Denver Broncos Depth Chart: Deciphering Every Offensive Player's Fit
The Denver Broncos are entering 2015 with a new-look offense. New head coach Gary Kubiak is bringing a balanced attack to Denver featuring a zone-blocking system.
This offense will look much different than what Broncos fans have become used to over the last few seasons. The blocking will be different, what is asked of the quarterback will be changed, how the running backs attack the line of scrimmage will have a different look and the routes for the wide receivers and tight ends will be changed as well.
In this article, I will go through the Broncos roster and determine whether or not a player is a good fit, bad fit or odd fit for the new system.
Here is my breakdown of the Denver Broncos depth chart where every player’s fit is graded.
Quarterback
1 of 5
It will be interesting to see how the Broncos adapt their new offense to what Peyton Manning does best. Gary Kubiak quarterbacks usually work out of a huddle, from under center and are asked to bootleg and roll out on play-action passes. Manning likes the no-huddle offense, works from under shotgun and lacks the athleticism to roll out much at all.
There will be compromises made to make this pairing work. We could see Manning work out of the pistol instead of from under center. Instead of bootlegging outside the tackle, Manning might only be asked to roll out to the edge of the tackle box. Manning may not audible that much this year, instead opting to run the play as designed.
Manning is one of the smartest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He’ll be able to figure out a way to work within the confines of the system. Kubiak has worked with several different quarterbacks during his coaching career, and I have no doubt he’ll be able to craft his system around what Manning does best.
Grade: Odd Fit
Brock Osweiler
When cornerback Chris Harris compares Brock Osweiler to Joe Flacco, you know his fit in this system is a strong one. Like Flacco, Osweiler has a rocket arm and the athleticism to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Osweiler is in the final year of his contract, and the Broncos may lose him in free agency next offseason. For this year, Osweiler should look more comfortable than ever before. If forced into the starting lineup, Kubiak should be able to bring out the best in Osweiler.
Grade: Good Fit
Running Back
2 of 5
C.J. Anderson
The Broncos found a star last year when C.J. Anderson emerged as the team’s starter. Anderson is a perfect fit in the zone-blocking system. He is a decisive runner who can make one cut and go. Anderson has a quick burst once he makes his cut, and he can create his own space by running over or around defenders. In this system as the featured back, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Anderson rush for around 1,500 yards in 2015.
Grade: Good Fit
Monte Ball
Last year was a wash for Montee Ball. An appendectomy and a groin injury cut his season short, but even when he was healthy Ball struggled to impress. This system could make him look better than he actually is—if he becomes a more decisive runner. Too often, Ball is hesitant with the ball in his hands and will wait too long for holes to emerge. It will be interesting to see how he looks with a new blocking system in front of him.
Grade: Odd Fit
Ronnie Hillman
Hillman did an admirable job for the Broncos after Ball went down with his groin injury. He is not a big back, but he does get to top speed in a hurry and is a decent receiver out of the backfield. Hillman does have a tendency to dance too much, and he’ll look to bounce runs outside rather than looking for a cutback lane. That style won’t work well in the zone-blocking system.
Grade: Bad Fit
Juwan Thompson
Thompson’s game is about pure power. He’s not creative or elusive as a runner, but Thompson will punish opponents tasked with tackling him. Thompson could play fullback for the Broncos if need be. His no-nonsense style will work well when he’s asked to run the football.
Grade: Good Fit
Jeremy Stewart
Stewart got onto the field for a few snaps last year and showed decent burst as a runner. Like Thompson, we could see Stewart asked to play a little fullback in 2015. He’s a north-south runner with little wiggle to his game. Stewart will have to show better vision in order to look good in this system.
Grade: Odd Fit
Wide Receiver
3 of 5
The Broncos placed the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas earlier this year. They have until July 15th to work out a new long-term deal with the superstar wide receiver. The Broncos will have a more balanced system in 2015, so Thomas could see his numbers dip slightly this year. He’s still a favorite target of Peyton Manning, and without tight end Julius Thomas we could see Demaryius Thomas take on an even larger role in the red zone.
Grade: Good Fit
Emmanuel Sanders
Like Demaryius Thomas, we should see the numbers dip for Sanders in 2015 as well. Sanders had a career year in 2014, and he showed great toughness each week. He’s fearless when running routes over the middle, and Sanders has the speed to take the top off the defense. Sanders should be able to get open often on play-action passes.
Grade: Good Fit
Cody Latimer
With the new offense, the outlook has changed for second-year pro Cody Latimer. The Broncos should use a lot of two-tight end sets this year, so we may not see many three-wide receiver formations where Latimer could see the field. The Broncos could get creative with the way they use Latimer—essentially using him in a way they’d use tight ends as pass-catchers. In addition to being a big target (red zone please!), Latimer is also a fantastic blocker and that will help him in this system.
Grade: Good Fit
Andre “Bubba” Caldwell
Andre “Bubba” Caldwell didn’t do a whole lot last year as a receiver or return man. This year he may lose out on the little playing time he has to an emerging talent in Latimer. Caldwell is fast in a straight line, but he’s not a refined route-runner and doesn’t track deep passes well over his shoulder. As a return man, Caldwell makes little difference.
Grade: Odd Fit
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Tight End
4 of 5
Owen Daniels
The free agent that was most easy to predict coming to Denver was Owen Daniels. He was drafted by Gary Kubiak in 2006 with the Houston Texans, and Daniels followed Kubiak to the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. Daniels will be the lead tight end for the Broncos, and he knows the offense like the back of his hand. He should catch around 50 passes this year, and Daniels should quickly become a favorite target for Peyton Manning.
Grade: Good Fit
Virgil Green
The Broncos had to keep Virgil Green around. Outside of Demaryius Thomas, you could easily make the argument that Green was the most important free agent for Denver to retain. Green has worked hard over four years to become a devastating blocker. Even though he only has 24 career receptions, Green is an underrated receiver who could catch 30 or more passes this year as the second tight end behind Daniels.
Grade: Good Fit
Dominique Jones
Jones is a big-bodied blocker who can control his man at the point of attack. He’s not much of a receiving threat, and essentially gives the Broncos an additional lineman when on the field.
Grade: Good Fit
Offensive Line
5 of 5
Ryan Clady
The team has a superstar left tackle in Ryan Clady. He bounced back last year after missing most of 2013 due to a foot injury. Going back to the zone-blocking system will only help him play better. His size, athleticism and elite footwork make him one of the best in the league.
Grade: Good Fit
Shelley Smith
The Broncos haven’t made splashy moves in free agency, but they’ve made wise decision with the moves they have made. Adding Shelley Smith was a quality move. He’s got plenty of experience in the zone-blocking system and should be the team’s starter at left guard.
Grade: Good Fit
Matt Paradis
At this time, the Broncos haven’t added a veteran center like Will Montgomery or Chris Myers in free agency. That could change before the start of the regular season, but right now Matt Paradis could be considered the front-runner for the starting job in the middle. Paradis was on the team’s practice squad last season, and he is only an average athlete.
Grade: Odd Fit
Louis Vasquez
Last season, Vasquez was moved from right guard to right tackle. He is an All-Pro guard, but he was only an average tackle at best. This year, Vasquez will be back at his natural position. He’s strong, agile and quick after the snap and will help the Broncos as a pass- and run-blocker.
Grade: Good Fit
Michael Schofield
The Broncos could add a starting right tackle in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, or they could see what last year’s third-round pick Michael Schofield can do. In college at Michigan, Schofield was often late when asked to block at the second level. He has slower-than-desired footwork, and Schofield has marginal quickness off the snap.
Grade: Bad Fit
Chris Clark
It may sound odd to some, but Clark could have a better season this year than he did last year. In 2014, Clark began the season at right tackle, but he didn’t keep the job for long. This year, the zone-blocking system may allow Clark to win the starting right tackle job—keep it—and star for the Broncos. Clark is athletic enough to fit in this system, and he does a good job of moving laterally at the snap.
Grade: Good Fit
Paul Cornick
Earlier this year, the Broncos decided to tender Cornick as an exclusive rights free agent. He is a strong player with strong hands that can move opponents out of his way. Cornick is not exactly the most laterally agile player, and it will be interesting to see how he plays in this new scheme on the offensive line.
Grade: Odd Fit
Ben Garland
Garland is a team-first guy who has played on both sides of the ball. Even though the team added Shelley Smith in free agency, Garland is going to get a chance to compete for a starting job at left guard. He’s athletic enough for the zone-blocking system, and Garland plays with good functional strength inside.
Grade: Good Fit
A mauler in the middle, Ramirez isn’t known as an athletic lineman. He’s more known as a brute at center or guard who overpowers opponents but struggles against more athletic players. With a $3.1 million cap number (and only $166,668 in dead money), we could see the Broncos part ways with Ramirez at some point before the start of the regular season.
Grade: Bad Fit
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.
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