The Denver Broncos are entering a pivotal offseason. After finally breaking their eight-year playoff drought, Denver finally seems to have direction. Although they made the playoffs, Denver has many holes to fill. With plenty of cap space and draft capital, the Broncos could become a serious threat in 2025.
Cut Candidates
As it stands right now, the Broncos have $41 million in cap room, but could easily get that number to $50 million with a few cuts.
The first cut is Alex Singleton. Singleton is a solid linebacker, but not what Denver needs. Cody Barton stepped in last season and played better than Singleton, and with Barton entering free agency, the logical decision is to bring back Barton and save $5.5 million by cutting the former captain.
The next cap casualty is P.J. Locke. Locke played great in 2023 in place of Kareem Jackson and earned himself an extension. But unfortunately he regressed in 2024 and was a liability in the secondary. Denver saves over $4 million if they release him. Locke won’t be the only player in the secondary released, as Damarri Mathis is likely out the door too. When he’s played, it has been rough, and he’s been passed on the depth chart by everybody. Denver saves $3.3 million if they release him.
The final cut is Adam Tarutman. Trautman is a decent blocking tight end but adds nothing on the receiving end. Denver needs a modern day tight end that can be a weapon for Bo Nix. Denver saves $2.5 million with this move. Don’t be surprised if Denver brings back Trautman on a veteran’s minimum though.
With all of those moves, Denver cap space goes up to $57 million.
For the rest of their internal moves, Denver resigns D.J. Jones, Cody Barton, Jarrett Stidham, and Tremon Smith. Leaving them with just under $40 million heading into free agency.
Free Agency Moves
The Broncos bringing in former Saints’ tight end Juwan Johnson seems like a logical move for both parties. Johnson set a career high in catches and yards this season with 50 catches for 548 yards. Johnson also played for Sean Payton for his first two seasons, so he’s familiar with his system. Johnson would be the perfect addition to the league’s worst tight end room. Denver signs him to a two-year-$14 million deal.
Johnson isn’t the only former Saints tight end the Broncos sign. They also bring in Taysom Hill, the dynamic playmaker. He joins Denver on a two-year, $7 million deal.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos make their big-time free agency move. They sign Jevon Holland to a four-year, $60 million contract. Last season Denver went out and signed a former Dolphin’s safety in Brandon Jones, and now they pair him up with his former teammate. Holland is just 24 years old and would fill the void left behind by Justin Simmons. Along with Holland’s ball hawk abilities, he’s one of the best safeties against the run and would help Denver patch that weakness.
The final move Denver makes is getting a star middle linebacker. The biggest names in this class are Zack Baun, Nick Bolton, and Dre Greenlaw. Baun was a DPOY finalist this season, so he may be a bit too expensive for Denver to bring in. Bolton is projected to receive at least $12 million annually, which is also a bit too pricy. But Dre Greenlaw is the perfect fit.
Greenlaw only appeared in two games this past season after suffering an Achilles tear in Super Bowl 58. But when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best. He’s played four full seasons in the NFL, and in those four seasons he’s recorded 435 total tackles. He’s elite against the run, and would be a huge get for Vance Joseph’s defense. Denver signs him to a three year-$25 million deal.
The NFL Draft
With Denver making two big defensive signings in free agency, they look at offense early in the draft. Sean Payton has been very vocal about getting a new running back, and they’ll do that with their first round pick. In an ideal world, Denver lands Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty with the 20th overall pick.
But there’s a good chance that Jeanty gets selected earlier than 20th, but even if he’s gone, Denver will still likely go running back. There are rumblings that the Broncos “love” North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, and would be willing to spend a first round pick on him. Regardless if the pick is Hampton or Jeanty, Denver finds its new lead back in the draft.
In the second round, the Broncos look to continue bolstering their run defense. The 2025 defensive tackle class is loaded with talent. It’s more likely than not that a quality defensive tackle will slip into the second round. Denver will look to grab a 300-pounder like Tyleik Williams or Derrick Harmon who can eat up blocks and double-teams.
In the third round, Sean Payton grabs another player who can fill his “joker” role in Savion Williams. Williams is listed as a receiver, but is testing as a receiver and running back at the NFL combine. Last season at TCU he had 60 catches for 611 yards and six touchdowns, and had 50 carries for 322 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He’s the perfect player to add to Payton’s offense.
Savion Williams is an INSANE athlete.
Led all WRs with 43 total missed tackles forced (next best was 32!!) while taking snaps at RB and WR.
Verified at 6’4, 220lbs with a 73.5% career contested catch rate. Projected to run 4.4s with a 40+ inch vertical. Drops are a concern. pic.twitter.com/gMvHLT3ZeN
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 12, 2025
In the fourth round Denver sticks with offense and adds another tight end to the roster. Grabbing a guy like Gunnar Helm, Terrance Ferguson, or Mason Taylor would provide a decent back-up behind Juwan Johnson.
With their remaining picks the Broncos should look to add secondary and offensive line depth and a receiver who can return kicks with Marvin Mims taking over as the number two receiver.
The 2025 Denver Broncos
If the Denver Broncos follow this blueprint they will be a tough team to beat in 2025. By no means would these moves make them Super Bowl front-runners, but it would be a step in that direction.
Possible 2025 Starting Lineup
QB – Bo Nix
RB – Omarion Hampton
WR – Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, DeVaughn Vele
TE – Juwan Johnson
LT – Garrett Bolles
LG – Ben Powers
C – Luke Wattenberg
RG – Quinn Meinerz
RT- Mike McGlinchey
LE – Zach Allen
DT – DJ Jones, Derrick Harmon
RE -John Franklin-Myers
WLB – Nik Bonnito
ILB – Dre Greenlaw, Cody Barton
SLB – Jonathan Cooper
CB-Patrick Surtain, Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine
S-Brandon Jones, Jevon Holland
With the Broncos officially being off of Russell Wilson’s contract in 2026, the Broncos will open a contention window if they make the right moves, and that starts with this offseason.
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