Broncos Starting Lineups Predicted by PFF, With a Few Curious Picks
Since the 2023 new league year began, there's been quite a lot of roster turnover at Denver Broncos HQ. As is the case every year — to a great or lesser degree — the Broncos have experienced an influx of acquisitions juxtaposed with multiple personnel departures.
With free agency and the NFL draft in the books — the two big roster-building tentpole events of the offseason — Broncos fans are wondering what the new starting lineups will look like on both sides of the ball, relative to the new blood and departures. Pro Football Focus — the leading NFL analytics site — took a stab at projecting Denver's starting lineup, and singled out the 'X-factor' player.
(The number next to each player's name is his overall PFF grade last year).
| Offense | Defense |
|---|---|
QB Russell Wilson (66.2) | D Zach Allen (72.7) |
RB Javonte Williams (64.5) | DI D.J. Jones (63.6) |
RB Samaje Perine (72.9) | Edge Randy Gregory (76.9) |
WR Courtland Sutton (69.3) | Edge Baron Browning (55.3) |
WR Jerry Jeudy (78.4) | Edge Jonathan Cooper (63.1) |
WR K.J. Hamler (57.5) | LB Alex Singleton (79.1) |
TE Greg Dulcich (60.4) | LB Josey Jewell (71.7) |
LT Garett Bolles (72.9) | CB Patrick Surtain II (86.8) |
LG Ben Powers (62.3) | CB Damarri Mathis (65.6) |
C Lloyd Cushenberry III (56.2) | CB K’Waun Williams (67.2) |
RG Quinn Meinerz (77.7) | S Justin Simmons (70.7) |
RT Mike McGlinchey (70.3) | S Caden Sterns (76.7) |
X-Factor for 2023: QB Russell Wilson
This might be the biggest X-factor in all of football heading into 2023. After a massive trade to secure his services, Russell Wilson couldn’t seem to make things work in Denver in 2022. However, with new head coach Sean Payton coming out of retirement, Wilson will get a fresh start and look to bounce back.
You'll notice the roster math is a little skiwampas, with PFF listing two running backs on offense, and three edge rushers on defense. Since defenses ran a sub-package on 76% of snaps last year, PFF's starting lineup projection includes nickel defense, instead of base.
Offensively, it's unclear why PFF listed two running backs, but I can only assume that it's because Williams' outlook as RB1 is currently questionable. If Williams' return is delayed in any way, Perine will be the starter. So that makes sense.
Surprises: Offense
Hamler being listed as a starter is the only questionable mention here by PFF. 1. Hamler is injured and his outlook is thus cloudy. 2. Tim Patrick will be the third receiver into the lineup, with Jeudy being moved around the formation, including the slot, in those 3-WR situations. 3. PFF omits the arrival of Coach Payton's second-round wideout Marvin Mims, Jr., whose outlook, even as a rookie, is brighter than Hamler's, mostly due to the veteran's woeful injury history.
READ: Terrell Davis Questions Broncos' New Timeline for RB Javonte Williams
Surprises: Defense
Three rush linebackers as a sub-package is a little mystifying, but PFF has Gregory, Browning, and Cooper currently listed in starter roles. Relative to a projected depth chart, that's probably how it'll shake out, considering Cooper's run-supporting chops, but don't sleep on Nik Bonitto entering his second year.
The Broncos will be hoping to get a return on their second-round investment in Bonitto, and he'll receive every opportunity to succeed. But, if he fails to rise to the occasion, and show some development to his pass-rush took kit and run support, Cooper will be the No. 3.
While pegging Mathis as a starter on the boundary opposite Surtain, once again, PFF seems to disregard third-rounder Riley Moss, who will give him a run for his money. Don't sleep on Moss, who, again, was a hand-selected pick by the current coaching regime in Denver.
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