Bold Predictions For 9 Players on Broncos' Offense

It's time to render some bold predictions for individual players on the Denver Broncos offense.

As the 2023 season approaches, there's a wide range of expectations for the Denver Broncos. With those expectations always come some bold predictions. 

The offense and defense units have been covered, so now time to jump into some player-specific predictions. First up are nine players on the offensive side of the ball.

Russell Wilson: Over 70 Completion Percentage

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This is a feat that Wilson has never accomplished in his career, with 68.8% being his career high from the 2020 season. It has only been done nine times in the past five seasons. Drew Brees was three of those nine times with the New Orleans Saints. 

In fact, Brees achieved a 70%-plus completion percentage seven times during his time under Sean Payton. Payton's offense utilizes easy completions and relies on the playmakers to be playmakers. 

The 2023 Broncos are likely following a similar mold by not putting much on Wilson and making things easy for the passing game. If Wilson can break it in year one under Payton, he'll break that mark faster than Brees, who finally did it in year four. 

Javonte Williams: 700-Plus Rush Yards in Fewer Than 14 Games

Gabriel Christus/DenverBroncos.com

There is a question about how many games Williams will play this season. Despite his participation in camp, it seems unlikely he will be ready to go for the first few weeks, but it doesn't sound like he will miss a lot of time. 

The Williams comparison is J.K. Dobbins, who suffered a bad knee injury in 2021 and ended up playing in nine games in 2022, including the playoffs. He picked up 582 yards over those nine games, an average of 64.7 yards per game. 

If Williams can match that average but hit at least 11 games played, he'd be over the 700-yard mark. With how the NFL treats running backs, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Broncos rush him back and use him as a large part of their offense. 

Samaje Perine: 1,206 Yards Rush Yards

Ben Swanson/DenverBroncos.com

The Broncos wanted Perine because he has experience but not a lot of miles on his tires. He will be the lead back while Williams is out in a heavy rushing offense, and when Williams is back, Perine will still have a significant role. 

Perine' scareer high in rushing yards is 603, which he picked up as a rookie. Since then, he has never broken 400. 

The opportunity is there with the role in store and drawing multiple games as the lead back. Not only does Perine set a new career high in yards, he more than doubles it with 1,206 rushing yards, something only eight running backs did in 2022. 

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Courtland Sutton: Team Leader in Targets, Catches w/ 6 TD

Gabriel Christus/DenverBroncos.com

Before the Tim Patrick injury, this prediction was much different. The prediction was a minor role for Sutton and even revisiting the trade options near the deadline. Now, Sutton should remain the top dog, and the early returns from camp are promising. 

While the bold prediction isn't for Sutton leading the team in yards, he paces the Broncos in the other receiving stat categories. He falls second in receiving yards, and doesn't quite break the 1,000-yard mark. 

Jerry Jeudy: 1,300-Plus Receiving Yards

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In only three years of his career, Jeudy has flashed but he hasn't produced consistency. His career high in yards is 972, which came in 2022 where he missed two games. Last season. he also had the same number of games under 50 yards as he had over 100 yards with three each. 

Picking up 1,300 yards, at least, would be a massive showing from Jeudy in a single season. The Broncos need it with the injury to Patrick. 

That would be an average of about 76.5 yards per game, but Jeudy shows more consistency under Payton than he ever has. In each game he plays, he picks up at least 50 yards to reach that 1,300-yard mark, while not leading the team in targets or catches. 

Marvin Mims, Jr.: 4 TDs of 40-Plus Yards

Gabriel Christus/DenverBroncos.com

The Broncos don't have a big-play threat at receiver. By that, I mean one who can consistently take the top off the defense. Jeudy can make big plays but thrives with his route running, creating separation, and making something happen. 

That's where Mims comes in. 

Part of what makes Mims such an enticing receiver is his speed, as well as decent enough route running. His role will be a vertical threat, taking the top off the defense and opening up the deep ball. 

That will be part of the offense as the Broncos will look to pound the rock and make the safeties play the run, opening up the shots downfield. Mims ends the season with four touchdowns of at least 40 yards. 

Greg Dulcich: Double Digit TDs

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Dulcich has already been called a "joker" for the offense by the coaching staff. He will have a significant role in the passing game and can be such a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. If he can take the next step as a receiver and stay healthy, he is poised for a big year. 

There is a style comparison to Jimmy Graham. Graham was a major receiving threat, but his blocking ability wasn't great, just as it is with Dulcich. 

Both tight ends are mismatches, and Payton created a lot of success with Graham having a significant role in the offense, which is why expectations for Dulcich are so high. 

Graham picked up 11 touchdowns in his second year, but that was also Year 2 under Payton. This will be Dulcich's second year, but first under Payton. 

Payton knows how to create favorable matchups with a tight end like Dulcich, especially in the red zone. 

Garett Bolles: 17-Game Starter Allowing Under 3 Sacks & 5 Penalties

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Bolles is coming off a bad leg injury, but recovery has gone well, and there isn't a worry about him playing. Returning from the injury to play the entire season is a bit bold. The other two parts of the prediction are what make it so bold. 

Bolles has allowed three or fewer sacks three times in his career, with one being in 2022 when he suffered a broken leg in Week 5. Prior to last year, he allowed 17 total sacks. 

The penalties are the boldest part of this bold prediction because Bolles has never been called for fewer than seven penalties in a season, not counting his injury-shortened 2022 campaign. 

Outside of the injured year, Bolles has always had at least 10 penalties against him. This is counting declined and offsetting penalties as well as accepted ones. 

Broncos OL Coach Zach Streif knows what he is doing and has plenty of tricks to avoid penalties that he can teach Bolles. Over his 12-year career, Strief was only penalized more than five times in a season three times. 

Bolles doesn't get the benefit of the doubt from refs, so part of the problem is getting the officials to look past his reputation.

Alex Forsyth: 12-Game Starter at Center

Gabriel Christus/DenverBroncos.com

This may or may not be such a bold prediction. There's a lot of hype surrounding Forsyth from Broncos media, with many sour views on Lloyd Cushenberry III. 

Even if Forsyth doesn't start to open the season, Cushenberry will be on a very short leash. That could easily lead to Forsyth taking over as the starter.

For the 2022 season, out of 37 qualifying centers, Cushenberry ranked 34th in run-blocking per Pro Football Focus. In what will be a run-heavy offense, that's nowhere near good enough. He has always had an issue with his run blocking, and the Broncos can't afford to have such a liability.

As for Forsyth, obviously, he is making a jump as a rookie, even coming out of Oregon. There are 99 qualifying centers, where Forsyth ranked 22nd in run blocking grade with a 70.3 from PFF. 

Forsyth's technique is better, and despite concerns about his strength and power, he brings more than Cushenberry.

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