Coaching
Vic Fangio returns for his third season as the head coach after running the 49ers and the Bears defenses from 2011 to 2018. He also has 11 other seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. His success in Chicago in 2018 led to his promotion in title in Denver. Fangio went 5-11 in 2019 and 7-9 in 2020, so this year will make or break his head coaching career.
The Broncos brought in Pat Shurmur to run their offense in 2020 after struggling to win as the Giants’ head coach in 2018 (5-11) and 2019 (4-12). He worked as the offensive coordinator over six other seasons for the Rams, Eagles, and Vikings. Shurmur has 23 seasons of experience coaching in the NFL while compiling a 19-46 record as NFL head coach.
Their offense repeated its 28th ranking in points scored (323) while moving up five spots to 23rd offensive yards.
Fangio promoted Ed Donatell to defensive coordinator in 2019. He worked over the eight previous seasons as the defensive backs coach for the Broncos and 49ers. Donatell has 30 years of experience coaching in the NFL, with nine coming as a defensive coordinator.
Denver regressed to 25th in points allowed (446), 130 more points scored on their defense than in 2019 (316). They finished 21st in yards allowed compared to 12th the previous year.
Free Agency
The only two starting players added in free agency were CB Kyle Fuller and CB Ronald Darby.
Fuller played under Vic Fangio with the Bears. His game was active in all areas from 2017 to 2019, leading to 206 tackles, 55 defended passes and 12 interceptions. Last year, he missed many tackles with fade in big plays in the passing game (65 tackles, one interception, and eight defended passes).
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Darby had an entire season of starts for Washington for the first time in his career. He continues to have risk via big plays and touchdowns allowed, but his play did improve in completion rate allowed. Darby should add value to the run defense.
The Broncos signed Mike Boone for depth at running back. They also acquired Teddy Bridgewater to compete for the starting quarterback job.
Draft
CB Patrick Surtain II
The cornerback position concern for the Broncos carried over to the draft, leading to Denver picking up Pat Surtain with the ninth overall selection. His foundation skill set puts him in the elite category at cornerback. He brings a physical presence to coverage with the talent to dominate receivers over all areas of the field.
RB Javonte Williams
Williams has a chain-mover feel while relying on his power and fight to finish off carries. He runs with a smooth rhythm while waiting for a hole to open. Once Williams sees daylight, his acceleration pushes into the second level of the defense. He won’t hit on many long touchdowns, but his short-area quickness plays well. Williams shows plenty of grit, and his style should wear defenses down. Despite a limited role as a receiver, he projects well in the passing game while having the smarts to pick up an NFL offense on all downs.
C Quinn Meinerz
Meinerz comes to the NFL via playing at a small school (Wisconsin-Whitewater), helping him slip through the draft cracks. His game is on the rise with a developing ceiling in both run and pass blocking once he proves he can handle the step up in competition. Meinerz needs to show that he can block faster players with more strength while also improving footwork.
LB Baron Browning
Browning has the physical tools to excel at linebacker, but he lacks the vision and feel to put himself in the best position to deliver difference-maker plays. To have growth, Browning needs to lose the looker mentality while also developing more fire in his attacks. The pretty boys get the girls, but production earns paydays.
S Caden Sterns
Sterns is a second player who trails in his development due to questionable instincts. He’ll be at his best attacking the line of scrimmage while having concerns with his ability to read offense and cover vs. speed.
S Jamar Johnson
Johnson works hard in his pregame prep while showing the ability to play well in coverage and read developing plays. He brings a cornerback skill set to the safety position with some questions with his tackling and technique in mirroring pass routes.
WR Seth Williams
His route running and separation skills fall well short of NFL expectations. Williams owns an edge in size, which plays well in top balls in the red zone. His build-up speed is better than expected over the long field. Williams is more of a project than a prospect.
CB Kary Vincent
Vincent projects to work out of the slot with plus speed and athletic ability. His foundation in coverage looks advanced while willing to put in the time to get better. He needs to get better when in chase mode and trust his recovery speed. Vincent isn’t where he needs to be in reading pattern development.
DE Jonathan Cooper
Cooper projects as only a power pass rusher with a below-average first step. His freelance attacking style works against him when matchup up with top offenses and blocking schemes. Other than strength, Cooper offers no defining skills.
DE Marquiss Spencer
Spencer is trending toward an interior defensive line role due to his rising weight. His first step plays well while owning a solid foundation in strength. Spencer does show up on every play while being the runner-up in his one-on-one battles too many times. His shortfalls are coachable if he’s willing to do the work.
