After another disappointing season the Denver Broncos are ready to tackle the NFL Draft with their newly appointed Head Coach Sean Payton alongside his decked out coaching staff. But first let's take a look at the Broncos' previous season.
Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton has confirmed the addition of 16 coaches to the team's staff. Among these coaches include Joe Lombardi as Offensive Coordinator, Vance Joseph as Defensive Coordinator, Mike Westhoff as Assistant Head Coach and Ben Kotwica as Special Teams Coordinator.
Denver finished the regular season with a 5-12 record, including 4-4 at home and 1-8 on the road. After coming into last season with high expectations, the Broncos found themselves in trouble from dealing with timely injuries to protecting star Quarterback Russell Wilson.
Broncos Most Notable Injuries in 2022
February 28, 2022- Garett Bolles OT (LEG INJURY)
March 22, 2022- Russell Wilson QB (RIGHT KNEE SURGERY)
March 23, 2022- KJ Hamler WR (TORN PECTORAL)
April 03, 2022- Tim Patrick WR (KNEE)
April 20, 2022 - Javonte Williams RB (KNEE INJURY)
June 13, 2022- Jerry Jeudy (ANKLE INJURY)
Some believe there was a disconnect between Russ and the style of the offense, others thought the 34 year old quarterback was just getting too old and played out. Regardless of the situation a change was need and Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett found himself on the outside looking in.
On December 26, 2022 coach Hackett was fired by the Broncos after starting the season 4-11, the final straw was Denver's embarrassing blow-out loss 51-14 to the Los Angeles Rams. Jerry Rosbury was name the Broncos interim head coach after Hackett was fired. Ultimately leading the team to a hard fought battle vs the Chiefs and a heroic season finale win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fast forward to offseason 2023 and the Denver Broncos have a newly established front office led by CEO Greg Penner and Damani Leech as Team President. Having vowed to bring back the franchise to the top, since then the Walton-Penner Family Group has made strides to improve the franchise. This includes investing in building an improved stadium with fan input behind the results to diving into free agency to protect their asset at the quarterback position in Russell Wilson.
Wilson-Payton
The Super Bowl Champion has contacted Saints' Sean Payton this offseason, to recruit him to Denver. Wilson echoed "He wants Sean Payton. He needs fixing and he knows he needs fixing."
In his first season with the Broncos Russell Wilson completed 60.5% of his passes for 3,524 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Leading to the most disappointing performance of his career, when he led the league in sacks with 55. Wilson has always been a dual threat quarterback.
Now with his skills being scrutinized, how can the veteran quarterback get back to himself? Well it starts with making changes on the home front. Sean Payton is known for his witty offensive brilliance. From coaching legendary quarterback Drew Brees, to 16 successful seasons at the helm of the New Orleans Saints Organization. He guided the team to three NFC Championships in (2006, 2009 and 2018 including the franchise's first Super Bowl Championship.
Payton's resume speaks for itself. The Denver Broncos knocked one out of the park to bring him in. Now it's time for the Sean Payton ERA to begin in Denver starting with the 2023 NFL Draft.
Free agency
The Broncos picked up OL Ben Powers, QB Jarrett Stidham, OT Mike McGlinchey, TE Chris Manhertz, DL Zach Allen, RB Samaje Perine, FB Mike Burton and CB/KR Tremon Smith. Denver also re-signed several defensive-minded playmakers in LB Alex Singleton and DB P.J. Locke.
Sean Payton did not wait long to make changes. Payton and his newly formed coaching staff took free agency by storm, starting with the offensive line. Denver signed CENTER Kyle Fuller and OL Ben Powers, who are both known for their blocking ability an area the Broncos definitely needed improvement in. Lloyd Cushenberry is expected to be retained as a starter.
Now with the NFL Draft less than 48 hours away, Payton and his crew have filled some notable holes in free agency. However, Denver has five draft picks to figure out how to use, whether that be trading up, trading down, or swapping picks.
Here is my mock draft result for the Denver Broncos
Third round - RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Third round - LB Derrick Hall, Auburn
Fourth round - CB Mekhi Garner, LSU
Fifth round - OL Andrew Vorhees, USC
Sixth round - WR Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas
Denver has multiple needs on the offensive side of the ball, from running back availability and durability to depth and wide receiver position. Health can be the difference maker between a team who makes the postseason and a team that wins the Superbowl. No matter what Sean Payton and George Payto are set on drafting the best player available regardless of position.