Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the Denver Broncos.
2015 in a nutshell: They won the Super Bowl despite the fact quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler had a combined passer rating of 76.3, which ranked 31st in the NFL.
Why 2016 could be different: Manning and Osweiler are gone, but they’ve been replaced by bust Mark Sanchez and green rookie Paxton Lynch. They also lost defensive starters Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan.
Major additions: Sanchez, Lynch and veteran offensive tackle Russell Okung.
Major losses: Manning, Osweiler, Jackson, Trevathan and veteran guard Evan Mathis. And Okung was signed to replace veteran tackle Ryan Clady, who was traded to the Jets.
Breakout watch: Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Derek Wolfe are back, but I’d still expect to see 2015 first-round pick Shane Ray get plenty of opportunities to live up to his draft status as an edge-rusher. The Broncos traded up last year to land this kid, and he certainly has the talent to become the team’s No. 2 sack man.
Position to watch: Sounds like Lynch and 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian can push Sanchez for the starting quarterback job. Crazy that a raw rookie or a seventh-round sophomore could be starting for the defending Super Bowl champions, but Sanchez also shouldn’t be viewed as a starting-caliber quarterback these days. It’s both fascinating and risky.
Prediction: Too hard to defend titles these days, especially with big questions at quarterback. Denver lost some key contributors and will have a target on its back. I’m not even sure they stave off Oakland, San Diego or Kansas City and defend their division title, but I will give them a playoff spot. Still, thinking one-and-done.
