The Denver Broncos can repeat with Mark Sanchez

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) on the field for warmups against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) on the field for warmups against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos have a dominant defense, an improved offensive line, and it isn’t even April yet. Tell me again why they can’t repeat?

Mark Sanchez would be markedly better at the QB position than what the Denver Broncos had a year ago.

There, I said it.

And I’m not the first.

The Denver Broncos traded a conditional 7th round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft for Sanchez. Big deal. I freaked out about it at first, thinking that the acquisition of Sanchez was a panic move by John Elway to get someone — anyone — to run the QB spot for the Broncos when there were still decent options available.

Windows haven’t closed on the Broncos to upgrade the competition, but unless they bring in Ryan Fitzpatrick on a relatively sizeable contract, there’s no question that Mark Sanchez currently has a great shot of being the Broncos’ starting QB in 2016.

And that includes any possible trade for Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick was recently benched for Blaine Gabbert, and while health had plenty to do with it, Sanchez has the ability to lead this Denver Broncos team where they are trying to go, which is to Super Bowl 51.

Is that too bold? Please, allow me to be so bold.

The Broncos have significantly improved their offensive line, which was the biggest question mark this offseason other than QB. Russell Okung signed on to play left tackle, Donald Stephenson to play right tackle. Ty Sambrailo will return from IR to hopefully start at guard, and Max Garcia will take over for the recently released Louis Vasquez.

Defensively, the Broncos lost two major pieces in Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, but they retained Brandon Marshall and have 10 draft picks with which to address the defensive line. There are also some veteran options yet available on the free agent market.

C.J. Anderson was brought back on a four-year contract. I would challenge you to name a single Broncos player that has made more signature plays over the last two years than C.J. Anderson. Other than Von Miller, of course…

Oh, and by the way — Von’s not going anywhere soon either.

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The Broncos extended Derek Wolfe in-season last year, and he had emerged as the third best pass rusher on the starting defense after Miller and Ware.

Oh and did I mention the Broncos re-structured Ware to bring him back at a reduced price?

John Elway put it this way: “We feel like with the steps we’ve made so far, we’re better, and we’ll continue to get better. We’ll go through and look forward to having a great draft, and before we know it, we’ll be in training camp and we’ll be excited about seeing what we have.”

The Broncos have lost some pieces, but they’ve also added and retained some incredibly important ones. And they’re not done adding yet.

I’m thinking we’ll be just fine with the product on the field.