The Denver Broncos need fixing, and it’s clear what the team’s issues are. Here is a step-by-step plan of attack to fix the franchise. If there is some positive to take from all of this madness so far, it’s that the Broncos’ defense is elite, truly elite. It’s one of the best in the NFL. The pass rush is back. The secondary is playing well, and the inside linebackers are doing their jobs.
I would hardly change a single thing with the defense going forward outside of adding players here and there, but the starting lineup for the 2022 season should remain the same for 2023, outside of Kareem Jackson being replaced with Caden Sterns, and perhaps another starting cornerback next to Patrick Surtain II.
We’ll get into that, though. There are much more pressing issues for the team to tackle first. George Paton has done mostly well in the free agency and the draft, and may only get one more shot at getting the head coach right.
So, let’s begin with a comprehensive plan to fix OUR Denver Broncos.
Fixing our Denver Broncos: A comprehensive plan
Step 1 – Get some draft picks back
The Broncos’ season is gone. The team is not making the 2022 NFL playoffs. At this point, the team should look to get some draft picks back by trading some players who may not have a future with the team. Some of the players that I am proposing the team trades might not get traded, and might not have much value, but I think with Denver’s situation, they need anything they can get.
So, here are the players that I believe the team should trade, and what I would guess their return would be:
- OG Dalton Risner – 5th round pick
- OG Graham Glasgow – 7th round pick
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam 7th round pick
- OLB Bradley Chubb – 2nd and 3rd round picks
Dalton Risner – Guard who was drafted by Denver in 2019, had a great rookie season but hasn’t looked that good since. Still might be seen as an average starter
Graham Glasgow – Guard who was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions and signed a big deal with the Broncos a few years ago. Just isn’t cutting it along the offensive line, but could have some value on other teams who are in need of help (Rams?)
Albert Okwuegbunam – Third-year tight end who has essentially been demoted. Hasn’t taken the steps that some thought he would. He is very far down the depth chart but again, could have some value on the right team
Bradley Chubb – Free agent at the end of the season playing on his fifth-year option. Does have injury concerns and the team has prepared for his departure in some way by moving Baron Browning to ILB, signing Randy Gregory, and drafting Nik Bonitto.
Being that Denver isn’t likely to make the playoffs, selling off some movable parts is the smart thing to do here. This would give Denver 10 draft picks, which is how many George Paton likes to have.
They would have one 2nd round pick, three 3rd round picks, one 4th round pick, two 5th-round picks, and three 7th-round picks. Definitely not a bad haul of picks based on some of these trades. Obviously, before we get to the NFL draft, we need to take a dip into free agency as well! But the next step in this process is hiring a new staff.