Despite achieving a two-game win streak heading into the bye week, the Denver Broncos still find their roster with a couple of glaring holes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, even with the team nearly completely healthy. Therefore, looking ahead to next offseason, the Broncos will more than likely be fishing for new starters within the first two days of the draft considering the roster consists of one of the oldest groups in the entire NFL.
Depending on the outcome of the next nine games of the season, general manager George Paton has a strong chance of being relieved of his duties regardless, and with head coach Sean Payton having a final say in virtually every free agency/draft decision, there will likely be a different approach than we have seen in recent years.
Assuming the Broncos hire a new general manager in 2024, a potential shake-up in the roster is considered likely, especially with quarterback Russell Wilson's future in Denver in doubt. Despite the team currently projected for a troubling $-20.6M in 2024 cap space, it would not be a surprise to see a few veterans traded to clear the way for a replacement at a few positions. However, the draft will more than likely be Denver's avenue to retool the roster.
Denver Broncos 5 biggest offseason needs in 2024:
1. Quarterback
Hypothetically speaking, if the Broncos were to move on from Russell Wilson next offseason, which appears likely, quarterback would instantly become Denver's biggest need on the roster. The quarterback position is the most important in the sport of football and has been one that has struggled to live up to expectations for the Broncos in eight consecutive years. Despite carrying an $85M cap hit over the next two seasons, there are multiple avenues to ripping off the band-aid now on Wilson's contract rather than later when you're forced to absorb the worst portion of it.
The Broncos' defense has finally found their groove and stepped up in recent weeks against tough opponents and the run-game offensively has been stout, to say the least. The offensive line as well has also been a strength on the team and ranks out as a fringe top-10 unit. With that being said, under Sean Payton's play-calling, the Broncos are only in need of a game-managing quarterback at the moment and Wilson has even struggled to be just that at times. I think we can all agree that even though Wilson, statistically, has made a leap from 2022 to 2023, he is certainly not worth the remainder of his five-year, $245M contract. The Broncos can win the same way with a younger quarterback on a rookie contract.
2. Cornerback
Cornerback is unquestionably a massive need for the Broncos in 2024. Second-year corner Damarri Mathis unfortunately is in the midst of a historically poor sophomore slump and has already been benched for veteran versatile defensive back Fabian Moreau midway through the season. Unfortunately for Mathis, his days as a starter in Denver are likely in the past, and will probably only see the majority of his playing time on special teams from here on out.
Therefore, with Moreau covering the other side of the field opposite of Patrick Surtain ll, the Broncos are truly one injury away from another disaster in the room. While the team did draft Riley Moss, who the front office is very high on, corner will still be a main priority for the Broncos general manager in 2024, whether it be via free agency and/or the draft.
3. Interior defensive line
Broncos veteran nose tackle D.J. Jones has simply not lived to expectations and has not been as great of a run defender this season as he was in his first year with the Broncos in 2022. In addition, with veteran nose tackle Mike Purcell set to hit free agency in 2024, nose tackle will be a significant need. Along with nose tackle, defensive end will need to be a massive focus heading into the offseason. Starting defensive end Jonathan Harris has arguably been the worst starter on the team, possibly excluding Damarri Mathis, and has been a complete non-factor.
In 320 defensive snaps, Harris has not registered a single sack, pressure, or hurry all season. Just one quarterback hit the entire year. Free agent addition Zach Allen has been the only bright spot on the defensive line and is quite impressive in doing so considering he has virtually no help from the other interior pass rushers. The defensive line is definitely the weakest position group on the team as a whole and will need to be a focus early in the draft. Denver's best bet is becoming younger up front.
4. Outside linebacker
It is no secret that the Broncos have struggled to generate much pressure at all from their edge rushers ever since trading away former first-round pick Bradley Chubb in 2022. In 2023, the Broncos' pass rush averages the highest average time to record pressure in the NFL at 2.77 seconds. The unit is eight milliseconds worse than the Atlanta Falcons who are ranked 31st above them. In simpler terms, the Broncos' pass rushers are very bad at creating pressure.
Denver's outside linebackers are near the bottom of the league as well in pressure rate, according to ESPN's data. Despite second-year edge Nik Bonitto accumulating 4.5 sacks through a two-game stretch and Jonathon Cooper looking like a complete player to start the season, the Broncos are truly missing a No. 1 option in their edge room. At the moment, Denver has multiple reliable pass rushers as second options including Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and Jonathon Cooper. However, the defense has been in dire need of an alpha pass rusher in the room who can show up on an every-down basis like Von Miller once did for the team.
5. Tight end
With second-year player Greg Dulcich dealing with a whirlwind of hamstring injuries and being stuck on the injured reserve, it is fair to say the Broncos missed with their third-round draft selection out of UCLA. The 23-year-old tight end has not panned out for the team and seems to be another player who could have a promising career riddled with injuries.
Going into the season, Sean Payton and the Broncos' coaching staff had high hopes and plans for Dulcich in year two however, the margin between Dulcich and Adam Trautman in the passing game has been an impactful one, and not in a good way. Having multiple efficient and strong blockers in the tight end room, the Broncos are gravely missing a true first-option receiving tight end who can take the pressure off of the team's receivers.