2024 Denver Broncos Team Outlook

You know it went south if a team was willing to pay someone $38 million not to play for you. Last season, Denver averaged just 298.4 yards per contest. Now Sean Payton and the Broncos head into 2024 with a completely revamped roster.

In the quarterback room, competition awaits as the Broncos have made strategic moves, adding Zach Wilson from the Jets and former Oregon Ducks signal-caller Bo Nix joining Jarrett Stidham. Heading into camp, you have to figure that the 12th overall selection in this past April's draft has the inside track to becoming the team's starting quarterback. Payton also has to feel good about Nix running his offense after 61 career starts between Oregon and Auburn while completing 71% of his passes in each of his 14 starts last season.

From watching Nix in college and considering what Sean Payton likes to do on offense, both quarterback and coach love throwing screen passes. Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine combined for 97 targets last season, so both should have a significant role in the passing game. With the addition of Audric Estime and the return of Jaleel McLaughlin, the Broncos' backfield is now a force to be reckoned with.

Don't discount Estime's chances of emerging with a significant role. He joins the Broncos after averaging 6.4 yards per carry last season at Notre Dame. If Williams can not return to form, adding Estime should help the Broncos reach the end zone on the ground, although his impact may be limited if Williams remains healthy.

Nix will have a plethora of talented targets to rely on in his rookie season. Courtland Sutton, who led the team with 10 touchdown grabs, provides a reliable option. Tim Patrick's return after producing 50 catches and 730 yards in each of his last two healthy seasons adds to the depth. The signing of Josh Reynolds from the Lions, coming off his second-best career receiving season, further bolsters the team's offensive potential.

With Jerry Jeudy's departure, Marvin Mims has an opportunity to prove his worth. A season ago, Mims produced eight of the top 10 gains for this Broncos team. Mims averages 2.65 yards per route run from the slot. If he opens the season with that role, Mims will be one of the best values in fantasy football.

If all else fails, the Broncos selected Nix's favorite target from Oregon, Troy Franklin. Franklin adds more speed to this offense, as evidenced by his 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine. With Nix throwing to Franklin last season, Franklin set school records in receiving yards (1,383) and touchdowns (14).

QB Bo Nix, DEN - Dynasty Only

Sean Payton spoke glowingly of Bo Nix's accuracy and ability to stand in the pocket and pick apart defenses ala Drew Brees. But Nix enters the league with a poor offensive line and questionable playmaking talent. Nix really padded his number with an impressive final season at Oregon (4,508 passing yards, 45 TDs) after middling production at Auburn. His gaudy accuracy numbers were inflated by having nearly 30% of his attempts being behind the line of scrimmage. Nix will have to press the ball downfield in the NFL and overcome his issues when pressured. That won't be easy for a team with the second-lowest win projections in 2024. ADVICE: Only Relevant in Dynasty Leagues

RB Javonte Williams, DEN - Bust (overvalued)

Javonte Williams stayed healthy and got a career-best 264 touches but there are serious concerns about his viability moving forward. Among running backs with 50-plus carries, Williams ranked 47th in yards after contact per attempt- a figure that has declined in each of his three seasons. Williams dipped to a pedestrian 3.6 yards per tote and was out-played by Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. Now, the Broncos are breaking in a rookie signal-caller with a severely depleted supporting cast. This backfield is trending toward a committee for a team projected to finish last in the AFC West. That makes Williams a risky RB3. ADVICE: Risky RB3 trending in the wrong direction

RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN - Sleeper (undervalued)

Although he was in on just 18% of Denver's snaps, Jaleel McLaughlin made a strong impression. McLaughlin averaged a robust 5.4 yards per carry and was top-20 in yards after contact per attempt (3.38), yards per route run (1.63), and overall run grade via PFF. McLaughlin also stood out as a big-play threat and was easily Denver's most effective running back on the ground and as a receiver (ranked third in PFF receiving grade). The sample size was small but it wouldn't take much for McLaughlin to vault past underwhelming Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine on the depth chart. ADVICE: Outstanding late-round sleeper to target

RB Samaje Perine, KC - Bye Week Fill-in

ADVICE: Perine garnered a lot of hype as Denver's pass-catching specialist last season. That role is fantasy gold in a Sean Payton offense. However, Perine lost reps to Jaleel McLaughlin, and the addition of Blake Watson and Audric Estime only makes the backfield more crowded. There's some late-round appeal here but Perine will have stiff competition to secure that role this summer.

WR Courtland Sutton, DEN - Quality Backup

Courtland Sutton's prospects for the upcoming season look less optimistic, particularly with rookie QB Bo Nix, the 12th overall pick, at the helm. Although Sutton experienced a revival in touchdown production last year, which contributed heavily to his fantasy value, it's unlikely to repeat, with projections placing him in the 4-6 TD range. Sutton's target share was similar to Jerry Jeudy's before Jeudy was traded, cementing Sutton as the team's primary WR. Marvin Mims and rookie Troy Franklin are Sutton's only real target competition in 2024. That should keep Sutton heavily involved in target share but for an offense projected to be among the league's worst. ADVICE: Don't count on another 10 touchdowns, giving Sutton limited potential in a subpar offense, but he is a team WR1.

WR Josh Reynolds, DEN - Deep-league Only

ADVICE: Reynolds was signed to a contract that indicates he'll play a role in Denver's offense. However, the Broncos look like a potential bottom-10 unit, which limits Reynolds's fantasy value.