Denver Broncos’ 2023 offseason is going to be offensive heavy
Even though the 2022 NFL season isn’t halfway done yet, it is very clear that the Denver Broncos’ 2023 offseason should be heavy on the offense. The Broncos defense did have a rough go at it on Sunday, but it’s still, by far, the better unit between them and the offense. George Paton did put a bit of emphasis on this side of the ball this offseason.
Aside from trading for Russell Wilson, the offensive personnel that are on the roster were holdovers from the previous administration. It was an offense that was set to explode with a new quarterback, but that has not been the case. Regardless if any coaching changes happen this offseason for the Denver Broncos, it is clear that the team will have to put a heavy emphasis on the “O” in 2023.
Let’s do a quick breakdown of each unit.
Denver Broncos’ 2023 offseason is going to be offensive heavy
Quarterback
Thankfully, the Broncos have Russell Wilson. He is not going anywhere anytime soon. I do think trying to upgrade the backup quarterback position would be a smart move. Brett Rypien, in my opinion, is not a backup-caliber quarterback in the NFL.
Running back
Both Mike Boone and Melvin Gordon are free agents after this season. I don’t think Gordon should be brought back, and I don’t think the Denver Broncos should let him carry the ball another down. Mike Boone could be re-signed as a backup, and the team did just lose Javonte Williams for the season.
I think George Paton is going to have to operate as if he needs to find a true RB1 again this offseason. No one will know for sure how easily Williams will be able to return from this serious knee injury.
Wide receiver
Currently, the Denver Broncos have one reliable pass catcher on their roster in Courtland Sutton. The hope is that Jerry Jeudy can develop into a consistent WR2, but that has not happened yet. KJ Hamler likely won’t be 100% for any part of the 2022 season, and he’s caught just one pass on the year.
I think he has work to do to simply make the roster for 2023, especially since the team drafted Montrell Washington this year, who has a similar profile that Hamler does. Tim Patrick’s return from his ACL injury will be interesting. If he can get back to his normal self, the offense will be that much better.
Overall, though, I think the team needs to invest in another body for this unit. All of Jeudy, Hamler, and Patrick have some 2023 uncertainty about them. Targeting someone in the middle rounds or simply looking to the free agent market could be an idea.
Tight end
The Denver Broncos have gotten virtually nothing from their tight end position this year. Albert Okwuegbunam has been nearly nonexistent, and the other players in that room are not starting caliber but could be kept around as backups.
Greg Dulcich could return to the field soon. It remains to be seen what we can bring, but it’s clear that this unit needs a massive boost going into 2023. It’s virtually nonexistent in the passing game, which has been a huge disappointment so far.
Offensive line
The most notable move that George Paton has made along the offensive line has been drafting Quinn Meinerz back in 2021. I do think he might be the team’s best offensive linemen, and outside of him, I think the rest of the starters are on the hot seat.
Paton has not made a huge impact on this unit, as Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Graham Glasgow are all holdovers from the last administration. George Paton might feel compelled to go heavy in this unit during the offseason. None of the players are above average at their position and I think are all easily replaceable.
Overall, it’s clear that the offense needs a bit of tweaking, more so than the defense as we slowly creep through the 2022 season.