Draft or pass: Identifying which Broncos you should target in your fantasy league

Here are the Broncos' players you should be targeting in your fantasy drafts.

It seems like every season fantasy football drafts are happening earlier and earlier — a clear indication that fans continue to long for more football during the offseason. If your league commissioner is a pro (like me), then he or she has you set to draft sometime in the next couple of weeks. 

In that spirit, let's break down everything you need to know about which Denver Broncos matter when it comes to fantasy.

QB Joe Flacco

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Flacco arrives in Denver on the heels of playing some of the worst football in his career in Baltimore. While ‘Elite’ Joe has shown flashes of the Super Bowl MVP that’s somewhere inside of him, he still very much resembles a 34-year-old QB with limited mobility. 

Behind the Broncos' questionable offensive line, Flacco isn’t expected to put up big numbers, nor should he, be after topping 4,000 yards in only one of his 11 NFL seasons. 

Joe Flacco has never been a fantasy-relevant player. There are far better options out there than hoping Flacco becomes something he’s not just because he's in Denver.

Verdict: Pass

RB Phillip Lindsay

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Standing at 5-foot-8 and a paltry 190 pounds, Lindsay doesn’t strike you as a feature back in the NFL — he barely resembles what most football players look like in the league. However, when the whistle blows, don’t blink or you may miss Lindsay break open a run with sub-4.4 blinding speed. 

Lindsay isn’t the first player to find success with such a small frame, but he is one of the few that has achieved it as a feature running back, perhaps the most punishing position in the NFL. Splitting backfield duties in year one, he blew up onto the scene as a threat to score every time he touched the ball. 

If Rich Scangrello uses Lindsay better as a pass-catcher, he could have a top-5 fantasy year at the position. He is a solid RB2 with upside

Verdict: Draft

RB Royce Freeman

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While Lindsay blew onto the scene as a rookie, Freeman struggled with an ankle injury that lingered down the stretch, seeing Lindsay surpass him in the backfield pecking order. Still all but guaranteed to get short-yardage and goalline work, Freeman can carve out a decent fantasy role and should find a spot on most fantasy rosters. 

Lindsay will go off most boards first, but Freeman will be a commodity as well. If you can,  it's a necessary handcuff to Lindsay. I have Freeman as an RB4 whose value is somewhat tied to Lindsay’s health and performance.

Verdict: Draft

WR Emmanuel Sanders

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I was likely more skeptical than most of Sanders' prospects of bouncing back from the torn Achilles he suffered, if at all. Yet, eight short months after suffering the injury, Sanders doesn’t look to have lost a step at 32 years old. 

There is some risk still involved in drafting Sanders but with a clean bill of health, he will continue to be a receiver fantasy owners can depend on, especially in a contract year. He is a high-end WR4 or a middle of the pack WR3.

Verdict: Draft

WR Courtland Sutton

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The new self-proclaimed WR1 in Denver has had an up and down offseason while ruffling the feathers of some of his teammates. His confidence is justified, as Sutton enters year two without Demaryius Thomas cluttering up snaps and with a new quarterback who can better utilize his skill-set. 

The sophomore starts the year as a WR4-5 for me, but should be a solid WR3 by season's end.

Verdict: Draft

WR DaeSean Hamilton

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Perhaps the most refined route-runner on the team's roster, Hamilton is a technician on the field. In year two, he should also benefit from the absence of Thomas along with the early season pitch count that Emmanuel Sanders is rumored to be on. 

While an uptick in numbers is likely, with Sanders and Sutton healthy Hamilton won’t be worth a roster spot.

Verdict: Pass

TE Noah Fant

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Fant is going to be a problem, you can already see it. Unfortunately, tight ends tend to take longer to acclimate to the NFL than most positions and as a result, it’s difficult to project Fant. 

The Iowa product might be worth a roster spot but it will be important to have a dependable TE starting in your lineup ahead of him.

Verdict: Pass

Broncos defense & special teams

Denver comfortably sports a top-10 defense in the league, but they’re probably closer to top-5. With Von Miller back, and Bradley Chubb looking to take another step opposite him, the Broncos boast a pass rush opposing teams won’t want to face. 

On the backend, there is plenty of playmaking ability with the return of Chris Harris, Jr. and the additions of Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan. This is a plug-and-play defense that likely isn’t leaving your starting lineup.

Verdict: Draft

K Brandon McManus

One look at Broncos' preseason football product has told us one thing loud and clear; this 2019 team can kick the heck out of some field goals. With Flacco in Denver, I expect the Broncos' offense to move the ball better than they did in 2018 when McManus was K22 at season's end, which will result in an uptick in field goals. 

Improving from scoring the 22nd most points at the position still leaves McManus as a less-than-attractive fantasy option. If you’re drafting a kicker before the last two rounds, you’re doing it wrong.

Verdict: Pass

Follow Khalid on Twitter @KhalidHAlshami.