Denver Broncos Roster

Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons was only targeted 44 times in 2019, but he was very effective when he was the nearest defender on a target. His 34.1 percent ballhawk rate -- the percentage of targets where the nearest defender made a play on the football -- was the best among those meeting NFL.com's Nick Shook's criteria by more than six percentage points. Simmons' catch rate allowed below expectation wasn't all that impressive at minus-6.7 percent, but his tight-window percentage of 34.1 helped him allow a low 34.7 passer rating. The Broncos slapped the franchise tag on the 26-year-old and hope to iron out a long-term extension before July 15. Simmons is the strength of Denver's secondary now and is a fringe defensive back starter in IDP leagues.

yesterday

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay wasn't as good in his second season as he was in his rookie campaign, but the former undrafted free agent still had 1,011 rushing yards in 2019 despite playing with three different quarterbacks. He had 48 runs of 15-plus mph last year despite defenses keying on him in the box most of the time. The offseason addition of Melvin Gordon III makes it basically impossible for Lindsay to see the 224 carries he saw last season, but he remains an explosive change-of-pace for this improved backfield. His fantasy stock is down across the board because of Gordon's presence as the lead back, but Lindsay still has some standalone fantasy appeal as a low-end RB3/flex in PPR leagues.

yesterday

Denver Broncos outside linebacker/edge rusher Von Miller had his first single-digit sack season since 2013 and only had 46 tackles last year, but while he wasn't as dominant, he still made an impact in his 791 defensive snaps with a disruption rate of 14.4 percent. His 52 quarterback pressures were 29 more than his next closest teammate in Derek Wolfe. The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro is still the man in Denver, and the 31-year-old can still be one of the most effective pass disruptors in the game. Miller's 235 QB pressures since 2016 lead all edge defenders and are second only to Aaron Donald. His QB pressure rate of 14 percent during that span ranks first across the NFL. Having Bradley Chubb healthy across from Miller could make a world of difference in 2020 and get Miller back into double-digit sacks.

2 days ago

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons under two different offensive coordinators, thinks new coordinator Pat Shurmur's offense fits him even better. "I just think that it's what fits my style, and I've been able to adapt to every style, but I think that this style right here is something that is going to fit me, kind of like how my rookie year was. I'm excited about that," Lindsay said. However, the Broncos added Melvin Gordon III in free agency and believe that he also fits their offensive scheme very well. Lindsay had offseason wrist surgery but said is fully healthy. He'll be motivated whenever the team is allowed to practice together. He'll have a role in this offense as a 1B to Gordon's 1A, but his fantasy stock has fallen because of Gordon's addition. Target Lindsay as a low-end RB3/flex.

3 days ago

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III had 6,000-plus scrimmage yards and two Pro Bowl selections in five seasons with the Chargers, but he thinks the Broncos running scheme is better suited to his strengths as an explosive, downhill runner. Gordon had 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his final year in college in a zone-based offense similar. He had his moments as a perimeter runner with the Bolts, but his straight-line running style is better suited in an offense with more downhill runs. Denver has a zone-based system that's expected to feature more downhill plays under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. The Broncos plan on using Gordon as their lead back despite Phillip Lindsay's presence, and in an offense better suited to his strengths as a runner, Gordon could be more efficient and give fantasy owners RB1 upside at an RB2 cost.

5 days ago