Denver Broncos Depth Chart
- AFC West
- Stadium
- Empower Field at Mile High
- Head Coach
- Vic Fangio
- Offensive Coordinator
- Pat Shurmur
- Defensive Coordinator
- Ed Donatell
- Special Teams Coach
- Tom McMahon
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Denver Broncos linebacker A.J. Johnson will remain an "early down mainstay" on defense for the Broncos in 2020 after he broke out in 2019. Denver's defense started to play much better last year when they gave Johnson more snaps. The 28-year-old had 88 total tackles (46 solo), 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one interception in 15 games after playing in just one game in his rookie season. Johnson is a player on the rise for the Broncos Defense, and he could become worth considering as an IDP streamer if he continues his upward trajectory in 2020. Denver's defense overall should be a low-end starting unit in fantasy in head coach Vic Fangio's second season at the helm.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has high expectations heading into the 2020 season and continues to receive plenty of praise, especially from new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. During a recent Zoom conference call with reporters, the former Giants head coach labeled Sutton as a "very dynamic player" while also acknowledging his prowess in many areas as a receiver. The 24-year-old has had a solid career throughout his first two years in the league, racking up 114 catches for 1,816 yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite the arrival of Alabama wideout Jerry Jeudy, Sutton could be in line for his best year as a professional, especially with the expected progression of sophomore signal-caller Drew Lock.
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a source. Jackson has cold-like symptoms but expects to make a full recovery. Teammate Von Miller acknowledged that he tested positive earlier this spring, but he's already made a full recovery and should be completely fine for training camp. Several other NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 this offseason, including Saints head coach Sean Payton. The league will be implementing strict healthy and safety policies at team facilities when/if players can finally report for training camp next month. There will surely be positive cases around the league during training camp and if/when the 2020 regular season begins.
Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman's role as the No. 3 back behind Melvin Gordon III and Phillip Lindsay isn't secure heading into training camp, in the opinion of The Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran. If that's the case, he'll be competing with the likes of Khalfani Muhammad and undrafted rookie Levante Bellamy. That's a big fall for the third-round pick in 2018, who was the primary complement to Lindsay each of the last two seasons. Although he did see a big increase in receptions (43) last year, Freeman remained mediocre on the ground with 3.8 yards per carry on 132 attempts. The 24-year-old won't have any appeal in most fantasy leagues unless one of Gordon or Lindsay is injured this season.
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, taken 15th overall in April's draft, has some volatility working with a second-year player at quarterback in Drew Lock on a team that invested in running back Melvin Gordon III in free agency. But Jeudy showed alignment versatility and precise route-running at Alabama, which will help him produce in his rookie season. He gained the fifth-most receiving yards on deep targets in the SEC last year with 320, according to Pro Football Focus. Courtland Sutton, the team's No. 1 wideout, accounted for the highest percentage (42.9%) of the team's air yards in 2019. Jeudy can help take some of the pressure off of Courtland right away. Draft the 21-year-old as a WR4/flex with upside.