With the Denver Broncos offseason kicking off, it is a great time to step back, take a look at the roster, and play a little armchair GM leading up to all of the excitement of possible free-agent signings, trades, and, of course, the NFL Draft.
Let me give a tip of the hat to ftnfantasy.com for their information on snap percentages and www.overthecap.com for their information on current contracts for all players.
All of this is my personal opinion based on my tried-and-true eye test of what I’ve seen
from these players on the field this season. For the sake of brevity, I’ll be leaving out guys who didn’t see the field in any significant way in 2025 and most Unrestricted Free Agents.
Enjoy the discussion, join the subjective debate, and share your thoughts (good or bad) in the comments.
Next up, we’ll examine the receivers and determine what holes the Broncos should look to fill in the 2026 NFL offseason.
Player Rating Key:
1 – Project / developmental – lacking the necessary skills to contribute as it stands today
2 – Backup quality – Can play, but isn’t a guy you want out there every snap
3 – Average starter – Doesn’t bring anything special to the table, but can do the job
4 – Good starter – An above-average talent
5 – Blue chip player – Top 10 talent in the NFL at what he does
Unit Rating Key:
1 – Critical Need – lack of talent at starter and depth
2 – Lacking at least one starter
3 – Mediocre need
4 – Solid talent and depth
5 – Elite talent level
Wide Receivers:
Courtland Sutton – 3
Contract Details
Courtland Sutton is still pretty much the same guy I reviewed last season. He’s got the size and jump ball ability to be a successful contributor to the offense in general. He’s not getting as much separation as he used to early in his career, though. He also has not yet solved his problem with dropping passes.
My big critique of Sutton isn’t necessarily fair depending on your point of view. He’s not a #1 wide receiver, though that’s how he’s treated on this roster. He isn’t consistent enough nor has enough upside in either separation or running after the catch to have a game-changing impact. He would be far better suited to being the #2 receiver as a possession receiver / jump ball specialist.
Troy Franklin – 3
Contract Details
The upgrade I saw from Troy Franklin this season was in his crisp route running. He really got aligned with how to run routes and be on time, especially in the intermediate game. He has grown a penchant for dropping passes as well, which is likely going to be to his detriment in his career. With all the speed he brings to the table, he has a head-scratching lack of ability to track the ball and reel in deep ball catches. The frustrating thing is that he definitely shows upside. He’s got speed, quickness, and route running that lead to big plays at times. If his drop rate was better, I think I’d have him rated as the best receiver on the team.
Marvin Mims Jr – 3
Contract Details
Marvin Mims really showed a high level of clutch ability this past season. There were multiple times when this team needed late drives, and he was there making tough catches. He’s still the same guy who mostly runs go routes and screens, which at first blush seems to say he can’t run routes. I think this is more of a safety decision for him. He’s a smaller player who is far too valuable as a returner, so it is my theory that Sean Payton keeps him to the kinds of routes that aren’t going to get him killed crossing the middle of the field and letting a safety tee off on him. I would rate him higher if he had a bigger role in the offense, but we have yet to see that at this stage in his career.
Pat Bryant – 3.5
Contract Details
Pat Bryant is the 2025 rookie that I am the most excited about. His development over the course of his first year was very encouraging. He’s a superb route runner and is one of the few guys in the receiver room who doesn’t suffer from a high rate of drops. I think he’s got the potential to get a lot more snaps next season as he continues to grow as a player. He doesn’t have the same top-end speed you see from Mims or Franklin, but he’s not that kind of receiver. He’s shown the kind of smooth route running at all levels of the field to be a serious chain mover for the Broncos, especially if the Broncos find a real dominant threat to pull coverage and leave him singled up.
Unit Rating – 2
The Broncos yet again need a #1 wide receiver on the roster. I think they will be players in free agency for a big receiver because of this need. I honestly think that there is a strong possibility for some churn in the receiving room just because of how lackluster the production was this past season from the receiver position. The group plays well, but overall is pretty mediocre when you start looking at consistency, big play potential, and drop rates. The lack of top-end ability in this room is one of the big factors holding back this offense.
One interesting move to watch for this offseason would be trading one or more of our speed receivers away to make room for changes in the wide receiver room. That means Mims or Franklin is going to another team in a trade for either a player or a draft pick. I don’t think this is highly likely, but it is a definite possibility.
Tight Ends:
Evan Engram – 3
Contract Details
Evan Engram was one of the most hyped free agent moves that the Broncos made in 2025. He was touted as the mystical “Joker” that Sean Payton’s offenses thrive with. That hype never really came to fruition in 2025. Evan Engram flashed talent and ability, but never really seemed to be a focal point of the offense or a comfortable target for Bo Nix with any consistency. I don’t think this is a washed player, though. He’s got the speed and athletic ability to play and should be producing at a higher level. I wonder about his chemistry with the offense and if he’ll be able to make a step forward this season to contribute more.
Nate Adkins – 2
Contract Details
Nate Adkins is a very solid backup tight end when healthy. He provides solid blocking ability first and foremost and has shown sneaky soft hands for receiving in spots. The problem was that this guy just got hit upside the head with the injury bat in 2025. He had an ankle injury in the preseason, a PCL strain in week 8, and a knee injury in week 16. He’s a restricted free agent that I expect to be given a chance to show he’s ready to contribute in 2026.
Unit Rating – 2
The most consistent tight end in 2025 was Adam Trautman, who is an unrestricted free agent. Trautman was a well-rounded tight end who blocked well and showed consistent ability to catch traditional tight end routes. The Broncos both need a more productive receiving tight end and another guy like Trautman, who is able to win on blocks and not be an automatic tell that the team is running a pass. I also think it may be a great year to draft a young tight end in order to start development for the future.
Defensive roster status overall – 4
- Defensive Linemen: 4.5
- Outside Linebackers: 5
- Inside Linebackers: 1
- Cornerbacks: 4
- Safety: 3
Special Teams status overall – 5
Offensive roster status overall
- Interior Linemen: 4
- Tackles: 4
- Wide Receivers: 2
- Tight Ends: 2
