Broncos' 2022 Preview: Offense | A Unit that Will Carry the Water

It's time to preview how the Broncos' offense will really shape up in 2022 with Russell Wilson at the helm.

The Denver Broncos were the talk of the NFL this offseason after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson. That move made Denver instant Super Bowl contenders on the heels of six consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs. 

That tends to happen when a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback comes to town. The roster around Wilson is replete with talented skill players and an offensive line that will likely give him the best protection of his career. This Broncos offense will be one of the most exciting to watch in the entire NFL.

The Broncos' only impediment to the playoffs is the toughness of the AFC West — the stiffest division in the NFL. Each team has a quarterback capable of winning the division title. 

With new Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett also arriving, the energy has returned to Dove Valley and so has the promise of an innovative offense. What do fans have to look forward to offensively under the Hackett/Wilson ticket? 

Here is our preview of each offensive unit.

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Quarterbacks

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Success this season rests on the shoulders of Wilson. He is an elite-level quarterback, a proven winner, and all signs point to him being up to the task of returning the Broncos to their winning ways. 

Wilson has the arm talent to make any throw and his athleticism adds a wrinkle that will be difficult for defenses to stop. He may very well get some MVP consideration if Hackett’s offense is as advertised since it will be tailored to the QB's strengths for the first time in his career.

The backup position belongs to Josh Johnson and he is capable if called upon. He was hand-picked for the role and it's highly unlikely that'll change between now and the season-opener. With Wilson’s durability, Johnson will likely be holding a clipboard all season.

• Starter: Russell Wilson | Expect MVP numbers this year
• Backup: Josh Johnson | A capable backup that will see little playing time
• Not making the cut: Brett Rypien | A cerebral player that lacks the physical skills

Running Backs

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The running backs are going to be a strength of the team. Moving to a wide-zone blocking scheme and putting emphasis on the run will pay dividends for the running backs. This position has both solid starters and good depth.

The fan-favorite is Javonte Williams and projects as the starter after splitting carries with Melvin Gordon last season. William's never-quit attitude combined with great balance made him a weekly candidate for NFL Network's 'Angry Run Award' nearly every week. 

The only question surrounding Williams season is this: will he be able to fit well into the wide-zone scheme? If he proves that his vision and decisiveness are up to the task, he will have a huge season.

Backing him up is Gordon. Gordon tested the free-agent waters, but found his way back to the Broncos this offseason. He's a touchdown machine, but his fumbles at inopportune times have fans giving the thumbs down. Fumbles aside, he is a good running back that will be a very good complement to Williams.

Mike Boone missed much of last season with an injury, but he has an intriguing skill set. If he can stay healthy, he could have a solid role as a change-of-pace back and as a target out of the backfield.

Finally, bring on the fullbacks! This offense calls for a fullback and the Broncos have one in Andrew Beck, though Eric Tomlinson purportedly could factor in there. Hopefully, Beck's lead-blocking skills can be as useful as his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

Starters

• Javonte Williams | Fans love his aggressive running style
• Andrew Beck (FB) | The converted tight end is the only fullback on the roster

Backups

• Melvin Gordon | A late fumble last season cost the Broncos a win against the Chiefs.
• Mike Boone | An explosive, intriguing back, but he must stay healthy this season

Not Making the Cut

• Damarea Crockett | Showed some skills in preseason last year and might find himself on the practice squad again
• Tyreik McAllister | A small-frame player from a Division II program is a long shot to stick

Receivers/Tight Ends

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The Broncos have a stable of talented pass-catchers that have been mired in mediocre quarterback play. Wilson is going to help this unit tremendously and the only problem will be spreading the ball around. 

Another season removed from an ACL injury, Courtland Sutton is poised to show why people thought he was going to be an All-Pro after the 2019 campaign.

Jerry Jeudy has tremendous potential but was misused often by the previous coaching regime. He stands to have the largest improvement of all the receivers with a new offense and new quarterback. 

Tim Patrick is severely underrated even though he is sure-handed and makes play after play while KJ Hamler, if fully healed, will be the Broncos' deep threat with a quarterback who can hit him in stride. With the talent of the top-four receivers, the Broncos may carry only five on the roster. 

That doesn’t bode well for the rest of the group. Fifth-round rookie Montrell Washington has the inside track on the return duties and could land that final roster spot.

The tight ends are a capable group, but there are questions now that Noah Fant has been moved in the Wilson trade. Albert Okwuegbunam is athletic with top-end speed and could be a factor in the passing game. Third-round rookie Greg Dulcich is fun and he could be a surprise contributor in both the passing game and running game.

Starters

• Courtland Sutton (WR) | One of the best at winning the 50/50 battle
• Jerry Jeudy (WR) | His route running skills are some of the best in the league
• Albert Okwuegbunam (TE) | A speedster who can stretch the field against linebackers and safeties

Backups

• Tim Patrick (WR) | Sure handed catcher is only a backup if the Broncos start the game with a fullback in the lineup
• KJ Hamler (WR) | He could have a small but significant role as the team’s deep threat
• Montrell Washington (WR) | If he wins the returner job, he could also be used as a multi-purpose tool on the offense in small doses
• Greg Dulcich (TE) | The future at the position
• Eric Tomlinson (TE) | He will be a factor in the run game with his skilled blocking

Not Making the Cut

• Kendall Hinton (WR) | Had some impact last season and could be trade bait in camp with this top-heavy position group
• Seth Williams (WR) | A 2021 sixth-round pick may be a practice squad candidate again
• Tyrie Cleveland (WR) | A late-round selection in 2019 who has only caught six balls in two seasons
• Kaden Davis (WR) | The undrafted rookie free agent is a long shot to make the roster
• Travis Fulgham (WR) | Intriguing player who nabbed 38 receptions in 2020 with the Eagles and could be a surprise to make the final roster
• Brandon Johnson (WR) | Has otential as a possession receiver if he can land on the practice squad
• Trey Quinn (WR) | On third team in four years and is likely little more than a camp body
• Jalen Virgil (WR) | A running back's frame playing receiver, but the undrafted rookie needs development
• Eric Saubert (TE) | He has potential, but could be a victim of the numbers game come cut day
• Dylan Parham (TE) | A quarterback turned tight end has intriguing size but needs development
• Rodney Williams (TE) | An athletic undrafted rookie could wind up on the practice squad

Offensive Line

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The offensive line is undergoing changes in philosophy, moving to a wide-zone scheme this season. This change can affect the incumbents on the starting line either negatively or positively. 

Dalton Risner had his best season in a zone scheme, but Lloyd Cushenberry III may be a better fit in a power scheme. This makes it a bit difficult to predict just how the offensive line will shape up on opening day and just how well it will adapt to the new scheme. 

Garett Bolles is the left tackle and that is very unlikely to change. Risner has been the topic of discussion, sometimes in trade scenarios, but considering the system that the Broncos will run in 2022, he is likely going to be a high performer for the team.

Cushenberry is the incumbent starter at center but may get pushed out of that spot by Graham Glasgow. The right tackle spot is the position with the most uncertainty. Billy Turner is the leading candidate for that job.

The Broncos have a good depth situation along the line with Calvin Anderson’s and Quinn Meinerz's versatility. Denver also drafted center Luke Wattenberg and he could factor in as depth early on.

Starters

• Garett Bolles (LT) | Has transformed into one of the best left tackles in the NFL
• Dalton Risner (LG) | His best season was his rookie season in the zone blocking scheme
• Lloyd Cushenberry III (C) | Reports indicate he is improving but will be fighting off challengers for the starting role
• Graham Glasgow (RG) | He has not lived up to the free-agent deal he received, but he's a solid performer
• Billy Turner (RT) | In his second stint with the Broncos, he is penciled in as the starting right tackle

Backups

• Calvin Anderson (OT) | A valuable swing tackle who continues to improve and could be a surprise by starting at right tackle
• Quinn Meinerz (IOL) | Will push for the starting role at guard or center
• Luke Wattenberg (IOL) | Could be another in the Broncos' history of turning late-round centers into elite starters
• Tom Compton (OL) | A valuable free agent for depth and veteran presence

Not Making the Cut

• Netane Muti (IOL) | A mauler who will might not fit into the new scheme
• Ben Braden (IOL) | A veteran addition with ties to Hackett, but there are just too many other options ahead of him
• Zack Johnson (IOL) | Another player with ties to Hackett, may wind up on the practice squad
• Michael Niese (IOL) | An undrafted rookie with versatility who could improve into a valuable backup with some time on the practice squad
• Quinn Bailey (OT) | His versatility is valuable, but there is a glut at the offensive tackle position
• Sebastian Gutierrez (OT) | A long shot from DIII but is an athletic fit after starting his college career as a tight end
• Casey Tucker (OT) | He has bounced around the league with only one game under his belt in three seasons and was on the Broncos practice squad for a month

Predictions & Awards

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• Record: 11-6 (1st in AFC West)
• MVP: Russell Wilson
• Rookie of the Year: Montrell Washington
• Breakout Player: Calvin Anderson
• Leading Rusher: Javonte Williams
• Leading Receiver: Courtland Sutton
• Best Offseason Addition: Russell Wilson

Bottom Line

The Broncos will go as far as Wilson will take them even with the uncertainty of Hackett having no previous head-coaching experience. The offense should be fun regardless and Broncos fans will be champing at the bit to get the season started. 

It will be a dogfight for the AFC West title, but the Broncos’ offensive wherewithal will have them up to the challenge.

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