Do the Broncos have any roster holes?
Despite the constant rumors of the Denver Broncos trading for the league’s hottest available name, George Paton has done a lot of work to build the Broncos roster as a whole.
Denver has added a tremendous amount to the secondary and since Ju’Wuan James’ injury, much of that has been to the tackle room. That along with re-signing several free agents and the draft class albeit wishing Philip Lindsay goodbye has built an intriguing roster.
While potential league turning trades are certainly the most media enticing let’s take a moment to look at the Broncos as they are.
The defense is expected by most to be a top-five unit with the return of Von Miller coupled with the re-signings and additions. The offense is expected to have all the weapons that excited us as a fanbase one year ago. So let’s get to where Denver could be lacking, if at all.
The right tackle position was porous last season and the hope was that James would live up to his contract and fix that issue, but with yet another injury his days with Denver are done. The Broncos have added quality veterans to compete for the starting job and/or add depth.
The running back room was not really an area of concern yet with the addition of Javonte WIlliams hopes are high that they’re even better than with Lindsay and Melvin Gordon.
The ILB group didn’t jump off the page with improvement and we were all shocked when Denver passed on Micah Parsons, but that must not have been Vic Fangio’s all pro prospect.
So Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell weren’t a bad group. Justin Strnad returns from injury along with prospect Baron Browning. On the surface the Broncos didn’t upgrade the position, but they may have.
The young bucks may pan out or perhaps the coverage issues of tight ends within the division can be solved with someone like Michael Ojemudia or Patrick Surtain subbing in on third down. Regardless, Denver has a lot of able bodies to throw at the opponent.
The QB room. OK, OK let’s get to it. My opinion is that Drew Lock can grow and potentially lead this group to contender status, but nevermind that. A guy can go with Teddy Bridgewater in theory cutting down turnovers and adding stability.
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That being said the Broncos would be settling for mediocrity and giving up on ability. Then comes the wild card. Many fans and much of the media have screamed for and linked the Broncos to every name (cough Aaron Rodgers) for a monumental trade to bring in a top-tier quarterback.
The problem is the cost. All scenarios have Denver giving up years of first-round draft picks as well as a player or three. The cost is simply too high. If the team is building long term it just doesn’t make any sense.
So the answer I come up with is NO Denver doesn’t have a glaring roster hole. It has an intriguing roster that could compete as soon as right now or could be building for a future dynasty.
I would not mess it all up to chase next year’s Super Bowl competing with KC and Tampa Bay, amongst others. This team can improve and perhaps compete right now if Drew Lock takes a step forward and looks even stronger in the future. I wouldn’t mess that up with a huge trade.
Just my opinion.