Pre-Draft Projected Starters: 2023 Denver Broncos

Even though there are plenty of starting-level players left in free agency, and the Draft is now less than a month away, it is a good chance to see where the Denver Broncos roster stands. After a very active first two days of free agency and a whole roster full of players coming back from injuries, expect to see a very different Broncos team than what finished last season. With that said, keep reading to see the Denver Broncos Projected Starters for 2023.

 

Denver Broncos Projected Starters for 2023:

Quarterback:

Russell Wilson

This is obvious for many reasons. The package they traded to get him a year ago, along with the huge contract to go along with him, is among the bigger reasons. Despite the worst season of his career, there is optimism around the team and league that with Sean Payton, he can turn it around.

Oddly, the team made such a point to go out and spend a decent amount of money on new backup QB Jarrett Stidham. They signed him to a two-year 10 million dollar deal, and immediately after that the questions started being asked about Wilson. Sean went so far as to say the team views him as a starting QB in the NFL. While it is clear, Russ is the starter, it may not be so difficult for a new coaching staff to move on if needed.

Offensive Line:

LT Garett Bolles, LG Ben Powers, C Lloyd Cushenberry, RG Quinn Meinerz, RT Mike McGlinchey

One of the big points of emphasis for this team in the offseason was the offensive line. Their solution is to spend the most money in the NFL on the offensive line this offseason by getting new starters Powers and McGlinchey. With Bolles coming back from injury and Meinerz getting better quickly gives the team the chance at one of the best offensive lines in the league.

It is not set in stone, however. Lloyd Cushenberry is the current starter, but with second-year Center Luke Wattenberg and newly signed Kyle Fuller on the roster, there is plenty of competition for him to keep his job. There is also a chance that the team goes and drafts a Center early to add more competition. If one of them does not end up starting, look for it to be Cushenberry.

Running Back/Fullback:

RB Samaje Perine, FB Michael Burton

Perine gets the starting nod in large part due to Javonte Williams most likely not being ready until well into the season. Williams being out is a big blow to the team, but Perine is a good player for the team to fall back on, as he did a great job filling in for Joe Mixon over the last few seasons.

Burton is going to be a big boost in the run game. Coming from Kansa City, he is a real fullback, which the team has not had since Andy Janovich was on the team. Having a traditional FB on the team should make the run game more productive.

Tight End:

Greg Dulcich

Going into his second season, there are high hopes for the young Tight End out of UCLA. He had an injury-plagued season in his rookie year, but when he was on the field, he was very productive. With Sean Payton coming to Denver, TEs have a history of success under him.

The team still has Albert Okwuegbunam and newly signed blocking TE Chris Manhertz to provide depth on maybe their weakest position. Dulcich is the starting TE as of right now, but he will need to stay healthy to keep his position.

Wide Receiver:

Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick

This unit has been riddled with trade rumors in the offseason, but those were shut down when Sean Payton said to the media that the team has no intentions of trading either Sutton or Jerry. This group of receivers has been one of the more exciting parts of this team for years now but they can never get on the field together due to injuries. If they can be healthy this season, if there is a coach that can get the most out of them, it is Payton.

One player to keep an eye on this season is newly signed WR Marquez Callaway. The last time he was coached by Payton, he led the Saints in receiving and could be a player to steal snaps if one of these guys does not step up.

Defensive Line:

DT Mike Purcell, DL D.J. Jones, DL Zach Allen

The Defensive line for this possible elite defense is a question mark. Losing Dre’Mont Jones did not solve any of the questions. Replacing him with Zach Allen was a good move for the team, though, as he has gotten better every year of his career under new Defensive Coordinator Vance Joeseph.

The line lacks depth, but there is a talented second-year player on the roster, and the Broncos have always been great at finding undrafted gems along the defensive line. As it is, it is a talented and well-balanced group of players.

Linebackers:

OLB Baron Browning, MLB Josey Jewell, MLB Alex Singleton, OLB Randy Gregory

Denver’s Linebacker unit did not make a lot of noise last season, considering they traded Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb and big signing Gregory missed most of last season due to injuries. This unit does provide two of the surest tacklers in the NFL, and Browing provided plenty of flashes of star power.

The team also has second-year OLB Nik Bonito going into his second season after a solid rookie year. OLB Christopher Allen missed his whole rookie season due to injuries but has starting-level talent when healthy.

Safety:

Caden Sterns, Justin Simmons

The team missed out on the C.J. Gardner Johnson sweepstakes, but they have young Safety Caden Sterns ready to take the next step into a starter-level role. They also still have Justin Simmons covering the middle of the field at a high level, considering he led the league in total turnovers despite missing five games.

Cornerback:

Patrick Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, K’Waun Williams

Despite this unit having probably the best player on the team with PS2, it is also a position that has plenty of question marks on it. The team loved how Mathis finished last season, and when healthy K’Waun is one of the best Slot Corners in the league. They lack depth, but the three starters have the talent to be one of the best units in the league.

With no first-round pick, the Denver Broncos projected starters are not likely to change significantly. Fortunately, the roster is well assembled, and a bounce-back year at the quarterback position would make them contenders in 2023. With Sean Payton at the helm, the sky is the limit.