Projecting the Broncos 2020 starters on offense – Version 2.0

Back in November, when the Broncos sat at 3-7 and were clearly headed toward rebuilding mode – even if they weren’t quite ready to admit it – it was time to turn the page toward next season. As such, the final six weeks of the season needed to be used to determine who would stay and who would go in 2020.

For the most part, Denver did a good job of that down the stretch. A lot of questions were answered, providing a road map for how to address the offseason.

When it comes to filling holes, John Elway and Company have a lot to work with heading into 2020. In the draft, they have nine total picks, seven of which are in the first four rounds. And in free agency, they’ll have money to spend; currently, the Broncos are projected to have around $60 million in cap space available, a number that balloons to more than $75 million once Joe Flacco and Ron Leary are released.

Where do they need to focus their attention? What should the Broncos spend those picks and dollars on?

Projecting the starting lineup for 2020 provides some answers. After evaluating the current roster, Denver can decide who should and shouldn’t return. Then, they can address the remaining holes via the draft and free agency.

The initial attempt at this process provided some interesting results in November. Here’s the latest edition of the Broncos projected 2020 starts, focusing on the defense:

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OFFENSE

QB – Drew Lock
Lock got his opportunity in the final five games of the season and he made the most of it, posting a 4-1 record and very much looking like a potential franchise quarterback. Most importantly, he has the support of his teammates, as the rookie drew rave reviews from Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and other veterans.

RB – Jordan Howard
It’s not a popular opinion in Denver, but Phillip Lindsay simply isn’t an every-down back in the NFL. He was the featured ball carrier in all 16 games, but barely eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau; that’s a concern. Howard would be an upgrade, especially if he’s the player he was in his first two seasons.
NOTE: Howard is an unrestricted free agent after one season with the Eagles

FB – Andy Janovich
After an injury-plagued 2019 campaign, Jano will return to fill a vital role in Denver’s attack. The Broncos are one of the few teams in the NFL still using a fullback, so they’ll need to make sure they’re stout at that crucial position. If not, there’s a huge void that causes a domino effect on offense.

WR – Courtland Sutton
Sutton emerged in 2019 as a bona fide No. 1 wideout in the NFL. He has the speed to be a big play threat, but his size it what sets him apart. Sutton is tough for cornerbacks to cover, as he has the physical advantage in almost every situation. He has true star potential.

WR – DaeSean Hamilton
For most of the season, Hamilton was invisible. He wasn’t a big factor in Denver’s offense and had some critical drops that hurt the team. But at the end of the year, with Lock at quarterback, he found his groove. In the last two games, he caught 11 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, showing a glimpse of what he can do.

TE – Noah Fant
Plenty of people were down on the rookie, but Fant was solid in his first season. He’s a big target, which makes him a great option on third down and in the red zone. And he has game-breaking speed, something that was on display during his 75-yard touchdown against the Browns.

LT – Garett Bolles
Bolles was flagged for 17 penalties during the 2019 season, which drew the ire of Broncos fans who tired of hearing “Holding, offense, No. 72.” But he improved as the season went along, with offensive line guru Mike Munchak’s coaching making an impact. He’s durable and reliable. He’ll be back in 2020.

LG – Dalton Risner
As a rookie, Risner emerged as the most-consistent player on Denver’s offensive line. He’s also become a team leader in year one, as it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s a team captain in 2020. Risner will be entrenched in this spot for the next five to 10 years.

C – Connor McGovern
McGovern wasn’t perfect during his first full season at center, but that was to be expected. He rectified the problems with shotgun snaps that plagued him during training camp and has been relatively solid in the middle. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel, as McGovern is a known commodity who is just fine at center.
NOTE: McGovern is an unrestricted free agent, giving the Broncos a chance to look around; but for the price, someone familiar with the offense makes the most sense.

RG – Elijah Wilkinson
Wilkinson did yeoman’s work in 2019 at right tackle filling in for Ja’Wuan James. He should be rewarded with a new contract and a day one starting spot in 2020. While he can play either tackle position, moving him inside in place of Ron Leary makes the most immediate sense.
NOTE: Wilkinson is a restricted free agent; given his versatility, the Broncos would be wise to bring him back.

RT – Ja’Wuan James
James was a colossal disappointment in 2019, having barely played after signing a four-year, $52 million contract in the offseason due to a knee injury. But he has a lot of talent, so the Broncos have to cross their fingers and hope he can stay healthy next year.

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To see the projections on defense, CLICK HERE

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