Denver Broncos 2022 Fantasy Outlook: Russell Wilson 2.0

Apart from 4 seasons with Peyton Manning from 2012 to 2015 (50-14 with a Tremendous Bowl victory and a Tremendous Bowl loss), the Denver Broncos haven’t had a franchise quarterback since John Elway retired after the 1998 season. So the Broncos bought their future (a number of early-round draft picks) over the winter to amass Russell Wilson, to hopefully recreate a magical run just like the Manning period. Denver has a creating potential stud operating again (Javonte Williams) plus two younger, excessive upside vast receivers (Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy). Wilson is a superb quarterback who is aware of how you can win video games late. Denver received’t have a straightforward path to the playoffs within the aggressive AFC West, however they give the impression of being to be a significantly better crew heading into 2022 with a confirmed quarterback behind heart.

Offense
Final yr Denver needed to run the ball as a lot as doable, however lack of quarterback play and recreation rating damage their probabilities. They completed under the league common in go makes an attempt (31.8 per recreation – twenty second) whereas operating the ball 45.7% of the time. Russell Wilson has thrown over 550 passes (558) solely as soon as in his profession, so the Broncos ought to attempt to run an identical offense this season.

Russell Wilson – click on right here for fantasy projection

Different choices: Brett Rypien, Josh Johnson

Working Backs
The run recreation for the Broncos progressed once more final yr, resulting in a three-year excessive in dashing makes an attempt (415), dashing yards (1,867), and touchdowns (17). They caught 20.6% of Denver’s completions whereas greater than doubling their output in receiving yards (551 – 272 in 2020).

Javonte Williams – click on right here for fantasy projection

Melvin Gordon III
Denver had Gordon on the sector for 514 performs final season in comparison with 551 performs by Javonte Williams whereas lacking one recreation. He ended the yr with 1,113 mixed yards with 10 touchdowns and 28 catches. His finest play within the run recreation got here in Week 1 (11/101/1), Week 14 (24/111/2), and Week 18 (12/110/1). Gordon delivered aggressive yards per rush (4.6 and 4.5) over the previous two seasons, however his dashing output was weaker on the street (79/303/2 – 3.8 yards per rush). He completed 18th in operating scoring (198.70) in PPR leagues, one spot under Williams.

Fantasy outlook: Surprisingly, Gordon signed solely a one-year deal for $2.5 million. He brings a veteran presence whereas nonetheless having three-down capability. Denver ought to give him between 175 and 225 touches, pointing 1,000 mixed yards with some worth in scoring and catches. Gordon is the thirty ninth ranked operating again within the NFFC in Might with an ADP of 110. I count on him to be an RB2 at a minimal, making him a worth in fantasy drafts.

Different choices: Mike Boone, Damarea Crockett, Tyreik McAllister

Extensive Receivers
The Broncos struggled to get their vast receivers concerned final season. Consequently, their wideouts caught solely 48.3% of Denver’s completions regardless of ending with a three-year excessive in catches (171). As well as, they’d a regression in receiving yards (2,257) and touchdowns (8).

Jerry Jeudy – click on right here for fantasy projection

Courtland Sutton
After lacking most of 2020 with a torn ACL, Sutton got here into final yr with questions on his early well being. He caught just one go for 14 yards in Week 1, however his recreation was fantasy worthy in three video games (9/159, 7/120/1, and eight/94/1) over the next 5 matchups. Sadly, Denver struggled to get him the ball over his closing 10 video games (20/237/0 on 40 targets). Over this span, Sutton had two catches or fewer in eight video games. When at his finest in 2019, he caught 72 passes for 1,112 yards and 6 touchdowns. His catch charge (55.9) has been comparatively low to begin his profession whereas gaining 15.2 yards per catch.

Fantasy outlook: Sutton ought to have a job just like DK Metcalf within the Broncos’ offense. His dimension (6’4” and 215 lbs.) factors to a pure development in scoring, and Russell Wilson will discover him within the open discipline within the deep passing recreation. He comes off the board because the twenty sixth wideout within the early draft season with an ADP of 66 within the NFFC. Sutton ought to have a flooring of 70 catches for 1,100 yards with an opportunity at double-digit touchdowns.

KJ Hamler
Accidents value Hamler three video games in his first yr with Denver. He completed with 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns on 56 targets. Hamler struggled to get open with a low catch charge (53.6) whereas scoring over 10.0 fantasy factors in three matchups (3/13/1, 6/75, and a pair of/86/2). Over his closing 5 video games, Hamler had 5 mixed catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets. Final yr a torn left ACL ended his season after three video games (5/74 on 10 targets).

Accidents value Hamler three video games in his first yr with Denver. He completed with 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns on 56 targets. Hamler struggled to get open with a low catch charge (53.6) whereas scoring over 10.0 fantasy factors in three matchups (3/13/1, 6/75, and a pair of/86/2). Over his closing 5 video games, Hamler had 5 mixed catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets. Final yr a torn left ACL ended his season after three video games (5/74 on 10 targets).

Regardless of being undersized (5’9” and 178 lbs.), Hamler does play with energy (15 reps within the NFL mix bench press). His electrical velocity and quickness will threaten a protection every time he will get the ball in house. Hamler has a slot really feel, however his recreation is about difficult defenders along with his legs. As soon as he will get the ball in his fingers, the following transfer is hitting the gasoline whereas having the expertise and imaginative and prescient to create in house.

Fantasy outlook: Hamler brings an thrilling dynamic to the Broncos’ passing recreation. He doesn’t challenge to get sufficient targets to be a beginning fantasy possibility with out an damage, however Russell Wilson will discover him in house, creating some influence video games even with a low variety of probabilities. Hamler falls into the flier class with some draft momentum anticipated over the summer time.

Tim Patrick
Over the previous two seasons (51/742/6 and 53/734/5), Patrick has completed a superb job off the bench filling in for injured vast receivers on the Broncos. Final yr he delivered playable stats in seven matchups (4/39/1, 3/37/1, 5/98, 7/89, 3/42/1, 4/85/1, and 6/95). Moreover, Patrick suits properly as insurance coverage for Courtland Sutton based mostly on his dimension (6’4” and 210 lbs.).

Fantasy outlook: Denver will combine and match their third vast receiver possibility based mostly on matchup. Patrick provides scoring worth with upside off the bench. His ADP (163) within the NFFC ranks him third on the Broncos, however he’ll must struggle for snaps with KJ Hamler.

Different choices: Kendall Hinton, Montrell Washington, Tyrie Cleveland

Tight Ends
The tight finish place has turn out to be extra related within the Broncos’ offense over the previous two seasons because of the event of Noah Fant (62/673/3 and 68/670/4). They set three-year highs in catches (109), receiving yards (1,047), and touchdowns (7) final season, however a part of the price of buying Russell Wilson was Noah Fant. Wilson tends to search for his tight ends within the crimson zone in his profession. Subsequently, regression must be anticipated by Denver’s tight finish in 2022.

Albert Okwuegbunam
Because the TE2 for Denver final yr, Okwuegbunam caught 33 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets. His finest worth got here in three matchups (3/16/1, 3/77, and 5/41/1) whereas by no means receiving greater than 5 targets in a recreation.

Okwuegbunam caught 98 passes for 1,187 yards and 23 touchdowns on 144 targets over his three seasons in school.

Fantasy outlook: The Broncos trust in Okwuegbunam’s capability and count on him to begin the season. He ought to push his catch complete over 50 with an opportunity to safe 5 to seven scores. In Might, his ADP (147) within the NFFC paints him as a mid-tier TE2 within the fantasy market.

Greg Dulcich
Over the previous two seasons at UCLA, Dulcich caught 68 balls for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns on 107 targets. He gained a powerful 18.3 yards per catch. Nonetheless, his worth as a blocker appears minimal early in his profession, pointing to solely a vertical alternative for Denver in his rookie season.

Different choices: Eric Tomlinson, Eric Saubert, Dylan Parham

Kicker
Brandon McManus
Regardless of falling brief in discipline objectives remodeled the previous three years (29, 28, and 26), McManus has been a beast from 50 yards or extra (19-for-31). He has 5 missed further factors over his earlier 87 probabilities. The Broncos scored 37 touchdowns in 2021 with 31 discipline aim probabilities.

Fantasy outlook: McManus brings an enormous leg with top-tier upside if Denver can create sufficient scoring probabilities. He ranks eleventh within the early draft season within the NFFC.

Teaching
Nathaniel Hackett takes over as Denver’s head coach after spending a lot of the previous 10 seasons operating the offenses for Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Inexperienced Bay. His development with the Packers between 2019 and 2021 created his alternative.

The Broncos’ offense is now within the fingers of Justin Outten. He spent the final three years because the tight finish coach for the Packers. Outten has six seasons of coach expertise within the NFL.

Denver completed twenty third in factors scored (335) and nineteenth in offensive yards, their seventh straight yr with a under league common offense.

Ejiro Evero earns his first defensive coordinator job after spending the earlier 11 years in varied positions within the NFL. He labored because the Rams’ secondary coach and passing recreation coordinator in 2021.

Their protection completed with the third-lowest variety of factors allowed (322), 124 decrease than 2020 (446). Denver bumped to eighth in yards allowed.

Free Company
The Broncos added DE Randy Gregory, DT D.J. Jones, and CB Okay’Waun Williams to their protection. Each defensive linemen challenge to assist their run protection. They misplaced QB Teddy Bridgewater and CB Bryce Callahan to free company, whereas LB Alexander Johnson, T Bobby Massie, and CB Kyle Fuller stay unsigned. Denver introduced in T Billy Turner and Tom Compton for depth on the offensive line.

Draft
The main focus of the 2022 NFL Draft was to enhance the expertise on the defensive facet of the ball – DE Nik Bonitto (2.32), CB Damarri Mathis (4.10), DT Eyioma Uwazurike (4.11), S Delarrin Turner-Yell (5.9), DT Matt Henningsen (6.28), and CB Faion Hicks (7.11). Their different gamers added have been within the third (TE Greg Dulcich) and fifth (WR Montrell Washington and C Luke Wattenberg) rounds.

Offensive Line
The Broncos repeated their thirteenth place end in dashing yards (2,025) with 16 touchdowns. Their ball carriers gained 4.5 yards per carry with 10 runs over 20 yards.

Denver climbed to twenty second in passing yards (3,856) with 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Their offensive line allowed 40 sacks whereas gaining solely 7.1 yards per go try.

Their offensive line has 4 gamers that challenge to be league common or higher in go safety. Denver wants somebody to step up at proper deal with with progress wanted in run blocking. The Broncos’ line ought to push towards the highest third within the league in 2022.

Protection
The Broncos labored their approach to fifteenth defending the run (1,892 yards), with ball carriers gaining solely 4.3 yards per rush. They allowed 9 touchdowns with 10 runs over 20 yards.

Denver ranked eighth in passing yards allowed (3,652) whereas permitting 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Broncos picked up 36 sacks. Quarterbacks gained 6.9 yards per go try with 48 completions over 20 yards.

S Justin Simmons and CB Patrick Surtain set the tone for the Broncos’ secondary. Simmons is a superb all-around participant, whereas Surtain has the expertise to be a lockdown cowl nook. DE Bradley Chubb has continued to battle accidents since his impactful rookie season (60 tackles and 12 sacks). Denver’s protection’s first and second ranges have loads of query marks, inviting regression in play this yr.

The AFC West is loaded with offensive expertise, making the Broncos’ protection a difficult fantasy journey every week. They rank ninth within the NFFC within the early draft season, however I solely see matchup worth if a few gamers emerge within the go rush. 

2022 FANTASY OUTLOOKS
AFC East: Payments | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks