Good morning, Broncos Country!
Mandatory minicamp begins today and that means the next three days will bring into even greater focus the progress of this 2025 squad.
One thing that seems very different from recent years, however, is just how set the starting roster is at this point in the season.
No mystery at quarterback. Halle-freakin-lujah!
The young wideout room should be bussin.
Offensive and defensive lines — both sources of strength for the team in 2024 — remain the same, aka solid.
And added players via free agency and the draft have easily strengthened both sides of the ball.
Not a lot of question marks heading into the summer training schedule and that feels amazing.
This week Pro Football Focus predicted starting rosters for all 32 teams, and its predictions for the Broncos look pretty solid — with two expected rookies making the line-up and several young guys poised to ink their names in starting positions.
What immediately shows up in this prediction is the consistency in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive line starters are the same players as last season, and they both boast some really strong individuals as well as a group that plays well together.
Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz had particularly good seasons on the offensive line protecting Bo Nix, and Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers showed up big on the defensive line while Nik Bonitto had a standout 2024 campaign at edge.
DJ Jones, who signed a three-year contract extension earlier this spring, noted the “danger” of having all the guys back on defense, plus a couple of “game-changers” added to the roster as free agents from the Niners.
“I think that is a special thing for this organization to bring everyone back,” Jones said, adding that keeping Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator was also part of the successful formula. As for signing Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, Jones added, “you are going to see how special they are.”
That means this experienced group can focus on the details and getting even better.
“Every day that we come out here, we just have to get one percent better every day,” Jones noted, adding that being aggressive is still the No.1 goal of this unit. “Yes sir, 100 percent.”
last year, the Denver Broncos had the NFL's #1 ranked blocking offensive line:
#1 in run block win rate (ESPN)
#1 in pass block win rate (ESPN)
on non-Javonte Williams runs, they ranked:
#1 in short yardage conversion rate
#3 in 3+ yards before contact rate
#5 in yards before… pic.twitter.com/OBiZxekPm2
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 11, 2025
When it comes to the offensive line, head coach Sean Payton pointed out that literally every measured success for a team begins with the offensive line.
“That group played well last year, and it’s an important group. It’s the one group that permeates your building,” Payton said. “If you’re not really good on the offensive line, you don’t know how good you are then on the defensive line.”
From a football intelligence perspective, Payton noted that every position is impacted by the strength or weakness of its o-line.
“It’s probably one of the most important position groups,” he added. “The building, the roster, everything we’re doing...it’s hard to accomplish when that group is not what it needs to be. It’s hard to evaluate the quarterback. It’s hard to evaluate the receiver because the quarterback’s having trouble. It’s hard to evaluate the runner. It’s hard to evaluate the coach. It’s extremely important to get that group right.”
Broncos/NFL News
How the offseason competition Broncos coach Sean Payton covets has changed form - The Athletic
Denver has more continuity on its roster than any team in the NFL. Still, several new additions could change offense's complexion.
Broncos' Legend Champ Bailey Gives High Praise to Patrick Surtain II - Yahoo Sports
Denver Broncos legend Champ Bailey offers high praise for Patrick Surtain II, highlighting the star’s elite performance and potential.
5 Young Broncos Turning Heads During OTAs
Keep an eye on these ascending Denver Broncos.
Devaughn Vele looks like Courtland Sutton's replacement with Broncos
Watch the slants. Crunch the stats. And it is hard not to conclude this: wide receiver Devaughn Vele will be a breakout star for the Broncos this season.
Denver's leading tackler ready to get back on the field | 9news.com
Broncos LB Alex Singleton says he's ready to get back on the field after suffering a torn ACL last season. Singleton and Dre Greenlaw will be Broncos linebackers.
How 2 rookie tryout players earned offseason shots with Broncos: ‘Go by what we see’ - The Athletic
Wide receiver Kyrese White and inside linebacker Jordan Turner impressed during a tryout.
Packers release CB Jaire Alexander after seven seasons
The Jaire Alexander saga in Green Bay is at an end. The Packers are releasing the cornerback on Monday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. The decision comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the two-time Pro Bowler.
NFL minicamp 2025 -- Teams, rookies veterans we're watching - ESPN
NFL Nation frames minicamp storylines, including Trey Hendrickson and Kirk Cousins watch, and T.J. Watt's next move.
Bengals releasing veteran LB Germaine Pratt after six seasons
The Cincinnati Bengals are releasing linebacker Germaine Pratt after six seasons, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Monday.
Greg Roman: Chargers' WR corps 'night and day' different than last year
The Los Angeles Chargers spent the offseason upgrading the wideout crew around star Ladd McConkey. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman says it's a "night and day" difference in the team's wide receivers corps.
Sources -- QB Rodgers with Steelers, signs one-year, $13.65M deal - ESPN
Aaron Rodgers has signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Steelers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, a deal that includes $10 million guaranteed.