The Denver Broncos were certainly in the news quite a bit this offseason with some high-profile moves, but there's a few key ones that flew under the radar. Headline-making moves are awesome to see, and the Broncos certainly made a few of them.
However, it's not all about those headline-making moves that make up a good and competitive football team. Denver does appear to be in a good place with their roster and coaching, and I have faith that they can squeak into the playoffs this year.
One reason why Denver will make the playoffs is because of a few underrated moves that they made this offseason.
Three underrated moves the Denver Broncos made this offseason
1. Signing Marquez Callaway
One of the biggest issues with the Denver Broncos was their depth at wide receiver, and that was apparent last year. I could add drafting Marvin Mims Jr to this list, but I'll stick with Callaway for now, as the Mims' pick seemed almost universally praised when it happened.
In 2021 with Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints, Callaway had over 600 yards and six touchdowns, and that was only his second year in the NFL. Callaway is also 6'2", 200 pounds and a good blocker.
He really feels like an addition that is going to pay off and perhaps lead to some sort of extension in the future. Right now, I'd guess that he's at best, the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart, so I think the underrated label sticks.
He'll be able to contribute in 2023 and I think we'll see him sneak through the cracks and make some big plays when much is on the line.
Three underrated moves the Denver Broncos made this offseason
2. Bringing on Zach Strief as the OL coach
The Denver Broncos installed Butch Barry as the offensive line coach in 2022, and man, that was a mistake. I don't think it's hyperbolic to suggest that not only was Barry the worst coach on the Denver Broncos' staff, but the worst OL coach in the NFL.
Somehow, he got another OL coach job with the Miami Dolphins. Payton decided to pluck from his NO staff with Strief, who played for the Saints from 2006-2017. Strief played guard and tackle for the Saints and played in 158 regular season games.
From 2021-2022, he was the Saints' assistant OL coach, and Payton has enough trust in him to bring him on as the head OL coach. I do love the idea of having former players on the coaching staff. Strief has Super Bowl-caliber experience and has seen just about everything one can see in the NFL.
The Saints also had good offensive lines for what seemed forever during the bulk of Strief's time in New Orleans, so if anyone got to see how a proper OL runs, it's the players themselves. I think Zach Strief ends up immediately paying off.
Three underrated moves the Denver Broncos made this offseason
3. Drafting Alex Forsyth in the seventh round
I might be way too high on this draft pick, but I think Alex Forsyth begins the year as the starter at center for the Denver Broncos. He's a center out of Oregon and was a part of some stellar offensive lines during his time in college.
He's also technically sound and allowed 0 sacks in the 2022 college season, according to PFF. Again, I might be overvaluing someone who was nearly Mr. Irrelevant, but I'm sure many didn't think that Brock Purdy would even make an NFL roster.
Part of me also thinks that Forsyth won't have much competition to win the starting center job. Lloyd Cushenberry is not good, and free agent pickup Kyle Fuller is a career backup. With a solid offseason, Forsyth might be able to crack the starting lineup.
In fact, unless the Broncos were to sign someone like Ben Jones to start at center, Forsyth is going to be the starter.