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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
No one was surprised when Sean Payton named Bo Nix the Week 1 starter. Nix was drafted to do more for the offense than either Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson could, and he delivered on that promise all summer. Nix sat out the preseason finale but went 23-of-30 for 205 yards and two touchdowns, with no sacks or turnovers in prior preseason action. Payton has talked up Nix’s accuracy and rhythm, as well as his arm strength, a trait that doesn’t get discussed much. Stidham appears secure as the No. 2, even though Wilson played well (16-of-25 for 251 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions) in the finale. The team didn’t keep three quarterbacks last year, but it’s unlikely Wilson would pass through waivers if they hope to stick him on the practice squad.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
The Broncos have their running back rotation set; they risked none of their top three backs in the preseason finale. Javonte Williams will lead the way, with Jaleel McLaughlin offering a change of pace and Samaje Perine chipping in on passing downs. Williams was a linchpin of the first-team offense, both rushing and receiving, over the first two games, and it appears rumors of his roster demise were exaggerated. On the other hand, Perine looks like a redundant talent whose release would save the team money. Rookie Audric Estime played against Arizona, likely to catch up after losing a chunk of the offseason to injury. Jeff Legwold thinks the team “has big plans” for Estime, a hefty runner who scored 30 touchdowns over his final two years at Notre Dame, then found the end zone against the Cardinals. A goal-line role could be Estime’s ticket to relevance in 2024.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Denver’s top three wideouts—Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Josh Reynolds—don’t stir up much raw excitement. But they’re big and sure-handed, so they’ll be invaluable to rookie passer Bo Nix. In their limited preseason action together, Sutton and Patrick played heavily on the outside and saw ample usage near the line. Patrick is the real wild card; he’s returning from back-to-back lost seasons. Reynolds will rotate in as a blocking specialist. Those three should dominate snaps if healthy, though the team would love to see speedster Marvin Mims carve out a consistent role. Mims “started” ahead of Reynolds in their preseason game together but was subbed out after a single play. The coaches view Mims as a package player, and he’ll likely see close to the 38% snap share he saw last year. Seeing Sean Payton go with just five wideouts on the final roster would surprise many. That’s especially true with an extra rookie, seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele, making plays and claiming a role. Fourth-rounder Troy Franklin, meanwhile, has struggled for much of camp and was banished to play in Sunday’s game with the cut candidates. One of those, Brandon Johnson, is a big body who caught four touchdowns for the team in 2023. But Johnson has had a quiet preseason, and the team surely drafted a pair of wideouts for a reason.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Who will “start” at tight end for the Broncos is not particularly relevant. Sean Payton values Adam Trautman for his blocking, but his snap share fell down the 2023 stretch. Payton would love for Greg Dulcich, who boasts upper-tier athleticism, to emerge as a playmaker alongside Trautman. In the second preseason game, Dulcich played only nine offensive snaps, but it could be telling that he caught the ball on two of them. Sometimes, a singular play or effort can result in a tryout for an early-season role.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The Broncos have rebuilt their front seven again to keep up with an offensive-minded AFC. There isn’t much star power up front, but coordinator Vance Joseph seems satisfied with the mosaic of talents grouped in the offseason. "Those are our deepest, most experienced positions,” Joseph explained last week. “Those guys have to play well for us to win games this fall." That’s especially true in the AFC West, where Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert are adept at beating soft fronts. Joseph will need Baron Browning and rookie Jonah Elliss, the most naturally gifted rushers, to create havoc off the edges.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Marvin Mims Jr. is slated to handle both punt and kickoff returns. Jalen Virgil might also make the final roster; if he does, he could split kickoff return duties with Mims.
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
At this point, it’s difficult for coach Sean Payton to withhold the starting job from Bo Nix any longer. Nix entered camp as a rookie, albeit one with hefty college experience and the profile of a sharp, accurate leader. His battle with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson hasn’t been much of a competition: through two games, the veterans have looked like journeymen, while Nix now sits at 23-of-30 for 205 yards, with two touchdowns and no turnovers. Not much is being asked of Nix, who’s keeping the ball underneath and safe for the most part. Against the Packers, it was wideout Tim Patrick and tight end Adam Trautman who commanded most of Nix’s early attention. He didn’t push the ball more than 10 yards downfield until a second-quarter completion to Courtland Sutton.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Coach Payton played most of his starters Sunday night, which strongly suggests that Javonte Williams still leads this backfield. The great Cecil Lammey took note, too, and enjoyed what he saw from Williams 22 months post-surgery. “Now, it looks like his burst is back – but I didn’t see it as much against the Indianapolis Colts,” Lammey wrote over the weekend. “Against the Packers, Williams showcased his burst.” Of course, all these live-action reps could mean the opposite for Williams. The Denver Post’s Tony Renck has wondered aloud whether Williams’ roster spot is even safe. Williams is slimmer and healthier this camp, but the fact that the team chased Josh Jacobs in free agency suggests they’re not ready to anoint him a workhorse. Jaleel McLaughlin continues to look like the most explosive rotational piece. He again played second against the Packers, just behind Williams, and made yet another splash run. Those two look light years ahead of rookie Audric Estime, a two-down thumper, and plodding veteran Samaje Perine, who could save the Broncos $3 million with a late-camp release.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The Broncos have assembled a wide, diverse receiver room – one that Coach Payton seems thrilled with. “More than I can recall anywhere, the depth in competition at [receiver] – we potentially have guys that may end up playing for another team,” Payton told reporters last week. “It’s still early in the process… These guys are working hard, and it’s a good problem to have.” There’s no question Courtland Sutton, the most experienced and the most gifted with No. 1 traits, leads the pack. Sutton played extensively with Bo Nix and the first team Sunday night, and he was the recipient of Nix’s first downfield throw of the game, a 23-yard completion. There’s a wide range of opinions on whether Tim Patrick, whose big frame and trusty hands would be helpful but who’s lost the last two years to injury, will contribute any further. Patrick also played with the first team Sunday, catching four balls (including a touchdown). Earlier in the offseason, Sutton prepared the media to see Patrick playing heavily, if not starting, on the outside. Patrick’s only real competition there is journeyman Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Still, before the game, Broncos Wire’s Jon Heath projected Patrick to lose the numbers game to rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele. Vele, in particular, has impressed onlookers and could be primed for an offensive role. Speedster Marvin Mims is prepping for an expanded role, but that’s yet to be seen in his second camp.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The preseason games thus far point to volume, at the very least, for Adam Trautman. Payton and rookie passer Bo Nix are largely keeping the ball under the defense, with numerous check-downs to Trautman and the running backs. Earlier in camp, Trautman spoke about Nix’s experience and early NFL development. “He’s doing great. People talk about all the games he started in college; I think that truly means something. You see it in the way he commands a huddle and the way he steps up into the pocket where he can find his voids. That’s an experience thing.”
Preseason Updates: Defense
The defense, supposedly in a state of transition entering 2024, looked fantastic in the second preseason game. The Packers played no starters, but it was encouraging to see coordinator Vance Joseph’s subs and switches working. One key development has been the emergence of down linemen Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers, both significant parts of the team’s plan to improve its run defense. For what it’s worth, neither the Colts (23 carries for 64 yards) nor the Packers (26 for 88) have been able to mount any semblance of a ground game against this unit.
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
Right guard Quinn Meinerz is a rising star, and the team rewarded the former Division III player's performance with an 80-million-dollar extension. The tackle duo of left tackle Garret Bolles and right tackle Mike McGlinchey are quietly well above average. The only lineup change is at center. After allowing Lloyd Cushenberry III to depart, the team created a positional battle between Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth (2023 sixth-round pick). Wattenberg has taken the opportunity and run with it. The coaches sound comfortable going into the season with the 2022 fifth-round pick from Washington as a starter. This line ranks 19th overall.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Rookie Bo Nix didn’t start against the Colts; that honor went to Jarrett Stidham. The veteran completed 4-of-7 passes for 37 yards and an interception before handing the reins to Nix. The rookie made the most of his opportunity, completing 15 of 21 passes with a touchdown and no turnovers. He also showcased his mobility, reminding everyone of his 744 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns over his final two years at Oregon. In all, the Broncos scored 20 points on five possessions and will undoubtedly spur onlookers to call for him to be moved up the depth chart. Zach Wilson finished the game and was sharp, completing 10-of-13 passes for 117 yards, but lost a key fumble.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Coach Sean Payton and the Broncos have brought a long, diverse list of names into camp to restock one of the league’s shakiest backfields. Reports on Javonte Williams and his surgically repaired knee have been generally good, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t lead the team in carries in 2024. Payton has praised Williams throughout the offseason, but he has also spoken highly of Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and Tyler Badie. “I’m pleased with where the room’s at,” Payton told reporters last week. McLaughlin looked the best against the Colts, turning nine touches into 56 yards. McLaughlin isn’t built to be a lead back, but he was dynamic as a part-time rookie, and that success is carrying over thus far. On the other end of the spectrum, the shakiest name has to be Samaje Perine. The 29-year-old is slated to make $4.5 million in 2024, but the team can save $3 million by cutting him.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton is expected to remain the unchallenged No. 1 wideout regardless of who's under center. With Jerry Jeudy gone, the No. 2 and 3 receiver spots are up for grabs. Just last week, Sutton predicted that Tim Patrick would take a chunk of first-team snaps out wide. True to form, Patrick played 11 of the first 12 snaps against the Colts, catching his only target for 14 yards. Patrick isn’t particularly exciting, especially after a pair of season-ending injuries that may have diminished his explosiveness at age 30. However, he’s a big, reliable, and trusted body at a position that lacks those qualities. From 2020-21, Patrick turned 104 receptions into 11 touchdowns, with eight coming in the red zone. Most buzz surrounds speedster Marvin Mims, but Patrick may have already claimed more snaps. Mims’ usage against the Colts was concerning; he barely saw the field until the second quarter and played longer into the second half than expected. Mims wasn’t effective as a 2023 rookie, so Coach Payton may look elsewhere. Veteran Josh Reynolds, valued much more for his blocking, isn’t much of a downfield threat. Still, every snap Reynolds takes is one less opportunity for Mims to prove he belongs. Perhaps rookie Troy Franklin can earn his way past Mims as the downfield specialist. Franklin has made a handful of splash plays but has sometimes been outplayed by seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Broncos have one of the least exciting groups of pass-catching tight ends in the league. Adam Trautman is slated to start again, but he offers little as a receiver. The only real hope for production from this position is Greg Dulcich, who has been limited to just 12 of 34 possible games due to injuries. A natural athlete, Dulcich has received plenty of praise, but it's still difficult to see a clear path to consistent targets for him. He primarily works out of the slot, where the team lacks a proven alternative at receiver, and could make an impact with just 75-80 targets in 2024. As Denver Post’s Ryan McFadden noted last week, “Even though the plays [at practice] were few, it served as a reminder of why Payton valued Dulcich so much ahead of the 2023 season.”
Preseason Updates: Defense
Coordinator Vance Joseph continues to fine-tune the defense with a focus on playmaking. Last Wednesday, team writer Aric DiLalla noted a blitz-heavy day from the defensive coaches. “We’re [the offense is] installing a third-down package. Defensively, they are as well,” Coach Payton explained after practice. Without a star edge rusher on the roster, there’s a significant need for creativity in getting to the quarterback. So far in camp, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper have drawn the most attention off the edges.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Marvin Mims is slated to handle both punt and kickoff returns. Head coach Sean Payton believes the team will adapt well to the new kickoff return rules, saying, “We think it benefits us. Trust me, we’re in favor of it.”
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The future may already be here for the Broncos. 9News’ Mike Klis reported last week that first-round rookie Bo Nix "appears to be leading the race for the starting job" in situational camp practices. Nix’s competition, journeyman Jarrett Stidham and Jets castoff Zach Wilson have been working extensively with the No. 2 and 3 units in recent days. When the starters participated in high-leverage scrimmages last week, Klis noted that Nix dominated the snaps. "Even if it is Stidham with the 1s on Saturday," Klis observed, "more steps are being made to get Nix ready." The two passers indeed split first-team reps on Saturday, indicating a close battle—but one the team would love to see the rookie win.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Coach Sean Payton has assembled a four-headed group of backs to evaluate during the preseason, with uncertainty surrounding their health, effectiveness, and roles. "Pick your player, and we can talk about him," Payton told reporters as he praised his well-stocked running backs room. Javonte Williams aims to recover from 2022 knee surgery and a lackluster 2023 season. Payton describes him as “a completely different player” post-recovery, being 11 pounds lighter and quicker. Rookie Audric Estime could contribute long-term as he recovers from his own surgery. The most electric option is Jaleel McLaughlin, who averaged 5.3 yards per touch as a rookie. "He’s here at 5:15, even in the offseason, first one here running and in the weight room," Payton noted, praising McLaughlin's work ethic. Though not built for a bell cow role at just 5-foot-7 and 187 pounds, McLaughlin looks dynamic and likely to outperform his workload. Samaje Perine could be a potential cut candidate, as cutting him would save the team $3 million in cap space.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
This is Courtland Sutton’s seventh Broncos training camp, but his first as the unquestioned No. 1 wideout. The offseason trade of Jerry Jeudy leaves only a handful of role players (Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick) and unproven options (Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin) alongside Sutton, who reworked his contract into a “prove it” deal in July. Neither Mims nor Franklin have drawn much early-camp buzz; both are raw and may fit best as niche players initially. If neither can show more consistent flashes, then journeyman Reynolds, who’s valued for his strong hands and blocking, will claim most of Jeudy’s 75% snap share. Down the roster, Patrick may find himself on the roster bubble after two injury-stricken seasons. Still, Sutton and coach Sean Payton are both excited about what Patrick still brings to such a young group. In fact, at this early point, Sutton seems prepared to start opposite Patrick in some three-wide sets. “I'm sure you guys noticed last year, Coach is really big on personnel changes," Sutton told reporters last week. "…If you can trot out three 6-foot-3 receivers in a situation that can go out there and put a height advantage against a shorter defensive back group – I don't care how good the group is.”
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Broncos chose Bo Nix over the draft’s top tight end, Georgia’s Brock Bowers, a decision they hope won't be regrettable in the future. The tight end room remains one of the league’s weakest in terms of pass-catching potential. Snaps will largely go to blocking specialist Adam Trautman (12.0 yards per game last year), with hopes that the oft-injured Greg Dulcich (just 12 games in two seasons) can contribute more. As Trautman humorously noted, Sean Payton's offense rarely relies heavily on tight ends, “I couldn’t care less about fantasy.”
Preseason Updates: Defense
The Denver front seven has undergone significant changes in the past half-decade and will continue to evolve under coordinator Vance Joseph's 3-4 scheme. Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper, with Pro Bowl potential, are key players, particularly in pass-rushing roles. Both are candidates for their first 10-sack seasons, aligning with Joseph's "disruptive" and splash-play approach. They will be unrestricted free agents after 2024.
