated in OTAs on a limited basis. The team also signed ex-Bengal Samaje Perine to a two-year deal this offseason. Those two profile as Denver’s top two backs, but the team appears in the market for a depth piece. Tyler Badie, ex-Saint Tony Jones Jr. and rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin represent the other backs vying for a job this summer.

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