Oddsmakers Reveal Broncos' Projected 2023 Win Total Post-Draft

Although the Denver Broncos have received mostly positive feedback on their 2023 NFL draft haul, the five rookie picks set to hit the roster have done nothing to move the oddsmakers' over/under win total. With the draft now a week in the books, Vegas' outlook on the 2023 Broncos is unchanged.

After the initial waves of free agency, Denver's over/under win total (projected) for 2023 was set at 8.5 by the key bookies across the betting landscape. Fast forward to today, and whether it's FanDuel or DraftKings (and others), the Broncos' over/under remains at 8.5.

Entering the draft with just five selections, none of which were in the first two rounds, the Broncos exited with the same number of picks but in a different order. For a team with limited draft capital this year, fans should interpret the unmoving over/under as a positive thing.

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It's been another momentous offseason, highlighted by the Sean Payton hire as head coach. Denver's head-coaching decision was followed by an active free agency period, which saw the team jump in with both feet, signing multiple top-tier veterans in the initial wave.

The Broncos plugged several roster holes long before the draft, especially upfront on the offensive line. With Payton now having the final say on all personnel decisions, working alongside GM George Paton, the Broncos signed right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers, a backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham, and starting-caliber running back Samaje Perine.

Those additions were supplemented with a few other strategic signings, which went a long way toward filling the biggest roster holes before the draft, and minimizing the risk of being tempted to reach on prospects based on need. The Broncos stayed true to their big board in the draft and let the best-player-available philosophy govern their selections.

After all, no one viewed wide receiver as a big need for Denver entering the draft, and yet, the first selection the team made — after trading up from Round 3 to Round 2 — was Oklahoma wideout Marvin Mims, Jr. One could argue that inside linebacker depth was a need, but after re-signing Alex Singleton, it certainly wasn't a dire one.

But Denver used its second draft pick, which was in Round 3, on Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders. That was followed by a more obvious pick, where, ostensibly, BPA intersected with need as Iowa defensive back Riley Moss was selected later in Round 3.

The Broncos made another trade (their third of draft day) and acquired tight end Adam Trautman from the New Orleans Saints, which raised some eyebrows because, with free-agent dollars invested in Chris Manhertz, and two young incumbents already on the roster, the position wasn't viewed as a big need. By draft's end, the Broncos selected two more players — safety JL Skinner in Round 6 and Oregon center Alex Forsyth in Round 7.

Safety depth was a need, more so as a preemptive concern. And center? Of all the positions on the O-line, the only spot to offer some misgivings is the center position, with the less-than-inspiring Lloyd Cushenberry III set to reprise his role as a starter.

Although the Broncos were busy maneuvering, the first draft of the Payton/Paton era showcased a disciplined head coach/general manager tandem in action. The Broncos extracted excellent value out of this draft, which bodes well for Denver's outlook and hints that Payton's presence at Dove Valley confirms that there's an adult in the room again.

That's not to demean Paton, but he did hire Nathaniel Hackett, and the truth is, he doesn't coach the team. Paton might help pick the groceries, but Payton cooks 'em.

When I sit down to write a review on Yelp, I'm not complimenting the restaurant's produce procurement. If the meal was good enough to motivate a Yelp review, it was because the chef did one helluva job.

The truth is, Denver's 8.5 over/under is more than fair. We're talking about a five-win team last year. Payton's arrival and an offseason of roster moves moved the needle by nearly four wins in the oddsmakers' eyes.

That's a positive harbinger.

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