Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Jake Plummer
Backups - Steve Beuerlein, Jarious Jackson

Starting Quarterback: Some 'experts' feel that Plummer will be a fantasy bust this season while others see him as fantasy gold in 2003. The answer likely lies somewhere in the middle. For the first time in his career, Plummer will have the benefit of a strong rushing game to take the pressure off of his shoulders. In addition he has experienced weapons such as Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey and Shannon Sharpe to get the ball to. His weaknesses include inconsistency, a tendency to throw interceptions and a low completion percentage. However he is a leader on the field, has a gift for miraculous fourth quarter comebacks like an ex-Bronco quarterback (you may remember him… Elway ring a bell?) and a strong arm. He will definitely start and could put up solid numbers in 2003.

Backup Quarterback(s): Steve Beuerlein is getting up there in age (38 years old) but is one of the finer backup quarterbacks in the game thanks to his experience and maturity. He knows what needs to be done and has the skills to achieve it. His fantasy worth is minimal at best though and should remain undrafted. Jarious Jackson has some skill but it is anybody's guess if he'll make it as a starting NFL quarterback one day.

Update - 8/27: Plummer (despite being booed at home) has turned in some good numbers this preseason. His Bronco passer rating sits at 90.5 which is far better than his career mark of 69.1. Granted, it is still preseason, but the huge disparity underscores the notion that playing QB for the Broncos is more conducive to good numbers than is playing QB for the Cardinals.

Running Backs
Starter - Clinton Portis
Backups - KaRon Coleman, Quentin Griffin
Fullbacks - Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Kyle Johnson

Starting Running Back: Clinton Portis silenced all the doubters last season and seized control as the Bronco's featured back. Anytime you average 5.5 yards per carry over a season as a starter in the NFL, which Portis did last year, you are an elite back. 1508 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns on 273 carries is remarkable (Portis had 33 receptions for 364 yards and 2 scores). This year Portis is poised to continue dominating the opposition, with Mike Anderson now the starting FB and Olandis Gary hanging his hat in Buffalo. We see his extraordinary numbers continuing in 2003, with 335 rushes for 1575 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns well within reach (40 receptions for 348 yards and 3 scores in addition). As of 6/29/03, those numbers place Portis at #2 among all fantasy backs - he's sure to be in the top 5 picks of almost every draft this season.

Backup Running Back(s): Now that Mike Anderson is a FB, the primary backups to Portis are KaRon Coleman, Terrell Davis (if he can make it back from microfracture surgery on his knees) and rookies Quentin Griffin and Cecil Sapp. None of them should see much action, assuming Portis stays healthy.

Fullback(s): Mike Anderson was a starting back at one point (2000) and he gained 1500 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns in that role. Last year, he racked up 84 carries for 386 yards (4.6 ypc average) and 2 scores, with 17 catches for 165 yards and 2 scores. He's one of the most productive fullbacks in the league. Reuben Droughns and Kyle Johnson are #2 and #3 on the depth chart.

Update - 8/27: Denver's offensive line suffered from a rash of injuries early in training camp, but the big men up front appear to be on the road to recovery - tackles Matt Lepsis and Ephraim Salaam start together for the first time during pre-season Monday night, August 25th. Clinton Portis is expected to be a fantasy force this season - he's our #2 RB, now projected to amass 330/1551/14 rushing and 54/470/2 receiving during 2003.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey
Backups: Ashley Lelie, Chris Cole, Herb Haygood, Adrian Madise

Starting Receiver(s): Rod Smith is coming off his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season. He played through a stress fracture in his leg last year, but was still a consistent performer with 12 games of 50+ yards. Even at 33 years of age, Smith has deceptive strength and quickness, and is a good route-runner with dependable hands. He has averaged 93 catches and 1,243 yards over the past five seasons. Ed McCaffrey is another Bronco receiver who had a down year last season, as he returned from a broken leg suffered in 2001. McCaffrey has the best hands on the team, but will be 35 this year and doesn't have the same speed he did before his injury. He will have to fight off a challenge from Ashley Lelie for his starting job.

Backup Receiver(s): Although Ashley Lelie is currently listed as the third WR on the Broncos' depth chart, we expect him to wrest the starting job from McCaffrey by September. Lelie was the team's first-round draft pick a year ago, and flashed some of his speed and athleticism as a rookie. Lelie is a smooth athlete with good height and jumping ability and plenty of big-play potential. Chris Cole and Herb Haygood will battle for the #4 WR spot, with rookie Adrian Madise also in the mix. Cole spend last season on injured reserve, but is a fast and quick receiver with good open-field run skills. Haygood, like Cole, is also a speedy but unpolished WR. Madise is a strong receiver who will catch the ball in traffic and can break tackles after the catch.

Update - 8/27: It is still unclear whether Ashley Lelie will be named the team's starting WR over Ed McCaffrey, but it may not make a huge difference who is the nominal starter. The Broncos will use 3-WR formations a lot of the time, so both Lelie and McCaffrey will be on the field a lot.

Tight Ends
Starter - Shannon Sharpe
Backup(s) - Dwayne Carswell
Shannon Sharpe enters what will most likely be his final season. Even if his production drops a bit, Sharpe is still a lock to finish in the top 10 tight ends. Health will be the concern for Sharpe owners. Should Sharpe find himself on the injured list, backup Dwayne Carswell will be a must pickup as a free agent in your fantasy league.

Place Kicker
Jason Elam: Elam is making a big push to take on the punting duties as well this year in Denver. Elam is a top kicker playing for a solid offense. The big question is whether or not this extra punting duty will affect is field goal kicking. The Broncos won't allow it to be a distraction and this shouldn't keep you from depending on Elam to be your fantasy kicker.

Update - 8/27: The punting experiment came to an end for Jason Elam. He will deal with the place kicking duties this season. Micah Knorr will punt and handle kickoff duties.

Offensive Line
C-Tom Nalen; G-Ben Hamilton; G-Dan Neil; T-Ephraim Salaam; T-Matt Lepsis
The Broncos lost two linemen but may end up better for it. The core of this group is solid with Nalen, Neil and Lepsis who have played well together since 2001 but the team wants a better season out of Lepsis who struggled last year. Hamilton and Salaam are decent players but could be replaced in training camp as 1st round pick George Foster and free-agent pickup Heath Irwin will give them a battle for playing time. Once a great line, the Broncos have slipped some over the last two years.