The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
Advertisement
2025 season record: 14-3 (o 9.5 wins), first in AFC West, lost to Patriots in AFC championship game, seventh in DVOA
Overview
The Broncos took advantage of a down Chiefs season and not only capitalized with a first-place finish in the AFC West for the first time since 2015, but they also came away with the No. 1 seed in the conference. Denver somewhat mimicked Kansas City’s run last season with a collection of one-score wins to fuel a league-best record. The Broncos played 11 regular-season games that were decided by seven points or fewer and went 9-2. That happened with a -2 turnover margin in those games. Overall, Denver had the second-best point differential in the fourth quarter.
Advertisement
Denver’s defense led the way again, with a unit that ranked seventh in EPA per play thanks to its pass rush that was third in pressure rate and another All-Pro season from Pat Surtain II behind it. The offense was inconsistent, but found enough big plays to take advantage of the opportunities presented. Bo Nix was 11th among quarterbacks in EPA per play, but just 21st in success rate. The Broncos missed Nix in the AFC championship game, losing a tight one to the Patriots, but with another year of experience under his belt, there’s a lot to like about Denver’s future. Perhaps he’ll be helped by the promotion of QB coach Davis Webb to offensive coordinator, replacing the fired Joe Lombardi.
[Get more Broncos news: Denver team feed]
Playing in so many close games and winning so many of them will typically suggest some regression in that area the following season. But with Sean Payton and the defensive talent on board, it’s not difficult to imagine the Broncos continuing to stay highly competitive in most games they play.
Cap/cuts outlook
Per Over The Cap, the Broncos have just under $29 million in effective salary cap space. That’s the 14th-most among teams. The Broncos could make a few small moves to open up some more cap space. Releasing TE Evan Engram would save just under $4 million and QB Jarrett Stidham would save $5 million. The biggest cap savings would come from safety Brandon Jones, who would open up about $8 million in space. Jones suffered a pec injury in Week 15, but had been a big part of the Denver secondary until the injury. The Broncos don’t need to make any of those cuts, so if they want to open up space, it’s more likely from players who will be on the roster. Restructuring offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Quinn Meinerz would open nearly $22 million.
Advertisement
Key pending free agents
LB Alex Singleton
IDL John Franklin-Myers
RB J.K. Dobbins
LB Justin Strnad
Singleton was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the season, but missed only one game. He finished 13th in tackles and 58% of those produced a positive play for the defense, which was the fifth-highest rate among linebackers with at least 100 tackles. Franklin-Meyers came over in a trade from the Jets before the 2024 season for a sixth-round draft pick. He put up 14.5 sacks over those two years and was eighth among interior linemen in ESPN’s pass rush win rate in 2025. Among 33 running backs with at least 150 carries, Dobbins was 10th in success rate and fourth in yards before contact per carry.
Positional needs
Wide receiver
Tight end
Linebacker
Safety
Advertisement
The Broncos have a wide range of pass-catching options, but could use a more reliable top option, either at wide receiver or tight end. Courtland Sutton has been a good receiver, but among 24 wide receivers who had at least a 20% target share in 2025, Sutton ranked 25th in yards per route run. Denver was reportedly interested in Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle at the trade deadline, but balked at the asking price. It’s possible the Broncos could revisit a receiver trade in the offseason.
Defensive needs will come down to how free agency plays out. If Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are re-signed, then a trio with Dre Greenlaw should be enough for 2026, though some depth could be added behind them. Greenlaw played only eight games, missing time with multiple injuries and a one-game suspension. The same goes for safety if Brandon Jones isn’t on the roster. It is a fairly interesting safety class in free agency and that position is still being undervalued on the open market.
2026 NFL Draft picks
1st round, pick No. 30
2nd round, pick No. 62
3rd round, pick No. 94
4th round
4th round
5th round
7th round
7th round (projected compensatory)
7th round (projected compensatory)
Advertisement
What could move the fantasy needle in 2026?
Continue to develop young talent
Denver finished the regular season ranked 15th in EPA per play and 19th in success rate. That was right in line with its 16th and 18th finishes in 2024. This time last year, my recommendation for the Broncos after losing in the Wild Card round was to “hone the offense around Bo Nix.” This season was a start but not the end of that pursuit. The team took RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant in the 2025 NFL Draft on Day 2, saw second-year receiver Troy Franklin take a step forward and added J.K. Dobbins and Evan Engram in free agency.
Dobbins was a big win as a free agent add and was missed once he went down. The young players look like contributors and could be even better in 2026 but I’m not sure Denver should rest on its laurels with Bryant, Franklin or even Harvey.
Advertisement
If there are playmakers available at wide receiver for this team, they would be welcome additions. Even No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton was inconsistent this season and will turn 31 in 2026. Franklin and Bryant don’t look like future WR1s at this stage, so don’t rule out a big swing at receiver. — Matt Harmon
Good draft fit
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Broncos could really expand their passing attack with Concepcion, who will bring a big-play element and plays bigger than his size (5-foot-11, 190 pounds). Concepcion can do damage from the slot and has good after-catch ability, which will complement Courtland Sutton on the outside and give Bo Nix a solid option in the passing attack.
Betting nugget
Bo Nix went 8-0 against the spread as a favorite his rookie season, but he was only 3-9 ATS as a favorite this season, even though the Broncos won 14 regular-season games. — Ben Fawkes
Leave a Reply