Renck: For too long, the Broncos treated reality like a first draft. After Peyton Manning, they watched idly as an aging defense eroded and they played pin the tail on the donkey at quarterback. In coach Sean Payton’s third season, everything is different. The Broncos are 17-12 over their last 29 games, and reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015. The next step is clear: Competing for a championship. The Broncos addressed multiple needs this offseason mindful of that goal. So, what addition is the most important — free agents Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Evan Engram and J.K. Dobbins, and first-round pick Jahdae Barron — for Denver to hit the next level of success?
Evans: Honored I get to shoot the breeze with you here, Troy. It’s a pretty natural inclination to look to the offensive side of the ball here, where Denver made upgrades at areas of obvious need in their running back and tight end rooms. But let’s remember, too, that Denver lost a couple of games last year against offenses with strong TEs and passing attacks over the middle. Cody Barton and Justin Strnad (back on a one-year deal) filled in capably for stretches at middle linebacker last year after Alex Singleton went down, but neither excelled in coverage. The Broncos targeted a couple of linebackers in free agency and hit the luck of the draw in Greenlaw, who’s a natural playmaker and leader in the middle of a defense.
Renck: According to ESPN stats, the Broncos’ offensive line ranked first in pass block win rate and run block win rate. And while Bo Nix amplified the solid protection — he completed 65% of his passes in goal-to-go situations — the running backs did not take advantage of the holes up front. It is why Dobbins is the missing piece. He brings burst Javonte Williams didn’t have last season. He excels against eight men in the box and has a nose for the goal line. His nine scores last year were more than all of Denver’s running backs combined. A healthy Dobbins, spelled by R.J. Harvey, allows Nix to face more second and third-and-short situations, bringing Engram into play while creating more opportunities for young receivers Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.
Evans: Dobbins was a pretty massive late signing, for sure. If I’m making an argument here, though, it seems likely he’ll share a ton of touches with Harvey, who was the belle of the ball at minicamp and OTAs before Dobbins’ signing. Assuming Greenlaw enters training camp recovered from a quad injury, he will be an inflection point all to himself in the middle of a Broncos defense that could be the best in the league. If they’re holding opposing offenses below 20 points per game, it’ll make second-year life much easier for Nix and ease the load on Dobbins and Harvey.
Renck: The ability to control the line of scrimmage can never be overrated. If Denver plays with a lead, it makes a nasty defense a menace. The Broncos were 1-6 in one-score games last season. To beat good teams in close games, the ground attack is pivotal. It’s why Dobbins’ performance, health-willing, is paramount.
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