The Denver Broncos have made some steady improvements and hope to get back to their winning ways in 2021. The roster is solid throughout, as the Broncos have a top defense and the weapons on offense to be a problem for their opponents. This is an important season for Denver, as it will depict the direction of the franchise for the future.

They play in a tough AFC West Division, as the Kansas City Chiefs are a top-three team, the Los Angeles Chargers have made vast improvements to their roster, and the Las Vegas Raiders are in the mix too.

Denver will need a handful of players to step up and take on larger roles to find success next season. The stars are aligning for the Broncos to reclaim the West once again, but they'll have to prove it throughout the year. With that said, here are three potential breakout players for the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL season.

KJ Hamler

Currently listed as the WR4 on ESPN, KJ Hamler could be the Broncos X-Factor. He's a slick route runner with solid hands and could become a serious threat out of the slot. With Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy locking down the outside, and Noah Fant playing as the tight end, Hamler could find himself open frequently.

He'll have to earn that spot on the roster though, as Tim Patrick won't be willing to give up playing time. In fact, Sutton, Jeudy, and Patrick make up for a deadly trio of their own, with Jeudy serving as the slot. Look for things to heat up during training camp, as Hamler aims to take a starting job away from Patrick.

Patrick Surtain II

The Denver Broncos first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Patrick Surtain II was listed as a top-three cornerback prospect this year and should make some noise immediately. He'll likely rotate into the starting lineup, getting most of his chances whenever Denver is running a nickel package.

Even so, Surtain II has the talent to be a premier cornerback in the NFL. He's a polished defender that covers receivers well, plays the ball aggressively, and is a good open-field tackler. Look for the Broncos rookie cornerback to produce right away in a defense that suits his playing style.

Drew Lock

Drew Lock is on the hot seat as he'll have to prove his worth this offseason. The front office brought in Teddy Bridgewater, and there are still rumors the team is interested in trading for Aaron Rodgers. However, if Rodgers isn't traded, Lock will have a position battle against Bridgewater to see who plays as the starting quarterback in Denver.

If that's the case, this should be Lock's position to lose. He's already familiar with the playbook and the coaching staff likes his work ethic. Drew Lock has also built a report with his offense which bodes well for his chances of earning the starting spot.

Lock has been shaky to start his NFL career, but many of his issues are coachable. It's important to remember that some quarterbacks need extra time to develop at the professional level. Eli Manning took a few years to become a starting-caliber quarterback, as well as Josh Allen, who ended up being a breakout player in the 2020 season. Keep a close eye on this quarterback battle. If Lock wins the job outright, he could make a big leap in production this coming season.