MHH Staff bold predictions for the Broncos' 2019 season
The 2019 NFL season is upon us and the Denver Broncos will kick off tonight in the Black Hole vs. the Oakland Raiders.
With a new coaching staff and starting quarterback in place on the heels of the failed Vance Joseph/Case Keenum experiment, it's hard to get a bead on what to expect from the Broncos in 2019. Each analyst and columnist here at Mile High Huddle views this team through a different lens.
When it comes to predictions of the bold sort, here's what we at MHH could see unfolding if certain dominoes fall the right way.
Khalid Alshami (@KhalidHAlshami): Young stars emerge
Shelby Harris emerges as an All-Pro on the level with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, who lead the league in sacks as a duo. With a challenged Miller and blossoming Chubb, Harris, who has shown steady growth in disruptiveness, is primed to have a huge year. Miller will be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year, while WR Courtland Sutton will easily top 1,000 yards and become a legitimate deep-ball threat while garnering consideration for most improved as well.
Josh Carney (@JCarney_Sports): Lindsay paces NFL in rush yards, Simmons in INTs
Phillip Lindsay leads the NFL in rushing yards and Justin Simmons leads the NFL in interceptions. This will be a continuation of Lindsay’s emergence into stardom, while Vic Fangio’s scheme defensively unlocks Simmons’ talents as a real playmaker.
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH): Broncos shock with a top-10 special teams unit
I'm going to go way out there but I see the Broncos having a top-10 special teams unit. They have a legit returner finally on the roster. Kicker Brandon McManus looked like his old self once again. The Broncos also added some names to help out on special teams coverage units and Colby Wadman was not as bad as some made him out to be during the preseason. I think some might be pleasantly surprised how competent this unit looks.
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL): Concur — Simmons leads NFL in INTs
Simmons has been on the cusp of putting it all together, but past coaching has held him back. This is the year he is primed for a breakout season. In Fangio’s defensive scheme, Simmons will be put in a position to succeed.
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen): Davis earns first career Pro Bowl berth
For a player unlikely to suit up in the opener and who missed all of training camp and preseason, you might be asking what I'm smoking on this prediction. I understand. But Davis will soon return to the starting lineup and this Broncos' defense is going to be smothering in 2019 and very high-profile. Pro Bowl elections will abound and at the ILB position, we've seen how the 'Fangio bump' has elevated players in several of the coach's previous NFL stops. The biggest beneficiary will be Todd Davis, who's now a grizzled and savvy veteran. He's simply needed the right coach to reach his potential, so teaming him up with the best LBs coach in the game (Fangio), in tandem with his comfortability with Reggie Herring, will see Davis take that next step.
Trevor Judge (@TrevorJudge): Flacco makes all 16 starts, earns Pro Bowl nod
One thing we all know at this point — Joe Flacco is the starter in Denver. Even if Drew Lock was available, Flacco is still the guy (unless the season is lost). This offense may have fallen flat in the preseason, but I’m hopeful it will improve significantly as the Broncos open up the playbook and get more reps throughout the season. With Andrew Luck retiring and one of the other AFC Pro bowl QBs likely making the Super Bowl, there’s a small window for Flacco to sneak into the NFL all-star game as an alternate this season (assuming he plays all 16 games).
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL): Chubb's shine surpasses Von
Bradley Chubb surpasses Von Miller. The Broncos initialized the torch-passing process when they drafted Chubb in 2018 at No. 5 overall, but it will go quicker than anticipated as the student eclipses the teacher. Chubb, who’s been repeatedly talked up by head coach Vic Fangio, will finish with more sacks than Von, who, conversely, has been tweaked by Fangio, and who’s on a collision course for another nasty contract standoff — a potential issue that will be fueled by his mentee’s ascension to superstardom.
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH): Broncos start strong but fizzle
The odds are pretty well stacked against Denver this season. With a tough schedule, new schemes on both sides of the ball, new coaches, and a new QB, the Broncos have a tough path to the playoffs. The Broncos will start off hot this year and look like they could be contenders, only to fall off in the second and third quarters of the season. Heading in the right direction, 2019 won’t be their season just yet.
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports): Broncos RBs combine for over 2,000 rush yards
Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman combine for 2,000 yards rushing. I can see one or the other breaking the 1,000-yard rushing mark, while the other comes close. The two could become the best running back duo in the NFL so long as they both stay healthy. The offensive line is a work in progress, but the good news is that they have done well with run blocking in the past and that shouldn't change. What will especially help is having Joe Flacco, who isn't elite, but can stretch the field and do more to open things up for the running game.
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH): Two WRs break 1,000-yard mark
I made a similar bold prediction on the Building the Broncos podcast earlier this year, so I'm going to double down on it, but change one name. Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders both break 1,000 yards receiving. In the podcast, I had DaeSean Hamilton over Sanders given the unknown recovery of No. 10 following his torn Achilles. However, Sanders looked great in his limited action and like his usual self, which should give pause to Hamilton's role in the offense. Given the heavy vertical aspect of the Broncos' gameplan in the passing game, Sutton and Sanders should receive a lot of attention down the field as the Broncos two top deep threats.
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel): Chubb breaks the single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks
A lot of people are pegging Von Miller to break that single-season sack record in year one under Fangio, but I am going with a different Bronco. Bradley Chubb is poised for a breakout and he will be used in a Khalil Mack type of role in this defense. The Broncos will do a lot to get Chubb an advantage against opposing offensive lines, and with Miller and Shelby Harris garnering attention as well, the second-year player steps up and breaks that record.
This article was curated by Erick Trickel.
