Broncos: Early 2017 Team Needs and Free Agent Decisions

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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and nose tackle Sylvester Williams (92) and nose tackle Darius Kilgo (98) during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos 2017 Team Needs

When it comes to talking about team needs, especially in the season, it is difficult to be accurate without knowing how younger players have progressed. When you have a young team like the Denver Broncos, that is a lot of young players that are growing as players.

Looking over the Broncos roster, there are some very obvious areas that the Broncos don’t have a need for. Running back, receiver and outside linebacker are the three obvious positions. All three are deep for Denver and they aren’t expected to lose anyone at those positions.

At quarterback, it really isn’t a need either. They have Trevor Siemian, who will make a fine backup for Paxton Lynch when he is ready. Both players are under 25 years old and under contract for a couple more years at least. Lynch is still developing, but the Broncos have shown they can win with Siemian at quarterback.

Tight end is one of the positions that is hard to gauge for Denver. Virgil Green is coming into his own as a receiver, and still is one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL. Behind him though is where things get messy. In the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos selected Jeff Heuerman in the third round, but he has yet to play a game due to injuries. John Phillips is the only other tight end on roster, but Henry Kriger-Coble, who had a great preseason, is on the practice squad.

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Both the offensive line and defensive line are needs for the Broncos. Improved depth is needed on both lines and Denver could stand to find a starter or two. It really depends on how some of their younger guys grow as the season goes on.

On the offensive line, they have a starter at left tackle and center locked up with Russell Okung and Matt Paradis. Right guard could be locked up if Michael Schofield plays like he has, but Schofield will be at right tackle for a few weeks with Donald Stephenson out with a calf injury. Left guard has Max Garcia who has been hit or miss so far this season. Connor McGovern is a rookie who is still growing, and could eventually compete for left guard.

Right tackle it the big area of concern. Donald Stephenson is best suited as a backup, but has been a serviceable starter. Ty Sambrailo was set to be the starting right guard, but now looks to be the right tackle. Issue is, Sambrailo can’t stay healthy. He was set to be the starter at right tackle vs the Indianapolis Colts, but suffered an ankle injury during the week.

Back to the defensive line, Derek Wolfe is a great starter and Sylvester Williams is good at nose tackle. But, Williams is set to hit the open market after this season. Denver has Darius Kilgo as his backup, and they could feel he is ready to be the starter. If they do, they would still need a backup, unless Kyle Peko is deemed as ready.

Opposite Wolfe is Jared Crick, who works better rotating in as part of depth. Injuries have depleted the depth here with Vance Walker going down. Walker also has his contract ending after the season, but Denver could look to bring him back. They also have second rounder Adam Gotsis, who is still developing.

If Gotsis isn’t ready, and Walker isn’t brought back, then Denver desperately needs to find a starter for opposite Wolfe and allowing them to use Crick as a rotational player. If they do bring Walker back, then they could still stand to find some help to improve their depth. So far this season the lack of depth has been noticeable.