How Will Brock Osweiler Impact Production of Broncos' Skill-Position Players?

The Denver Broncos have a new starting quarterback this week as they travel to Chicago to take on the Bears. With Peyton Manning battling a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot, the team is turning to fourth-year pro Brock Osweiler at quarterback.

Drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, Osweiler has been waiting patiently for his first career start. In the final year of his contract, the Broncos need to see what Osweiler can do as “the man” in this offense. Osweiler could be the quarterback of the future for the Broncos, but he’s certainly the quarterback of the now at least.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak likes what he’s seen from Osweiler during the week of practice.

“I think he's handled himself well. He's totally locked into what he's doing. All of the reps come your way now, and it's time to play. I think that he's had two good days. His preparation has been good. His feedback to me has been really good. He's a kid that he'll speak up.”

The offense should look different with Osweiler under center. The team may have a more balanced approach to the game plan this week. They’ll want to keep things simple for Osweiler while also playing to the strength of the team and the defense. With sustained drives from the offense, the defense should be able to stay fresh and dominate on Sunday.

How will Osweiler impact the production of the Broncos’ skill-position players? Let’s take a look.

Ronnie Hillman

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The Broncos may be able to run the ball more effectively with Osweiler at quarterback. Defenses that did not respect Manning as a runner on rollouts after play-fakes will have to approach things differently with Osweiler.

In a zone-blocking system, oftentimes the defensive end/linebacker opposite of the play side is left unblocked (or blocked briefly). The idea is that player will have to freeze for just a moment in order to decipher whether or not the quarterback has the ball.

With Manning, these defenders would just crash down the line of scrimmage directly to where the running back was going. No cutback lane was opened up, and that takes away a big asset of the Kubiak offense.

Thus, the Broncos have not been able to effectively and consistently run the football. Having a balanced offense should greatly benefit the entire team.

Hillman knows how important getting the rushing attack going is to the entire offense.

“That's with anything. When you start falling behind, you start thinking 'alright throw the ball.' I think just playing ahead is going to definitely help us. Actually, let's say this—not falling in that deep of a hole is going to help us get the running game going.” Hillman explained, “When you fall 14, 17 points behind, it's kind of hard to stick with the run game.”

On Hillman’s longest run against the Kansas City Chiefs (19 yards), Osweiler was able to hold linebacker Dee Ford for just a half-moment. That hesitation allowed Vernon Davis to gather himself and crush Ford on a block. That block opened up a cutback lane where Hillman reversed his field and gashed the defense.

Expect more of that going forward with Osweiler at quarterback.

Demaryius Thomas

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

As a favorite target of Manning, Demaryius Thomas is a proven target with big-play upside. That should make Thomas a favorite target of Osweiler as well.

The Broncos might have a conservative game plan against the Bears. It’s a team they should be able to control with their defense, so the Broncos may not have to air it out on offense. However, Thomas should still be able to post strong numbers with Osweiler at quarterback against the Bears.

Thomas knows the receivers have to do their part to help Osweiler out in his first start.

“Make plays is what we're paid to do. Just go out and make plays. Be playmakers and also help in the run game—block safeties, block corners and do whatever we've got to do to try to help the team have a better week.”

This the first week of practice in Osweiler’s career where he’s the starter going into the week. Other weeks Osweiler would prepare as the starter, but he wouldn’t receive starter’s reps.

Thomas likes the way Osweiler carries himself as a pro.

“Just being around Brock and practicing with Brock—his arm is going to be fine. His confidence is there. He's going to go out and make plays throwing the ball, and if he has to use his feet, he'll do that. My confidence is high. I know that he can make plays, and I know that he can deliver the ball around the field.”

In order for Osweiler to have a successful day as a passer, he’ll need his team's support.

Cody Latimer

Brennan Linsley/Associated Press

We could continue to see second-year pro Cody Latimer worked into the offense with Osweiler at the helm. The second-year pro was not doing much with Manning at quarterback. Entering the Chiefs game, Latimer had one target with no catches on the season. Manning targeted Latimer once in the Chiefs game on a pass that was picked off.

When Osweiler came in, everything changed for Latimer. In less than two quarters, Osweiler targeted Latimer a career-high five times. He finished the game with three catches for 30 yards.

With more catches and targets than ever before last week against the Chiefs, Latimer feels his confidence is high.

“Of course. To be able to get your feet wet and get the first couple catches out of the way—when you're sitting on the sidelines, it's hard to have much confident. It's like, 'Man, I'm over here. I want to get my shot.' Finally being able to get it was exciting. My confidence is high now.”

Latimer believes the connection between him and Osweiler is strong.

“Starting from last year, being on the scout team, doing reps all day together and then both preseasons both of my years I'm in there with Brock all the time, I feel like we've got a good connection.”

That connection should come through for the Broncos this week, and so long as Osweiler is starting.

Vernon Davis

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The Broncos traded for tight end Vernon Davis earlier this year, but he hasn’t done a lot for the offense yet. That may all change with Osweiler running the show.

With Manning, the Broncos couldn’t run the Kubiak system true to form. Instead, the team ended up meshing what Kubiak does with what Manning likes. Now, Osweiler will be able to work from under center more than Manning, and that could lead to more targets for the tight ends.

Davis revealed the team’s confidence in Osweiler is high.

“There's tons of confidence from the defensive side, offensive side and special teams. We all feel that Brock can come in and get the job done. I stay out after practice and worked with the guy. Even last week, we stayed out and probably threw about 20 balls. I feel like he can get it done. I believe in him.”

Running a more accurate version of the Kubiak offense, we should see more from the tight end position and Davis is the guy who could emerge from the pack.

Summary

The Broncos are better off with Osweiler at quarterback. Manning is not healthy, and he’s been among the worst starting quarterbacks this year. That’s not a disrespectful line of thinking; it's merely an honest assessment of what the Broncos have been with Manning as their starter.

Osweiler is ready for this opportunity.

“It's a dream come true. It really is. Growing up in Kalispell, [Montana], obviously there's a huge following of the Denver Broncos, and there are a lot of Broncos fans. I remember watching [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/GM] John [Elway] as a kid and Jake [Plummer] and the rest of those guys.”

Osweiler emphasized, “Certainly it is a dream come true, but I kind of put that aside as of last night, and I'm just treating this week like a normal work week. I have a job to do, and this team has a job to do. That's what we're focused on.”

We’ll see if Osweiler is the shot in the arm this Broncos offense needs going forward.

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.