Denver Broncos
2010 record: 4-12, 4th in AFC West
Last playoff appearance: 2005, 1-1 in playoffs (27-13W vs NE, 34-17L vs PIT)
General Manger: Brian Xanders (2009-present)
Head Coach: John Fox (2011-present)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike McCoy (2009-present)
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Allen (2011-present)
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings
OFF: 21.5 Pts (19th); 348.9 YDS (13th); 252.4 PASS (7th); 96.5 RUSH (26th)
DEF: 29.4 Pts (32nd); 390.8YDS (32nd); 236.2 PASS (25th); 154.6 RUSH (31st)
Mike W’s Outlook: The Broncos underwent a significant facelift this offseason, from the coach to the defensive alignment to the presumed starting quarterback. The Broncos had so many problems last year, and they took steps towards decency in the draft, but I find it hard to believe that they will be legitimate playoff contenders, even against a tough schedule.
The Broncos most likely understand this fact, so I expect them to use this season to find some definitive answers going forward. They want to know whether Tim Tebow is the QB of the future, whether Knowshon Moreno will ever pan out, whether Brandon Lloyd is a top receiver and which defensive prospects are for real. I don’t think it’ll be a successful season, but it sure will be an interesting one.
Projected Starters
QB- Tim Tebow
RB- Knowshon Moreno
WR- Brandon Lloyd
WR- Eddie Royal
TE- Dante Rosario
LT- Ryan Clady
LG- Zane Beadles
C- J.D. Walton
RG- Chris Kuper
RT- Orlando Franklin
LE- Robert Ayers
DT- Brodrick Bunkley
DT- Louis Leonard
RE- Derrick Harvey
LOLB- Von Miller
MLB- DJ Williams
ROLB- Elvis Dumervil
CB- Champ Bailey
FS- Brian Dawkins
SS- Rahim Moore
CB- Andre Goodman
Fantasy Performers
1) Brandon Lloyd, WR
2) Knowshon Moreno, RB
3) Tim Tebow, QB
4) Matt Prater, K
2011 Schedule (all times EST)
Week 1- Sep 12 vs Raiders, 10:15pm (MNF)
Week 2- Sep 18 vs Bengals, 4:15pm
Week 3- Sep 25 at Titans, 1:00pm
Week 4- Oct 2 at Packers, 4:15pm
Week 5- Oct 9 vs Chargers, 4:15pm
Week 6- Bye
Week 7- Oct 23 at Dolphins, 1:00pm
Week 8- Oct 30 vs Lions, 4:05pm
Week 9- Nov 6 at Raiders, 4:05pm
Week 10- Nov 13 at Chiefs, 1:00pm
Week 11- Nov 17 vs Jets, 8:20pm
Week 12- Nov 27 at Chargers, 4:15pm
Week 13- Dec 4 at Vikings, 4:05pm
Week 14- Dec 11 vs Bears, 4:05pm
Week 15- Dec 18 vs Patriots, 4:15pm
Week 16- Dec 24 at Bills, 1:00pm
Week 17- Jan 1 vs Chiefs, 4:15pm
Moves
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Willis McGahee, RB
Dante Rosario, TE
Derrick Harvey, DE
Ty Warren, DT
Free Agent Losses:
Daniel Graham TE – Signed by Titans
Justin Bannan DE – Signed by Rams
Kyle Williams NT
Renaldo Hill S
Re-signed:
Kevin Vickerson DT - re-signed – 2 yrs
Champ Bailey CB – re-signed – 4 yrs, $43 million
Trades:
Traded undisclosed draft choice to the Eagles for Brodrick Bunkley, DT
Traded for Jabar Gaffney, WR
2011 Broncos Draft Review:
The Broncos clearly are cleaning house after the Josh McDaniels era, and they showed it by drafting multiple potential starters in a solid 2011 draft.
Overall Draft Grade:
A-
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft
Rd 1, Pick 2: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M- Miller is considered by most to be the best pass rusher in the draft. If this is indeed true, it’s a terrific pick: Denver had probably the worst pass rush in the league last year and needs to improve it to dream of competing.
Grade: A
Rating: 9
Rd 2, Pick 45: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA- Moore is an athletic player who I think could complement Brian Dawkins this season and eventually replace him at free safety.
Grade: B+
Rating: 8.5
Rd 2, Pick 46: Orlando Franklin, OL, Miami- Franklin could start at right tackle this year, and he should add to a line that particularly needs to improve its run blocking.
Grade: B
Rating: 7
Rd 3, Pick 67: Nate Irving, LB, NC State- If Elvis Dumervil returns to defensive end, he could possibly start opposite Miller.
Grade: B-
Rating: 7
Rd 4, Pick 108: Quinton Carter, DB, Oklahoma- He’s a tough safety who could start alongside Moore in the future if he pans out.
Grade: B-
Rating: 7
Rd 4, Pick 129: Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State- Sure, he’s only an athletic specimen who played college basketball…but so was Antonio Gates, so there’s upside to him.
Grade: C+
Rating: 6.5
Rd 6, Pick 189: Mike Mohamed, LB, California- Earned praise for his work ethic, which counts for something.
Grade: C-
Rating: 5.5
Rd 7, Pick 204: Virgil Green, TE, Nevada- Another athletic tight end prospect. Seems like their stockpiling them.
Grade: C-
Rating: 6.5
Rd 7, Pick 247: Jeremy Beal, DL, Oklahoma- Probably wouldn’t make the team if the Broncos weren’t so defensively inept, but, well, they are.
Grade: D
Rating: 4.5
2010 Stat Leaders
QB: Kyle Orton: 293-498, 3653 yards, 58.8%, 7.3avg, 20 Td, 9 int, 87.5 rating
RB: Knowshon Moreno: 182 car, 779 yards, 4.3avg, 5 Td
WR: Brandon Lloyd: 77 rec, 1448 yards, 18.8avg, 11 Td
Offseason Storylines:
-John Fox, fresh off a 2-14 record and a number of underachieving teams, is inexplicably given another job.
-John Elway, two-time Super Bowl Champ, takes charge.
-Kyle Orton is shopped, ultimately not traded.