The Broncos strengths and weaknesses after free agency and the draft
Silver and Black Pride is wrapping up its AFC West offseason review series, where we’re keeping an eye on the Las Vegas Raiders’ rivals. The Denver Broncos are the last team up, so let’s take a look at the Broncos’ moves in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Free Agency
Key Additions: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, TE Evan Ingram
Key Losses: LB Cody Barton, RB Javonte Williams
The Broncos were the least active team in the division during free agency, in terms of adding or losing significant players. The front office spent most of its time and resources re-signing its in-house free agents. However, the organization did make a few significant moves to offset the handful of players it lost.
Greenlaw is a clear upgrade over Barton, if he’s healthy. The former 49er was one of the top linebackers in the NFL during his prime a couple of years ago, but he sat out the majority of last season after tearing an Achilles in the 2023 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Greenlaw played in just two games a year ago, recording nine tackles on just 34 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He tweaked a calf just a few plays into his second game and was shut down as San Francisco’s playoff hopes diminished.
The linebacker is already battling injuries this season. He reportedly suffered a quad injury that has sidelined him during the Broncos’ workouts and may threaten his availability for the beginning of the campaign. There are conflicting reports on the latter/the severity of Greenlaw’s hamstring injury.
Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
Denver also upgraded its safety group by signing another former 49er, Hufanga. At his best, the USC product is a first-time All-Pro (2022). However, he also struggled to stay healthy in San Francisco, missing 17 games over the last two seasons with various injuries.
If he can stay off the injury report, Hufanga gives the Broncos a safety who can line up all over the field and impact both phases of the game. But that’s proven to be a challenge over the last two years.
Offensively, Sean Payton was looking to find his new Jimmy Graham at tight end. While Engram isn’t on that level, he does give Payton an athletic and big-bodied pass catcher to draw plays up for in the passing game. The former Jaguar and Giant has made the Pro Bowl twice and isn’t far removed from a career year, logging 114 catches for 963 yards and four touchdowns during the 2023 campaign in Jacksonville.
At running back, Williams had a strong rookie season in Denver but struggled to build on that momentum, partially due to injuries. That makes his loss less significant, especially since Payton leaned heavily on a running back by committee approach last season.
For example, Williams (513 yards) was the team’s leading rusher in 2024, but Jaleel McLaughlin (496) and Audric Estime (310) weren’t too far behind. The other two backs will return this season.
Draft
Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Additions: CB Jahdae Barron (1st round), RB R.J. Harvey (2nd round), WR Pat Bryant (3rd round), DL Sai’vion Jones (3rd round), EDGE Que Robinson (4th round), P Jeremy Crawshaw (6th round), TE Caleb Lohner (7th round)
Barron makes an already strong secondary even better. He’s a versatile corner who can line up at nickel and/or serve as the defense’s No. 2 outside corner opposite Pat Surtain II. The Broncos got excellent value with the 20th pick of the draft.
Harvey figures to factor into the running back rotation and could be a good pass-catcher out of the backfield. However, he was over-drafted, in my opinion. A similar statement could be made about Bryant, who might be a contested catch threat out wide, but struggles to create separation and was selected higher than expected.
Meanwhile, Jones and Robinson were likely drafted with the future in mind rather than being expected to make a significant impact as rookies. The third-rounder has some position versatility to line up at defensive end or tackle behind Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers. The fourth-round pick was a highly rated recruit in high school and has impressive athletic traits, but battled injuries at Alabama. Both defenders fall into the “project” category.
Finally, the Broncos wrapped up their draft class with a couple of cross-sport athletes. Crawshaw is a former Australian rugby player with a big leg, while Lohner is over 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds and played college basketball at BYU and Baylor before spending one season on Utah’s football team.
Remaining Question Marks
- Wide receiver depth
Behind Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims is a decent number two after posting 509 yards and six touchdowns last season. However, Mims will have to take an even bigger step forward in his third season to become a legitimate second wideout, and the rest of the receiving corps shouldn’t strike much fear into opposing cornerbacks.
- Can Bo Nix avoid sophomore slump?
Nix exceeded expectations as a rookie, finishing third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. However, he slowed down toward the end of the regular season, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue playing at a high level when defenses have more tape on him.
- Can Greenlaw and Hufanga stay healthy?
As mentioned above, the former 49ers have battled injuries throughout their careers and are coming off a season where they were banged up. Greenlaw and Hufanga are expected to be integral parts of Denver’s defense moving forward, but that won’t matter if they struggle to stay on the field.
- CB2
No one is questioning Surtain, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, but the corner spot opposite him is interesting. Riley Moss filled that role and was solid last season, but he got picked on and surrendered a 63.9 completion percentage and 713 yards (including playoffs), per PFF. Maybe Barron takes over this spot, but it certainly is a question heading into the fall.