Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos could be frontrunner for HBO’s Hard Knocks in 2020

By Andrew Wade

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 08: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown as Justin Reid #20 of the Houston Texans defends in the second quarter at NRG Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas.Dalton Risner #66 of the Denver Broncos celebrates the touchdown. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 08: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown as Justin Reid #20 of the Houston Texans defends in the second quarter at NRG Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas.Dalton Risner #66 of the Denver Broncos celebrates the touchdown. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs out of the pocket against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs out of the pocket against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Denver has the goods

Let’s look back at what made Cleveland or Oakland’s season of Hard Knocks must-watch television.

For Cleveland, it was easy. They had the number one overall draft pick and they selected vocal, charismatic and exciting quarterback Baker Mayfield out of Oklahoma. In addition to Mayfield, they had gone on a pretty nice spending spree in the offseason, bringing in electric wide receiver Jarvis Landry and raising the hopes of all desperate Browns fans everywhere. There was a genuine excitement building in Cleveland.

The Raiders, on the other hand, had a big personality at head coach with Jon Gruden, traded for a basket case in Antonio Brown, drafted an incredibly talkative Jonathon Abram in the first round and had a first-year General Manager in Mike Mayock who just transitioned from media. Let’s not forget about feel-good story Darren Waller either. Plus, it’s Oakland. There’s also chaos (well for one more week at least).

That brings me to the Denver Broncos, who are in a similar boat to Cleveland in that excitement is beginning to build for a fan base that (unlike Cleveland) is not used to losing. After going through one of the worst stretches in the history of the franchise the past four seasons after winning Super Bowl 50, John Elway appears to have possibly broken his unfortunate curse of finding a talented, young quarterback with rookie Drew Lock. While there is still a lot of games for that conclusion to officially be made, Lock will be viewed as “the guy” heading into offseason, and each move, in one way or another, will be with eyes on building a team around the gunslinger out of Missouri.

In addition to Lock (a somewhat polarizing figure in his own right), the Denver Broncos have one of the most talented edge rushers to ever play the game in Von Miller, an abundance of young and talented players like Courtland Sutton and Justin Simmons, and some great storylines to follow, such as Alexander Johnson going from trial to top linebacker in the NFL. If veterans Derek Wolfe and Chris Harris Jr return, that’s just even more bang for HBO’s buck.

If HBO is looking for must-see television for NFL fans, the Denver Broncos definitely check the box.

Here’s how they compare to the other teams.

Home/Broncos News