Denver Broncos: Grading the Strength of Every Position Unit Before Camps Begin

The start of training camp for the Denver Broncos is now less than 10 days away. Things get kicked off at Dove Valley on July 31, and the Broncos are building for what they hope is a Super Bowl championship. Things fell short last season, but many things are different heading into this season.

The Broncos hired Gary Kubiak to be their new head coach after parting ways with John Fox. Kubiak has years of experience as a head coach, and he has a strong personal relationship with general manager John Elway. The new offense should be more balanced than Broncos fans are used to with quarterback Peyton Manning under center.

Defensively, there have been major changes from last year’s roster and coaching staff. Wade Phillips takes over as the new defensive coordinator in 2015. Unlike former coordinator Jack Del Rio, Phillips should run a blitz-happy defense that brings pressure from all over. Even though the team has a future Hall of Fame quarterback, the identity may be forged on the defensive side of the ball this year.

In this article, let's take a look at and grade each positional unit on the Broncos roster to see just how good the roster is as a whole.

Quarterbacks

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Peyton Manning is not washed up. Last year, Manning was injured toward the end of the regular season and couldn’t play up to his expected level.

Now, Manning is healthy and invigorated for the new season. We’ll see Kubiak mesh his system with Manning to craft an offense that works best for both parties. The Broncos should not have to rely on Manning as much this year with a strong ground game and a ferocious defense.

Manning still has one of the best play-action fakes in the NFL, and he should be able to take advantage of defenses that are getting gashed by the run. Utilizing targets like tight end Owen Daniels and fullback James Casey should help Manning get the ball out of his hands quickly and consistently move the chains.

Behind Manning, Brock Osweiler remains the primary backup. If he has a good preseason, then perhaps the Broncos will sign him to an extension. Osweiler is entering the final year of his rookie deal, while Manning has two more years left on his contract. The Broncos want to win now—and win from now on—so having their quarterback of the future locked up would help their transition to the post-Manning era, which is coming in the near future.

Grade: A

Running Backs

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C.J. Anderson has the potential to lead the league in rushing this season. He waited patiently for his opportunity after coming into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Anderson was even inactive for one game last year before injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman opened the door for him to be the starter.

To say he made the most of his opportunity is an understatement.

Anderson led the league in rushing over the last six weeks of the regular season, and he finished third in the league during that time in all-purpose yards. He is a powerful runner with the ability to grind down an opponent between the tackles. Anderson is also a capable of making plays as a receiver out of the backfield, and he’s a full-time back who doesn’t need to come off the field.

Ball began last year as the starter, but an appendectomy in training camp and a groin injury in the regular season knocked him out of action. After a disappointing sophomore season, Ball lost his starting job to Anderson. This year, Ball is out to prove that he’s the better back. This is a competition all fans will be watching closely in training camp.

Hillman may not make the final roster. His dancing style is not a good fit for the zone-blocking scheme implemented by new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. Kapri Bibbs is the back who could take Hillman’s spot as a reserve running back. Juwan Thompson is a running back/fullback ‘tweener who might be the best pass-protector on the team.

Grade: A+

Wide Receivers

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With Demaryius Thomas signed to a new long-term deal, the team won’t have to worry about their superstar receiver missing any time in training camp. After snaring over 100 passes for the first time in his career last year, expecting Thomas to post similar numbers in this new offense is not out of the question. Under Kubiak, former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson caught 100-plus catches in five different seasons. Thomas should be able to continue as one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Emmanuel Sanders had career-best numbers last year in his first season with the Broncos. However, in this new offense his numbers should suffer. Instead of catching over 100 passes like he did in 2014, Sanders might only catch 65-75 passes in 2015. With his speed and ability to get by defenders, Sanders may be able to post another 1,000-yard season even with fewer catches.

Cody Latimer did next to nothing as a rookie. Even though the team moved up in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft to get him, Latimer couldn’t get on the field for more than a handful of snaps last year. This season, Latimer has renewed focus and should be more involved in the offense. The team may not use three wide receiver sets that often, but when they do Latimer will be lined up outside opposite of Thomas with Sanders moving to the slot. Latimer has the size, strength and wingspan to eventually be a top-25 receiver in the NFL.

Behind those three, the Broncos will determine whether or not guys like Andre Caldwell will make the team. Caldwell has speed, but he’s done little with the opportunities he’s received during his time with the Broncos. Bennie Fowler has a good strength/run-after-the-catch combination, and he may prove to be more valuable than Caldwell.

The Broncos' fifth receiver on the depth chart could come down to potential returners like Isaiah Burse or Jordan Norwood. Keep an eye out on undrafted rookie Jordan Taylor. He’s turned enough heads during minicamp and OTAs to be at least a consideration for the practice squad.

Grade: A+

Tight Ends

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The Broncos brought in veteran Owen Daniels this year to be the lead tight end. Daniels has barely played any snaps as a pro without Kubiak as his head coach or offensive coordinator. He knows the system like the back of his hand, and Daniels will be able to help show others the nuances of this offense during training camp. If healthy, Daniels could catch 50 or more passes this season as a reliable target for Manning.

Virgil Green was a seventh-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, and he has worked hard to become a well-rounded tight end. Coming out of Nevada, Green was mostly known as a receiver who could work well in space and after the catch. During his pro career, Green has been underused as a receiver, and he’s developed into a fantastic blocker. Green has only 23 career catches, and he could post at least that many catches in this season because of the emphasis placed on the tight ends in the Kubiak offense.

James Casey is officially listed as a fullback on the roster, but he can be used as a tight end and an H-back in this offense. Like Daniels, Casey worked under Kubiak with the Houston Texans and knows what is expected in this offense. Casey might be in line to catch 20 or more passes this season as a receiver out of the backfield.

Dominique Jones will compete to make the final roster as primarily a blocking tight end. Joe Don Duncan will try to make the team as a fullback/tight end like Casey. Marcel Jensen could make the team because of his ability down the seam as a move tight end.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

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The biggest question marks on the roster seem to all be on the offensive line. During training camp, we should get a good idea of whether or not this team will struggle up front.

Ty Sambrailo was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft with the idea that he could compete as a starting right tackle as a rookie. Instead, Ryan Clady went down with a knee injury in minicamp earlier this year and Sambrailo was inserted into his spot at left tackle. The rookie has big shoes to fill, and he’s got a huge responsibility in protecting Manning’s blindside.

Left guard is currently open right now. We’ll see converted defensive tackle Ben Garland and free-agent addition Shelley Smith compete for that spot. Garland received most of the first-team reps at left guard during minicamp and OTAs, but it’s no guarantee he’ll be able to hold onto the job when the pads come on in training camp.

The center position is likely to be filled by Gino Gradkowski. He started every game for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, but Gradkowski was replaced as the starter and barely played in 2014. As the Ravens offensive coordinator, Kubiak must have liked what he saw from Gradkowski in practice last year because the Broncos traded for him earlier this year. His main competition will come from second-year pro Matt Paradis, a 2014 sixth-round pick out of Boise State.

Right guard is the only position that is truly set for the Broncos as they enter training camp. Louis Vasquez is an All-Pro at right guard, but last year the team was forced to move him to right tackle for about half the season. Vasquez should be happy to get back to his natural position.

There are three options for the Broncos at right tackle. Chris Clark is penciled in as the starter at the start of training camp after receiving many of the first-team reps during offseason workouts. Ryan Harris was added in free agency for his third stint with the Broncos. He is a perfect fit for a zone-blocking system, and Harris could be a quality starter if called upon. A third-round pick in 2014, Michael Schofield is bigger, stronger and ready to prove that he’s better than he was as a rookie.

The reserve offensive linemen are a strong group. A player to highlight here is Max Garcia out of Florida. Garcia was picked up by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He’s got the ability to play all five positions on the offensive line, but he could shine inside at guard or center.

Grade: C-

Defensive Line

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The new 3-4 defense is going to require strong play from the guys up front on the defensive line. We’ll see if the talent compiled by the team is going to be up to snuff.

The Broncos got some bad news last week as it was revealed that Derek Wolfe was going to be suspended four games by the NFL. Likely their starting right defensive end, the Broncos are now going to try and find his replacement from a spot they’re thin at.

Vance Walker was added in free agency earlier this year. He’s bounced around to three different teams over the last three years, but the Broncos liked him enough to sign him to a two-year deal. Walker’s best spot may be at left defensive end—a job he was going to compete for with Malik Jackson.

Entering the final year of his contract, Jackson plays with a ton of aggression. Jackson has the strength and length to stuff the run or get after the passer. Inserting Jackson into Wolfe’s role during the first month of the season might be the best bet.

Reserve defensive linemen include defensive tackle Marvin Austin. A free-agent addition last offseason, Austin has good natural talent but injuries have derailed his career. Austin has been battling nagging injuries again this offseason.

Kenny Anunike could be a sleeper candidate to replace Wolfe during his suspension. A second-year player from Duke, Anunike spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve due to an elbow injury. He’s got bend-and-burst ability around the corner as a pass-rusher, and he’s got a large wingspan to snare ball-carriers.

Antonio Smith could be a nice part-time player for the Broncos if he’s available to play. He’s missed the offseason workouts as he’s currently under investigation for a child sexual abuse case. No charges have been filed against Smith at this time, but his availability is unclear as of this writing.

Rookie nose tackle Darius Kilgo is a mountain of a man who is nearly immovable in the middle of the line. The Broncos liked him enough to select him in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Josh Watson is an intriguing undrafted rookie to keep an eye on during camp. He may not get much push as a pass-rusher, but he is a run-stuffing force to be reckoned with on the edge.

Grade: C+

Linebackers

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The Broncos have a strong collection of linebackers on the roster. In fact, one could easily make the argument that linebacker is the most talent-laden position on the team.

Von Miller is a superstar, and he could take his game to the next level this season. In the Phillips 3-4 defense, we could see Miller rack up 15-20 sacks this season. In the final year of his contract, Miller could be in line for a huge payday (think Justin Houston money) if he plays up to his enormous potential.

DeMarcus Ware was a big-name free-agent addition for the Broncos last offseason. He ended the 2014 season with 10.5 sacks, but only two of those sacks came over the final eight games of the year. This season—in what could be his final year with the Broncos—Ware needs to stay fresh as the season goes on.

Shane Ray is their 2015 first-round pick with the upside to be one of the best pass-rushers in the game today. He plays like every snap is his last, and Ray has a huge chip on his shoulder. He’s out to attack quarterbacks and wreak havoc when on the field. Ray should work well as a part-time pass-rusher this year, and his presence should also help keep Ware fresh.

Outside linebacker isn’t the only spot with incredible talent. The Broncos have a strong group of inside linebackers, too.

Brandon Marshall had a breakout season last year for the Broncos. He’s smart, tough and can fly to the football. He arrives at the ball-carrier with natural violence, and Marshall can be quite disruptive on gameday. Marshall is coming back from offseason foot surgery, and his status for the start of training camp is up in the air.

Danny Trevathan has playmaking ability against the run and in coverage. He has the athleticism to play from sideline-to-sideline, and he can bait quarterbacks into bad throws. Trevathan’s 2014 season was knocked off track by two knee injuries that he’s currently recovering from. He should be ready by the start of the regular season, but like Marshall, he should be eased into action during training camp.

Backup players at this position have a solid level of talent, too.

Steven Johnson is a strong-willed inside linebacker who can be an intimidating presence on the field. Corey Nelson and Lamin Barrow were both draft picks last year who saw a bit of playing time during their rookie season. Both will be competing to impress in training camp. Reggie Walker was picked up in free agency to work as a special teams ace.

Lerentee McCray is a talented outside linebacker who can create pressure on the outside. If he stays healthy, McCray will make a strong push for the final roster. Shaquil Barrett is a disruptive player who is nearly a forced-fumble specialist. He was a practice squad player last year, and this season he wants to prove that he’s worth a spot on the final roster.

Grade: A

Cornerbacks

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The best cornerback duo in the league could be in Denver. The way they found these two stars is also quite interesting.

Chris Harris Jr. might be the best corner in the game. An undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011, Harris worked his way up the depth chart into the starting outside corner he is today. Harris can work underneath routes, play the run effectively and has the hip swivel and burst to cover downfield routes.

Aqib Talib—a college teammate of Harris—was a first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. The Broncos picked him up in free agency last year, and he put together a fine season for Denver in 2014. Talib has the size to shutdown taller receivers or move tight ends. He is a strong tackler, and Talib has the speed to stay with receivers on deep routes.

Behind those two stars is an up-and-coming player in Bradley Roby. A first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Roby saw a lot of time last year as a nickel corner. Roby was tested early and often, and the rookie did a fine job of standing strong in the face of challenge. This year, Roby should continue to be a fine nickel corner, but eventually he will be a starter on the outside. Roby has the potential to be a top-10 corner in the NFL.

Kayvon Webster was a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, but he has yet to play up to his potential. He’s a big, physical corner, and perhaps a switch to safety is in his future.

Behind those top four corners, guys like Tony Carter, Lorenzo Doss and Taurean Nixon will compete for pecking order at the end of the depth chart.

Grade: A+

Safeties

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The Broncos have an interesting group of safeties on the roster this year. After losing free safety Rahim Moore in free agency, they will have a different starting lineup at the position.

T.J. Ward was added in free agency last year, and he did not disappoint. He’s an intimidating presence on the field, and Ward has a nose for stuffing the run. Ward flies to the football with speed and power. With Ward on the field, the Broncos defense has a swagger they were missing before Ward signed.

At free safety we should see Darian Stewart. The Broncos added him in free agency this year, and he should be able to clean up as centerfielder for the defense. Not only can Stewart roam the field looking to make plays against the pass, he’s not afraid to play close to the line of scrimmage in run support.

David Bruton has starting experience at both strong and free safety. He’s a team leader and one of the best special teams players the Broncos have on the roster.

Omar Bolden, a converted corner, works well as a reserve safety. He’s tough when playing the run, and he’s got the instincts to find the ball in the air. Josh Furman is an interesting undrafted rookie to watch in training camp. He played safety and linebacker in college, and he’s got incredible natural athleticism.

Grade: B

Special Teams

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There’s a competition brewing on special teams this training camp—at both punter and kicker.

Britton Colquitt has the highest salary for a punter on a per year basis. He’s got natural ability, but Colquitt did not perform up to that potential last year. 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 rank near the bottom of the league.

He’s going to be pushed by free agent addition Karl Schmitz.

Brandon McManus has not yet proven that he can be reliable as a field-goal kicker. He does have a strong leg, and that’s why the Broncos kept him around last year as a kickoff specialist.

He’s going to be pushed by free agent addition Karl Schmitz as well.

Schmitz is an interesting player with an unusual path to the NFL. Born in Bermuda, Schmitz handled both kickoffs and field-goal duties at Jacksonville University in 2008. That’s the last time he’s played organized football. Schmitz has been working to get a shot in the league, and the Broncos noticed him at a regional scouting combine earlier this year.

With his booming leg, Schmitz is a player to watch at both punter and kickoff specialist.

Arguably the only “safe” players on special teams are long snapper Aaron Brewer and kicker Connor Barth. When McManus struggled kicking field goals, the Broncos brought in Barth last year and he did a fine job. Brewer is a good long snapper who we rarely hear about (and that’s a good thing).

Grade: C

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.