Three offensive plotlines to keep an eye on during OTAs for the Denver Broncos
Bo Nix and the Broncos will play on the field for the first time since the previous season when OTAs begin in Dove Valley on Tuesday. A significant number of the Broncos’ 90-man roster is anticipated to attend, even though this part of the offseason program is optional.
We are given at least one of the three days this coming week and next before we are permitted to see all three days of the required minicamp on June 10–12, however it is unclear which days the media will be permitted to attend.
We are keeping an eye on the following storylines this week.
RB competition and rookie watchlist: Pat Bryant and RJ Harvey will work with veteran players for the first time.
During the Broncos’ rookie minicamp a few weeks ago, we got to see RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant play their first games in a Broncos uniform. On the offensive end of the ball, we will now see Harvey and Bryant get the opportunity to collaborate with Bo Nix and seasoned players.
Harvey will especially have an opportunity to maybe mix in with the first-team offence, though we won’t be permitted to report on that in detail. It’s safe to assume that Harvey will take some handoffs from Nix because head coach Sean Payton has a history of rotating skill players in with the first, second, and third-team units.
The beginning of the running back competition as a whole will be more intriguing. Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson will all have something to say about obtaining a portion of the reps, even though Audric Estime and Harvey now appear to be on-paper locks.
With an average of 4.4 yards per carry, 496 yards on 113 carries, one touchdown on the ground, and two touchdown catches, McLaughlin was the Broncos’ most productive back last season. The offence relies on his flare and change of pace, but Badie has also shown that he possesses an explosive running element.
Watson was added to the 53-man roster last season because other teams were vying for his services and trying to snatch him from the team’s practice squad. He has the potential to make an impact as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield.
On to the receivers, Nix will be passing to Sutton, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, and the new youngster Pat Bryant. In order to get more reps, I would anticipate that Vele, Franklin, Bryant, and Mims would also catch passes from Jarrett Stidham and possibly Sam Ehlinger during some of the competitive emphasis periods.
At guard or centre, is Clay Webb a factor?
Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos, discussed some of the challenges and situations surrounding Clay Webb and his prior legal troubles during rookie minicamp. All of them have since been dropped.
Payton declared, “He’s been cleared.” “This child is wonderful. We were with him for a long time. He is the greatest. clearly made a mistake, and he was excellent simply by talking to us about it and walking us through it. We are quite pleased with where he is.
The Broncos gave Webb a draftable grade, which is why we are concentrating on him. For the last two years under Payton, an undrafted rookie offensive lineman has made the team. Frank Crum made it last year, and Alex Palczewski did so in 2023.
The Broncos and Payton support the development of offensive linemen who have the capacity to fill a variety of roles. Although Luke Wattenberg is predicted to start at centre, it’s reasonable to question what the team has in mind for a player like Webb who performed admirably against NFL-caliber opponents in the Senior Bowl.
In addition to his strength, which serves as a key in run support, he can anchor at an effective rate in pass protection. Ben Powers, a left guard, has two years left on his current deal and will have $17.4 million in salary space this season.
In the unlikely event that Webb fulfils Payton and Zach Strief’s expectations of him, he might be a future internal developmental asset.
Will the negotiations to extend Courtland Sutton’s contract proceed?
Courtland Sutton has been at the club facility for offseason training as he indicated he would be, displaying good faith. Sutton’s desire to stay in Denver for the length of his career is well known, and it would be a stupid move to exclude Nix’s top target from consideration.
Payton clearly favours size and depth at wide receiver, even with the addition of Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft. Payton highlighted Sutton’s importance to the squad over the summer, and it is hoped that the offensive additions would provide the seasoned receiver more one-on-one opportunities.
Before the NFL Draft, general manager George Paton stated that any possible contract extension negotiations will resume following the NFL Draft. There’s a potential such discussions will pick up speed if the team finalises contract deals with all of its rookies, or they might have already.
With Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto, and possibly John Franklin-Myers still up for extension, Sutton, who is in the final year of his contract, appears to be the Broncos’ main priority.
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