Back to the August Updates landing page.
Access the August Updates for other teams here:
Arizona | Atlanta | Baltimore | Buffalo | Carolina | Chicago | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Dallas | Denver | Detroit | Green Bay | Houston | Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Kansas City | Las Vegas | LA Chargers | LA Rams | Miami | Minnesota | New England | New Orleans | NY Giants | NY Jets | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | San Francisco | Seattle | Tampa Bay | Tennessee | Washington
Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Even in new digs, 11-year veteran Russell Wilson doesn’t particularly need exhibition reps. He sat out Saturday’s preseason finale; the only real work still being done is fine-tuning his first-year strategy points. Coordinator Justin Outten spoke last week about how Wilson’s mobility will be used now that he’s no longer a 100-carry type of quarterback. The focus, according to Outten, will be on using his feet to extend plays outside the pocket and allow his dynamic receivers to create windows. “As far as schemes, your most successful play down there is a scrambler,” Outten said. “It's something that he's very used to, and he knows exactly what is on his backside of progression that he can work to eventually. It's really remarkable to see what type of arm angles he comes up with.” Rather than risk Wilson in the finale, the team took a final look at the backup battle between Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien. The Broncos kept only two quarterbacks all last season, and the expanded practice squad rules allow them to do the same again. Coach Nathaniel Hackett wasn’t tipping his hand after the Vikings game: “It’s going to be a hard decision.”
Running Backs
Neither Javonte Williams nor Melvin Gordon suited up for the preseason finale; their roles are as locked-in as any duo’s in football. They dominated touches last year, and they almost certainly will again in 2022. Of course, most of the scouting and fantasy buzz centers on the 22-year-old Williams. Even Gordon knows the team is sky-high on the tough, versatile youngster and that he’s generally the higher priority for touches. But Coach Hackett has been careful not to downplay Gordon’s value as the 1B back. “We’re just excited to feed him the rock and give him the ball a lot,” he confirmed last week. There’s not much drama behind them on the depth chart, where longtime reserve Mike Boone should again round out the weekly actives.
Wide Receivers
Wilson’s top two targets, Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, are locked firmly into their roles. They should dominate this depth chart, with Sutton likely a nose out in front as Wilson’s “go-to target in pressure situations,” per ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett. Behind them, it appears third-year speedster K.J. Hamler may finally be unleashed. After a horrific two-year run of injuries that included an ACL tear and a recurring hamstring issue, Hamler was finally put to real work in Saturday’s preseason finale. He was charted by The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider with 24 snaps, 15 routes, 5 targets, 3 receptions, and 18 yards. It’s not a world-beating line, but it’s proof that Hamler is fully healthy and versatile enough to hang as the No. 3. Just how much he’ll be utilized in that role, of course, is up for debate. The team boasts a handful of roster-worthy depth pieces further down the list but tends to be so concentrated up top that it’s unlikely to matter. The versatile Kendall Hinton, impressive fifth-rounder Montrell Washington (who’s likely locked down the top return job), and undrafted Brandon Johnson are really just jockeying for special-teams run.
Tight Ends
It’s been over a week since Coach Hackett sent ripples through the fantasy world by seemingly banishing top tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. The third-year veteran found himself playing well into the second half of the second preseason game, after which Hackett notoriously commented the youngster “needs some reps.” Still, there’s likely no reason to panic about Okuwegbunam’s starting role. The team hasn’t acted concerned, after all, stockpiling almost no depth behind him. Third-round rookie Greg Dulcich was drafted with some fanfare but missed most of camp with a hamstring injury and didn’t exactly draw rave reviews upon his return. “We’re doing everything we can to get him in there for all the stuff that we do and everything that he’s capable of doing,” the head coach said last week. “So, we’ll find out.” That doesn’t sound like a rookie who’s ready to contribute early at a tough position. Behind them, one of Eric Saubert or Eric Tomlinson will likely stick as a little-used reserve.
Defense
A running theme throughout camp was the defense beating the offense in most scrimmage drills. It was no big surprise, with Wilson practicing only occasionally and the defense packed to the gills with playmakers. The secondary looks well-stocked to face the high-octane air attacks of the AFC West. Top four cornerbacks Ronald Darby, Patrick Surtain, KWaun Williams, and Michael Ojemudia all sat out the final preseason games with nothing left to prove. Even so, The Denver Post’s Ryan O’Halloran thinks depth is needed there.
Returners
The Broncos opened August hoping rookie Montrell Washington would show enough to earn the job as a return specialist. Washington delivered, drawing rave reviews in camps and playing well enough in preseason games to keep his grip on the job.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
New Bronco Russell Wilson knows the Denver world rests on his shoulders, and that his preparation and poise will be crucial on a team with a first-year head coach and a first-year offensive coordinator. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider sees that as a feature, not a bug, for the established veteran Wilson. He draws a parallel to when Kyle Shanahan took over a coaching staff of mostly first-timers in San Francisco and went 6-10… with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Backing up Wilson will be either mega-journeyman Josh Johnson, working on his 14th NFL roster, or practice-squadder Brett Rypien, who completed 22 of 26 throws in Saturday’s loss to the Bills. For what it’s worth, Kosmider “would be stunned if the Broncos kept three quarterbacks on a 53-man roster that includes Russell Wilson.”
Running Backs
Even with Wilson on board, there’s no question just how crucial the ground game is to these Broncos. Both Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon are taking ample first-team snaps, though Williams has been the clear leader through camp. The competition isn’t lost on nine-year veteran Gordon. “I think they want [Williams] to be the guy,” Gordon said last week. “But we do rotate. He’ll take the first series and then the second series, I’ll take. Sometimes we switch, but you kind of know how it is.” Williams is the younger and more dynamic option, of course, and it would surprise no one to see him loom over the depth chart by Opening Day. Behind them, injuries and ineffectiveness down the depth chart have likely locked veteran Mike Boone into the seldom-used No. 3 role.
Wide Receivers
Up to this point in camp, it’s looking increasingly like Courtland Sutton will enter 2022 as Wilson’s chief target. ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold has spent the past two weeks raving about their connection in camp, particularly in contested situations. Not long after Tim Patrick went down, Wilson and Sutton hooked up on an improvisational third-down completion in practice, prompting coach Nathaniel Hackett to gush. “That was pretty cool,” Hackett said. “…a little miscommunication which turned into a different play that we didn’t know was going to happen. Sometimes that’s how great plays happen.” To top it off, Sutton looks like the most suitable replacement for Patrick’s red-zone role. Sutton is among the league’s biggest size/speed mismatches, while Jeudy has struggled with contested throws on the NFL level. As for Jeudy, it’s been two weeks since coordinator Justin Outten gave tepid support in the wake of Patrick’s injury. This is a crowded receiver room overall, even with Patrick on the shelf, but undrafted camp darling Brandon Johnson may have already locked down a roster spot. He’s been a “steady workhorse for the backup quarterbacks,” per SI.com’s Chad Jensen, and last week Hackett praised his work with the first team. The team loves Kendall Hinton’s versatility, so Johnson may be battling impressive rookie Montrell Washington for the No. 5 slot.
Tight Ends
What a difference five months can make to a fantasy outlook. When the Broncos dealt away Noah Fant in March, it was assumed the mega-athletic Albert Okwuegbunam would step into his role as a slot creator up the seams. In August, Okwuegbunam may be fighting simply to keep a prominent spot in the rotation. Okwuegbunam found himself playing into the fourth quarter on Saturday, which top-level contributors are rarely seen doing during the preseason. “Our tight ends are playing really well, the five guys we have playing, so we want to get a good look at all of them,” Hackett said after the game. “…Albert is a guy who needs the reps.” That’s hardly a vote of confidence, and it should concern fantasy drafters with third-round rookie Greg Dulcich seemingly on the rise. Early in camp, Hackett indicated that his offense includes real plans for Dulcich as a slot weapon.
Defense
The Denver defense tends to be fertile for fantasy purposes, particularly at the linebacker spots. That makes the team’s current logjam significant for the IDP world. One or two of Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, and Jonas Griffith (once he returns from his elbow injury) came into camp looking to lock down meaty fantasy roles. But last week, the team added journeyman Joe Schobert to the fold on the inside and immediately installed him on the first team. He’s never been a particularly highly rated linebacker, though, and Singleton was a tackle machine last year in Philadelphia. It’s worth noting that Baron Browning, who’s also part of the linebacker scrum, is now seeing time on the edge and has officially set the preseason ablaze. On a roster pinning its hopes on the injury-prone Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory, versatile depth like that is golden.
Offensive Line
Surprising news as seventh-year veteran Graham Glasgow is not in the starting lineup. Glasgow missed most of last season (ankle) and is working as the backup at center and guard. Right guard Quinn Meinerz has been dominant, and left guard Dalton Risner has been even better. Right tackle Billy Turner was taken off the PUP list and will likely earn his starting job back from Calvin Anderson. This line has real depth and sits just outside the Top 10.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
The Broncos have been in desperate search mode for a quarterback since Peyton Manning left in 2016. They’ve been unable to find someone to simply take care of the ball, let alone one who can preside over an aggressive, downfield air attack. Enter Russell Wilson, one of the game’s most accurate deep passers, and already camp is abuzz. “In the end, the idea is to always look for the deep ball," coach Nathaniel Hackett told reporters last week. “Anything down the field.” Coordinator Justin Outten agreed: “When you have one-on-one matchups you want to take advantage of, there’s nothing like [the deep ball] – that’s the best route in football.” For his part, Wilson walked away from joint practices with the Cowboys thrilled with how he and the new offense are progressing. “We’re really far along – it’s impressive to see.” The battle to back Wilson up is in high gear, with annual camp favorite Brett Rypien putting heat on veteran Josh Johnson. Johnson is taking most of the second-team snaps but may need to stand out more on his 11th NFL roster.
Running Backs
We’ve likely already seen all the preseason action (read: none) that Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon will take on. In his eighth NFL camp, Gordon has nothing to prove and a foot injury the team is keeping an eye on. There’s not yet a reason for concern, but it should give the dynamic Williams even more of an avenue to shine. He’s already drawn gushing praise for his blend of quickness and power, but it’s also looking like NFL scouts may have underrated his two-way value in last year’s draft. After catching 43 of his 53 rookie targets, Williams has worked closely with Wilson in the Broncos’ new-look pass game. “It’s been coming along really good,” he updated last week. “…Having Russ back there really helps me out. Coordinator Justin Outten spoke last week of his desire to keep both Williams and Gordon on a “pitch count” of sorts in 2022, presumably to keep both as fresh and healthy as possible. Perhaps he’s spooked by the team’s recent rash of season-ending injuries, two of which have hit reserve backs of his (Damarea Crockett and Tyreik McAllister). Those injuries will almost certainly keep veteran Mike Boone locked firmly into the No. 3 role.
Wide Receivers
The Broncos’ talented receiving corps, finally paired with a strong passer, is by all accounts a hit at camp. There’s so much intriguing depth, even with No. 3 man Tim Patrick lost for the year, that difficult roster decisions are being made down the line. There are several holdovers the team has liked in past camps, like Kendall Hinton and Tyrie Cleveland, and The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider wonders if all the depth will “force” the team to keep reinforcements around. It’s a great problem to have, and it’s made even more complex by the breakout of rookie Montrell Washington. The fifth-rounder may have already locked down the punt-return job, and the Denver Gazette’s George Stoia has noted “a ton of big plays” on offense as well. He may not push a healthy K.J. Hamler as the No. 3 but is in position to pounce if Hamler remains limited. Of course, it’s common knowledge that Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy sit firmly entrenched at the top. Jeudy has opened camp to mixed reviews, and when Patrick went down two weeks ago, coordinator Justin Outten didn’t exactly lavish Jeudy with praise. “It takes multiple guys to replace a guy like Tim,” Outten told reporters. “…With [Jeudy] and anyone else, when an opportunity arises in the room in a competition, pushing for a spot or being the lead guy, that has to be [on] a consistent basis. I think that Jerry has been coming along a lot better than he did in OTAs.” Sutton continues to look like the team’s alpha receiver entering the year. He’s certainly put in the hours building rapport with his new quarterback, and ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes just how crucial Sutton’s contested-ball skills will be with Patrick shelved. “Courtland has been exceptional,” Wilson told media last week. “He has an amazing skill set.”
Tight Ends
With big-bodied No. 3 wideout Tim Patrick shelved by a torn ACL, the team is casting a wide net to replace his role as a big, athletic body over the middle (and in the red zone). It appears that, rather than hitting the free agency market hard, the team may lean on third-year tight end and slot specialist Albert Okwuegbunam in those spots. The wildly athletic Okwuegbunam has seen ample work up the seams and looks like a natural fit in Patrick’s role, with rookie Greg Dulcich starting in the traditional in-line spot (once healthy). Coach Nathaniel Hackett talked up Okwuegbunam last week, focusing on his versatility and “splendid” bounce-back from shaky OTAs.
Defense
The team continues to search for its optimal linebacker rotation, an endeavor that’s seemingly hit every year by camp and early-season injuries. Denver Post’s Ryan O’Halloran seems convinced that Jonas Griffith had locked down one of the inside spots before being lost Saturday to a dislocated elbow. He likely won’t be ready for Week 1, which should push ex-Eagle Alex Singleton into the lineup. The most buzzed-about linebacker in camp right now is versatile second-year man Baron Browning, who’s moving permanently to the outside (if the depth chart will allow it). Browning was a true wrecking ball in the preseason opener, and that playmaking will be crucial as the team navigates an indefinite chunk of time without new signee Randy Gregory.
Returners
Diontae Spencer handled returns for the Broncos in the last three seasons, but with Spencer currently a free agent, fifth-round rookie Montrell Washington is his presumed replacement.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
New franchise cornerstone Russell Wilson continues to thrill onlookers as the team’s first unquestioned starting quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2015. It’s early, but the 33-year-old looks exactly as advertised, leading long stretches of dynamic yet efficient play. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider discussed at the start of camp how Wilson will be expected to control the Broncos’ offensive tempo throughout 2022. New coach Nathaniel Hackett made that clear to the media. “The whole [offense] is based off that QB,” Hackett said. “So how those guys run the practice is how it’s going to look… Once again, it’s all about that quarterback. As fast as he wants to go, I want to go.” That certainly sounds like the “Let Russ Cook” mantra Wilson was denied for years and years in Seattle. Behind him, new signee Josh Johnson, now on his 17th professional roster across four leagues and likely already ahead in the battle for the No. 2 job.
Running Backs
o no one’s surprise, second-year back Javonte Williams opened camp with the first team and opened to strong reviews. SI.com’s Luke Patterson came away from the first week of practice thrilled with Williams’ blend of power and nimble quickness – if a little concerned about his longevity. “He needs 100% raw, physical contact to truly bring out the best in him,” Patterson noted last week. Gordon also impressed, by all accounts, but Williams looks poised to expand on the 50/50 split the two carried last year. The good news for both is that new coach Hackett brings over a long-term profile of using his backs heavily in the pass game, and he’s already spoken openly of his intention to carry that into Denver. “When you add [running backs] into the pass game, they’re so integral,” Hackett said last weekend. “A lot of people don’t know how integral they are because they open up holes for other people, and when holes close, they’re the ones that get the ball. When you get the ball to a back in space, we’re all very excited for that." Down the depth chart, the team lost a camp body when Damarea Crockett tore his ACL last week. It hurts their camp depth, but it was always unlikely a fourth back would stick in the team’s plans behind Williams, Gordon, and Mike Boone.
Wide Receivers
The Denver receiver room was shaken up majorly last week with the news that No. 3 wideout Tim Patrick tore his ACL in practice. The big-bodied Patrick was a serviceable third man for the past two years, catching 104 passes and 11 touchdowns, creating a sizeable hole for others to fill. Many expect third-year speedster, K.J. Hamler, to do just that, but it’s fair to wonder how much of Patrick’s role the 5-foot-9 Hamler can absorb. Hamler talked last week about his struggle to recover from his serious knee and hip injuries from 2021. The team would love to use him as a situational deep threat, but there are only a handful of practice squad-caliber names in-house to replace Patrick. Rookie Montrell Washington flashed as a playmaker, and the team added ex-Packer reserve Darrius Shepherd last week. There aren’t many reinforcements available, but some have whispered Odell Beckham’s name as a potential in-season signing. In the starting lineup, the promising duo of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy continues to work to establish a rhythm with new quarterback Wilson. There have been ups and downs, but the ups have been a sight to behold, per The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider. Last Thursday, Sutton ad-libbed a huge 35-yard fourth-down catch in a red-zone drill, then promptly made a dazzling catch on a trademark Sutton jump-ball. For his part, Jeudy continues to flash on and off in his quest to become what the Broncos expect. He’s long drawn camp and practice praise for his route-running savvy, and this year is no exception, though SI.com’s Luke Patterson remains torn. “I’ve been extremely underwhelmed and frustrated with Jeudy’s inconsistencies throughout the first two weeks of camp,” Patterson cautioned last week.
Tight Ends
Even with Noah Fant gone, the Broncos boast a logjam of young talent at tight end. The mega-athletic Albert Okwuegbunam, essentially a slot receiver in the mold of Fant, is being relied upon for a sizeable role in beating linebackers up the seam. At the same time, third-round rookie Greg Dulcich took a share of first-team snaps during minicamp practices. Dulcich was a receiving threat on all levels of the field at UCLA. And there’s a strong chance both could carve out noticeable roles with big wideout Tim Patrick shelved for the year by ACL surgery. For what it’s worth, 9news.com’s Mike Klis considers Dulcich “may be a more natural receiver” than Okwuegbunam. It’s fair to wonder whether Dulcich can win the starting in-line job, with the slot-hybrid Okwuegbunam working into the Patrick role as a big-bodied slot man.
Defense
By most accounts, the Denver defense consistently wins in camp scrimmages. “I’d say defense, probably, right now,” Hackett said last weekend when asked who’d taken the early lead. “…The defense, because of the carryover from last year, I think those guys all playing together, being around each other longer, I think that has really helped them.” There is plenty of transition taking place at linebacker, with Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith dominating camp snaps on the inside. Both have been regarded as mediocre starters at this point in their careers, and early reviews have been solid. There’s ample potential for high tackle and splash-play numbers in the middle of this active unit.
