Denver Broncos Early 2020 Preview

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2040 days ago

To see forward, one must be willing to reflect on the past. Our past carries a direct influence on how we experience our lives. The present moments are a collection of what is happening “right now” and what has taken place in the past. This affects the outcome of what’s to be in the future. The past, present, and future dance together to paint a vivid blueprint for the 2020 Denver Broncos making the playoffs. By examining past mistakes, providing depth in positions of need, and with a willingness to match schemes to players on the roster, I believe that the Broncos can set themselves up for a great 2020 campaign. And with the presidential election coming later this year, I can assure you, no pun was intended!

Broncos Recent History

Since Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos have been on a downward spiral. From 2016-2019, the team only won 27 out of their 64 games played. In comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs won 24 regular-season games in just the last two years alone! Sure Peyton Manning retired and left a huge void at the quarterback position, but there are more impactful reasons as to why the Broncos have struggled recently. It’s simple. It comes down to lousy personnel decisions in free agency, bad draft choices, and even worse scouting reports. During this offseason, Denver is in dire need of filling its roster with more talent to create more depth. The Broncos need to sign free agents at a cheaper price and draft first for positions of need.

Broncos Draft Misses

From 2013-2017, three different times, the Broncos missed valuable opportunities to draft 1st and 2nd round picks. In 2013 they drafted Sylvester Williams and Montee Ball at the top of the draft. In 2015 it was Shane Ray and Ty Sambrailo and in 2017, the Broncos drafted Garrett Bolles and edge rusher DeMarcus Walker. Those were off-target picks at the top of the draft.

These choices have created a lack of talent and have affected the overall depth of the Broncos roster. It should also be highlighted that Paxton Lynch was a 1st round pick in 2016 and that selection has set the Broncos back a couple of years as he is not even on the team anymore. In this upcoming draft, it will be important to focus on upgrading the offensive line. The game of football is still won and lost in the trenches. Then they can build a foundation for the future by simply drafting players that will help to create depth. If you can’t open up a hole to run through and don’t protect your quarterback then how can you ever consistently move the ball?

Broncos Free Agency Fumbles

Personnel decisions, free agency, or whatever words you choose to describe the revolving door of players, has been disastrous in the Mile High City. I can’t tell you how many times I have been left scratching my head in disappointment. I sit here and think to myself, “ the Broncos let go of who?” “They signed this dude and at what price!” Now I’m not really into naming names and throwing people under the bus so I’ll just say, too much cap space has been used on players that have made little to no impact on the football field.

So while money has been wasted, some really important pieces were shown the door. Players such as T.J. Ward, Danny Trevathan, and Matt Paradis could have been re-signed. At the time of Ward’s release, you couldn’t name another safety in the league that could cover Rob Gronkowski one on one and also make an open-field tackle on Adrian Peterson! Centers like Paradis are hard to come by and Trevathan is still one of the most versatile inside linebackers in the league. Since Trevathan left for Chicago, running backs and tight ends continue to slaughter the Broncos in the passing game!

Denver Broncos Keys to Success

By holding ourselves accountable, we can make better decisions, right now. So what will the Broncos put together this offseason? Has the front office learned from their mistakes? I want to see what the Broncos do with free agency in March and during the draft in April. The biggest positions of need are on the offensive line, inside linebackers, and the wide receiver group. If Chris Harris decides to not re-sign with the Broncos, then cornerback should be number two on their priority list. The offensive line has to be a more dominant unit for this team to make a drastic jump. If the coaching staff is willing to bend their philosophies to fit the players, then Phillip Lindsay has to be the featured weapon. San Francisco is showing us that a strong running game combined with a ferocious defense can still get you to the Super Bowl. This Broncos defense is still top ten in most statistical categories and if their run game blossoms around Drew Lock, it keeps him healthy longer and takes the pressure off him. Then your defense gets a chance to rest! Football is simple, don’t complicate it.

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