2025 NFL Season Preview: Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos (Last Year: 10-7)

2025 NFL Season Preview:

Veteran Additions:
RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Trent Sherfield, TE Evan Engram, LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, P Matt Haack.
Early Draft Picks:
CB Jahdae Barron, RB R.J. Harvey, WR Pat Bryant, OLB Que Robinson. Broncos Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
QB Zach Wilson, RB Javonte Williams, FB Michael Burton, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, LB Cody Barton, LB Zach Cunningham, P Riley Dixon.

2025 Denver Broncos Offense:
Russell Wilson’s tenure in Denver was a complete disaster, but the Broncos managed to recover from it rather quickly. A big part of the reason was Sean Payton being able to coach up his rookie quarterback, Bo Nix. Chosen 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix had a rocky start, but improved as the season progressed. He finished with 29 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions, completing 66.3 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 430 yards and another four touchdowns.

Denver’s top priority this offseason was obtaining some weapons for Nix because the only consistent threat the young quarterback had at his disposal last year was Courtland Sutton. Marvin Mims showed some flashes at times, but isn’t exactly reliable. The Broncos signed Evan Engram to give Nix a secondary option over the middle of the field. Engram is 31, but can still contribute as an intermediate target. The Broncos also used a third-round pick on receiver Pat Bryant, a 6-foot-2 prospect who caught 54 balls for Illinois last year.

The Broncos’ second-round pick was used to help fix the team’s biggest issue, which was the running game. Payton rotated through running backs faster than Jerry Seinfeld switched up girlfriends, and nothing worked. Javonte Williams was an enormous disappointment, but he’s not on the team anyway. Audric Estime probably had the most potential as a fifth-round selection, so Denver’s second-round choice was used on R.J. Harvey. The Central Florida prospect was a tough and dynamic runner in college, but as a former quarterback, he’s a raw runner who has issues with pass protection, so it remains to be seen if Payton will give him a considerable workload to start the season, especially in the wake of the J.K. Dobbins signing. Dobbins has a very checkered injury history, but was terrific for the Chargers in 2024.

Harvey, Dobbins and Nix will benefit from a strong offensive line. All five starters return from last year. The best tandem up front is the duo of tackles, Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey. Bolles can commit one too many penalties at times, but is an outstanding blocker otherwise. McGlinchey missed four games last season, but was superb when on the field for the other 13 contests.

The top player in Denver’s blocking unit is guard Quinn Meinerz, a recent third-round selection. Just 26, Meinerz has a very bright future ahead of him. The rest of the interior is comprised of guard Ben Powers and center Luke Wattenberg. These two players aren’t very exciting, with the latter probably being the worst player up front. However, Wattenberg is just 27, so he could improve. Powers, a former Raven, is very mediocre.

2025 Denver Broncos Defense:
The Broncos have cycled through some miserable quarterbacks since Peyton Manning retired, but they’ve always been able to rely on their defense. Since Manning hung up his cleats, the Broncos ranked in the top 10 of net yards allowed on four occasions.

Denver’s defense was mediocre last year, however, ranking 14th in that department. The team had issues defending the middle of the field, so the Broncos spent multiple resources on improving that area in free agency, signing two former 49ers: Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. Greenlaw missed most of 2024 with a torn Achilles that he suffered during the preceding Super Bowl. Now a year removed from the injury, Greenlaw was expected to return to full strength. Unfortunately for him, he suffered a quad injury during workouts and could miss the initial portion of the 2025 season. Alex Singleton, who only played three games last year because of a torn ACL, will have to take on a larger role despite coming off the injury. One of Drew Sanders or Justin Strnad will have to step up until Greenlaw is healthy. Neither performed well last season.

Hufanga, meanwhile, has dealt with injuries himself. He suffered a torn ACL in 2023 and then missed time with a wrist issue last year. If Hufanga can remain on the field, he’ll continue to be a dynamic, play-making force the Broncos desperately needed at safety next to Brandon Jones. Hufanga being healthy would give the Broncos two excellent safeties, as Jones was terrific in coverage last year.

The Broncos also addressed cornerback, doing so in the draft. Many thought they would use their first-round pick on a running back, but Denver drafted Jahdae Barron instead. The Texas product is capable of playing all over the secondary, but is expected to start across from the elite Patrick Surtain II. Riley Moss, a 2023 third-round pick, who had some bright moments last year.

As for the defensive line and the edge rushers, the Broncos didn’t address those areas outside of using third- and fourth-round picks on them. Denver didn’t really need to improve those spots, as the three-man defensive line is stellar. John Franklin-Myers was a great addition last season, as he and Zach Allen tallied a combined 15.5 sacks, an impressive number considering their position. They’ll continue to sandwich D.J. Jones, who was re-signed this spring.

Denver got most of its pass-rushing production from its edge rush. Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto are an excellent tandem of outside linebackers, combining for 24 sacks last year. Dondrea Tillman, who collected five sacks last year despite playing about a quarter of the snaps, will be the next man up if either Cooper or Bonitto gets injured.

2025 Denver Broncos Schedule and Intangibles:
The thin Denver air creates a hostile environment for opponents, which explains why it had an NFL-best 77-18 home record from 1995 to 2005. The team tailed off after that, but has since reestablished its great home-field advantage. In the Peyton Manning era, the Broncos were 32-6 as hosts, including the playoffs. Denver struggled as a host since Manning’s retirement, so we’ll see if it regains that with Sean Payton. The early results are promising, as Denver went 6-2 at home last year.

Wil Lutz followed Payton from New Orleans to Denver. Lutz did well in his first season with the Broncos, hitting 30-of-34 attempts, including 3-of-5 from 50-plus. Last year, he nailed 31-of-34 tries, including 5-of-7 from beyond 50.

Riley Dixon ranked in the middle of the pack as far as net average is concerned. However, he did a great job of pinning the opposition inside the 20.

The Broncos have some very easy games outside of the division. They get to take on the Titans, Colts, Cowboys, and Giants. They also have to battle the Eagles, Redskins, Packers, and Texans, however.

2025 Denver Broncos Rookies:
Go here for the Broncos Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.

2025 Denver Broncos Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):

Quarterbacks	Offensive Line	Secondary
Running Backs	Defensive Line	Special Teams
Receivers	Linebackers	Coaching

2025 Denver Broncos Analysis: The Broncos certainly were not one of the worst teams in the NFL last year. They shocked many by winning 10 games, though they didn’t beat a single opponent classified in Group A or Group B in the NFL Power Rankings, save for when the Chiefs sat their starters. That said, the Broncos will be better this year, even if their record doesn’t show it. They have an excellent defense and a stout offensive line, and Nix should improve with experience and an enhanced group of weapons.

Projection: 10-7 (2nd in AFC West)

2024 Projection: 2-15. 2024 Actual Result: 10-7.
2023 Projection: 8-9. 2023 Actual Result: 8-9.
2022 Projection: 12-5. 2022 Actual Result: 5-12.
2021 Projection: 9-8. 2021 Actual Result: 7-10.
2020 Projection: 8-8. 2020 Actual Result: 5-11.
2019 Projection: 7-9. 2019 Actual Result: 7-9.
2018 Projection: 8-8. 2018 Actual Result: 6-10.
2017 Projection: 7-9. 2017 Actual Result: 5-11.
2016 Projection: 7-9. 2016 Actual Result: 9-7.

NFL Draft Team Grade: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: Sean Payton said it – his team needs to upgrade the lackluster running game. Denver’s roster is stacked, but running back and No. 2 receiver are the two glaring positions of need. With so few needs, Denver could trade up for Ashton Jeanty.

2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Broncos shocked everyone when they passed on all the second-tier running backs at No. 20 and selected Jahdae Barron instead. This was the correct decision, as an upgrade at cornerback is much more impactful, especially when considering that viable running backs can be found in any round.

Denver used its next pick on a running back, though R.J. Harvey was a reach at No. 60. Wide receiver Pat Bryant was an even greater reach 14 picks later. Bryant was a sixth-round prospect at best, so it’s unclear why the Broncos used a second-day selection on him.

The Broncos made some nice choices on Saturday, particularly with their two edge rushers, Sai’Vion Jones and Que Robinson. However, they weren’t enough to make up for the two blunders Denver made on Friday night. The Broncos had great momentum from free agency, but this underwhelming draft class put that to a halt.

NFL Draft Individual Grades:

20. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas – A+ Grade

This isn’t one of Denver’s biggest needs, but it was a need. We saw a lack of cornerback depth during the Monday night shootout against Jameis Winston. The running backs were widely projected, but running backs can be safely obtained on Day 2. Getting one of the top corners in the class at No. 20 when he was being discussed in the top 10 is amazing value. Great pick!

60. R.J. Harvey, RB, Central Florida – D Grade

The Broncos could have drafted a viable running back earlier, but they messed around and that caused them to miss out on all the talented players at the position. R.J. Harvey, a former quarterback, was projected as a fourth-round prospect, so this is a reach

74. Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois – MILLEN Grade

I have to give a Millen grade to the first pick who didn’t make it into my mock draft, and that would be this one. Pat Bryant was seen as a sixth-round prospect at best, so this is a mega reach. The Broncos needed a receiver, but there were many superior wideouts available.

101. Sai’Vion Jones, DE, LSU – A- Grade

Sai’Vion Jones entered college with high upside with his great athleticism. He then didn’t accomplish much in college and was seen as a disappointment, but he thrived in the Senior Bowl. The Broncos didn’t really need an edge rusher, but no team can ever have enough players to rush the passer.

134. Que Robinson, DE/OLB, Alabama – B- Grade

I had Que Robinson going in the sixth round in most updates, so I don’t like this from a value perspective, but I appreciate the Broncos adding to their pass rush. They clearly watched the Super Bowl and will need to emulate what the Eagles did to take down Patrick Mahomes.

216. Jeremy Crawshaw, P, Florida – B Grade

Teams sometimes draft punters in the third or fourth round. That’s dumb. Doing so makes so much sense in the sixth round. The Broncos needed to fill this need.

241. Caleb Lohner, TE, Utah – B Grade

The Broncos signed Evan Engram, but were still expected to draft a tight end because of Evan Engram’s age. Caleb Lohner has some upside as an athletic former basketball player.

Follow me @walterfootball for updates.