Categories: Kansas City ChiefsPaul Pulley

Chiefs: Know Thine Enemy, The Broncos Offseason

by Paul Pulley | May 6, 2019

Previously, we looked at the Los Angeles Chargers and the Oakland Raiders, just to keep an eye on the division opponents of the Kansas City Chiefs. Now we’ll take a look at the Denver Broncos to see what changes have been made to their roster, with the hope to improve on their double digit losses the past two seasons.

Foremost, the Broncos have once again changed head coaches, replacing Vance Joseph with long time NFL defensive coordinator and coach, most recently DC for the Chicago Bears, Vic Fangio. This is the 60 year old Fangio’s first head coaching job. Joining Fangio is first time NFL offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello. Scangarello has been a college OC, but has only 4 years coaching experience in the NFL, with the last two as the QB coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

Also in his first year as Broncos defensive coordinator is Ed Donatelo. Donatelo has spent the last 8 seasons as the defensive backs coach, working under Fangio. Along with new leadership with the coaching staff, the Broncos have once again changed signal callers by replacing journeyman QB Case Keenum with the 34 year old, strong armed, former Super Bowl Champion and MVP, QB Joe Flacco.

Other acquisitions include cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan, both signing 3 year contracts with the Broncos. Jackson was a 2010, 1st round draft pick and spent his first 9 seasons with the Houston Texans. Callahan was a 2015 UDFA that was with the Bears his first 4 seasons. One other major addition is offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James, the 2014, 1st round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins.

The Broncos 2019 Draft Selections

Round 1, Pick 20; TE Noah Fant, 6-4 and 250 pounds. A smaller, athletic TE that had very good college production, but has a bit of a reputation for dropping balls. Fant just isn’t as good as former teammate George Kittle, who was drafted by the 49ers in round 5 of 2017.

Round 2, Pick 9; OL Dalton Risner, 6-5 and 312 pounds. By far the Broncos best draft pick. Risner played center and mostly right tackle for Kansas State, but will most likely move to guard for the Broncos, where I expect him to start this year.

Round 2, Pick 10; QB Drew Lock, 6-4 and 228 pounds. In my opinion, an overrated, but big armed QB. Lock can make any throw when able to set his feet, but lacks accuracy when forced to move. Maybe NFL coaching can help him, but the Broncos won’t do him any favors if they make him a starter at any time in 2019.

Round 3, Pick 8; DT Dre’Mont Jones, 6-3 and 281 pounds. Jones is a little undersized but is an athletic 3-tech. He will work into a reserve role as a 3-4 DE, behind starters Wolfe and Gotsis.

Round 5, Pick 18; OLB Justin Hollins, 6-5 and 248 pounds. Hollins is an athletic, developmental OLB, with a lot of potential. Should get plenty of special teams snaps in the early part of his career.

Round 6, Pick 15; WR Juwann Winfree, 6-1 and 210 pounds. Another developmental player that has shown potential, but could struggle to make the Broncos roster, even with the lack of depth at the position.

I think this was the weakest draft class in the division, not a very impressive showing by GM John Elway.

Broncos Roster Subtractions

I thought I would be remiss if I didn’t list some of the players that have moved on from the Broncos this off-season. I don’t plan to list them all, just the names I recognize.

Offensive linemen, Matt Paradis, Max Garcia, Jared Veldheer and Billy Turner.
Defensive backs, Bradley Roby, Darian Stewart and Tramaine Brock.
Linebackers, Brandon Marshall, Shaquill Barrett and Shane Ray.
Tight End Jeff Heuerman and Nose Tackle Domata Peko.

This may not be the case, but to me, an outsider, these losses seem staggering.

Conclusion of the Broncos Offseason

I personally don’t see Flacco as an upgrade at the quarterback position. With a new QB, plus a new coaching staff, thereby a new system, combined with the losses to the roster that has occurred, I believe the Broncos might struggle to reach the win total of 6 games they had in 2018.

Denver’s two, intra-divisional, non-common games for 2019 will be versus the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns, both of which they will struggle to win. I could see the Broncos finishing the season at 4-12 or 5-11.

Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne

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