5 Hyped Broncos to Watch in Preseason Game 1 vs. Cardinals

Keep an eye on this handful of Denver Broncos in preseason Game 1.

The Denver Broncos will play their first preseason game on Friday, August 11, against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale. There's been endless buzz on social media about which Broncos are popping off since training camp began on July 28. 

Come Friday, Broncos Country will get to see for itself whether all the hype will become a reality. There are a handful of players that Broncos fans should be excited to see audition for 2023. 

Let's look at the five key Broncos to watch heading into preseason Game 1.

Russell Wilson | QB

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

We won’t likely see Wilson extensively through the preseason, but head coach Sean Payton confirmed that starters will be suiting up, including Denver's QB1. The season hinges on how well Russ leads this squad, and Broncos Country will see how efficient he can be in a Payton-tailored offense. 

The biggest offseason question has been whether Wilson would return to form in his second season in the Orange and Blue. We’ll get an inkling of how much chemistry the veteran QB has built with his receiving corps and whether he can still roll out and sling it like his days in Seattle. 

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Marvin Mims | WR

Gabriel Christus/DenverBroncos.com

Mims was drafted with the final pick of the second round back in April and wasn’t initially expected to see a large number of snaps as a rookie. However, with Tim Patrick’s season-ending injury, Mims will be thrust into a more prominent role and expected to contribute earlier. 

Denver's offense has lacked Mims' speed and yards-after-catch potential for years. Paired with Wilson’s patented deep-ball accuracy, you have a recipe for a prolific aerial assault. 

Mims' snaps in the preseason will be determined by how comfortable his hamstring is after injuring it to start camp.

Greg Dulcich | TE

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Dulcich didn’t arrive at Broncos camp at 100% last season, but he has been fully healthy since training camp opened. He often flashed in 2022, becoming a security blanket for Wilson. 

Dulcich is a mismatch for cornerbacks and linebackers due to his size and elusiveness, making him a prime target in the middle of the field. Going into his second season, he’ll have more opportunities to grow under a true offensive genius in Payton, who dubbed Dulcich a “joker” type of player. 

Seeing Dulcich emerge as a mismatch wildcard is an exciting prospect, and he’ll get some valuable reps in on Friday.

Drew Sanders | LB

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Sanders is precisely what this Broncos defense needs. His explosiveness and versatility make him a true defensive weapon. 

Sanders has the ability to pursue targets and hang in coverage — traits that have been lacking at Denver's linebacker position for a while. He should see a fair number of snaps throughout the preseason as the third man on the depth chart due to Jonas Griffith's season-ending ACL tear. 

Sanders has the potential to steal a starting spot as early as this season if he develops into the player that Denver thinks he can be. He has the makings of a true star in the NFL.

Zach Allen | DL

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Mile High Huddle's Thomas Hall listed Allen among the top-3 "superstars" of Broncos camp thus far, and he's not alone in voicing that sentiment. Allen is absolutely killing it. 

Denver has a relatively weak defensive line, so players like Allen are just what the doctor ordered. Pressure up the middle is vital to throwing AFC West quarterbacks like Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes off their game. 

Allen will pair nicely with D.J. Jones on the Broncos' interior to terrorize opponents. Allen will see some valuable playing time in the preseason, and it just so happens that his first exhibition tilt is against his former team, the Cardinals. Allen's homecoming will paint a picture of just how good he can be in 2023.

This handful of players will undoubtedly make an enormous impact on the Broncos' 2023 outlook. Preseason games may not count toward Denver's record in the standings, but they do matter.

The preseason gives Broncos fans an insight into how players look heading into the regular season. Broncos football is just days away. Get pumped, Broncos Country.

---

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!