With the brand new league yr kicking off March 12, NFL groups are already deep into planning for the offseason.
Listed below are 5 strikes the Denver Broncos ought to make within the coming months.
1. Commerce for a veteran WR
Broncos QB Bo Nix exceeded expectations throughout his rookie season in 2024. In 17 begins, he went 10-7 and completed with the league’s sixth-most TD passes (29). Denver should give Nix extra weapons to assist him attain the following stage.
Denver ought to contemplate buying and selling for Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp, who has been positioned on the commerce block. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport has mentioned the Rams are keen to eat a few of Kupp’s contract to facilitate a deal for the wideout, who earned a Tremendous Bowl ring with Los Angeles throughout the 2021 season.
Kupp hasn’t earned a first-team All-Professional nod since 2021, however he might nonetheless be a dependable possibility for Nix. In 12 regular-season video games in 2024, he had 67 receptions for 710 yards and 6 landing catches.
2. Draft a ‘joker’
Broncos head coach Sean Payton lately advised FanDuel’s Kay Adams the staff should discover a “joker,” a flexible TE or RB the coach can use to create mismatches.
The 2025 NFL Draft appears place to search out one. The category contains proficient prospects in Bowling Inexperienced TE Harold Fannin Jr. (6-foot-3, 238 kilos) and North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (6-foot, 220 kilos). An alternative choice, Penn State TE Tyler Warren (6-foot-6-, 257 kilos), could possibly be gone by the point the Broncos decide at No. 20 within the first spherical.
In 13 video games in 2024, Fannin led the FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). Hampton, in the meantime, had 2,033 yards (1,660 speeding and 373 receiving) and 17 TDs (15 speeding and two receiving) in 12 video games.
3. Lengthen WR Courtland Sutton
Denver ought to prolong considered one of Nix’s favourite weapons in Sutton, who’s coming into the final yr of his contract in 2025.
In 17 video games in 2024, the 29-year-old wideout led the Broncos in receptions (81), receiving yards (1,081) and TD catches (eight).
Spotrac estimates Sutton’s market worth is a three-year deal price $22.9M yearly. Denver ought to have sufficient room to increase him. Per Over the Cap, the Broncos have $41.77M in cap house.
4. Goal an RB in free company
The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson lately reported the Broncos aren’t anticipated to re-sign RB Javonte Williams, which is not a shocker. In 17 video games in 2024, Williams rushed for 513 yards on 139 carries, the second-lowest mark of his profession.
Denver RB Jaleel McLaughlin (496 yards speeding in 2024) would not seem like a viable substitute for Williams. The Broncos ought to signal a operating again in free company, maybe Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Rico Dowdle of the Dallas Cowboys, to fill their gap at RB.
Harris — a first-round decide in 2021 — had 1,043 speeding yards in 17 video games in 2024, whereas Dowdle had 1,079 speeding yards in 16 video games.
5. Decide whether or not they need to prolong edge-rusher Nik Bonitto
Bonitto is coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract in 2025 and has leverage after a profession yr. In 2024, he had profession highs in sacks (13.5 in 17 video games) and tackles for loss (16) and earned a second-team All-Professional nod.
Denver, nevertheless, might not need to reward Bonitto for one yr of manufacturing. In his first two seasons with the membership, he had simply 9.5 sacks.
Nonetheless, Denver should not rule out an extension for Bonitto. Per Spotrac’s projections, his market worth is a four-year deal price $25.5M yearly. That value might improve if Denver waits and the edge-rusher has one other stellar yr in 2025.