If the Denver Broncos are in the business of adding players during the 2023 season, they're likely in a playoff spot or competing for one. What positions might they consider adding, though? Broncos Country deserves a competitive, efficient, and disciplined team in 2023 and beyond. Six straight years of losing seasons is enough. We've had enough.
Sean Payton brought a quick turnaround when he first arrived in New Orleans as head coach back in 2006, putting together an elite draft class and helping coach the Saints to a 10-6 record. Well, the hope here in Denver is that not only do the Broncos have an elite 2023 NFL Draft class, but can be led to double-digit wins and a playoff spot.
I personally think Denver sits at 5-3 through their first eight games, which takes them right to their bye week, which is also right at the trade deadline. Being 5-3 at the bye week allows Denver to evaluate their first half of the season to see where they stand. This might also bring scenarios where the team thinks about adding free agents to certain positions or even making a trade or two.
What three positions might we see added to the Denver Broncos' roster during the 2023 season?
3 positions the Denver Broncos can add to during the 2023 NFL season
1. Cornerback
I think one position that could use a boost even now is cornerback. Patrick Surtain II is the best CB in the NFL and was recently voted that. K'Waun Williams is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, but outside of that, Denver may not have much else.
There is no guarantee that Damarri Mathis takes a step forward in year two, or that Riley Moss can be adequate as a rookie. Essang Bassey has also been a career backup, so this unit is quietly vulnerable, especially if Surtain were to miss some games. Hopefully, the Broncos' secondary isn't getting torched each week, but I could see a situation where Denver could sign a veteran CB, perhaps even bringing back someone like Ronald Darby, or a former Broncos' Super Bowl champion, Bradley Roby.
Marcus Peters would also be a name that I could see the team chasing. Boosting the secondary would be a great move, especially since the NFL is a pass-first league, so you can never have too many defensive backs.
3 positions the Denver Broncos can add to during the 2023 NFL season
2. Running back
I also think the RB position is one that the team can add to even now before the 2023 season begins. Javonte Williams is rehabbing from his torn ACL and does look to be ready to go for week one, but with knee injuries, or any injury for that matter, it's never a guarantee that the player returns to his pre-injury self.
The team signed Samaje Perine in free agency, who is a career backup that brings average play to the RB position. I don't think Perine can carry RB1 loads week to week, and if Javonte Williams takes some time to return to his old self, Denver's RB performance might be worse than we think. Adding a veteran to this position could bring a much-needed boost and would take some pressure off of Williams to try and carrying the full load if his knee is still sore.
Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt are all still free agents and could remain on the market into the season. Any one of them would be fine additions to the Denver Broncos backfield. The team figures to be a run-first offense, and Sean Payton has typically used two running backs regularly.
What may also be an added bonus is that signing an RB during the season would also be a cheap add. We've seen both Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs not sign long-term extensions this offseason, so the RB market is just not what it once was. A team could easily add one of Elliott, Fournette, or Hunt for just a few million dollars, if that.
3 positions the Denver Broncos can add to during the 2023 NFL season
3. Pass rusher
Whether its an interior defensive lineman or a true stand-up EDGE, this may be the one position where the Denver Broncos could continue to add into 2023. The team only added to this position in 2023 when Baron Browning was revealed to need a knee procedure. They signed Frank Clark in response to that, which is kind of odd. It's odd that the Broncos didn't add to the position before Browning's injury, as the team's pass rush was among the worst in the NFL in 2023.
Zach Allen, effectively a Dre'Mont Jones replacement, appears to be a stronger pass rusher than Jones was. Frank Clark projects to start at defensive end, and he's averaged about eight sacks per season in the NFL. However, the Broncos don't have anyone proven at EDGE. Randy Gregory is talented, but he's never been able to stay on the field consistently.
Baron Browning has potential, but he may miss regular-season games and is obviously still unproven. Primary backups like Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper are also unproven but have potential. The Broncos could use a boost to this room already, but if the team begins to see a lack of pass rush and ability to get the toe QB, they could most definitely add to this position.
Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Yannick Ngakoue all come to mind as potential additions to this unit. I'd prefer Ngakoue, obviously, and I've talked about him on this website for months, but anyone who can bring a boost to this unit that may need one in 2023 would be a lovely addition.