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The Denver Broncos' busy offseason has vaulted them firmly into a playoffs-or-bust mindset heading into the 2022 season. But a couple additional moves could turn this team into true Super Bowl contenders.
Coming into the offseason, the Broncos had several glaring needs; not least of which was at the sport's most critical position. But then, GM George Patton traded for former Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. Wilson gives the Broncos a definitive answer at a position that has been a revolving door for Denver since Peyton Manning's retirement following the 2015 Super Bowl-winning season—the last time Denver made the playoffs. Wilson brings experience and a track record of success. He has a 113-60-1 career record as a starter, and he's been to two Super Bowls; winning one.
The Broncos also doled out $70 million to free agent edge rusher Randy Gregory. The former Cowboy's surprise change of heart addressed Denver's second biggest need coming into this offseason. Having traded Von Miller midway through the 2021 season, along with Bradley Chubb's injury history and Malik Reed hitting free agency, the Broncos needed to bring in a guy who can get after the quarterback. Gregory can do just that. His six sacks last year tied a career high.
Other additions like defensive tackle D.J. Jones and right tackle Billy Turner add much-needed depth in the trenches. But if the Broncos want to be considered Super Bowl contenders in a stacked AFC, they still have work to do. Let's look at two more moves the Broncos must make to ensure a successful debut season for Russell Wilson in orange and blue.
1. Address depth at running back…and keep it in house!
Javonte Williams had a standout rookie season, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards while splitting carries with Melvin Gordon. He is the future at the position for Denver, but in today's NFL, you need a capable second back. Gordon's a free agent, but the Broncos should do all they can to bring him back. Since joining Denver in 2020, Gordon has produced two of his most efficient seasons while sharing the workload with first Phillip Lindsay and then Williams. He averaged 4.6 and 4.5 yards per carry in 2020 and 2021 respectively, the second- and third-highest averages of his career. Gordon also added 10 total touchdowns in each of his first two years in Denver.
While he's not the cheapest option at the position, a one- or two-year deal would benefit Denver. Gordon's a good mentor for Williams, and having two capable backs provides insurance in case of injury to either one. Gordon also played with Russell Wilson at Wisconsin in 2011. Maybe Wilson can do more recruiting to get Gordon on a team-friendly deal.
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2. Address depth at cornerback…and keep it in house?
Denver figured to have one of the deepest cornerback groups in football last year after signing Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby, and drafting Patrick Surtain II. But Fuller's underwhelming performance and Bryce Callahan's injury woes hampered the secondary at times. And while the Broncos still put up the eighth-best pass defense in the league thanks in large part to Surtain's breakout rookie year, they need to ensure a deep secondary to help stop three formidable offensive attacks in the AFC West.
Fuller and Callahan are free agents. Fuller's return can be all but ruled out after his struggles last year. But Callahan could be a good option for a one-year deal. The Broncos still have plenty of cap space, and while they may have to overpay to keep Callahan, he can be an above average slot corner when healthy. Injuries have limited him to 21 games in two seasons with Denver, but he was effective when healthy.
If they want a cheaper option, the Broncos can look to the draft. Even after trading for Wilson, Denver holds 10 picks in 2022. They could look to Houston's Marcus Jones or Baylor's Jalen Pitre in the second or third round as instant-impact guys. Either way, they'll need to add at least one more piece to an already solid, but relatively shallow defensive back group.
The Broncos have made a few big splashes this offseason, and GM George Patton looks to be building something in Denver. But re-signing Melvin Gordon and adding another capable cornerback could turn this team into a Super Bowl contender.
