Predicting the Complete Denver Broncos Depth Chart for the 2011 NFL Season

John RozumJun 7, 2018

After last season concluded, there's been a lot of discussion this offseason as to who will be the Broncos starting quarterback for the 2011 season.

Then, we had the NFL draft and saw Denver improve defensively with Von Miller, Nate Irving, Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter.

There's also been a veteran acquisition in running back Willis McGahee from the Ravens.

All in all, John Elway and head coach John Fox have been putting the puzzle together to get the Mile High City back to AFC West supremacy.

With that, here is what you can expect the complete depth chart to look like, come time for kickoff against the Oakland Raiders in Week 1 on Monday Night Football.

Quarterbacks

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The Broncos neglected to trade away Kyle Orton, despite all the offseason trade talk.

Also, it's not too far-fetched to believe he sat the end of 2010 because there was an injury risk.

Think about it. Denver wasn't making the playoffs, and Tim Tebow needed some solid game experience.

No reason to risk having Orton get hurt when they're not making the postseason, thus letting the youngster wet his feet.

Starter: Kyle Orton

Backup: Tim Tebow

Third String: Adam Weber (Solid QB from Minnesota who will be better than Brady Quinn)

Running Backs

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Now that the Broncos have added veteran back Willis McGahee to the mix, the Denver ground game will be more effective than it has been in recent memory.

The one-two punch with McGahee and Knowshon Moreno will make defenses—at the very least—respect the Broncos rushing attack (because of how much potential there is at wide receiver).

Now, McGahee is getting up there in age (turning 30 in October), but he'll provide some leadership, equivalent to that of LaDainian Tomlinson in New York.

Also, with Denver's excess of solid receivers, chances are if a fullback is ever put in, it'll either be McGahee or a backup tight end.

Starter: Knowshon Moreno

Backup: Willis McGahee

Wide Receivers

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With the personnel improvement in Denver's ground game, it's only going to make things easier for one of the better receiving cores in football.

Coming off a second team All-Pro selection in 2010, Brandon Lloyd remains as Kyle Orton's go-to threat.

Look for second-year receiver Demaryius Thomas to play the No. 2 position across from Lloyd, while Eddie Royal will be the slot man.

That's a pretty dangerous group of receivers. Since Royal is more of a slot receiver, his reputation will draw a lot of attention away from Thomas, of whom big things will be expected.

All three will also start, along with Moreno at running back and one tight end (next slide).

No. 1: Brandon Lloyd

No. 2: Demaryius Thomas

Slot: Eddie Royal (his versatility will greatly benefit both slots for Orton)

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Tight Ends

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In honor of his induction ceremony, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Shannon Sharpe in the picture. (Sorry, it's really all I can do for him.)

Tight end is probably the weakest position in the Broncos offense. Fifth-year player Dante Rosario has the most experience and playing time in the league, so he should be the favorite to start.

With the releasing of Daniel Graham, there is room for rookie Julius Thomas to make a significant impact, along with Dan Gronkowski and Richard Quinn.

However, only three can make the final cut.

Starter: Dante Rosario

Backup: Julius Thomas

Third String: Dan Gronkowski

Tackles

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We all know Ryan Clady will act as the blind-side protector of Kyle Orton.

But with Ryan Harris now in Philadelphia, that leaves some competition for the starting right tackle.

And, it's basically a level playing field, since no one really sticks out in terms of solid NFL experience.

There's rookie Orlando Franklin, Shawn Murphy and Herb Taylor, who will most likely be battling, while Chris Clark remains behind Clady.

My gut goes with Franklin, since he was the highest-rated offensive tackle coming into the 2011 NFL draft.

Starting LT: Ryan Clady

Backup: Chris Clark

Starting RT: Orlando Franklin

Backup: Herb Taylor

Guards

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Much like Ryan Clady at left tackle, it's practically set in stone that Chris Kuper (pictured) will be the starting right guard.

The left guard position, however, has some solid contenders: Russ Hochstein and Zane Beadles.

Beadles has more talent and potential (mainly because he's younger), but Hochstein has the experience and success (two-time Super Bowl champion).

Either way is a win-win, and whoever doesn't start has the ability to act as a backup at both tackle and guard (either side) as well as center.

Starting Left Guard: Zane Beadles

Starting Right Guard: Chris Kuper

Backups: Russ Hochstein, Eric Olsen

Center

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Right there, you see the man who is the standard of Denver Bronco offensive linemen, Tommy Nalen.

He is one former Denver Bronco who should be in the Hall of Fame.

Anyway, expect J.D. Walton to continue his role as the Broncos starting center, as he did start 15 games in 2010.

Starter: J.D. Walton

Backup: Jeff Byers

Defensive Tackles

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In the defensive trenches we see a lot of potential but so far, not too much productivity.

Marcus Thomas is the perhaps the most well-known of Denver's defensive tackles, but keep an eye on Kevin Vickerson, who made a bright splash in 2010, as well as Ty Warren from New England.

Also, look for Brodrick Bunkley to compete for a starting role.

He started one year with the Eagles but didn't perform up to his first-round pick status.

As you can see, lots of competition in Denver this year.

Starters: Marcus Thomas, Ty Warren

Backups: Kevin Vickerson, Brodrick Bunkley, Ronnell Brown

Defensive Ends

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Jump for joy, Denver fans, because Elvis is back in the building!

We know he's going to start, so the question is which other defensive end proves themselves and starts opposite of Dumervil?

Rookie Jeremy Beal has great potential. Derrick Harvey has talent, but can he live up to the pressure of being noted as a first-round pick who may ultimately finish as a bust?

And finally, there's Ryan and the McBean stalk (sorry Ryan McBean, couldn't resist) who has the most experience of anyone not named Elvis Dumervil.

Starters: Elvis Dumervil, Ryan McBean

Backups: Jeremy Beal, Derrick Harvey, Jason Hunter

Linebackers

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For those that don't miss Simon Fletcher, more Tecmo Super Bowl needs to be played.

But for those who still miss him, welcome Von Miller to the Denver Broncos.

The No. 2 overall will most likely play opposite of fellow sack-master, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, which leaves the middle open for D.J. Williams and the other side for Robert Ayers.

Also, the Broncos have some solid talent backing the starters, so a switch to a 3-4, 1-5-5, or 46 scheme is possible.

OLB Starters: Von Miller, Robert Ayers

OLB Backups: Wesley Woodyard, Nate Irving

MLB Starter: D.J. Williams

MLB Backups: Mario Haggins, Spencer Larsen

Cornerbacks

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It's no surprise who should start at corner in Denver: Champ Bailey and Andre' Goodman.

Both are seasoned veterans with a combined 23 years in the NFL and can still play at a high level.

Now obviously, Bailey is more accomplished, but having him take away half the field again will allow the safeties to roll down to help Goodman when needed.

Also, until the Broncos draft a notable corner, Nate Jones and Perrish Cox remain the only experienced backups.

Starters: Champ Bailey, Andre' Goodman

Backups: Nate Jones, Perrish Cox

Safeties

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For just one season, don't you wish Brian Dawkins was teamed up with Steve Atwater at safety in Denver?

That would have been beyond unreal.

Anyway, we know B-Dawk will be the starter at free safety. With Renaldo Hill released in July, strong safety has some exciting competition.

You have rookie Rahim Moore from UCLA battling with Kyle McCarthy, David Bruton, Darcel McBath and another rookie in Quinton Carter from Oklahoma.

Moore appears to have the most potential, but Bruton and McBath have the most experience, and you can never count out McCarthy after his solid play from last season.

Free Safety: Brian Dawkins

Strong Safety: David Bruton

Back-Ups: Rahim Moore, Kyle McCarthy, Darcel McBath