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2009 Team Report: Denver Broncos

Quarterbacks

Starter: Kyle Orton
Backup(s): Chris Simms, Tom Brandstater [R]

Starting QB: Kyle Orton enters the 2009 season as the new starting QB for the Denver Broncos -- if he can beat out Chris Simms. Orton was playing good football at the beginning of the 2008 season until an ankle injury in Week 9 sidelined him for a game and a half. By all accounts Orton should have shut it down for more time, but he battled back and played through the injury. Under QB guru and new head coach Josh McDaniels, Orton could have the best season of his career. In Chicago he threw for almost 20 TDs with players like Brandon Lloyd, Devin Hester, and Rashied Davis. He gets an upgrade in weapons with the Broncos and will be protected better by bookend tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris. The Broncos may want to feature new RB Knowshon Moreno, but if the defense doesn't improve drastically they will be forced to air it out.

Backup QB: Chris Simms ruptured his spleen in a Week 3 game against the Panthers in 2006 when he was the starter for Tampa Bay. The rest of that season as well as the entirety of 2007 was lost due to that injury. He was released by the Bucs in 2008 but ended up signing with the Tennessee Titans where he backed up Kerry Collins. The Denver Broncos signed him to a 2-year, 6-million dollar contract in March of 2009. So far in Denver he has impressed coaches at mini camp with his strong arm. Many expect Simms to be the backup behind Kyle Orton, but if he performs well enough in training camp he could win the starting job. Sixth-round pick Tom Brandstater is going to be a project for the same coach that made Matt Cassel a franchise player. He is a big, strong armed QB that can effectively run bootlegs, but he needs to work on reading a defense.

Running Backs

Starter: Knowshon Moreno [R]
Backup(s): Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, Darius Walker, Ryan Torain
Fullback(s): Peyton Hillis

Starting RB: With the 12th pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Broncos surprised many by selecting Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno. This bold pick is an indication that Moreno will be the workhorse for the Broncos this season. Head Coach Josh McDaniels went out of his way to complement on Moreno's complete skill set, highlighting the fact that he was excellent in pass protection as well as receiving and running. Moreno is similar to Clinton Portis with his style of play. Denver hasn't had a special RB since the days of Portis, and Broncos fans would certainly love if Moreno can put up 1,500 yard rushing seasons the way Portis did while in Denver. With questions at the QB position the Broncos may be more run-oriented than the offense that McDaniels ran in New England. A consistent ground game can also run time off the clock and keep the Broncos' suspect defense off the field.

Backup RBs: The Broncos brought in several RBs, who many thought would compete for the starting job. Now, with Knowshon Moreno on the team, these backs will by vying for backup duty. Correll Buckhalter is the favorite to win the No. 2 job and could fill in nicely and make some big plays the same way he did in Philadelphia when he was backing up Brian Westbrook. Darius Walker was signed when the Broncos became concerned about J.J. Arrington's knee. Arrington was cut so we could see Walker play on some passing downs when Moreno needs a breather. LaMont Jordan has familiarity with this offense from last season when he was with the Patriots. He could be a nice goalline back for the team with his size and power. Ryan Torain still hasn't fully recovered from his torn ACL and is on the roster bubble.

Fullback: Peyton Hillis is not a traditional fullback but rather a multi-purpose back that can be used in any number of ways. With all the RBs already on the roster Hillis may be the forgotten man when it comes to getting carries. However, he showed that he can be a very good receiver out of the backfield and could be a pass catching option on third downs. Hillis may also beat out LaMont Jordan as the goalline back.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal
Backups: Brandon Stokley, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny McKinley [R]

Starting WRs: Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal form one of the most exciting WR tandems in the league and are both potential Top 25 fantasy receivers. Last year Marshall ranked as the No. 11 fantasy WR and Royal checked in at No. 20. Things are quite different for the duo entering the 2009 season. QB Jay Cutler was moved to Chicago, and at this time it looks like Kyle Orton will be leading the team. Head Coach Josh McDaniels is looking to turn Marshall and Royal into Moss and Welker for Patriots West. Orton is not a franchise QB like Cutler, but under McDaniels this team could become more efficient in the red zone as last year they ranked No. 17 in points scored. With a running game led by Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos could have more sustained drives and more success inside the 20-yard line. This could translate into more scoring opportunities for Marshall and Royal.

Backup WRs: Brandon Stokley is still one of the best possession receivers in the game, but he is getting up there in age. He was targeted 85 times last year and will still be an important part of the passing game, although his numbers should take a slight downturn. One of the reasons for his reduced production could be Jabar Gaffney. He has experience with Coach McDaniels from their time together in New England but may only get on the field with the Broncos go with 4-WR sets. Kenny McKinley broke many of Sterling Sharpe's records while at South Carolina. He is a quick receiver that can get to top speed, but durability is a concern.

Tight Ends

Starters: Daniel Graham
Backups: Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn [R]

Daniel Graham is known as one of the best blocking TEs in the league, but in 2008 he flashed some of the receiving ability that made him a Mackey Award-winning TE in college. Protecting the QB is paramount so Graham may be used less as a receiver than he was last season. The Broncos were rumored to have been shopping Tony Scheffler before the NFL Draft. He is the best receiving option out of all the TEs on the roster and could even line up split out wide. Richard Quinn was a surprise second-round pick for the Broncos in the 2009 NFL Draft. With only 12 career receptions Quinn was not a featured part of the Tar Heels offense. He was considered to be the second-best blocking TE in this draft behind Brandon Pettigrew. The Broncos selected him to be the eventual replacement for Graham. Quinn could see some playing time when the Broncos go with two-TE sets in the red zone but shouldn't be much of a fantasy factor.

Place Kicker

Matt Prater : The Broncos decision to go with unproven Matt Prater looked brilliant during the first half of 2008, as he missed only two kicks and showed his extremely strong leg. But the misses started piling up and the kickoffs started fading in the second half of the year. Prater ended up hitting 25 of 34 (73.5 percent) on field goals and 39 of 40 on PATs. The Broncos finished only 19th in kicker scoring despite ranking 8th in opportunities. Prater faces several challenges in 2009. He'll face competition for the job. Even if he keeps the job, will the offense under new coaches and a new system produce scoring opportunities as well as under the previous regime, and if so how quickly?

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Correll Buckhalter, Chad Jackson, Peyton Hillis, Eddie Royal, Lamont Jordan, Alphonso Smith, David Grimes, Travis Shelton

Although he is certainly capable of handling kickoff returns, WR Eddie Royal probably won't do so this year since he will be busy on offense and handling punt returns. The same situation applied last year, however he ended up returning kickoffs at the end of the year( 23 returns, 26.1 avg.), after the rest of the team ended up on injured reserve. The kickoff returner role is open to a handful of candidates. It could also end up being a Patriot-esque KR by committee affair. Free agent acquisition RB Correll Buckhalter averaged 21.6 yards on 37 returns in 2007 for Philadelphia. He's reliable and steady, but is not a homerun threat. WR Chad Jackson averaged 20.3 yards on his eight returns last year. RB Peyton Hillis produced even less, averaging only 16.3 yards on four returns. RB Lamont Jordan returned kicks periodically for the Jets (14 returns, 20.3 avg. in 2004). Second round draft pick CB Alphonso Smith averaged 22.0 yards on five kickoff returns for Wake Forest last year. Two undrafted rookie wide receivers also have kickoff return experience. David Grimes averaged 23.6 yards during his first two years at Notre Dame. Travis Shelton led the nation with a 31.3 yard average last year and scored once. He also set the record for career kickoff return yardage at Temple.

Punt Returners: Eddie Royal, Alphonso Smith, Nate Swift, Champ Bailey

In his final year at Virginia Tech, WR Eddie Royal averaged 14.7 yards on 31 punt returns and scored twice. In his rookie season last year he averaged 10.0 yards on 14 returns. New head coach Josh McDaniels indicated that Royal will continue to serve as the primary punt returner. Alphonso Smith averaged 7.6 yards on punt returns during his collage career. Undrafted rookie WR Nate Swift averaged 12.9 yards on punt returns and scored once for Nebraska last year. CB Champ Bailey has experience returning punts, although 2002 was the last time he did so. The Broncos have been mired near the bottom of the fantasy return rankings the last five years (28th, 26th, 29th, 31st, and 26th).

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Ryan Clady, LG Ben Hamilton, C Casey Wiegmann, RG Chris Kuper, RT Ryan Harris
Key Backups: T Brandon Gorin, G Mitch Erickson, G Seth Olsen [R], C Kory Lichtensteiger

The Broncos offensive line has been very good for a long time. In fact, since Mike Shanahan arrived as head coach, the Broncos have been a Top 10 offensive line no matter which changes they made. Last season, the club went with three very raw but talented youngsters, and they responded with a very good season. The club averaged 4.8 YPC and the offensive line gave up only one sack every 51.7 passing attempts. With Mike Shanahan losing his job this season, now we will get to see how much was the offensive system in place and how much was the talent of the players. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle so expect a small downturn for this unit in 2009, but the offensive line will still rank among the top half of the league. Having veteran Casey Wiegmann as the center really helps to stabilize this group.

Team Defense

There weren't many defenses worse than the Broncos last season -- 29th in total D, 30th in scoring D, 26th against the pass and 27th versus the run, 26th in sacks and dead last with only 13 takeaways. Denver tinkered with a 3-4 last year and now that Josh McDaniels is at the helm they are making the switch official. Anytime a team makes this transition there is both a learning curve and a period of personnel adjustment. The coaches will try Elvis Dumervil and rookie Robert Ayers at the all important OLB positions. Although they seem to have the skill set to make the move, nothing is certain. In the secondary Journeymen Andre Goodman and Renaldo Hill will start at corner and SS respectively while the FS position will be turned over to 36-year old Brian Dawkins. The DL lacks 3-4 type players as well. In fact the only position that seems solid is ILB where D.J. Williams will pair with former Browns starter Andra Davis. This unit can't be much worse than last year's but there is no reason to believe they will be a lot better either.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Robert Ayers [R], NT Ronald Fields, DE Kenny Peterson
Backups: DE Matthias Askew, DE Rulon Davis, DT J'Vonne Parker, DT Marcus Thomas, DT Carlton Powell

Starting DL: The Broncos are planning to move to a hybrid 4-3/3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan this season, but the pieces up front are anything but set. Prior to the draft, the team was using Matthias Askew and Kenny Peterson at end. Neither player has much experience in this scheme or in the NFL. After taking Robert Ayers with a first round pick in the draft, the team appears to be set to use him as a defensive end in the 3-4 looks and linebacker in some nickel packages. However, the lack of talent up front could force the Broncos to use more 4-3 looks with hybrid end-linebacker players like Elvis Dumervil, Tim Crowder and Darrell Reid assuming roles on the line again. Ronald Fields was signed away from San Francisco in free agency, where Nolan used him as a reserve nose tackle. Fields will have to beat out a number of potentials, but is the favorite to start at the nose in training camp.

Backup DL: Marcus Thomas will get a look both inside and outside during OTAs, and could rotate at both positions. He may not be the space eating nose Josh McDaniels is looking for, but he could survive as a poor man's Jay Ratliff if motivated. Matthias Askew, Rulon Davis, J'Vonne Parker and Carlton Powell will all compete for rotational time, but none are likely to surprise and become NFL starting caliber players in a 3-4.

Linebackers

Starters: OLB Elvis Dumervil, RILB D.J. Williams, LILB Andra Davis, OLB Darrell Reid
Backups: LB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Jarvis Moss, LB Boss Bailey, LB Spencer Larsen, LB Nick Griesen

Starting LBs: The inside linebacker positions look to be set, with D.J. Williams manning the playmaking WILB position for Nolan. He'll have all kinds of tackle opportunity given the lack of elite talent surrounding him. Andra Davis was signed in free agency and should win the SILB job. He's been an underrated run stopper in Cleveland in recent seasons, but will struggle to hold his own in coverage and may not stay on the field in nickel packages. The outside linebacker positions will be up for competition this summer, and it's likely the team will use some kind of rotation. During the first OTAs, Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid ran with the first team. Dumervil will likely struggle to make the transition and may never be effective as a run stopper or pass rusher from a two point stance. He may fit best as a situational rusher. Reid will convert from being a three-technique defensive tackle in Indianapolis to playing OLB for Nolan. He may be successful in pass rush, but faces a steep learning curve to fit as an every-down 3-4 OLB. Expect Robert Ayers and possibly Jarvis Moss to see time outside as well.

Backup LBs: Wes Woodyard filled in well for an injured D.J. Williams last season, but finds himself the odd man out again with Andra Davis now on the roster. He'll back up Williams at the WILB position, but may get playing time in some of the nickel subpackages. Spencer Larsen will back up Davis, as well as see time as a FB on offense and provide special teams help. Boss Bailey could fit at any of the four linebacker positions if healthy, though limitations in all phases and durability questions will keep him from seeing significant playing time. Jarvis Moss will have to show last season's glimmers of pass rushing ability from a two point stance were not a fluke to keep his roster spot.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Champ Bailey, SS Brian Dawkins, FS Renaldo Hill, CB Andre Goodman
Backups: CB Alphonso Smith [R], CB Josh Bell, S Josh Barrett, S Vernon Fox, S Darcel McBath [R], S David Bruton [R]

Starting DBs: The Broncos revamped their secondary this offseason and enter camp with three new veteran starters to line up with Champ Bailey. Brian Dawkins was signed away from Philadelphia to give the team a physical presence it hasn't had since John Lynch's play began to decline. Dawkins thrived in the Eagles' big play scheme, but may be tasked with more run support duties in Denver. He'll play alongside another veteran cover safety in Renaldo Hill, who should hold off a host of young talent for at least the 2009 season. Bailey's play remains solid, and he'll again be tested this season unless the pass rush improves significantly. Andre Goodman parlayed a five interception season in Miami last year into a 25 million dollar contract and will start at the other corner position.

Backup DBs: Alphonso Smith was one of the better cover corner prospects in the draft and the Broncos were happy to find him still on the board in the second round of this season's draft. He'll be a heavy favorite to hold down the nickel corner role immediately and will be a welcome hedge if either starting corner would go down with injury. Big, run supporting safety Josh Barrett saw some playing time at strong safety last season, but will move back into a reserve role. He was seeing some time in nickel packages early in OTAs. Denver also grabbed Darcel McBath, an excellent cover safety prospect with some run support ability, and David Bruton, a big safety similar to Josh Barrett, in the middle rounds of the draft. All three young talents will be brought along by the veteran starters.

Last modified: 2009-06-07 14:27:27