In recent weeks, the Denver Broncos have seen an increase in production from a handful of their younger players. The Broncos have won three of their last five, and at the same time, have moved on from a few key veterans, while elevating younger players. The production has jumped, and in turn, the Broncos are in a position mid-season that they haven't been in some time: hopeful.
As the Broncos sit at the intersection of their season, they do have a few players giving them new hope for their core group going forward. Here are three Broncos who have emerged as potential core pieces going forward for Sean Payton and the Broncos.
3 players who have become core pieces of the Denver Broncos roster
1) Baron Browning, edge rusher
Baron Browning's one major defect is that the third-year edge rusher has struggled profusely to stay on the field. The former Ohio State Buckeye was not active until Denver's week seven game against the Packers, but he has made quite the impact in just two games. In his two games, Browning has three quarterback hits, two sacks, two tackles for losses, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection.
Browning has pressured the quarterback on 10 of his 43 rushes so far this year, good for a rate of 23.3%. The current league leader, based on the number of rushes to qualify, is 22%. Browning, simply put, has been a game-changer on the field for the Broncos and has been nothing but dominant.
Browning is still just 24 and is under contract in Denver for the 2024 season as well. Considering his injuries and lack of consistent playing time, it would make sense for both Browning and Broncos leadership to work out an extension to keep the edge rusher in Denver. The Broncos, since moving on from Bradley Chubb and Von Miller at consecutive deadlines, have struggled to rush the passer.
However, they have seen some of that struggle remedied this year. Both Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto are showing to be worthwhile pass rushers who can rotate in and out across the line from Browning. The Broncos finally are developing a homegrown pass rush again, and Baron Browning might be the best of them.
2) Lloyd Cushenberry, center
The former LSU product has very quietly been one of the best centers in football this year and is setting himself up for a healthy payday this spring. Cushenberry is in his fourth year as the starting center for the Broncos and is having his best campaign. Since week six, Cushenberry has not allowed a sack, or even pressure, while starting under center.
At the same time, he has been involved in 92 pass-blocking snaps. After three years of up-and-down play and injuries, Cuhsneberry is becoming one of the better centers in the game, and the Broncos are reaping the benefits from it. Denver has also had one of the stronger offensive interiors in football, and Cushenberry is the focus of that feat so far this year.
However, Cushenberry is in the final year of his rookie contract, does not have an option for a fifth year, and is currently unsigned for 2024. Since Cushenberry came into the league, the Broncos have turned over almost all of their offensive line aside from Garrett Bolles on the outside. Cushenberry fits easily into the scheme the Broncos are running and is playing the best football of his career.
However, the 4th year center will be one of the more coveted free agents this spring. Cushenberry turns 26 on November 22nd and likely has the best football of his career to come. Any time with struggles up the middle will be calling for the former national champion at LSU.
3) Jonathon Cooper, edge rusher
Cooper, in his third year with the Broncos, is emerging as a strong secondary pass rusher for Vance Joseph on the opposite side of the line from Baron Browning. Cooper has been a rotational piece the last few years after being a seventh-round draft pick in 2021 out of, you guessed it, Ohio State. Cooper and Browning were teammates for their entire collegiate careers at Ohio State, and are now one of the better pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
Cooper entered the year with 4.5 sacks through two years and has already doubled that output in eight games so far this year. Cooper had started opposite Nik Bonitto so far this year, and then Baron Browning after the Broncos had returned Browning from the PUP list.
Cooper has made his presence known in timely moments. The third-year edge rusher sacked Patrick Mahomes on the Chiefs final drive of the game last week, helping seal the Broncos' first win over the Chiefs in eight years. Overall, Cooper has amassed an incredibly strong year so far this year: three tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, both in timely moments, 4.5 sacks, and 39 combined tackles.
Cooper's career high in tackles is 48, but with 38 under his belt in just eight games, he is on pace to set career highs in almost every column. Cooper is under contract through 2024 and should be a part of the Broncos' long-term plans on the outside, opposite of Browning, rotating in and out with Bonitto.