The Denver Broncos hit their Week 12 bye at 9-2, in control of the AFC West and atop the Conference as the No. 1 seed. Sean Payton ignited a firestorm with his Super Bowl comments during the preseason, but as time marches on, it could end up being viewed as a classic case of speaking something into existence.
Time will tell. We're more than halfway through the 2025 regular season, but with the Broncos enjoying a much-needed bye, it's a perfect opportunity to analyze how far this team has come and reflect on what's been accomplished.
What better way to do that than by grading the Broncos' position groups? This team still has six games left to play, but these grades could serve as harbingers as the Broncos hit the stretch run.
Quarterback. B. . . Quarterback
They say that wins aren't a quarterback stat. Tell that to Payton, who said it's Bo Nix's "job" to win games, after he engineered an excellent performance that led to Denver's 22-19 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
It hasn't always been pretty, but Nix deserves more than passing grade for his body of work thus far. He's looked uncomfortable and pressed at times, while at others, he's been every inch an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.
Nix has 2,421 yards and 18 touchdowns, with eight interceptions thus far. His completion percentage and rating are down from last year, but there's time yet to rectify that.
When in matters most, Nix delivers his best play. It may not be a perfect grade, but the Broncos' quarterback deserves high marks for leading his team to eight straight victories.
. . Running Backs. Running Backs. A
When J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 10 with a season-ending foot injury, he was ranked in the top-five in rushing yards. The Broncos had been consistently a top-10 rushing offense with Dobbins as the starter.
But the veteran is done for the year, and RJ Harvey is being tasked with picking up the mantle, and running with it. The Broncos coveted explosive plays when they targeted Harvey in the draft, and he's delivered, though mostly as a receiver.
However, the rookie has runs of 40 and 50 yards this season, so he's also brought explosiveness to the Broncos' ground attack. He just needs to be more consistent as a ball-carrier, but considering what he's brought to the table as a receiver out of the backfield, combined with Dobbins' dominance, the Broncos get an A here.
D. . . Tight Ends. Tight Ends
This position has been a weak point for the Broncos for years, and the signing of Evan Engram was meant to strengthen it. Perhaps it has, somewhat, in the passing game, but the Broncos have struggled to get competent blocking out of the group, especially with Nate Adkins' two injuries this season.
Marcedes Lewis' contributions over the past three games (by way of the practice squad) have been admirable, but penalties have negated much of them. Adam Trautman is a great glue guy for the offense and locker room, but he's a liability as a blocker, necessitating the signing of Lewis and the re-signing of wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey off the New York Giants' practice squad.
Sadly, Engram's meager 32 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown haven't been enough to offset these limitations elsewhere at tight end. This position remains a problem spot for the Broncos to solve coming out of the bye. Hopefully, Adkins returns soon.
. . Wide Receivers. Wide Receivers. C+
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) reacts with wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14).
Oct 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) reacts with wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) after a play in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Courtland Sutton's 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns have been a saving grace. When the Broncos have called his number, he has delivered.
Troy Franklin has been great, at times, as the No. 2 receiver, but his inconsistent hands have been a detriment to the Broncos moving the chains. That shouldn't take away too much, though, from the impact Franklin has provided in some big moments, whether it's catching low-percentage passes in clutch moments, including two-point conversions, or tipped passes for touchdowns. He's been far more of an asset than a liability.
Pat Bryant has been a high-impact player when called upon, whether as a receiver or as a blocker. He only has 15 receptions this season, but all but one of them have gone for a first down or a touchdown. The Broncos need to get the rookie even more involved.
Marvin Mims Jr.'s impact this season, sadly, has been minimal as a receiver, but it's hard to know if that's on the coaches, the play-calling, the quarterback, or him. His yards-per-reception average is hovering at what would be a career-low (10.6) and he only has 22 grabs for 234 yards and a touchdown. He's a weapon just waiting to be used.
The Broncos' 26 dropped passes rank as the second-most in the NFL thus far, and it's a big reason why this unit barely receives a passing grade, Sutton's excellent contributions notwithstanding. By the way, if the Broncos are going to help him notch his second straight 1,000-yard campaign, he's got to be a much bigger focal point down the stretch.
Offensive Line. A. . . Offensive Line
Left tackle Garett Bolles has been arguably the league's best blind-side protector this season. He's in line for his first-ever Pro Bowl selection and should be a shoo-in for the All-Pro team. He may even be in the running for the NFL's new award — the Protector of the Year.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey has been solid, as has left guard Alex Palczewski (for the most part) and center Luke Wattenberg. Right guard Quinn Meinerz has turned it on of late after his slow start to the season. Meinerz is once again playing at an All-Pro level.
The Broncos have only surrendered 13 sacks thus far (second-fewest) and have blocked for a top-10 rushing offense. The only thing keeping this from an A+ grade? The penalties. Too many false starts and holding fouls.
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Defensive Line. Defensive Line. A+. .
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) reacts with defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) during the first half.
Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) reacts with defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) during the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
It's hard to believe, but the Broncos' defensive line has stepped it up a level from its phenomenal 2024 performance. Led by Zach Allen, the Broncos do a great job at the point of attack against the run, and are a big reason for this team once again leading the NFL in sacks.
Allen has six sacks, while John Franklin-Myers has 4.5. D.J. Jones has been consistent after getting his three-year extension, while Malcolm Roach helped turn things up a notch when he returned from injured reserve a few weeks back.
Eyioma Uwazurike has taken a step forward in his development. Jordan Jackson was the weak link of the group, but since Roach has been back, he's often been a healthy scratch.
. . Outside Linebackers. Outside Linebackers. A+
Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper headline arguably the NFL's most fearsome rush linebacker group, with Dondrea Tillman, Jonah Elliss, and Que Robinson rotating in. Elliss has been injured a lot this season, unfortunately, which has prevented him from taking the massive step forward we were expecting in Year 2, but the bye should help him heal up.
Tillman only has 1.5 sacks, but he leads the team with two interceptions, both of which he rumbled forward for big returns. Robinson has been impressive as a rookie. Despite only having a half-sack thus far, he's been stacking up the pressures, including last week against Patrick Mahomes while Elliss was sidelined.
Bonitto and Cooper have combined for 17 sacks thus far, with both well on pace to crack the double-digit mark for the second straight year. A+ all around.
Denver Broncos linebackers Alex Singleton (49) and Justin Strnad (40) celebrate a big play vs. the New York Giants.
October 19, 2025, Denver, Colorado, USA: Broncos ILB JUSTIN STRNAD gets congrats from team mate ALEX SINGLETON after an interception during the 2nd. Half at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday afternoon. Broncos beat the Giants 33-32. / Hector Acevedo / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
. . Inside Linebackers. Inside Linebackers. B
The Broncos didn't get Dre Greenlaw on the field as early as they'd have liked to, but he's been a force multiplier when he's been available. Alex Singleton's slow start impacts the unit's overall grade thus far, but he turned a corner a few weeks before his scary cancer diagnosis.
Justin Strnad has been an absolute blessing to this unit, once again. Strand has taken his game to another level, and the Broncos will have to decide whether to re-sign him or Singleton next offseason, as both are in a contract year.
The signs are good that Singleton could return after the bye, giving the Broncos their solid three-man rotation at inside linebacker. It hasn't been perfect, but this unit has been very good at times, and the ticker is definitely trending up.
Cornerbacks. A. . . Cornerbacks
The only thing keeping this unit from an A+? You guessed it: penalties. Riley Moss has been, obviously, the biggest perpetrator, but he's resolvedto clean things up moving forward.
Patrick Surtain II's pectoral injury, which has seen him miss the past three games, has been a blow, but Jim Leonhard's group has done an excellent job of stanching the bleeding. In fact, I'm not sure fans could have expected any more than what this unit has delivered without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Moss deserves a lot of credit for this, as does Ja'Quan McMillian, who turned in an epic performance last week vs. the Chiefs, with two sacks and an interception. Jahdae Barron, the first-round rookie, has played on the boundary in base defense while Surtain has been out, and he's more than held his own.
The Broncos have also been using Barron as a tight end eraser, which has worked wonders, mostly. That's been a big Achilles heel over the years, covering tight ends, and the Broncos have made big strides thanks to Barron.
A special shout-out goes out to Kris Abrams-Draine, who's been called to play the boundary in sub-packages sans Surtain. Abrams-Draine has turned in starter-worthy snaps when called upon.
Safeties. A. . . Safeties
The Broncos' safety tandem has been astoundingly good. It would be A+-worthy, if it weren't for Talanoa Hufanga's butterfingers when it comes to him dropping nearly 10 would-be interceptions.
I guess there's a reason he plays defense. But in all seriousness, Hufanga has easily been the Broncos' best free-agent acquisition of 2025, and has turned in first-team All-Pro-caliber play.
Brandon Jones hasn't made as many splash plays, but his savvy, experience, and high football IQ have been a bastion as Denver's last line of defense in the secondary. This is a safety tandem the Broncos could ride with for years with a little luck from the injury bug.
Special Teams. C. . . Special Teams
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) celebrates his game-winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Nov 16, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) celebrates his game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
There have been way too many gaffes in the third phase this season, including a costly "leverage" penalty that saw the Broncos lose a heartbreaker to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. However, the unit has begun to rebound, with the return of the aforementioned Humphrey.
Mims' two-game absence with a concussion torpedoed the return game, but his impact as a punt returner vs. the Chiefs energized the Broncos and led direcetly to points. When he's healthy, he's as good as it gets in the NFL.
Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw has been solid, but far from the killer he was expected to be as a sixth-round draft pick. However, he's been great in pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line. A bit more time on task should be all he needs to realize the Broncos' high expectations.
The Broncos' return coverage has been abysmal for most of the season, but, again, that has improved of late. This is a trend that needs to continue.
Wil Lutz has been this unit's saving grace. He's kicked multiple game-winners this season, and has already garnered weekly recognition from the NFL.
The Broncos rewarded Lutz with a three-year contract extension on Friday, locking him in through the 2028 season.
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