After an underwhelming performance last season, Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a major change to the offense, parting ways with nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and drafting rookie Bo Nix to finally fill the gap left behind byPeyton Manning’s retirement following the 2015 season. Will Nix end the quarterback curse that has plagued the franchise? Only time will tell. Outside of the quarterback position, there are a few young players who have the potential to cement themselves as key figures on offense. Here’s a look at the projected two-deep:
Quarterback
Bo Nix | 10
6-foot-2, 217 pounds, 24 years old, Rookie, Oregon/Auburn
After a shaky stint at Auburn, Nix transferred to Oregon, where he became the program’s all-time leader in completion percentage (74.9%) and the seventh quarterback in school history to be drafted in the first round when the Broncos selected him 12th overall. Nix started 61 career games in college, one of the many reasons that led to his arrival in Denver.
Jarrett Stidham | 8
6-3, 215, 27, 6th season, Auburn
Near the end of last season, Stidham was thrown into the fire after Payton named him the starter for the final two games after the benching of 9-time Pro Bowl selection Russell Wilson. Stidham threw for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as the Broncos split the two games.
Running back
Javonte Williams | 33
5-10, 221, 24, 4th season, North Carolina
Williams rushed for 774 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 3.6 yards per attempt in 2023. Williams — an unrestricted free agent in 2025 — lost 11 pounds during the offseason with the hope of better production this fall
Jaleel McLaughlin | 38
5-7, 187, 23, 2nd season, Youngstown State
As a rookie, McLaughlin showcased his potential as a versatile offensive weapon. He rushed for 410 yards while catching 31 passes for 160 yards in 17 games (three starts). If McLaughlin can improve as a pass protector, his playing time could increase.
Audric Estime | 37
5-11, 227, 20, Rookie, Notre Dame
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said Estime might have the biggest arms he has seen from a running back, and he might be right. Estime’s Hulk-like build allowed him to run over defenders for the Fighting Irish in 2023, rushing for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
Courtland Sutton | 14
6-4, 216, 28, 7th season, Southern Methodist
In 2023, Sutton posted a career-best 10 touchdown catches after recording 14 in his first five seasons in Denver. Sutton, however, hasn’t reached 1,000 receiving yards in a single season since 2019, when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Devaughn Vele | 81
6-5, 210, 26, Rookie, Utah
The 26-year-old was one of the best players in training camp, routinely using his size and length to make impressive contested catches. Similar to Patrick, Denver envisions Vele as a big target in the slot. He also can line up on the outside.
Wide Receiver
Josh Reynolds | 11
6-3, 192, 29, 8th season, Texas A&M
Reynolds, who signed with the Broncos in the offseason, is another big target in Denver’s passing game who can play on the outside or in the slot. Reynolds spent the last two seasons in Detroit, where he totaled 1,087 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 31 games.
Marvin Mims Jr. | 19
5-11, 182, 22, 2nd season, Oklahoma
Mims was named to the Pro Bowl as a returner last season. In Year 2, the speedy wide receiver is seeking to make a big contribution in the passing game. Mims had 377 receiving yards on 22 catches but was the only pass catcher to record 100 yards in a single game in 2023.
Tight end
Greg Dulcich | 80
6-4, 245, 24, 3rd season, UCLA
Dulcich has been plagued by hamstring injuries for two straight seasons. Entering his third year, he hopes his injury problems are behind him and that he will become the versatile playmaker Payton believes he can be.
Adam Trautman | 82
6-5, 253, 27, 5th season, Dayton
Trautman collected 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first year in Denver. He is expected to add value as a blocker in the Broncos offense.
Left tackle
Garett Bolles | 72
6-5, 300, 32, 8th season, Utah
Bolles had a modest 2023, playing in all 17 games. As he enters the final year of his deal, Bolles hopes to remain in Denver for the foreseeable future. His performance this fall will likely determine if that will happen.
Matt Peart | 79
6-7, 318, 27, 5th season, UConn
Peart signed a one-year deal with the Broncos after playing 43 games in four seasons with the Giants. He has made seven career starts and can play either tackle spot.
Left Guard
Ben Powers | 74
6-4, 310, 27, 6th season, Oklahoma
Powers enters the second season of a four-year, $51.1 million deal with Denver. The former Ravens lineman allowed four sacks and 31 pressures on 286 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
Center
Luke Wattenberg | 60
6-5, 300, 26, 3rd season, Washington
Wattenberg has appeared in 23 games since joining the Broncos in 2022, with his only start coming at left guard. At Washington, Wattenberg was a two-time All-Pac 12 honorable mention selection.
Alex Forsyth | 54
6-4, 312, 25, 2nd season, Oregon
Forsyth, a seventh-round pick in 2023, is viewed by general manager George Paton as a starting-caliber center. He provides flexibility — Nix’s former college teammate can play center and guard.
Right Guard
Quinn Meinerz | 77
6-3, 320, 25, 4th season, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Meinerz emerged as one of the top guards in the NFL last season. He was paid accordingly in July, signing a four-year extension worth up to $80 million.
Calvin Throckmorton | 76
6-5, 311, 27, 4th season, Oregon
Throckmorton, who played for Carolina and Tennessee in 2023, provides interior depth for Denver. He has appeared in 46 games and started 27 over the first four years of his pro career.
Right Tackle
Mike McGlinchey | 69
6-8, 315, 29, 7th season, Notre Dame
McGlinchey started in 16 games last season, allowing six sacks on 246 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He is one of four returning starters on Denver’s offensive line.
Alex Palczewski | 63
6-6, 314, 24, 2nd season, Illinois
Palczewski was one of four undrafted rookies to make last year’s 53-man roster. He spent the majority of the season on injured reserve due to a hand injury.
Kicker
Wil Lutz | 3
5-11,30, 9th season, Georgia State
Lutz was efficient for the Broncos in 2023. He converted 88.2% of his field goal attempts — his highest percentage since 2019, when he was named a Pro Bowler with the Saints. Lutz was 4 for 5 on field goal attempts between 40 and 49 yards.
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Originally Published: August 31, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.
