The Denver Broncos roster should look a good bit different in 2024, as Sean Payton and his staff re-work it to fit the type of football team they want to field. And honestly, much of what GM George Paton has done during his time in Denver is something that Payton should begin to turn the page on.
With limited success in the NFL Draft and a horrid free agency track record, Paton has overseen a roster that has significantly regressed since taking it over beginning in 2021. It actually is a bit puzzling that Paton was not fired when the season ended, but I guess that could change. As the Broncos and the rest of the NFL progress into the 2024 NFL offseason, every team will lay out a comprehensive plan to improve the roster.
The Broncos will do this as well, and that could mean a slew of players aren't on the team in 2024. Well, among players who are likely still on the roster, which ones could be entering their last season with the team in the coming season?
5 Denver Broncos who could play their last year for the team in 2024
1. Javonte Williams, RB
George Paton trading up in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Javonte Williams was a horrid move. Williams has yet to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in a season, and missed a bulk of the 2022 NFL season with a nasty knee injury. I do think the knee injury was still lingering for Williams in 2023, who wasn't at all an efficient runner.
The Broncos might still have hope that Javonte Williams can return to his old self, but perhaps they now view him as more of an RB2 than anything. I don't think the Broncos would jump at the chance to re-sign him next offseason, when his contract expires.
2. Baron Browning, EDGE
Another draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2021, Baron Browning has developed into an average pass rusher with some enticing qualties. He was a third-round pick of the team and has struggled a bit with injuries during his three-year career. He suited up for 10 games this year, missing the first chunk of the season with a knee issue.
Browning racked up 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and nine QB hits. I think we've see the ceiling for Browning, which is being a decent rotational piece off the edge. And that's fine, I guess, but when he becomes a free agent in 2025, I guarantee you that the Broncos will have a young pass rusher on the roster, perhaps from the 2024 NFL Draft, and may also dip into free agency to boost the unit.
Browning might end up being the odd man out, and his production is something that isn't really impacting the game through his first three years.
3. Jonathon Cooper, EDGE
Jonathon Cooper might also fit into the same exact scenario as Baron Browning. I do truly think the Denver Broncos are going to significantly re-work their pass rush unit this offseason, including a draft pick in 2024 and a free agent addition or two. Jonathon Cooper has gone from a seventh-round pick to a full-time starter, starting all 17 games for the Broncos in 2023.
He accumulated 8.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. I do think that is very good production, given where Cooper is drafted. If Coop takes another step forward in 2024 and has a better season next year, his price could drive the Broncos to let him walk in free agency.
There's also Nik Bonitto who is still in the picture, and whom the Broncos used a second-round pick on in 2022, so they have invested more in Bonitto than both Browning and Cooper. Plus, Bonitto is the better player, and if the Broncos are able to find a stud pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft, that may make Browning and Cooper expendable.
4. Jerry Jeudy, WR
It's not nothing that the Denver Broncos picked up Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option. He is under contract through 2024 with the Broncos, at a modest number around $13 million. Courtland Sutton is the other notable WR on the roster. Sutton had the best season of his career, unless you want to count his Pro Bowl season as being better.
Sutton caught 10 touchdowns and was the best red-zone threat in the NFL this year. If you couple that with how complimentary Sean Payton has been of Jerry Jeudy, I don't think it's outrageous to think that Sutton could get traded this offseason.
But that would still mean that Jerry Jeudy would be entering the last year of his deal. Unless Jeudy has a breakout year in 2024, I don't think the Broncos are going to jump on re-signing him. They might be able to find his type of production with another free agent they like or in the 2025 NFL Draft.
5. Ben Powers, LG
Ben Powers signed a four-year deal with the Denver Broncos before the 2023 NFL season, and he gave the team respectable play at left guard this year, replacing former second-round draft pick Dalton Risner. Powers' deal is pretty large, as he's getting paid an AAV of $12,875,000. With Quinn Meinerz needing a new deal at some point, Mike McGlinchey having a huge contract, and a potential extension for Garett Bolles, it could be Powers as the odd man out.
It may come down to the numbers, which is the business side of things in the NFL. And I would not be surprised if the Broncos re-signed Lloyd Cushenberry this offseason. He's a very good center and is surely someone the team wants to have back.
At some point, the Broncos may have to make a tough call along their OL, and Ben Powers being cut after 2024 could be that move.