Regardless of who the Denver Broncos hire as the team’s next head coach, playmakers will need to be added to the offense’s arsenal. The perception from a lot of folks in Broncos Country has been that the team has really all it needs on paper when it comes to the offensive skill position, but that has proven to be anything but the case over the last handful of seasons.
The Broncos have lacked firepower offensively in the worst way. Chalk that up to the quarterback all you want, but there are just not enough offense creators in Denver, and players we expected to step up in recent years have either not done so or have not been available.
Again, regardless of who the team’s head coach is, positions like wide receiver and running back will need to be emphasized in addition to the offensive line. But who’s going to come in? The Broncos could look to free agency or trades to make some moves, but let’s look at three prominent playmakers that could become available in the 2023 offseason that the Broncos should be ready to reach out to — no matter who the head coach is.
3 playmakers the Denver Broncos need to keep tabs on in 2023
1. Michael Thomas, possible cap casualty, New Orleans Saints
Since his monstrous 2019 season with the New Orleans Saints, Michael Thomas has only played a total of 10 games. He played seven games in 2020, missed all of 2021, and played just three games in 2022 in which he caught 16 passes for three touchdowns. Over that same timeframe, Courtland Sutton has played 33 games, and still only has one more touchdown than Thomas (4 total).
Thomas’ limited sample in 2022 was a reminder of just how good he is still capable of being. There has been friction between he and the Saints in recent years and obviously some very public disagreements over his injury issues but this is undoubtedly a player that can elevate your offense.
Incidentally, due to all of the issues with Thomas and Payton and the medical staff in New Orleans, he may be a more likely option if someone other than Payton is hired by the Broncos. But he should be an option nonetheless and could become a go-to target with Jerry Jeudy in the passing game.
2. Brandin Cooks, possible trade option, Houston Texans
The Denver Broncos need to look into the possibility of adding a vertical threat for the offense that can stay on the field. I don’t think the team necessarily has to dump KJ Hamler with one year remaining on his rookie contract, but I also think that they need someone reliable to jump into the offense and provide that consistent option.
Over the course of his career in the NFL, Brandin Cooks has been nothing, if not consistent.
Our own Lou Scataglia has campaigned for the Broncos to try and acquire him on a number of occasions, and the timing may be right in 2023 with Cooks seemingly saying his goodbyes to the Texans late this past season.
Cooks would be a tremendous option and fit for Russell Wilson. He’s been a pretty automatic 1,000 yards every year he’s been in the NFL, accomplishing that feat six times already with four different teams.
He will be 30 this coming season and he comes at a hefty price tag of $18 million in base salary, but his salary can be moved around or restructured to fit more nicely under the salary cap so the team can make additional moves. The question will be — what do the Texans want in return for a guy like Cooks?
His value is not at an all-time high, so perhaps they’d be fine to settle for a draft pick dart in the middle rounds, or maybe there’s a player Nick Caserio has had his eyes on. We’ve seen him acquire a number of former Broncos in free agency in recent years.
It just so happens that Cooks was drafted by Sean Payton’s Saints in 2014 so that connection could come into play if, in fact, Payton is hired by the Broncos. And at this point, nobody knows if that’s going to happen.
Regardless, Cooks would be a much-needed veteran addition to that position group no matter who the coach is.
3. DeAndre Hopkins, possible trade candidate, Arizona Cardinals
Another one of the game’s top receivers could become available in a trade this offseason, although the Denver Broncos would have to be considered a longshot here if the Cardinals and new GM Monti Ossenfort actually intend on making a move on Hopkins.
The Broncos may need to hold onto that first-round pick from the 49ers if they are going to try and make a deal for someone like DeAndre Hopkins, or at least their pair of third-round picks. They could try to tantalize the Cardinals with 2024 NFL Draft capital as well but the fact of the matter is, if a player like DeAndre Hopkins is available, George Paton needs to be making a call to find out what the asking price is.
Hopkins’ availability over the last two seasons in Arizona has been a bit spotty, but he’s obviously one of the best and most proven commodities at receiver in the NFL today. Back in 2019 or 2020, the combination of Russell Wilson and DeAndre Hopkins might strike fear into the hearts of opponents.
Here in 2023, though, it would be a worthwhile gamble for the Broncos on two guys who may have their best days behind them, but who also may be able to come together in Denver and deliver some kind of spark to an offense that so desperately needs it.
Hopkins is sure-handed, if nothing else, which is something the Broncos’ offense needs. He gets open regularly, he’s a threat at every level of the field, he’s smart, and he can help you convert on third down and in the red zone.
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One way or the other, the Broncos need veteran players who can help the team right now. They don’t really have the luxury of gambling NFL Draft picks on major areas of need with what we saw last season. This team should be hugely active in free agency and with trades, and I think you’re going to see one of the biggest splashes made (or multiple) at the offensive skill positions.