Your 2020 Denver Broncos

The Broncos unveiled their 53 man roster on Saturday as they prepare for their Week 1 game against the Titans. Here are your 2020 Denver Broncos…
 QB: Drew Lock and Jeff Driskel

 RB: Philip Lindsay, Melvin Gordon, and Royce Freeman

 WR: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Daesean Hamilton, Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer, and Tyrie Cleveland

 TE: Noah Fant, Andrew Beck, Jake Butt, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Nick Vannett

 OL: Garrett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, Graham Glasgow, Elijah Wilkinson, Demar Dotson, Austin Schlottman, Netane Muti, and Calvin Anderson

 DL: Jurrell Casey, Mike Purcell, Shelby Harris, Dre’mont Jones, McTelvin Agim, and DeMarcus Walker

 ILB: Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, Mark Barron, Joe Jones, and Austin Calitro

 OLB: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Malik Reed, and Jeremiah Attaochu

 CB: Bryce Callahan, A.J. Bouye, Davontae Harris, Michael Ojemudia, Duke Dawson, and Essang Bassey

 S: Justin Simmons, Trey Marshall, and Kareem Jackson

 K: Brandon McManus

 P: Sam Martin

 LS: Jacob Bobenmoyer

The State of the NFL, the Broncos, and the sports world as Training Camp opens up around the league

I haven’t posted much since the Covid-19 pandemic rocked the world in mid-March. As the entire sports world was shut down, the NFL had the luxury of being in its’ offseason. A new collective bargaining agreement was agreed to, free agency started on time in March, and the 2020 Draft followed in April-this time in a virtual format. OTAs and all team activities were scrapped, and the NFL had to renegotiate the CBA to fit in the new protocols for the start of the 2020 season during a pandemic. Preseason games were cancelled, and the teams focused on coming back to the facilities in late July and participate in a different form of training camp as they prepare for the season to open on time in September. It was hard to get excited about training camp because of all the sobering news that was going on all around us all over the world. Instead of getting ready to watch preseason games and see who is going to make the final 53 man roster, we are watching to see which players test positive for Covid and how that will affect the team and the league. 

 

I’m happy that the NFL is forging ahead with the season, but I’m also skeptical that they will be able to pull off a full season.There will be no fans in the stands and that in itself will play a huge role in the results week to week of all the games. College football is on the verge of getting cancelled now that the Big 10 and PAC 12 have postponed the fall season. The virus continues to surge in certain parts of the country and there is no “cure” in sight. The NBA and NHL have come back to stage their playoffs, but they are in a bubble format. The NFL will not operate in a bubble. MLB came back and they were immediately dealing with issues related to the Marlins, the Cardinals and scheduling due to the virus. It is a shitshow. You just hope that the NFL can somehow put together a full season filled with competitive balance and no pauses or breaks in it due to Covid. 

 

Instead of doing a typical training camp preview like I normally do, I’ll just give an overview of where the Broncos stand at this point in the summer. Honestly, I haven’t spent too much time dissecting the league and where the Broncos fit in. I will put out a predictions column in September and cover the Broncos season like I normally would, but it just won’t feel or be the same. Maybe my mindset will be different once the season starts, but I’m not sure. It just isn’t the same. With that said, here is where the Broncos stand as their 2020 training camp gets going….

 

The Broncos were applauded for a lot of the moves they made this offseason. They head into camp with Drew Lock firmly entrenched as the starting QB. Already armed with WR Courtland Sutton, TE Noah Fant, and RB Philip Lindsay, the Broncos added RB Melvin Gordon in free agency, and they drafted WR Jerry Jeudy in the 1st round and WR KJ Hamler in the 2nd round. The offensive firepower could be there this season. Juwan James opted out of the season due to Covid 19 concerns, and the Broncos signed RT Demar Dotson to compete with Elijah Wilkinson for that spot. Graham Glasgow was a big free agent signing to sure up one of the Guard spots, and look for draft pick Lloyd Cushenberry out of LSU to win the starting Center job.

 

On defense, the Broncos traded for CB AJ Bouye from the Jaguars, and they are hoping they can get him to play at the level he played two years ago. Bryce Callahan is back from a foot injury that sidelined him for all of 2019. Justin Simmons was Franchised tagged this season and will play 2020 on a one-year deal, and the Broncos will focus on signing him long term. The Broncos made a great trade early in the offseason when they traded a 7th round pick to Tennessee for Jurrell Casey. That could have a huge impact on the defensive line. Bradley Chubb comes back from tearing his ACL last year, and the Broncos surprisingly re-signed Shelby Harris. Von Miller looks as motivated as ever as well. 

 

The key for the Broncos is going to be health. They need to have a healthy training camp going against each other in practice, and they need to be healthy in terms of avoiding getting Covid. If they can be disciplined enough to do everything in their power to not get the virus, then they will help them along the way as training camp ends and the regular season begins. Training Camp 2020 folks!!!

 

Denver Broncos 2020 Schedule

Here it is! The 2020 Denver Broncos schedule.....
(All times are EST)

Week 1-Monday September 14th: vs Tennessee (10:10pm)  ESPN

Week 2-Sunday September 20th: @Pittsburgh (1:00pm) CBS

Week 3-Sunday September 27th: vs Tampa Bay (4:25pm) FOX

Week 4-Thursday October 1st: at NY Jets (8:20pm) NFL Network

Week 5-Sunday October 11th: at New England (1:00pm) CBS

Week 6-Sunday October 18th: vs Miami (4:05pm) CBS

Week 7-Sunday October 25th: vs Kansas City (4:25pm) CBS

Week 8-BYE WEEK

Week 9-Sunday November 8th: at Atlanta (1:00pm) CBS

Week 10-Sunday November 15th: at Las Vegas (4:05pm) CBS

Week 11-Sunday November 22nd: vs LA Chargers (4:05pm) CBS

Week 12-Sunday November 29th: vs New Orleans (4:05pm) FOX

Week 13-Sunday December 6th: at Kansas City (8:20pm) NBC

Week 14-Sunday December 13th: at Carolina (1:00pm) CBS

Week 15-Sunday December 20th: vs Buffalo (4:05pm/TBD)* CBS or NFL Network

Week 16-Sunday December 27th: at LA Chargers (4:05pm/TBD)*CBS or NFL Network

Week 17-Sunday January 3rd: vs Las Vegas (4:25pm) CBS

*Weeks 15 and 16 include flex games to Saturday on NFL Network. The NFL will choose between a few games each of those weeks to flex over to Saturday 12/19 and 12/26. The league will determine during the season which games get moved. The Broncos are candidates to have their games moved to Saturday both weeks.

Analysis:

-For the third time in four years, the Broncos get the back end of the MNF doubleheader. I'm starting to get sick of this game. At least it is at home and it is against the Titans instead of the usual AFC West opponent. It just sucks waiting all weekend and then late Monday night for the first Broncos game of the year.

-The first 5 games are tricky. The Titans were in the AFC Championship Game last year, Ben Roethlisberger will be back for the Steelers in Week 2, Tom Brady and the Bucs come to Denver in Week 3, then the Broncos have to head to New York to take on the Jets on a short week on a Thursday night game, and then they are back to East coast for a game at the Patriots in Week 5. I don't know what to expect from Big Ben and the Steelers. I don't know what to expect from Brady and the Bucs. We get absolutely screwed going all the way to NY to play the Jets on a short week. That is bullshit actually, and then we have no idea what to expect from the Pats in Week 5. The Broncos make three East trips in the first five weeks. That is going to be tricky.

-I like the back-to-back home games with Miami and KC in Weeks 6 and 7 and then the bye during Week 8. That means that Denver won't travel to an away game from Sunday 10/11 (Week 5 at NE) to Sunday 11/8 (Week 9 at ATL). That is about a month of being home.

-Getting the Saints and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks in Weeks 12 and 13 is going to be rough. I know we have the Saints at home but that is a rough two games in a row. Arrowhead on Sunday Night Football is not going to be fun.

-I like our last four to finish out the year: at Carolina, Buffalo, at Chargers, and Raiders. I always like finishing at home and I think those four games are all in our favor.

-I hope at least one of those games in Weeks 15 and 16 get moved to Saturday. I love Saturday games late in the season.

-We have three sets of back-to-back road games and two sets of back-to-back home games. We don't have to go on any three game road trips either.

-Here are the QBs we are facing this year: Pat Mahomes (twice), Justin Herbert/Tyrod Taylor (twice), Derek Carr (twice), Ryan Tannehill, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Sam Darnold, Tua Tagovailoa/Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater,  and Josh Allen. Not too terrible there.

2020 Denver Broncos Draft Class

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books. The most unique draft in my lifetime featured a virtual/remote draft with the teams drafting from their respective homes and Roger Goodell announcing the picks from his basement. The Broncos added explosiveness and speed to upgrade their offense. That was the theme going into the draft and that is exactly what they did. Here are their 2020 draft picks....

Round 1 #15-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: To have Jeudy fall to Denver at #15 without having to trade up is just a huge move for the Broncos. When Henry Ruggs, went to the Raiders at #12, you felt like this could happen. To get the best WR in the draft at this spot is very exciting. Pairing up Jeudy with Courtland Sutton is going to be a fun combination to watch.

Round 2 #46- KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State: A surprise move by John Elway to go with a WR in back-to-back picks, but Hamler is a guy that a lot of people were high on and someone who was expected to go in the first round. A speed, burner-type receiver who will stretch the field is something the Broncos needed as well. Plus, he can return kicks, which is very helpful. If this works, then having Hamler and Jeudy in the same draft class could have a huge impact.

Round 3 #77- Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa: Honestly, I don't know much about Ojemudia, but I like the fact that he is a tall corner and can tackle. He comes from a solid program in Iowa, and I look for him to hopefully grab that fourth CB spot this season.

Round 3 #83- Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU: Really solid pick for the Broncos to get the second best center in draft in the 3rd round. Cushenberry is a solid character guy on and off the field and it would be perfect if he came in and started at center this season.

Round 3 #95-McTelvin Agim, DE/DT, Arkansas: I don't think you can ever have enough defensive linemen and added depth at that position. The best case scenario is Agim comes in, gets into the rotation and adds that needed depth at some point this season.

Round 4 #118-Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri: The Broncos already have Noah Fant at tight end, but Jeff Heuerman won't be there long term. Andrew Beck fits the H-Back type of mold, so to get an athletic, fast TE like Okwuegbunam could pay dividends down the line. I expect him to be active and possibly contributing in his rookie season.

Round 5 #178-Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Forest: Best case scenario for Strnad is a he makes the gameday actives and contributes on special teams this season.

Round 6 #181-Netane Muti, G, Fresno State: If Muti can make the gameday active roster, then that is a good situation for him and the Broncos interior offensive line depth.

Round 7 #252-Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida: If Cleveland sticks around on the practice squad, then this was a good fit for him.

Round 7 #254-Derrek Tuska, OLB, North Dakota State: Another probable candidate for the practice squad in a crowded defensive line group.

2020 NFL Mock Draft

The Covid-19 pandemic has put life and sports on hold around the globe. The NFL was able to conduct free agency during this unprecedented time. Now, they will have one of the biggest events of the calendar reduced to a virtual event. Think about this: In January, the NFL announced that the players who were drafted were going to get a ferry boat ride to the podium after their selection to greet Commissioner Goodell. Now, Commissioner Goodell will announce the picks from his basement. Talk about a turn of events. At least we will still get a draft this year, and it will definitely serve as a welcome distraction of the horrors that are going on in our lives everyday. Here is my 2020 Mock Draft for the most unique and strangest draft of my lifetime....

Round 1

1) Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, QB LSU
-The Bengals need a face of the franchise and they get it here with Burrow.

2) Washington Redskins select Chase Young, DE/OLB Ohio State
-The Redskins get the best player in the draft at #2 and a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.

*TRADE* Detroit Lions trade down with the LA Chargers. Detroit gets LA's second round pick (#37 overall) and LA's 3rd round pick (#71 overall) and LA's second round pick in 2021

3) The LA Chargers select Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
-The Lions trade down a few picks, and the Chargers go all-in on getting Tua.

4) New York Giants select Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson
-The Giants go with a player who could be a impact player in multiple ways on defense.

5) Miami Dolphins select Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
-After going back and forth about what to do here at QB, the Dolphins settle on the Oregon QB and hope he can be the guy to help turn this franchise around

6) Detroit Lions select Jeff Okudah, CB Ohio State
-The Lions use the trade to get more assets and still get a high-level guy like Okudah.

7) Carolina Panthers select Derrick Brown, DT Auburn
-The Panthers get an elite defensive player to rebuild their defensive line.

8) Arizona Cardinals select Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa 
-The Cards need a tackle to protect Kyler Murray and get the best OT in the draft. 

9) Jacksonville Jaguars select Jordan Love, QB Utah State
-The Jags have multiple 1st round picks, and they decide to try and hit the home run with the pick of Love.

*TRADE* Cleveland Browns trade down with the Denver Broncos. Cleveland swaps 1st round picks with the Broncos, and they also get Denver's 2nd round pick (#46 overall) and Denver's 3rd round pick (#77 overall) 

10) Denver Broncos select Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
-The Broncos need explosiveness on offense, and they go up to get Jeudy to accomplish that.

11) New York Jets select Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia
-The Jets pass on WR in the 1st round and go with an OT to help protect Sam Darnold.

12) Las Vegas Raiders select CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
-The Raiders need an offensive weapon, and Jon Gruden gets one in Lamb.

13) San Francisco 49ers select Javon Kinlaw, DT South Carolina
-The 49ers jump all over Kinlaw and replace the recently traded DeForest Buckner


14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
-The Bucs add another OT to help protect Tom Brady.

15)Cleveland Browns select Mekhi Becton, OT Louisville
-The Browns continue the run on tackles and they address their hole in the offensive line. They also accumulated some assets from Denver in the trade. 

16) Atlanta Falcons select CJ Henderson, CB Florida
-Falcons need defensive help and some draft experts think Henderson is a top-level CB in this draft.

17) Dallas Cowboys select K'Lavon Chaisson, DE/OLB LSU
-The Cowboys add a top pass rusher in Chaisson.

*TRADE* Miami Dolphins trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami swaps 1st round picks with Philly, and acquires their 2nd round pick (#53 overall) and their 4th round pick (#127 overall)

18) Philadelphia Eagles select Henry Ruggs, WR Alabama
-Philly really needs a wide receiver and they do what they have to do here to get one.

19) Las Vegas Raiders select AJ Terrell, CB Clemson
-The Raiders bolster their defense with the addition of Terrell.

20) Jacksonville Jaguars select Patrick Queen, LB LSU
-The Jags bolster their defense with the second of their first round picks.

21)Miami Dolphins select Yetur Gross-Matos, DE/OLB Penn State
-Armed with 3 first round picks, the Dolphins use their second one to go with a pass rusher in Gross-Matos.

22) Minnesota Vikings select Justin Jefferson, WR LSU
-The Vikings need a WR to replace Stephon Diggs and they get Jefferson here.

23) New England Patriots select Xavier McKinney, S Alabama
-The Pats will draft a developmental QB in Round 2 and go with the stud safety from Alabama

24) New Orleans Saints select Austin Jackson, OT USC
-The Saints address their offensive line in an attempt to protect Drew Brees in what could be his final season. 

25) Minnesota Vikings select Kristian Fulton, CB LSU
-The Vikings go CB after they address WR with their prior 1st round pick.

26) Miami Dolphins select D'Andre Swift, RB Georgia
-With Just Herbert on board, the Fish add the best RB in the draft to give them a nice 1-2 combo.

27) Seattle Seahawks select AJ Epenesa, DE/OLB Iowa
-The Seahawks look to replace the depart Jadeveon Clowney by adding the pass rusher in Epenesa.

28) Baltimore Ravens select Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma
-Not a lot of holes in the Ravens roster, so they get a really solid player in Murray late in the first round.

*TRADE* Tennessee Titans trade with the New York Jets. The Titans get the Jets 2nd round pick (#48 overall) and 4th round pick (#120 overall) 

29) New York Jets select Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
-The Jets get aggressive and trade back into the 1st round to get a receiver they desperately need.

30) Green Bay Packers select Joshua Jones, OT Houston
-Why not add more protection for Aaron Rodgers? Jones becomes the sixth OT taken in Round 1.

*TRADE* San Francisco 49ers trade with the New England Patriots. San Francisco gets New England's 3rd round pick (#87 overall) and 4th round pick (#125 overall) 

31) New England Patriots select Jacob Eason, QB Washington
-The Pats get back into the first round to get a possible QB of the future in Eason. 

32) Kansas City Chiefs select Zack Baun, LB Wisconsin 
-The Chiefs Super Bowl winning team is coming back mostly in tact, so they add to their defense to finish off Round 1. 

NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Offensive Rankings

Quarterback:
1) Joe Burrow-LSU
2) Tua Tagovailoa-Alabama
3) Justin Herbert-Oregon
4) Jacob Eason-Washington
5) Jordan Love-Utah State

Running Back:
1) D'Andre Swift-Georgia
2) Jonathan Taylor-Wisconsin
3) J.K. Dobbins-Ohio State
4) Clyde Edwards-Helaire-LSU
5) Cam Akers-FSU
6) Antonio Gibson-Memphis
7) Zack Moss-Utah
8) Anthony McFarland-Maryland
9) Darrynton Evans-Appalachian State
10) Joshua Kelley-UCLA

Wide Receiver:
1) Jerry Jeudy-Alabama
2) CeeDee Lamb-Oklahoma
3) Henry Ruggs-Alabama
4) Justin Jefferson-LSU
5) Denzel Mims-Baylor
6) Brandon Aiyuk-Arizona State
7) KJ Hamler-Penn State
8) Tee Higgins-Clemson
9) Laviska Shenault-Colorado
10) Jalen Reagor-TCU
11) Chase Claypool-Notre Dame
12) Michael Pittman Jr-USC
13) Bryan Edwards-South Carolina
14) Gabriel Davis-Central Florida
15) Lynn Bowden Jr.-Kentucky

Tight End:
1) Cole Kmet-Notre Dame
2) Adam Trautman-Dayton
3) Albert Okwuegbunam-Missouri
4) Hunter Bryant-Washington
5) Harrison Bryant-Florida Atlantic
6) Brycen Hopkins-Purdue
7) Colby Parkinson-Stanford
8) Devin Asiasi-UCLA
9) Thaddeus Moss-LSU
10) Dalton Keene-Va Tech

Offensive Tackle:
1) Tristan Wirfs-Iowa
2) Mekhi Becton-Louisville
3) Jedrick Wills-Alabama
4) Andrew Thomas-Georgia
5) Josh Jones-Houston
6) Austin Jackson-USC
7) Ezra Cleveland-Boise State
8) Isaiah Wilson-Georgia
9) Prince Tega Wanogho-Auburn
10) Matt Peart-UCONN

Offensive Guard:
1) Cesar Ruiz-Michigan
2) John Simpson-Clemson
3) Robert Hunt-Louisiana
4) Ben Bredeson-Michigan 
5) Logan Stenberg-Kentucky
6) Shane Lemieux-Oregon
7) Damien Lewis-LSU
8) Hakeem Adeniji-Kansas
9) Danny Pinter-Ball State
10) Solomon Kindley-Georgia

Center:
1) Lloyd Cushenberry-LSU
2) Matt Hennessy-Temple
3) Tyler Biadasz-Wisconsin
4) Nick Harris-Washington
5) Keith Ismael-San Diego State
6) Darryl Williams-Miss State
7) Jake Hanson-Oregon
8) Trystan Colon-Castillo-Missouri
9) Calvin Throckmorton-Oregon
10) Cohl Cabral-Arizona State

NFL Draft Cheat Sheet-Defensive Rankings

Defensive End:
1) Chase Young-Ohio State
2) Yetur Gross-Matos-Penn State
3) A.J. Epenesa-Iowa
4) Jon Greenard-Florida
5) Bradlee Anae-Utah
6) Khalid Kareem-Notre Dame
7) Jabari Zuniga-Florida
8) Jason Strowbridge-North Carolina
9) Alex Highsmith-Charlotte
10) Alton Robinson-Syracuse

Defensive Tackle:
1) Derrick Brown-Auburn
2) Javon Kinlaw-South Carolina
3) Ross Blacklock-TCU
4) Marlon Davidson-Auburn
5) Neville Gallimore-Oklahoma
6) Jordan Elliot-Missouri
7) Justin Madubuike-Texas A&M
8) James Lynch-Baylor
9) Raekwon Davis-Alabama
10) Leki Fotu-Utah

Outside Linebacker:
1) Isaiah Simmons-Clemson
2) Patrick Queen-LSU
3) K'Lavon Chaisson-LSU
4) Zack Baun-Wisconsin
5) Terrell Lewis-Alabama
6) Curtis Weaver-Boise State
7) Anfernee Jennings-Alabama
8) Julian Okwara-Notre Dame
9) Darrell Taylor-Tennessee
10) Akeem Davis-Gaither-Appalachian State

Inside Linebacker:
1) Kenneth Murray-Oklahoma
2) Malik Harrison-Ohio State
3) Jordyn Brooks-Texas Tech
4) Logan Wilson-Wyoming
5) David Woodward-Utah State
6) Jacob Phillips-LSU
7) Francis Bernard-Utah
8) Evan Weaver-Cal
9) Markus Bailey-Purdue
10) Shaun Bradley-Temple

Cornerback:
1) Jeff Okudah-Ohio State
2) CJ Henderson-Florida
3) A.J. Terrell-Clemson
4) Trevon Diggs-Alabama
5) Kristian Fulton-LSU
6) Jaylon Johnson-Utah
7) Damon Arnetter-Ohio State
8) Jeff Gladney-TCU
9) Noah Igbinoghene-Auburn
10) Cameron Dantzler-Miss State
11) Troy Pride Jr.-Notre Dame
12) Bryce Hall-Virginia
13) Amik Robertson-Louisiana Tech
14) A.J. Green-Oklahoma State
15) Harrison Hand-Temple

Safety
1) Grant Delpit-LSU
2) Xavier McKinney-Alabama
3) Antoine Winfield Jr.-Minnesota
4) Jeremy Chinn-Southern Illinois
5) Ashtyn Davis-Cal
6) Kyle Dugger-Lenoir-Rhyne
7) Terrell Burgess-Utah
8) Brandon Jones-Texas
9) J.R. Reed-Georgia
10) Brian Cole-Miss State