Winners and Losers of Denver Broncos' Offseason So Far
The Denver Broncos have had an interesting offseason in 2015. This team is still in a Super Bowl window, and they’ve worked diligently this offseason to put the best possible talent around Peyton Manning they can. On the defensive side, the team turns to new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to lead the way with an aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Free agency came and went with the Broncos being less active in the process than they were last offseason. They had less salary-cap room this year, so Denver had to hunt for reasonably priced veterans. The team did a good job of filing holes while also finding quality additions at multiple positions.
The draft season took up a lot of time for the Broncos. For the first time under general manager John Elway, the team moved up in the first round to get the player they most coveted. During the rest of the draft, Denver added players with starter’s upside and intriguing developmental prospects.
The process of working through the offseason has created opportunity for some players on the roster. It also has put some other players in a position where making an impact—or making the roster—could be difficult.
Here are the winners and loser of the Broncos' offseason so far.
Loser: Shelley Smith
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Many thought the Broncos added a lock for the starting left guard position when they signed Shelley Smith in free agency earlier this year. Having worked under head coach Gary Kubiak during their time together with the Houston Texans, Smith is a natural fit for the zone-blocking system the Broncos have implemented this year.
Smith is a known talent, but the Broncos wanted to give a longer look to veteran Ben Garland during OTAs. So far, Garland has not disappointed.
With Garland at the top of the depth chart heading into training camp, Smith could be on the outside looking in when it comes to the final 53-man roster.
In addition to Garland, the Broncos can also use rookie Max Garcia inside at guard. The Broncos took Garcia off the board in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. During his college career at both Maryland and Florida, Garcia played all across the offensive line. He’s listed as a center, but his best fit at the pro level may be inside at guard.
There’s also the possibility that 2014 third-round pick Michael Schofield moves to guard. He was a right tackle for most of his career at Michigan, but he did start double-digit games at left guard for the Wolverines. He’s working as a swing tackle right now, but that might not be his final position.
Smith will need to show better than Garland in training camp if he wants to win the starting job. He may have to win the starting job if he wants to make the final roster.
Winner: DeMarcus Ware
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This Broncos defense is going to get after the quarterback. Phillips is known for being a creative mind when it comes to building pressure from all angles. DeMarcus Ware is going to benefit from working under Phillips again.
The two worked together when Phillips was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2007-2010. They’re reunited in Denver with one goal: win a Super Bowl.
Ware was a high-dollar free-agent addition for the Broncos last offseason. He finished the 2014 season with a healthy 10.5 sacks and provided a nice complementary pass-rusher opposite Von Miller. However, of those 10.5 sacks, Ware only had two sacks over the final eight games of the regular season.
The Broncos will keep him fresh with rookie first-round pick Shane Ray. The team moved up to get him in the draft, and Ray plays like every snap is his last. He’s relentless when getting after the passer, and Ray should be able to be incredibly disruptive as a part-time pass-rusher in 2015.
Using Ray should help keep Ware on top of his game. Couple that with the hiring of Phillips, and Ware could post better numbers than he did last season.
Loser: Britton Colquitt
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There is going to be an interesting competition at punter during training camp this year. The Broncos may not be happy with Britton Colquitt’s performance last year, and his salary makes him a target for release if Karl Schmitz outplays him during training camp and the preseason.
Earlier this year, the Broncos added free-agent punter Karl Schmitz. He hasn’t kicked in a game since he played at Jacksonville University seven years ago, but he Broncos coaching staff was impressed watching Schmitz at the veteran combine earlier this year, so they signed him to a contract.
Schmitz has a fantastic highlight reel on YouTube where he hits 70-yard field goals and boots punts with incredible hang time.
When looking at the top average annual salaries for punters in the league, Britton Colquitt sits at the top at over $3.8 million.
In 2014, Colquitt’s net punt yardage of 3,048 (24th), long punt of 65 yards (21st), number of punt touchbacks (22nd) and yards per punt of 44.17 (26th) all ranked near the bottom of the league. Simply put, these numbers are too low for a player with such a high price tag.
We could see Schmitz push more than Colquitt off the roster. Kickoff specialist Brandon McManus might also be asked to turn in his playbook because Schmitz can do his job as well.
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Winner: Cody Latimer
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With Demaryius Thomas staying away from Dove Valley as his contract negotiations continue, Cody Latimer has been able to showcase his considerable talent. The Broncos moved up in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft to select Latimer out of Indiana University. Latimer didn’t see the field much last season, and he finished his rookie year with only two catches for 23 yards.
This offseason, Latimer is reminding observers why he was so highly touted coming out of college.
Latimer is playing on the outside opposite Emmanuel Sanders in OTAs and minicamp. He’s got the speed to get on top of the defense, and Latimer does a good job of tracking passes deep over his shoulder.
He can make difficult catches seem routine, and this makes him a great target on critical downs. Latimer will go all-out to make a grab in the end zone or near the sidelines to move the chains. When the ball is in the air, Latimer has great “my ball” mentality, and he can regularly win at the point of the catch.
Thomas will be back at Dove Valley soon enough. The two sides have until July 15th to get a new long-term contract worked out. When Thomas returns, Latimer will move to the third wide receiver spot.
The Broncos could use three-wide receiver sets where Latimer is on the outside opposite Thomas and Sanders moves inside to his more natural slot position. That formation won’t be used frequently by a Rick Dennison offense that regularly features two tight ends instead. However, it would be wise for the Broncos to get Latimer involved from time to time because of his unique skill set.
Loser: Andre Caldwell
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The Broncos have a ton of talent at the wide receiver position, and some tough decisions will have to be made about who makes the final roster. One of those tough decisions could involve veteran Andre “Bubba” Caldwell.
His speed helps him fly by the defense, but Caldwell rarely does much with any opportunity he gets on offense as a receiver. He’s also not overly impressive as a return man. The Broncos may want to find someone else to fill their depth chart.
Caldwell’s salary may not help his case to make the team either. He’s not set to make that much, as he has a salary-cap number of only $1.55 million in 2015. However, with only $200,000 in dead money, the Broncos could save over $1.3 million if they released Caldwell.
It’s not just Latimer in an expanded role. The Broncos have players behind Caldwell that could prove more valuable—and for a much better price.
Last year, Jordan Norwood seemed primed to make the final roster. A knee injury in training camp ended his bid for the 53-man roster, but Norwood has returned this year to show that he belongs on that list.
Second-year pro Bennie Fowler could also make the final roster. He was impressive last year in training camp because of his run-after-the-catch ability, but the Broncos decided to put him on the practice squad for his rookie season. However, Fowler might be too good to sneak through to the practice squad. He’s certainly been looking good during OTAs and minicamp this year.
Caldwell isn’t getting paid that much this year, but the team could decide to go in a different direction with so much quality talent at the position.
Winner: C.J. Anderson
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There is a star rising in the Mile High City, and his name is C.J. Anderson. After Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman were hurt last year, Anderson took over as the starter and proved he could be incredibly productive as a starter.
He led the league in rushing over the final six weeks of 2014 with 648 rushing yards. His eight rushing touchdowns during that time also led the NFL. Anderson's 779 all-purpose yards (rushing and receiving) were good for third in the NFL behind New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (853) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (780).
This year, the Broncos have implemented the zone-blocking scheme up front. That system could make Anderson even more dangerous as the starter.
Anderson does a good job of patiently waiting for holes (or cutback lanes) to open up. He knows how to properly time his cut to—and through—the hole. Anderson uses subtle moves to set up defenders at the second level before he crosses the line of scrimmage. He has make-you-miss ability in tight quarters, and Anderson uses his powerful lower body to push through arm tackles.
As a three-down player, Anderson can be a quality receiver out of the backfield for the Broncos. He can even split out wide and run routes if needed.
Anderson sits atop the depth chart right now. He’ll get pushed in training camp by Montee Ball, but Anderson looks more natural in this new system. Anderson could be in for a very productive 2015 as the focus of the Broncos offense shifts to the rushing attack.
Loser: Ronnie Hillman
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The Broncos are implementing a zone-blocking system this year under new head coach Gary Kubiak. We’ll see C.J. Anderson as the starter entering training camp, and Montee Ball will push him for that spot. Is there a role for Ronnie Hillman this year?
Hillman started a handful of games last year after Ball was injured, and he was somewhat productive during that time with two 100-yard rushing performances. His speed certainly makes him an asset as a change-of-pace back, but finding playing time could prove to be difficult behind Anderson and Ball.
The zone-blocking system is not a natural fit for Hillman.
His dancing style leads to carries that get caught behind the line of scrimmage. Hillman doesn’t wait for cutback lanes to develop, instead opting to bounce many of his carries outside the tackles. This simply is a bad look in the zone-blocking system.
Hillman isn’t going to become more decisive all of a sudden, and he’s certainly not going to run through arm tackles up the gut. The team may decide to see what a guy like Kapri Bibbs can do instead.
Bibbs has been incredible this offseason working as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. He’s got a nose for the end zone and power to run between the tackles. Bibbs looks swift after he catches a pass, and he’s got some elusiveness in the open field.
The Broncos sneaked Bibbs through to the practice squad last year after an impressive preseason. If Bibbs comes through big again in the preseason, the team may have to keep him on the 53-man roster. This could mean that Hillman would have to find a new team.
Winner: Peyton Mannin
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The Broncos may have the best chance of winning the Super Bowl this year over any other season in the Peyton Manning era. That may seem outrageous to some, but Manning won’t have to do it all this season.
Kubiak is going to bring a balanced offense to Denver featuring a strong rushing attack. This will keep defenses honest as they go up against Manning—and that’s a huge advantage for the veteran quarterback.
Manning knows where to attack defenses before the snap. With defenders playing close to the line of scrimmage to stuff the run, Manning should be able to execute play-action passes with precision. The Broncos are going to pick and choose when to use such plays, and Manning will know when to strike.
The offensive line is a huge question mark for the Broncos. Expect Manning to get rid of the ball quickly in order to help with pass protection. Last year, Manning had the shortest time before pass rate (2.2 seconds) in the league. That should continue this year, even though the offense is different.
Part of the short passing game will be tight end Owen Daniels. He knows the system like the back of his hand, and Daniels has already shown good chemistry with Manning during minicamp and OTAs. The tight end will be featured in this offense, and Daniels will be the one Manning looks to when they need to move the chains.
This offense isn’t as pass-happy as the fans are used to with Manning at the helm. However, it could be a more effective offense once the team gets to the postseason.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN employees-only database.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.
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