There's no question that the Denver Broncos believe they've got their quarterback of the future on the roster in Bo Nix, but we all finally got a glimpse of what the rookie is capable of in his breakthrough performance in a Week 3 win vs. the Buccaneers.
Through the first two weeks of the season, Nix had taken his lumps as well as some baby steps forward, but the aggressiveness with which Sean Payton called plays early against the Bucs combined with Nix's overall execution of the offense and playmaking ability...It was truly a sight to behold for Broncos Country.
For a franchise that has not had much hope at the QB position since Super Bowl 50, Nix's performance against the Buccaneers was borderline cathartic and has quickly raised questions about what the Broncos may need to do next.
The team is always going to be looking to upgrade personnel, but there are a few moves I wonder if the Broncos should consider making now that we've seen proof of concept in a regular season game that Nix could truly be "the guy".
3 moves the Broncos need to make to surround Bo Nix after big game
1. Reshuffle the deck at running back
If you look at NFL free agency right now, it would be a desperation heave to try and sign any free agents currently available at the running back position. The position is about as picked over as Jordan retros in the clearance section.
Despite the fact that there are no real viable options seemingly available in free agency, the Broncos could get creative and look at other backs on teams' practice squads, or they could reshuffle the deck on their own roster after what we've seen in the first three weeks of the season.
Bo Nix currently leads the team in rushing. Second on the team is Tyler Badie, who has been called up from the practice squad the last two weeks.
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin are averaging an unacceptable 2.2 yards per carry (each of them individually) and both have hindered the team with one fumble each (McLaughlin vs. Seattle; Williams vs. Tampa Bay).
The Broncos probably need to promote Badie to the active roster as soon as possible, but what other changes need to be made here? When Audric Estimé (who also has a fumble) is eligible to come back from IR in a couple of weeks, he probably needs to take over Williams' role in the offense and I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what rookie UDFA Blake Watson could do with Jaleel McLaughlin's role at this point.
If blocking has been the primary issue, we'll continue to see the Broncos spin their wheels here. But given the fact that Badie was the one getting carries late in the game against Tampa Bay, I would say there's a good chance Sean Payton is thinking about reshuffling the deck at running back already.
2. Ask what the Ravens want for TE Mark Andrews
I don't know if the Denver Broncos will end up being the most likely landing spot, but I do think there is a legitimate possibility that we will see tight end Mark Andrews get traded in the coming weeks, and if he's on the block, Sean Payton and George Paton need to be all over it.
Andrews is 29 years old (just turned 29 a couple of weeks ago) and has this year and next year left on his current contract. With base salaries of just $7 million in each season, Andrews as a more than palatable contract to be acquired in a potential trade and the Ravens might have ample reason to move on from him.
They are involving Isaiah Likely and Zay Flowers much more heavily in their passing attack. Andrews has just six receptions in the first three game while playing only 58 percent of the snaps there in Baltimore.
Even though it might take a little bit of time to acclimate him to the offense, Andrews is a savvy veteran tight end who knows how to get open and could be a very valuable asset for a young quarterback like Bo Nix. If I'm the Broncos, I wouldn't exactly be giving up my most premium NFL Draft real estate to acquire a player who is clearly not highly favored in Baltimore right now, but a 3rd-4th round pick wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
The Broncos lack a playmaking tight end in the worst way right now. Greg Dulcich has not been able to be that guy.
Call up the Ravens and see what they want for Mark Andrews, and get him to Denver if possible.
3. Elevate TE Lucas Krull or Donald Parham for a package of plays
This is just an idea to file away for whenever the Broncos determine that they really need that jolt in the passing game from the tight end position, but one move this team could make is either activating pass-catching specialist Lucas Krull for a game to see what he can do, or perhaps elevate veteran Donald Parham for a game to see if he can be of help.
The Broncos have not been good at finishing drives once they get to the red zone this season, and having a playmaker at the tight end position could really give them a boost, even if that guy is just taking attention away from another receiver.
Lucas Krull showed off some big-play abilities last season with the Broncos and has the type of strength at the catch point that allows him to be effective in a variety of situations. It would be nice to see the Broncos try and get him involved with Greg Dulcich and Nate Adkins contributing next to nothing in the passing game as of right now.
Donald Parham was acquired at roster cuts thanks to his fit in the Sean Payton/Joe Lombardi offense as well as his production under Joe Lombardi when the two were together in Los Angeles. Parham is 6-foot-8 and has at least one receiving touchdown in each of his first four NFL seasons.