After averaging a paltry 19.2 points per game over the three seasons of Vic Fangio’s tenure, Denver’s offense needed a dramatic change in 2022 in order to contend in the high-powered AFC West. Enter quarterback Russell Wilson, who is expected to make the Broncos’ offense fun again. With a future Hall of Fame quarterback at the helm, in conjunction with coach Nathaniel Hackett’s new playbook, the Broncos should be more explosive than the Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock and Pat Shurmur combination of a year ago. The question now becomes: Will the Broncos have enough first-year offensive chemistry to outscore the rest of the AFC West?

Quarterback

Russell Wilson | 3

5-11, 215, 33, 11th season, Wisconsin/N.C. State

The renewed hopes of Broncos Country rest almost entirely on Russ’s confident shoulders. After coming to Denver in a blockbuster trade in March, Wilson has his teammates and fans amped for a second act similar to Peyton Manning’s. GM George Paton is betting on that, too.

Brett Rypien | 4

6-2, 202, 26, 4th season, Boise State

Rypien has been with the Broncos for three years after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State. He appeared in one game last year, throwing two passes, and won his one start against the Jets in 2020. He beat out Josh Johnson for the backup QB spot.

Running back

Javonte Williams | 33

5-10, 220, 22, 2nd season, North Carolina

Williams’ rookie season left Broncos fans wanting more after he rushed for 903 yards and led the league in missed tackles. He’ll be the Broncos’ featured back this season, and if he stays healthy, can surpass the 1,000-yard mark while complementing Wilson’s arm.

Melvin Gordon | 25

6-1, 215, 29, 8th season, Wisconsin

After splitting the load exactly 50/50 with Williams last year — each tailback got 203 carries — Gordon knows he’ll be the clear second option in 2022. The Broncos will need him on third down, and will inevitably need some throwback Flash touchdown runs to spark them.

Mike Boone | 26

5-10, 206, 27, 5th season, Clemson

A preseason quad injury derailed Boone’s first year in Denver when he finished with just four rushes for 35 yards and played only 39% of the special teams snaps. He’ll again see very few carries if Gordon and Williams remain healthy, but should contribute more on special teams.

Wide receiver

Jerry Jeudy | 10

6-1, 193, 23, 3rd season, Alabama

Jeudy’s rookie season was something to build on with 52 catches on 856 yards and two touchdowns, but instead he went in reverse in Year 2. A high ankle sprain limited him, and he finished with zero touchdowns. Expect a more explosive and dynamic Jeudy in 2022.

Tyrie Cleveland | 16

6-2, 205, 24, 3rd season, Florida

After playing about half the team’s special teams snaps over the past two seasons, Cleveland has shown progression as a wideout. That, along with his status as a core special teams player, enabled him to make the team despite missing all of August with a throat injury.

Wide receiver

Courtland Sutton | 14

6-4, 216, 26, 5th season, Southern Methodist

In coming back off an ACL tear last year, Sutton had 58 catches for 776 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be option 1B alongside Jeudy, and Sutton should see his touchdown total spike with Wilson throwing him the ball in Hackett’s new offense.

Jalen Virgil | 17

6-1, 210, 24, Rookie, Appalachian State

Virgil became the team’s 18th undrafted rookie to make the initial 53-man over the last 19 seasons. A strong preseason (nine catches for 180 yards over three games) and his ability to contribute to special teams, perhaps as the backup returner, solidified Virgil’s case.

Wide receiver

KJ Hamler | 1

5-9, 178, 22, 3rd season, Penn State

After hamstring injuries limited him as a rookie, Hamler’s promising second season was derailed by an ACL tear in Week 3. Following surgery and a grueling offseason rehab, Hamler sat out some of the preseason as a precaution, but the Broncos expect him to break out.

Montrell Washington | 12

5-10, 170, 23, Rookie, Samford

The Broncos drafted Washington in the fifth round (No. 162 overall) after the FCS star caught the team’s attention during the draft process with dominating tape against Florida. He’ll be the team’s primary return man, but he’s also demonstrated the ability to make tough catches.

Tight end

Albert Okwuegbunam | 87

6-5, 258, 23, 3rd season, Missouri

With Noah Fant gone to Seattle as part of the Wilson trade, the time is now for Okwuegbunam, who had 33 catches for 330 yards and two TDs last year in his return from an ACL tear that ended his rookie season. The Broncos believe he can be a vertical and red zone threat.

Eric Saubert | 82

6-5, 253, 28, 6th season, Drake

The veteran presence in the tight end room, Saubert appeared in all 17 games in his first year with Denver in 2021, playing 27% of the offensive snaps and 74% of the special teams snaps. He will again be a core special teams player and he can do more than block on offense.

Eric Tomlinson | 87

6-6, 263, 30, 7th season, UTEP

Denver signed Tomlinson on a one-year deal, and he brings more veteran experience to the room alongside Eric Saubert. Tomlinson has played for the Jets, Patriots, Giants, Raiders and most recently the Ravens in ’21. He has 18 career catches for 201 yards and one TD.

Greg Dulcich | 80

6-4, 245, 22, Rookie, UCLA

Denver’s highest-drafted offensive player this year was selected at No. 80 overall. He missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury, and begins the season on short-term IR. Once healthy, he’s expected to be a one-two punch alongside Okwuegbunam.

Andrew Beck | 83

6-3, 225, 26, 4th season, Texas

Versatile, athletic and physical, Beck profiles as a tight end/fullback hybrid. In 38 games across three seasons, he’s been mostly a blocker and core special teams player. He had nine catches for 90 yards and one TD in 2019, but no receptions since then.

Left tackle

Garett Bolles | 72

6-5, 300, 30, 6th season, Utah

After establishing himself with second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 that led to a four-year contract extension, Bolles was dependable in 14 games in 2021. He’ll be the anchor of the Broncos’ line again this year and, most importantly, the protector of Wilson’s blindside.

Calvin Anderson | 76

6-5, 300, 26, 4th season, Texas

He made two spot starts in 2020 and three in the same role last year for Bolles. Anderson’s proven to be a dependable backup swing tackle in his tenure with the Broncos, but has been unable to crack the starting lineup. He’ll be good insurance if Bolles gets injured.

Left guard

Dalton Risner | 66

6-5, 312, 27, 4th season, Kansas State

The Wiggins product has been a staple on the left side of the Broncos’ line since he was a rookie, and will again be counted on in 2022. He’s been durable, starting 47 of 49 possible games over three years, and his continued improvement could be a boon to the tailbacks.

Center

Lloyd Cushenberry | 79

6-3, 212, 24, 3rd season, Louisiana State

Cushenberry was one of two rookies in the NFL to play every snap in 2020, and then he followed that by playing 16 games last year, missing his first game due to COVID. He missed some of the preseason due to a knee injury, with Graham Glasgow snapping in his place.

Luke Wattenberg | 60

6-5, 300, 24, Rookie, Washington

The Broncos’ fifth-round pick (No. 171 overall) this year, Wattenberg parlayed a consistent camp into a spot on the initial roster. He provides interior depth on the line behind Cushenberry, and could also back up right guard or left guard if he’s needed there, too.

Right guard

Quinn Meinerz | 77

6-3, 320, 22, 2nd season, Wisconsin-Whitewater

The Broncos drafted Meinerz in the third round a year ago and he’s faced, and adjusted to, the steep learning curve of coming from Division III to the NFL. He played in 15 games last year, starting nine, and did enough to earn the starting job from an injured Glasgow.

Graham Glasgow | 61

6-6, 310, 29, 6th season, Michigan

Glasgow’s second season in Denver ended with a fractured ankle in Week 9, which gave way to Meinerz taking the starting job. The veteran restructured his deal (and took a pay cut) to re-up for another season in Denver; he’s the primary backup at all three interior spots.

Right tackle

Billy Turner | 57

6-5, 310, 30, 9th season, North Dakota State

The veteran who spent three years in Miami, Denver and Green Bay returned to the Broncos on a one-year deal. He missed training camp and most of the preseason recovering from a knee scope, but the Broncos hope he can bring stability to the revolving door at right tackle.

Cam Fleming | 73

6-6, 320, 29, 9th season, Stanford

Fleming was a two-time Super Bowl champion across four seasons in New England, where he appeared in 47 games with 20 starts. He also has experience with the Cowboys and Giants, and the veteran will be Turner’s primary backup after losing the preseason battle.

Kicker

Brandon McManus | 8

6-3, 201, 31, 9th year, Temple

Currently the longest-tenured Broncos player and the last remaining member from Super Bowl 50, McManus had an 83.8 field goal percentage last year (26-of-31). He’s the second-most accurate kicker in franchise history at 82.7%, behind Matt Prater’s 82.9%.