Apr 14, 2024, 2:44 p.m. ET
Denver hasn’t ranked higher than 19th in points scored in a season since 2014.
ENGLEWOOD — The head coach of the Denver Broncos, Sean Paytonhas made it clear that the team needs to improve its offense this offseason.
And, while the Broncos They are working at full speed in preparation for the 2024 NFL Draftthey have eight shifts at their disposal.
The quarterback position is not the only one that must improve on offense for the Denver Broncos via draft. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
“In general, collectively, starting with me, [la ofensiva] It wasn’t good enough,” is how he described it. Payton at the beginning of the low season. “…I would say we have to be great with the details, and obviously, we weren’t good enough with the details if there were certain mistakes that were repeated. That starts with the teaching, our coaches. Are we saying the right things?”
This is not a new problem for Broncos. In his 8-9 season in 2023, Denver He was ranked No. 19 in points scored (21 per game). They have not finished higher than 19th in points scored since 2014, and although the reasons have varied since the foot injury Peyton Manning in 2015, to a carousel of starters behind center in 2017 until the unusual red zone problems of 2023, the Broncos They really won’t return to the playoff conversation until the offense takes a step forward.
As you look at how the ratings stack up in this instance, certainly what happens at the quarterback position will be the first topic of any discussion. Denver freed Russell Wilson At the beginning of March, he was a spectator in the free agency in the position, and they are duels of turn No. 12 of the first round.
Los Broncos They’ve spent plenty of time with most of the top-rated quarterbacks available, and put them through a test of sorts to measure readiness and information retention. Whether they make a trade to move up the draft order, or stay where they are in the first round, that will say a lot about whether they come away with a rookie they consider to be a potential starter for the franchise.
But beyond the quarterback position, some of those picks should include other offensive positions.
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General manager George Paton pointed out in the NFL scouting combine that, if the Broncos remained at No. 12, he believed there would be “12 to 15 players for whom we have high ratings.”
Los Broncos They need people who know how to finish in the red zone. They were the 20th team in touchdowns scored when the offense got inside the opponent’s 20-yard line last season, and No. 30 in touchdowns scored in goal situations.
“Our closed red zone was miserable,” he noted. Payton at the end of the campaign. “I have to look closely at my sequencing and what I’m doing and commanding… Inside the 10, first and goal, that wasn’t good enough.”
Courtland Sutton led to Denver with 10 receiving touchdowns last season, and was the only player in the Broncos with more than four. The Broncos They only had three touchdown receptions from their tight ends, all courtesy of Adam Trautman.
His eight rushing scores tied for 28th place.
If the Broncos seek immediate impact help at tight end, even with the expectation that Greg Dulcich is healthy and a significant part of the offense next season, they might have to use their first-round pick to do it. Especially if Brock Bowers of Georgia is it still available.
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Los Broncos They do not have a second round selection, and their turn in the third round is No. 76 overall, so if it is not in the first round with Bowersbecomes more of a developmental pick with one of the other tight ends lower in evaluations.
The wide receiver class, however, is deep, and the Broncos They could add help from anywhere in the draft, including safety on day three.
Payton He doesn’t have a versatile running back in the backfield like he did during his long tenure with the New Orleans Saints in players like Alvin Kamara o Reggie Bush. There are possibilities that intrigue beyond the first round, such as Trey Benson of Florida State, Jaylen Wright of Tennessee, Ray Davis of Kentucky y Will Shipley of Clemsonall of them capable of contributing by running the ball or catching it.
Los Broncos They did add some experienced offensive line veterans during the initial wave of free agency — guard Calvin Throckmortontackle Matt Peart as well as the center Sam Mustipher— and that would indicate that they could, at least in the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draftfocus their efforts elsewhere, unless they see an available prospect that they have rated well above the shift they are working on.
But, Payton He wants those up front and whoever ends up behind center to be better with the opportunities the offense receives. When asked during the league’s owners meetings last month about the roots of the offensive problems, he responded, “Number one, we can’t allow that many sacks. If you look at the data regarding what that does for your advancement “I think that was one of the big things that hurt us a year ago. But obviously, you have to be efficient running the ball. There’s a lot that goes into that.”
Al final, Payton he just wants the pieces, even those arriving after draft weekend, to play better together.
“Here’s the thing: I think it’s easier when you get older and more confident with who you are and what you do,” he said. “When you’re younger, you often think that you can be very defensive about certain things.” . One thing I know is how to win. Sometimes it might not be that you got 480 yards. Understand the strength of your team and play to that.”
2024-04-14 18:44:00
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