With training camp in the rear view, the Broncos have finalized their roster and are looking forward to the beginning of the 2023 season and their Week 1 season opener at home against the rival Las Vegas Raiders. Instead of doing a training camp preview for the Broncos this year, I decided to do something different. I wanted to do a Broncos Preview once training camp ended in preparation for the 2023 season. Here's this year's 2023 Denver Broncos Preview......
Where we left off? The last time we saw the Broncos in the 2022 season they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Mile High, but the season was a disappointment. They finished 5-12 and fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett a few weeks earlier, and the season was a massive disappointment.
What changed? Sean Payton was named head coach shortly after the season. The Broncos desperately needed a new head coach and REAL head coach to lead this franchise. Payton fit the bill with his terrific record in New Orleans and a Super Bowl championship. Payton comes to Denver and tries to change the culture from the Hackett regime and turn the Broncos franchise around.
New Faces in Denver: The Broncos added starters on the offensive line with the free agent signings of Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. They also added DL Zach Allen from Arizona, and pass rusher Frank Clark. Denver also bolstered their RB position with the addition of Samaje Perine. In the draft, Denver added WR Marvin Mims and LB Drew Sanders in Rounds 2 and 3. All of those additions figure to play a significant role in the Denver lineup this year.
Can Russ Still Cook? The biggest question in Denver is if Sean Payton can get Russell Wilson to be "Russ" again and get back to his All-Pro form. It just was a disaster last year with Wilson and Hackett, and it just never clicked. I think that Payton will be able to help Russ and get him to play well. Wilson might not be the player he once was, but I think Payton can get him back on track to get him to play well enough to get the Broncos offense going in the right direction.
Rookies to Watch: Look for LB Drew Sanders to make an impact on defense for the Broncos. A lot of people thought that Sanders was a steal for the Broncos in the 3rd round. He looked really good in the preseason. Also, undrafted RB Jaleel McLaughlin was a stud in preseason and looks like a nice change of pace back to help Javonte Williams ease back in from that terrible knee injury he suffered last October.
Impact Players: We know about the importance of Javonte Williams, but look for Perine and McLaughlin help the running game tremendously. Also, with the season-ending injury to WR Tim Patrick and the hamstring injury to Jerry Jeudy, look for Courtland Sutton to be a big contributor for Wilson in the passing game. Plus, look for TE Greg Dulcich to take a big step in year two. On defense, the Broncos still have Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain in the secondary, and the LB combo of Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell. If Randy Gregory can stay healthy, then he and Frank Clark can provide a solid pass rush combination with DTs DJ Jones and Zach Allen can be steady in stopping the run game.
Schedule Outlook: The Broncos have to get off to a 2-0 start with two home games against the Raiders and Commanders. They need to be 5-3 after their first eight games before the bye week. After that, there is a realistic path to going 5-4 the last nine games and getting to 10 wins. I'm going into this season with cautious optimism. Nothing can be worse than last year, so there is hope that this year will be a fun and exciting season. As long as Denver has a chance to make the playoffs in Weeks 17 and 18, then that will be a positive for the Broncos and their fans.
Final Thoughts: The Broncos should be better than the debacle that we endured last year. They will be better coached with Sean Payton, and he should be able to get Russell Wilson to at least play better than he did last year. I like the defensive pieces
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