Broncos 2023 Player Grades Reveal Need for Key Upgrades

How did the Denver Broncos' offensive players on offense grade out for the season, and where can the team improve?

Erick Trickel | Jan 10, 2024

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Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos' 2023 season was a roller coaster. After starting 1-5, the Broncos won five straight before winning two of their final seven games.

It led to Denver's best record since 2016 and had the team playing meaningful games in December. Ultimately, it was a disappointing season because the Broncos controlled their playoff fate but dropped a pair of crucial games.

Offensively, the Broncos were lackluster all season long, struggling for consistency throughout the season, and their passing game was ineffective in 90% of the games. The offense couldn't carry the team to wins, and even during the five-game win streak, the Broncos struggled to capitalize on the defense's historic takeaway streak, leading to closer wins than should've been.

It wasn't enough, especially with all the money Denver invested in the offensive side of the ball over the past few years. When evaluating the offense for the season, it's clear that some positions need a talent boost.

Breaking it down to an individual level, we can pinpoint which players the Broncos need to find an upgrade for. Today, I'm revealing the cumulative player grades for the Broncos' offense.

On top of the grades for the season, we'll also look at how the Broncos should approach each player on offense this offseason.

Quarterback

Russell Wilson | Grade: 49.3 | Verdict: Move on

While Wilson's door to staying with the Broncos isn't completely closed, it's 98% of the way there. While he wasn't the only issue on offense, or even the biggest issue, this season, he was part of the problem.

When you pay a quarterback as much as the Broncos are paying him, you want him to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Jarett Stidham | Grade: 42.7 | Verdict: Keep but Upgrade

You don't want to roll with Stidham as the starter unless you plan on using the season to rebuild and develop. While there is some ability to work with it, it's as a backup and not a long-term starter. You keep him because he's a cheap backup option for a year when the Broncos aren't in a great cap spot.

Ben DiNucci | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop, Add Competition

He never saw the field, but there have been positive comments about him. DiNucci is still young, so maybe you can develop him into more. No matter what, you add more competition for him.

Running Back/Fullback

Javonte Williams | Grade: 63.7 | Verdict: Keep

While it wasn't the most efficient season from Williams, the power that he runs with is still useful. As the season went on, he did seem to get worn down, with his burst not being what it was to start the season. On top of that, you want to work on developing his vision more, as he frequently leaves yards on the field.

Samaje Perine | Grade: 63.1 | Verdict: Keep

Perine found a good role with the Broncos, and they should look to expand upon it next season. This season, Denver had three running backs that can form a formidable trio next year. They bring an excellent variety to their usage. With Perine, you want to keep him but work on ball security some.

Jaleel McLaughlin | Grade: 64.9 | Verdict: Keep & Develop

McLaughlin was a good find, but there is a lot of growth for him to carve out a more prominent role next year with the Broncos. His vision was hit or miss, which has to be more consistent for a back of his size. For making the jump he did, McLaughlin had a very promising rookie year.

Dwayne Washington | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep for Special Teams, Upgrade for Offense

While Washington wasn't used on offense, he had a big part in improving special teams. There is good value in Washington to retaining him for special teams alone.

Tyler Badi | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Badie entered training camp as the third back and was putting a hold on it until an injury sidelined him for a while. If you can upgrade the bottom of the running back room, you do it. If you can't, Badie isn't a bad one to have to develop.

Michael Burton | Grade: 59.5 | Verdict: Keep

Burton was a good addition to special teams, and he showed his value on offense with some big blocks in the running game. He has a cheaper contract, which helps keep him around for his two-phase value.

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Wide Receiver

Courtland Sutton | Grade: 70.6 | Verdict: Keep & Extend

The 2024 season would be the final of Sutton's current contract, and he showed how valuable he can be in a Sean Payton offense. This was Sutton's best year since his Pro Bowl campaign in 2019, and he set a career-high in touchdowns.

Sutton does so well in contested catch situations, which can significantly help a quarterback. Not only should he be kept, but he should be extended.

Jerry Jeudy | Grade: 47.3 | Verdict: Trade

It's time to part ways, and it might be mutually beneficial. Jeudy has been unable to find consistency with the Broncos, and the Broncos can't afford to keep him with his nearly $13 million cap hit.

Marvin Mims Jr. | Grade: 53.8 | Verdict: Keep & Develop

Mims had a promising rookie year as a receiver but showed where he needs to develop. With that known, the Broncos can put in the work to develop those areas.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey | Grade: 49.6 | Verdict: Keep but Upgrade

Humphrey was a solid depth option for the Broncos, who ended up with a more significant role than he should've. Keeping him around is smart, but it should be as the fifth or sixth receiver, not the fourth.

Brandon Johnson | Grade: 56.7 | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

There were flashes from Johnson, and this was only his second year. He's worth keeping around and developing, but the Broncos need to upgrade the receiver room.

Phillip Dorsett | Grade: 39.5 | Verdict: Move on

Dorsett signed a futures contract with the Broncos, but he did more harm than good when he saw the field for the Broncos. While he has experience, it shouldn't be enough to keep him around. While the Broncos should move on, they aren't and should try to find a significant upgrade.

Tre'Quan Smith | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Move on

There wasn't much positive about Smith and his time with the Broncos. He was called up once and didn't see the field as the Broncos turned to other receivers. Both sides should move on.

David Sills V | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Sills is still a younger receiver and has some tools to work with if he can develop. He also brings some value to special teams. If you can upgrade, do it. If you can't, Sills isn't a bad option to work with to develop.

Michael Bandy | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Bandy is still young, so you can develop him into a decent depth receiver. However, if you have a chance to upgrade, take it.

Tim Patrick | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Move On or Retain at a Cheaper Cost

Patrick won't be back at his current cost after missing the last two seasons with an injury. Denver can try to work out a deal to bring him back cheaper for the year and see if he can't get a good deal next year. Odds are, Patrick heads elsewhere.

Jalen Virgil | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop

There is speed with Virgil, but it was always about turning him into a football player and not a track star. Even with him coming off his injury that sidelined him for the season, it is still worth trying to develop him.

Tight End

Adam Trautman | Grade: 53.1 | Verdict: Re-sign Cheap & Upgrade

Trautman was the tight end one, and he is better suited as a second option. He isn't a mismatch tight end, and his blocking is fine but not great. The Broncos should re-sign him, but they must find someone who can be more of a weapon and cut back Trautman's role.

Chris Manhertz | Grade: 61.7 | Verdict: Keep

Manhertz is a fine blocking tight end and doesn't break the bank. Since he is still cheap, you keep him around to help the run game. You also try to find a way to where he can have a little more impact in the passing game.

Lucas Krull | Grade: 54.6 | Verdict: Keep & Develop

There were flashes from Krull that showed what he could do, but he had much growing to do to reach that point. He is a cheap option to try and develop.

Greg Dulcich | Grade: 65.3 | Verdict: Keep, Develop, & Hope for Health

While Dulcich hardly saw the field, those few snaps showed his value to the Payton offense. Denver needs a legit mismatch tight end, and Dulcich can be that. You keep him, see if he can develop, hope he can stay healthy, and see what happens for year three before moving on. The cost isn't so bad you can't do that.

Nate Adkins | Grade: 52.1 | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

There are tools to work with regarding Adkins, and this was his rookie year. Keep him around and see if he can grow as a blocker and receiver.

Johnny Lumpkin | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Lumpkin was a late add, so you can see if he grows over the offseason/training camp without being committed.

Offensive Tackle

Garett Bolles | Grade: 65.4 | Verdict: Keep & Extend

This was a good year for Bolles, and keeping most of the unit intact would be good. Bolles also benefits from having the same coaches around him and can grow from there. He should be kept and extended, but he shouldn't be one of the highest-paid tackles after the extension, which can create issues.

Mike McGlinchey | Grade: 52.3 | Verdict: Keep & Upgrade

McGlinchey was not a good signing. Maybe he can turn it up in Year 2, but the issues he has had his whole career are still there. To be effective, he needs a lot of help. His cost will keep him around this year, but if the Broncos can upgrade and put McGlinchey on the bench, they shouldn't be opposed to it.

Cameron Fleming | Grade: 43.6 | Verdict: Keep but Add Competition

Even though he struggled in the season finale, Fleming's experience is beneficial to keep around. Denver shouldn't hand him the backup swing tackle job and should add more competition.

Quinn Bailey | Grade: 58.7 | Verdict: Keep but Upgrade

Bailey did fine as the sixth blocker, but he wasn't great. There are also questions about his best position on the offensive line. You can see if you can get more growth from him, but you take it if an upgrade is possible.

Alex Palczewski | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Add Competition

It was a great preseason for Palczewski, and many thought he showed enough to be the backup tackle, but he was placed on IR for 16 games and didn't play in the finale. You see if he can grow into a bigger role, but add competition to help push him.

Demontrey Jacobs | Grade: DNQ | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Add Competition

Jacobs is a young tackle who showed some potential in the preseason. Add some depth competition for him, and see if he can rise to the occasion.

Interior Offensive Line

Ben Powers | Grade: 55.5 | Verdict: Keep

It wasn't a great year for Powers because of his inconsistencies, but there was more good than bad. His contract will keep him around for 2024, but Denver can get out of his deal if he doesn't improve enough in 2025.

Lloyd Cushenberry III | Grade: 59.7 | Verdict: Let Walk

Cushenberry finally looked like a legit starting center and came in a contract year, which always makes people skeptical. While it would be great to keep him, he will likely ask for more money than the Broncos can handle with their cap issues, and they already have two potential replacements on the roster.

Quinn Meinerz | Grade: 69.8 | Verdict: Keep & Extend

Meinerz is eligible for an extension, and the Broncos should look at getting that done before he gets even more expensive. The two most expensive guards have $20.5 million and $20 million per year averages, and Meinerz shouldn't eclipse that at the moment, but he could a year from now. If the Broncos can get the extension done this year, they could probably get it done for $15-$17 million annually.

Luke Wattenberg | Grade: 56.1 | Verdict: Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Wattenberg saw the field a bit and looked much better than his rookie year. With a second year under OL coach Zach Strief and the third year of Wattenberg's career, he might take another step forward, which is why he's worth keeping and developing. However, Wattenberg shouldn't be handed a starting job, and if Denver can replace Cushenberry with an upgrade over Wattenberg, it should do it.

Alex Forsyth | Grade: DNQ | Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Payton drafted Forsyth with him having the potential to be the future starting center. You can keep developing him, but he shouldn't be handed the starting job. If Denver can land a legitimate starting center, the team should take it instead of betting on Forsyth's development.

Will Sherman | Grade: DNQ | Keep & Develop but Upgrade

Sherman is a young offensive lineman who can still develop. However, it would be best if you always were willing to churn and upgrade the bottom of the depth chart.

This will be an interesting offseason to see what the Broncos do to improve the offense, especially when the most critical position needs improvement.