5 Denver Broncos Players Poised for a Breakout Campaign in 2015

The Denver Broncos are going to feature a different offense in 2015. New head coach Gary Kubiak and new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison will implement a more balanced offense that relies on the zone-blocking system and the rushing attack. They will work hard this offseason to meld what quarterback Peyton Manning likes to do offensively and what their system does.

On the defensive side of the ball, we are going to see plenty of changes as well. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is going to run an aggressive 3-4 scheme in 2015. His creativity when figuring out ways to rush the passer should lead to an intimidating unit that can control games for the Broncos.

Here are five Broncos players poised for a breakout campaign in 2015.

5: Jordan Norwood

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Denver has been looking for a quality return man for quite some time. The team added competition to the mix by signing free agent Solomon Patton earlier this year, but let’s focus on veteran wide receiver Jordan Norwood.

Originally an undrafted free agent for the Cleveland Browns in 2009, Norwood was a quality receiver in college at Penn State. He bounced around the league to a few different teams before landing with the Broncos in 2014.

Norwood put together a strong training camp last year. During practice, he would regularly go “all out” to make difficult catches near the sidelines or in the back of the end zone. He would dive for low passes or reach out to make catches that seemed out of reach. Norwood proved to be one of the most reliable reserve receivers in training camp, and he even got a few reps with the first-team offense.

During the opening preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, he was the team’s second-leading receiver with three catches for 51 yards and one touchdown. In the fourth quarter, he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Brock Osweiler that put the Broncos in the lead for good.

He was looking like a player who would make the final roster before a knee injury cut his season short. On August 25, the Broncos put him on season-ending injured reserve with an ACL injury.

Norwood has been working to get back from this injury over the last nine months. He’ll have to prove that he’s healthy—and can stay that way—and that he can pick up where he left off last training camp. If healthy, he could make the team as a reserve receiver. He might make his biggest impact as a return man for the Broncos in 2015.

4: Darian Stewart

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The secondary in Denver is stocked with superstar-caliber talent. Cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. are two of the best in the game at their position, and you can argue (easily) that Denver has the best starting duo of corners in the league. Strong safety T.J. Ward is one of the most intimidating players in the NFL today, and he gives the Broncos defense a lot of swagger when he’s roaming the field.

New free safety Darian Stewart should benefit from the players around him in the secondary.

He came into the league in 2010 as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina. He spent the first four years of his career with the St. Louis Rams, but his playing days with the Rams were set back by injuries and inconsistency.

Last season, Stewart got a fresh start as he moved on to play for the Baltimore Ravens. He stayed healthy and was a solid player for the Ravens defense. He seemed to always be around the ball and picked off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the team’s win in the Wild Card Round.

Now, Stewart is following Gary Kubiak (former Ravens offensive coordinator) to Denver. “He’s a great guy, cool coach, and I was willing to play for him,” Stewart said at a press conference Wednesday.

He will face competition for the starting job from an interesting player. Second-year cornerback Bradley Roby could be put on the field at free safety in certain packages. Roby was fantastic as a nickel corner last season, but the Broncos may choose to put him on the field if Stewart struggles or doesn’t stay healthy.

Stewart has the upside and ability to be a good starter for the Broncos. With so much talent around him in the secondary—and a phenomenal pass rush in front of him—he should showcase his natural talent and become a playmaker for Denver.

3: Cody Latimer

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The Broncos didn’t use Cody Latimer much last year during his rookie season. Expect that to change this season under new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.

The Broncos moved up in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft so they could secure Latimer. A big target (6'2", 215 lbs) at Indiana University, he was known as a great run-blocker in addition to what he could do as a receiver. Latimer does a good job of tracking passes over his shoulder. He has the wingspan and leaping ability to play “above the rim” and knows how to use his large frame to box out smaller defenders.

As a rookie, he barely saw the field during the regular season. He was inactive for eight games in 2014, and in the other eight games he didn’t get much playing time as the team’s fourth receiver. Latimer was only targeted four times and caught two of those passes for 23 yards.

This year, he is looking forward to showcasing what he can do in the new offense.

“I love it,” Latimer said. “There is a lot of running. We get to block, and there are a lot of deep throws. That’s something that we like: big chunks of yardage.”

We could see Latimer line up on the outside opposite Demaryius Thomas in certain formations. When Latimer comes on the field, we should see Emmanuel Sanders move inside to the slot position. Latimer’s size makes him an attractive target in the red zone, and that could be where he makes his biggest impact.

The third wide receiver under head coach Gary Kubiak has never really done much. Latimer could have a breakout season, but at the end of the season he might only end up with 30-40 catches. The talent is there for him to be much more productive, but he’d need to move up the depth chart in order to do that.

The nature of the offense under Kubiak (run-heavy, two tight ends) will hold Latimer’s numbers down more than some think. His talent is immense—and he should break out—but his huge breakout season may come next year.

2: Virgil Green

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The team has an underrated receiver in fifth-year tight end Virgil Green. He’s likely to put up career-best numbers as a receiver this season.

A seventh-round draft pick in 2011, Green came out of Nevada as a favorite target of his college quarterback (and current San Francisco 49ers starter), Colin Kaepernick. Green was known as a move tight end who had reliable hands and could find the soft spot in a zone. He wasn’t a crisp route-runner, but he was as an explosive athlete who tested well in the predraft process.

Over the last four seasons, Green has barely seen time as a receiver. Instead, he has worked hard to develop his game as a blocker. He is now the best blocking tight end on the team and a great asset for the rushing attack.

This year, he will get an opportunity to show his stuff as a receiver.

The new offense under Gary Kubiak will regularly feature two-tight end formations. Owen Daniels is going to be the lead tight end, but Green should get his fair share of targets.

For his career, Green only has 23 catches for 206 yards and one receiving touchdown. He might double those numbers in this season alone.

Green is a team-first guy who will do whatever is asked of him—even if that’s lining up in the backfield as a fullback on rare occasions. This year, he should wow Broncos fans with his natural (and to this point hidden) receiving ability.

1: C.J. Anderson

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There is a rising star in the Mile High City, and his name is C.J. Anderson. Last year, he proved that he could be an effective starter. This year, he may prove that he’s one of the best running backs in the NFL.

An undrafted free agent out of Cal in 2013, Anderson wears No. 22 because that’s the number of running backs that were selected that year in the draft. He was passed over by every team in the league multiple times, but Anderson’s talent did not go unnoticed by the Broncos.

He has the power of a lead back, and his big lower body and strong legs help him blast through arm tackles or push the pile with ease.

Even though he’s a power back, Anderson does have some wiggle to his game. He can be elusive in the hole or at the second level of the defense.

He is also a capable receiver out of the backfield. He’s a full-time player, and now Anderson will get to prove his value in an offense custom-made for a back with his skill set.

Gary Kubiak turned another undrafted back, Arian Foster, into a superstar when he was the head coach of the Houston Texans. Now, he’ll put Anderson in the spotlight as the lead back.

The zone-blocking system the Broncos will employ this year is perfect for a patient and determined runner like Anderson. He’ll be able to stretch plays laterally as he uses his incredible vision to find the cutback lane. He can then use his quickness and power to get north and south in a hurry.

The offense is a great fit for Anderson. He’s in better shape this year and has the skill set where he will rarely need to come off the field.

If Anderson finishes the 2015 season as the NFL’s leading rusher, don’t be surprised.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.