A bold prediction is a take and/or thought that someone has regarding a specific team or player before the specific season starts. As its name says, it is a prediction, so it does not necessarily mean it will happen. It might happen, it might not. Bold predictions are usually called 'Hot Takes'.
Pro Football Focus released an article regarding three bold predictions for every AFC West team. Sam Monson, who wrote the article has some interesting thoughts regarding the Broncos heading into the 2023-24 season.
His three bold predictions for the Broncos in 2023 are:
1. AFC Championship Bound:
Denver has not made the playoffs since the Super Bowl 50 championship season, in the 2015-2016 season. Since that season, Denver has only had one winning-record season, which was in the 2016-2017 season, the season after the Super Bowl 50 win. Last year, the Broncos traded for star quarterback Russell Wilson, but his first season in the orange and blue was not as everyone expected. It was not entirely his fault, but still, the team was a complete disaster.
In the offseason, the Broncos hired Super Bowl champion head coach Sean Payton, and heavily improved the offensive line, after being the most sacked team in 2022. Additionally, they signed Zach Allen and Frank Clark to bolster the rushing core.
Regarding this bold prediction, Monson mentions the following ...
""Last season was a disaster for Denver. The Russell Wilson trade is in danger of being one of the single-worst roster moves in NFL history, and the head coach presiding over the debacle was fired before the season concluded. His replacement, Sean Payton, already cost the Broncos a first-round pick to hire and has been confident enough in his own analysis to publicly blowtorch Nathaniel Hackett. Payton has an incredible track record of success and an elite win rate without Drew Brees as his quarterback. If he pieces Wilson back together again, the Broncos still have a roster capable of making major noise, even in a loaded AFC.""Sam Monson - PFF
Can the Broncos really make the AFC Championship in 2023-2024?
2. Veteran RB signing before Week 1:
During the 2022-2023 season, the Denver Broncos had a bunch of running backs on the roster. They started the season with Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams, and Mike Boone. Javonte had a brutal knee injury during the team's Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he tore his ACL, LCL, and PCL. Melvin Gordon was released due to fumbling issues. Boone was never seen as an RB1, so the team signed veteran RB Latavius Murray, traded for Chase Edmonds, and later on signed Marlon Mack and Tyler Badie.
Murray emerged as the starting running back for the Denver Broncos since he signed with the team. In 12 games he played for the Broncos in 2022-2023, Murray had 160 carries for 703 yards, and five touchdowns.
In free agency, Murray signed with the Buffalo Bills, Marlon Mack signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and Chase Edmonds signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Due to the depatures at the running back position, Denver signed Samaje Perine, and Tony Jones Jr.
Regarding this bold prediction, Monson mentioned the following ...
""All of the reports surrounding Javonte Williams are positive so far, talking about a miraculous comeback and recovery. For him to be ready to go and effective in Week 1, given the severity of his knee injury, would be truly bordering on miraculous. But anything short of that would give Denver a real incentive to sign a veteran for cover in the meantime. Samaje Perine is a nice addition as a third-down back, but the team doesn’t have any proven Williams cover as the bell cow if he can’t hit the ground running from his recovery.""Sam Monson - PFF
If Javonte Williams is not fully healthy ... should Denver use Perine as the RB1? Should they sign a veteran?
3. Rookie receiver leads the team in receiving:
The Broncos wide receiver room has been affected by multiple injuries over the past couple of years. Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick have had ACL tears, Jeudy has had muscle injuries and KJ Hamler had missed some games too. Tim Patrick will miss the season for the second-consecutive season, as he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.
Before the 2023 NFL Draft, it was rumored that the Denver Broncos were trading either Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy. None was dealt, and instead, the Broncos moved up to the second round and invested high-draft capital in former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marvin Mims. Mims can be an important deep-threat receiver for Denver.
Additionally, the Broncos signed in free agency a couple of wide receivers. These signings include Marquez Callaway and Lil'Jordan Humphrey.
Regarding this bold predition, Monson mentions the following ...
""Jerry Jeudy is one of the best route-running separators in the NFL, but his biggest strength is the middle of the field — the area Russell Wilson has struggled to connect with the most. Courtland Sutton has been solid when healthy but has not rediscovered his play from 2019 or threatened to exceed that. Mims excelled in virtually every measure in college and has a skill set that could remind Wilson of Tyler Lockett in Seattle. Mims generated 2.7 yards per route run last season, and all six of his touchdowns came on deep strikes.""Sam Monson - PFF
Will Mims lead the team in receiving yards?
Which of the three predictions do you think is more likely to happen?