Denver Broncos Fantasy Football Storylines

After the new coach shipped off the franchise QB prior to the 2009 season, many didn’t know what to make of the Denver Broncos. They shot out of the gate to a 6-0 record, all of a sudden Kyle Orton didn’t sound like a bad QB option.

Then they lost eight of the remaining 10 games, finishing 8-8 on the season. Going into 2010 you have their biggest fantasy football stud, Brandon Marshall, gone and they drafted one of the most hyped players out of college in years in Tim Tebow. Let’s have a closer look at the fantasy football storylines for 2010 in Denver…

Quarterback

The question is, how long before Tim Tebow is the starting QB for the Denver Broncos? Even though you will be told that the team is happy to have Kyle Orton as its QB, you don’t trade into the first round to draft a wildcat quarterback. Tim Tebow is going to be the starter one day soon, the hype is just too big. Camp will be the Tebow show from day one.

So back to Orton…he will likely go undrafted in standard leagues unless you take him. Don’t be “that guy.”

Running Back

How often is it that you see a top-15 draft pick at the running back position that doesn’t pull off a 100 yard game in his rookie season? Usually the best rookie position to draft in fantasy football circles, owners who took Knowshon Moreno too early felt the hit of his average season.

Reports are favorable this season for Moreno. They are looking to go with more two-back sets to add lead blocker. Moreno’s pass blocking skills are much improved, and he is expected to have a bigger role in the passing game. Something to keep an eye on his how Correll Buckhalter comes into play.

Josh McDaniels draws comparisons to  his former boss, Bill Belichick, and we have a weird feeling that the running back game in Denver may end up as unreliable as the one in New England. Hope not, we like Moreno.

Wide Receiver

The Broncos finally parted ways with their best player/fantasy stud, Brandon Marshall. They did draft a guy that reminds them of…Brandon Marshall without the baggage in Demaryius Thomas. It would be a surprise if Thomas has a fantasy impact this season.

Eddie Royal will be the player that owners flock to first at this position. Simple math suggests that maybe after Marshall is gone, Royal can return to his fantasy self he was two years ago. Not so fast. Word is Royal has trouble with the playbook and McDaniels sees him more as a slot WR.

With two rookie talents it’s a wonder how consistent the position will be. Bonus, though, if you get return yardage points as Royal is supposed to have both kick and punt jobs nailed down.

The sleeper here appears to be Jabar Gaffney. Already taking in the playbook from his days in New England, Gaffney exploded at the end of last season. He is not on the radar of many yet, that should change after camp starts.

Tight End

Tony Scheffler and his “I wish this season was over” attitude are gone, sentenced to a season in Detroit. This position will have little fantasy relevance in Denver. Daniel Graham is the go-to guy. There will likely be little to no consistency in use of the tight end to warrant a draft pick.