Unlike the prior six seasons, the Denver Broncos head into the season without a question mark at the most important position in sports.
Since the decline of Peyton Manning, along with the Denver Broncos offense, the defense carried the burden for this organization. This season is expected to be different.
With the acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos offense is expected to take a monumental leap from what has been at times, a hapless group.
While the weapons were never in question, the player who had a major hand in how those weapons were utilized always was.
As a unit, the Denver Broncos’ offense now looks complete, at least on paper. With multiple capable running backs, depth across the offensive line, and depth at the wide receiver position, this team’s floor has been lifted while the ceiling jumped with it.
However, no position group is perfect, nor is any roster perfect and that includes the hyped-up Denver Broncos of 2022. Each position group for the Denver Broncos has at least one player that I would say I am confident in, offensive and defensively.
Ranking the position groups solely from the offensive side of the ball, depth and talent included, I would have to start with the group that had two productive and strong players last season, who both returned this season.
Ranking the position groups solely from the offensive side of the ball, depth and talent included, I would have to start with the group that had two productive and strong players last season, who both returned this season.
Denver Broncos position group no. 1: Running backs
With the signing of Melvin Gordon, and the return of Mike Boone and Javonte Williams, the Denver Broncos rushing attack looks to improve on what was a solid 2021 season. One extra beneficiary that this group will have in 2022 is that opposing defenses will have to honestly play the pass, and respect it.
Although Melvin Gordon played the 1a role last year, I expect that to switch with Javonte Williams. Javonte Williams ran like a man on a mission last season, a continuation of what he did throughout his collegiate career.
Mike Boone is an incredibly talented third running back to have on a depth chart.
Both Gordon and Williams toted the rock just north of 200 times last season and both just surpassed 900 yards. Gordon doubles Williams’ touchdown count with eight, but Williams did have 15 more receptions with three receiving touchdowns and four rushing.
From a totality standpoint, both eclipsed 1,000 total yards last season, and I expect the same sort of production in 2022. Between Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, I expect the duo to push for a combined 3,000 all-purpose yards even with the Broncos having an elite quarterback.
Russell Wilson does use his running backs in the passing game.
Play-action passes should be more effective in the upcoming season as well. Both backs have the ability to rush for 1,000 yards and I think they do just that.
In a pinch, Mike Boone is a capable back who did show he had elite burst when called upon. In 2021, his touches were limited but effective. Against Kansas City, he looked like he could be featured in an offense, especially in this type of scheme where an elite burst may be the most important asset for a back to have.
If the Denver Broncos have to turn to Mike Boone at some point in 2022, it shouldn’t make Broncos Country fret. Boone is a great third option at the running back position.
Denver Broncos position group no. 2: Wide receivers
Speaking from an accomplishment perspective, this group is relatively untapped. Looking through a talent and depth lens, this group is ready to tap in.
Courtland Sutton is the only wide receiver out of this group to sniff some sort of accolades, he did make the Pro Bowl after his second season in the NFL. Tim Patrick is one of the most sure-handed, trusted wide receivers in the game and has finally started to be notarized as so.
Jerry Jeudy has the ability to be the NFL’s version of Allen Iverson if he gets utilized properly, by the quarterback and offensive coordinator. K.J. Hamler is rumored to be waiting on the other side of the field as we speak waiting for that moon ball Russell Wilson just threw to drop.
Mere projection with this group as this group has been harped on as one of the more well-rounded groups in the league, but I think there is truth to that. What makes the Denver Broncos wide receiver group so intriguing is their versatility.
They have untouchable speed, route running, and two guys who can “Moss” even great defensive backs.
There is also a bevy of young and hungry wide receivers on the bottom of the depth chart who have been putting in the work off the field and working towards building strong chemistry with their teammates.
Iron sharpens iron and this team is built with depths of steel.
Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick led the way for the Denver Broncos last year with 776 and 734 receiving yards, Jerry Jeudy finished with 467. If I were to make a prediction on what the statistics look like for that trio, I think all three surpass a number none of them reached last year with 800+ yards.
K.J. Hamler can easily haul in another 500 himself with his abilities and how well he can vertically stretch the field.
2022 will be a big season for the Denver Broncos wide receiver group and all of Broncos Country will have a true shot to see if they are what we thought they were.
Denver Broncos position group no. 3: Quarterbacks
This position group did not come in at number three because the leader of this group is number three, but because of the backup situation.
Josh Johnson is a decent backup and he could hypothetically get you through a game or two, but let’s be honest, if something were to happen with Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos’ season goes with him.
That is the case with most elite quarterbacks, so that is not a dig at Johnson, just the reality. Having a Nick Foles type may bring a bit more security and comfort, but Wilson has been a very durable quarterback throughout his career.
Missing three games last year due to a thumb injury, Wilson’s longest active streak by a current quarterback was abruptly ended. Although a shorter frame, Russell Wilson is what you would call “thick.” His build has helped him be a more durable and reliable player in the NFL since his arrival in 2012.
Russell Wilson is an elite quarterback, so it was tough to list his position down at number three, but depth is a factor in this. Positions like running back and wide receiver both have the virtue of depth for the Denver Broncos but the quarterback room does have the best overall player in it.
The only other players for the Denver Broncos that may rival Russell Wilson’s stature from a league perspective are on the other side of the ball. In a situation that should bring Wilson the ability to cook, expectations are extremely high for Russell Wilson in 2022.
That may almost be out of reach, but that is just because Broncos Country is incredibly pumped up to have not just competency at the quarterback position, but an actual elite quarterback.
Wilson won’t be breaking any franchise records I don’t expect, but he can thank Peyton Manning and the best season from a quarterback in NFL history for that.
That said, I think Russell Wilson becomes the first Denver Broncos quarterback to surpass 4,000 passing yards dating all the way back to 2014 with ease.
Denver Broncos position group no. 4: Offensive Line
Lumping the offensive line and its entirety into one group here for one reason, all that is left is the tight end position. Both interior and exterior groups currently sit in a better position than the tight end group, so it just makes sense.
While this group has some question marks, the floor has been raised, which puts the Denver Broncos in an OK spot with this group. Garrett Bolles continues to be a solid left tackle for the team, while Dalton Risner and Lloyd Cushenberry III both have room to improve, they aren’t wrecking the team right now.
Quinn Meinerz is a man in peak form and plays old-fashioned bully ball. He should have all but solidified the right guard spot, or a spot, on the starting five with his play last season.
Right tackle continues to be the head-scratcher, but I will admit, I am higher on Calvin Anderson than some.
If I am predicting the starting five for the Denver Broncos, it looks like Garrett Bolles at left tackle, Billy Turner at left guard, Graham Glasgow at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard, and Calvin Anderson at right tackle.
Dalton Risner, Tom Compton, and Netane Muti provide one heck of a B-squad for the Denver Broncos and gives the team the utmost flexibility in 2022.
Like the wide receiver group, watching the offensive line gel and battle it out during camp will be exciting. Again, iron sharpens iron. These guys will push each other and I think having the depth that the Denver Broncos do gives the team to really expand their views on what the starting five looks like.
Here is the thing, there is a new coaching staff here. Dalton Risner, Netane Muti, and Lloyd Cushenberry III are all guys that were given to the staff, not selected. Who knows what may happen.
Regardless, I think this group can put a solid starting five out Monday night against Russell Wilson’s old brethren. This group does not strike me as a unit that will be considered a premiere group but I certainly think they are a group that will be strong, physical and keep Russell Wilson protected.
It will be the best offensive line that Wilson has ever sat behind.
Denver Broncos position group no. 5: Tight Ends
Trading for Russell Wilson cost the Denver Broncos multiple draft picks and players, including Noah Fant.
Fant’s departure opened the door for Albert Okwuegbunam to step in and be tight end one. What I find funny is that when Albert Okwuegbunam was drafted to Denver, I thought he was coming in just to be here for Drew Lock’s support.
Now Drew Lock is a Seattle Seahawk, but Albert Okwuegbunam is still a Denver Bronco. George Paton and his brass also decided to select Greg Dulcich out of UCLA in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Along with bringing back Eric Saubert and glorified tackle, Eric Tomlinson, the Denver Broncos have different types of bodies at the tight end position. Saubert is a good tight end four, but having him as tight end three is OK.
Tight end is a talented position for the Denver Broncos at the top, but having an oft-injured Albert Okwuegbunam and a rookie Greg Dulcich aiming to be the top two targets leaves some room for improvement.
Albert Okwuegbunam could be one heck of a tight end when all said and done, and so could Dulcich, but both have question marks in experience and/or health. It wouldn’t hurt the Denver Broncos to look around the tight end market and see if there is an upgrade at a fair value for this group.
They are one player away from being in a disadvantageous spot at this position and when you are prepping to make an actual push in the postseason, having handicaps is never a good thing. This could be the one position for the Denver Broncos that haunts them into the postseason.
Again, not due to talent, if Albert Okwuegbunam can complete the season with full health, his game does not bring serious question marks. Dulcich will just need time to grow, learning the tight end position is one of the most difficult positions to learn.
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There are route concepts and blocking schemes that you have to understand. Rookie seasons for tight ends never produce outstanding results, I wouldn’t expect any different for Greg Dulcich.