As a lead-up to the 2023 NFL draft, we've broken down the current depth chart of every NFL team and identified the biggest draft and team needs for the Denver Broncos.
You can find additional team-by-team draft needs articles and other draft content on our 2023 NFL Draft hub.
Who did the Broncos pick in the NFL Draft?
The Denver Broncos selected Marvin Mims (WR, Oklahoma) with the 63rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Broncos selected Drew Sanders (LB, Arkansas) with the No. 67 pick and Riley Moss (CB, Iowa) with the 83rd pick.
Broncos Draft Needs: Top Positions of Need in 2023
- EDGE
- Center
- Defensive Depth
What Picks do the Denver Broncos have in 2023?
The Denver Broncos have five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including:
- Round 3 (67)
- Round 3 (68)
- Round 4 (108)
- Round 5 (139)
- Round 6 (195)
Denver Broncos Draft Capital Stats
Our Sharp Draft Value Rank is a valuation of draft capital based on a combination of average performance delivered and average dollars earned on second contracts.
This is based on two public models: performance delivered based on draft slot (the AV model created by Chase Stuart) and contractual earnings in non-rookie deals based upon draft slot (the OTC model created by Brad Spielberger and Jason Fitzgerald).
- Broncos Sharp Draft Value Rank: 31 of 32 teams
- Broncos AV Model Draft Value Rank: 30 of 32 teams
- Broncos OTC Model Draft Value Rank: 31 of 32 teams
Denver Broncos Draft Value vs Other Teams:
The Broncos' draft value is 44% lower than the league average of all 32 teams. Only one other team has less draft value entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
Denver Broncos Draft Prediction:
Mock draft expert Ryan McCrystal predicts the Broncos could target a defensive lineman like Gervon Dexter (DT, Florida) with their top pick at No. 67 overall in the third round.
The Broncos do not have a first-round pick.
Denver Broncos Strength of Schedule, 2023
The Denver Broncos have the 13th hardest NFL strength of schedule for the 2023 NFL season.
Denver Broncos Offense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Raymond Summerlin breaks down the offensive depth chart by position for the Denver Broncos, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 Denver Broncos Offensive Rankings
Quarterback Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Russell Wilson
- Jarrett Stidham
- Jarrett Guarantano
The first year of the Russell Wilson era did not go to plan.
Wilson set new career lows in completion percentage (60.5%) and touchdown rate (3.3%) and was near his worst seasons in yards per attempt (7.3) and interception rate (2.3%).
The advanced stats are not any better.
Per TruMedia, Wilson finished 26th out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per play. Even more surprising, Next Gen Stats ranked him 33rd out of 40 qualifying quarterbacks in completion rate over expected (-4%).
Wilson was pressured on 36.1% of his dropbacks (7th) per PFF and struggled on those plays, finishing 22nd among 33 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per play on pressured dropbacks.
The Broncos do not have a viable out in Wilson’s contract until 2025, and even then they would have to eat $49.6 million in dead money.
Very simply, Sean Payton has to help Wilson reclaim his old form or it will be a rough couple of years in Denver.
The Broncos did bring in Jarrett Stidham on a two-year, $10 million deal in free agency.
It is worth noting that is a relatively pricey backup deal. Payton also called Stidham an “important signing” and said the team feels like “he can become an NFL starter.”
It would be shocking if he actually pushed Wilson in any meaningful way, but it is at least something to file away.
Running Back Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Javonte Williams
- Samaje Perine
- Tony Jones Jr.
- Damarea Crockett
- Tyler Badie
- Tyreik McAllister
- Michael Burton (FB)
Javonte Williams was on his way to another good season before suffering a torn ACL and LCL in Week 4.
PFF credited him with 16 missed tackles forced on just 47 carries, and his 3.49 yards after contact per rush would have ranked seventh among qualifying running backs last season.
If Williams was guaranteed to be healthy in Week 1, he would be the clear lead back, and this backfield would look mostly set.
Unfortunately, that is not a sure thing given the severity of his injury, which means the Broncos may have to rely on their depth.
Denver took a big step toward solidifying that depth by signing Samaje Perine to a two-year deal.
Perine notched a 95-394-2 rushing line and 38-287-4 receiving line with the Bengals last season.
In the three games he played more than 50 percent of the snaps, he averaged 110 total yards per game and scored four touchdowns.
Perine has the ability to start if Williams misses time, and he should be a good secondary option once Williams is back to full speed.
The depth behind that pair is at best unproven, so it would not be a surprise if Denver adds someone to the running back room during the draft.
Wide Receiver Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Courtland Sutton
- Jerry Jeudy
- Tim Patrick
- Kendall Hinton
- KJ Hamler
- Marquez Callaway
- Montrell Washington
- Jalen Virgil
- Brandon Johnson
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey
While it could change if trade rumors surrounding Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy turn out to be true, the Broncos currently have a solid starting trio at receiver.
Sutton led the team in targets last season, catching 64 of his 109 looks for 829 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. Among the 86 receivers with at least 50 targets last season, he ranked 42nd in yards per route run.
Jeudy faired better from an efficiency standpoint, catching 67% of his targets and ranking 13th in yards per route run among receivers with at least 50 targets. He was even better down the stretch, averaging 87 yards per game over the final six.
The other member of this trio, Tim Patrick missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL. Patrick said he is already cleared for everything and should enter training camp a nearly 100 percent.
Sutton is under contract through 2025. Patrick is signed through 2024. Jeudy is technically entering the final year of his rookie deal, but the Broncos will likely pick up his 2024 option, which will cost them $13 million.
The problem is how much this group costs.
If the team picks up Jeudy’s option, these three receivers will account for $43.3 million of Denver’s cap space in 2024. Per Spotrac, Denver is currently slated to spend the eighth-most cap dollars on receivers in 2024 when Jeudy's option is included.
That is a lot to pay for just a “solid” group, especially if Sutton continues to look lackluster.
They can probably wait until next offseason, but trading away one of Sutton or Jeudy makes some financial sense.
The depth here is nondescript.
KJ Hamler is set to miss even more time this offseason, Kendall Hinton earned a target on just 11 percent of his routes last season, and new signing Marquez Callaway fell out of favor despite the Saints’ injuries at receiver in 2022.
Especially if the plan is to move on from one of the top two, adding another receiver makes some sense.
Tight End Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Greg Dulcich
- Chris Manhertz
- Albert Okwuegbunam
An offseason hamstring injury delayed the emergence of Greg Dulcich, but he put together a solid 10 games once he got onto the field, catching 33 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns. He earned a target on a respectable 17.5% of his routes.
Given the offseason injury, the competition at receiver, and the traditionally slow development of rookie tight ends, it was a promising opening campaign for the 2022 third rounder.
Denver added to this room in free agency by signing Chris Manhertz to a two-year, $6 million contract.
Manhertz has 24 career catches in seven seasons, but he was brought in to be a blocker after Dulcich lined up in the slot on 45.8% of his snaps last season.
Albert Okwuegbunam was expected to take on a bigger role last season, but he quickly fell out of favor. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The top two here is set and under contract for multiple seasons, but Denver could use some depth.
Offensive Line Depth Chart, Broncos:
LT: Garett Bolles/Christian DiLauro/Casey Tucker
LG: Ben Powers/Will Sherman/Parker Ferguson
C: Lloyd Cushenberry/Luke Wattenberg/Kyle Fuller
RG: Quinn Meinerz/Quinn Bailey
RT: Mike McGlinchey/Isaiah Prince/Hunter Thedford
The Broncos were a pretty good run blocking team last season. They scored well in ESPN’s run block win rate, finishing fourth at 74%, and finished 12th in yards before contact per rush.
Their ability to protect the passer is a little more clouded.
The Broncos finished 23rd in pressure rate allowed according to PFF and were 30th in sack percentage allowed, but the offensive line might not deserve all of the blame for those struggles.
Denver actually finished ninth in ESPN’s pass block win rate (62%), and PFF gave at least partial blame to Wilson on 17.9% of the allowed pressures, the 11th-highest mark among qualifying quarterbacks.
Whoever was at fault, there was clearly an emphasis to improve the line this offseason.
The Broncos spent big on former 49ers RT Mike McGlinchey, who signed a five-year, $87.5 contract.
They also added Ben Powers on a four-year, $52 million deal. He will replace Dalton Risner at left guard, who remains a free agent.
With those two in the fold, Quinn Meinerz locked in at right guard, and Garett Bolles expected to be fully recovered from the broken leg that ended his 2022 early, the only real question is at center.
Lloyd Cushenberry currently sits atop the depth chart. He has started 40 games for the Broncos over the last three seasons including eight last year before going down with a groin injury.
PFF credited Cushenberry with a 98.3 pass blocking efficiency last season, the 14th-highest mark among qualifying centers.
He has not fared as well throughout his career as a run blocker, however, and the Broncos might still want to bring in some competition beyond depth signing Kyle Fuller.
Looking to the long term, Bolles will turn 31 before the start of the season and is scheduled to count $20 million against the cap in 2024.
It would not be a surprise if the Broncos started to look toward the future at left tackle, but they do not have the draft capital to target a blue-chipper this year.
Denver Broncos Defense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs
Raymond Summerlin breaks down the defensive depth chart by position for the Denver Broncos, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 Denver Broncos Defensive Rankings
Interior Defensive Line Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Zach Allen
- D.J. Jones
- Mike Purcell
- Matt Henningsen
- Eyioma Uwazurike
- Jonathan Harris
- Elijah Garcia
- Jordan Jackson
The Dre’Mont Jones departure was a hit to Denver’s defensive line, but the team quickly acquired the services of Zach Allen on a three-year, $45.75 million contract.
Allen played for new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in Arizona, and he steadily improved under his tutelage. Last season, Allen posted career highs with 5.5 sacks and 35 pressures.
He has not been as strong against the run throughout his career, but he took some steps forward in that department as well in 2022.
D.J. Jones and Mike Purcell each played around 50 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Purcell stood up well against the run, and Jones chipped in with 30 pressures. Both should continue in rotational roles moving forward.
The depth behind that trio is at best unproven.
Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike were both Day 3 picks in last year’s draft. Henningsen was part of the rotation from Week 1, but it took Uwazurike a little longer to earn playing time. The Broncos would benefit from either player taking a step forward in year two.
Given the questionable depth and the fact Purcell is entering the final year of his contract, this could be a position the Broncos target in the draft.
EDGE Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Randy Gregory
- Baron Browning
- Nik Bonitto
- Jake Martin
- Jonathon Cooper
- Aaron Patrick
- Christopher Allen
Signed to a five-year, $70 million contract last March, Randy Gregory’s Broncos career has yet to really get off the ground. Offseason shoulder surgery and an in-season knee injury limited him to just six games and two sacks in 2022.
Gregory has proven he can be a disruptive pass rusher when on the field – he logged 43 pressures in 284 pass rush snaps in 2021 – but he has yet to play more than 457 snaps in a season.
Denver will need that to change in 2023.
Gregory’s injuries and the Bradley Chubb trade opened the door for Baron Browning, who responded with five sacks and 38 pressures on 267 pass rush snaps. His continued growth would go a long way to solidifying this spot.
2022 second-rounder Nik Bonitto has room to grow after playing a rotational role as a rookie. He notched 1.5 sacks while playing 35% of the defensive snaps. Denver will likely need more from him this year.
The Broncos acquired Jake Martin at the trade deadline last year, but he was only able to play five games before suffering a knee injury.
There is some upside in this group, but there are also a lot of question marks. This remains an area of need.
Off-ball Linebacker Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Josey Jewell
- Alex Singleton
- Jonas Griffith
- Justin Strnad
- Ray Wilborn
The Broncos re-signed Alex Singleton to a three-year, $18 million contract after landing him on a one-year deal the offseason before.
Singleton quickly established himself as the starter next to Josey Jewell after joining the team in 2022, and they combined to record 291 tackles. Both players were particularly stout against the run, helping the Broncos to the 10th-best run stop win rate according to ESPN.
With that duo set to go, the only real question is depth.
Jonas Griffith did not fare well as a starter in 2022, Justin Strnad was exclusively a special teamer last year, and Ray Wilborn has appeared in two career games.
Depth is needed behind the starters, especially with Jewell headed into the final year of his contract.
Cornerback Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Pat Surtain
- Damarri Mathis
- K’Waun Williams
- Ja’Quan McMillian
- Tremon Smith
- Essang Bassey
- Delonte Hood
- Faion Hicks
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Patrick Surtain has quickly established himself as one of the premier corners in the league, and he rightfully earned All-Pro honors in 2022.
Ronald Darby’s ACL injury forced Damarri Mathis into the starting lineup opposite Surtain as a fourth-round rookie, and he had a bit of a rough go.
He allowed a catch every 8.9 coverage snaps (59th among qualifying corners via PFF) and allowed a 96.7 passer rating on passes thrown his way (43rd).
Signed to a two-year deal last offseason, K’Waun Williams played well as Denver’s primary slot corner despite struggling with injuries. He should fill the same role in 2023.
Given their lack of premium draft capital, it is unlikely the Broncos bring in anyone to unseat Mathis or Williams, and they have enough depth behind the starting trio.
Safety Depth Chart, Broncos:
- Justin Simmons
- Caden Sterns
- P.J. Locke
- Delarrin Turner-Yell
- Devon Key
Justin Simmons was limited to 12 games last season because of quad and knee injuries. He still managed to tie for the league lead in interceptions (six) and remains a quality player heading into his age-29 season.
Kareem Jackson was on the field for nearly every defensive snap last season, but he remains a free agent. It is possible the Broncos look to bring him back if they cannot add someone in the draft.
Caden Sterns made the most of his opportunity in 2022, recording two interceptions in five games before a hip injury ended his year. If healthy, the 2021 fifth rounder could also get a crack at the starting spot opposite Simmons.
P.J. Locke can help out on defense, but he has been more of a special teams player. Delarrin Turner-Yell did not play a single snap on defense after being selected in the fifth round last year.
As will the rest of the defense, the depth here is questionable, and the starting spot next to Simmons is far from set. This looks like a need.
