Denver Broncos: A Rocky Mountain Shake Up

The Denver Broncos last won the Super Bowl back in 2016 over the Carolina Panthers. That happened under an elite defense and Peyton Manning. It had the skill players, the young hot defense, and a veteran QB who’s won before. Ever since Manning hung up the cleats, John Elway has been in dire search for his replacement. From Brock Osweiler, to Drew Lock, to even Kendall Hinton, the Broncos tried every single avenue they could to bring a new star loaded roster back to title contention.

They couldn’t draft a QB. They realized this after drafting not only Paxton Lynch, but also Drew Lock. They passed on guys like Justin Fields and Mac Jones in last year’s draft for another star defensive back in Patrick Surtain II. Insert Russell Wilson.

The future Hall of Fame QB and Super Bowl Champion seemed destined for a new team once rumors started last off season. The Seahawks came into this year in a weird spot. It’s not every day you see an elite QB on a contract get traded, let alone that the team prioritized Pete Carroll. It’s truly a weird situation, but a break up that is definitely better for both sides future.

I think Russell Wilson makes the Denver Broncos instant contenders. I believe he’s good enough to get this offense rolling, while the defense can step up and make big plays.

The AFC West is a tough division. The AFC is a tough conference. You have to play Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert four times a year. Not only that, you have to face Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen in that conference. I think with Wilson, the Denver Broncos can win any game over any of them; but I think that way about a lot of teams in the conference. I think the AFC will be a bloodbath that requires attrition to advance.

Russell Wilson will elevate the players around him. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton will both see an increase in meaningful targets. They also now find themselves in a better situation to score touchdowns. Courtland Sutton intrigues me the most, albeit I do love Jeudy to a certain extent. I think Jeudy can be a big play machine, but I think Sutton (if healthy) will likely win the target category. I also think Javonte Williams will see a boost; granted he’s already in line to get a bulk of the work. I believe this offense can roll with the best of them, and should be exciting for fantasy.

Take the opposite of that last sentence, for the Seattle Seahawks going forward. This team will be a headache for fantasy reasons, let alone real reasons.

It feels like the Seahawks pulled the trigger on a Russ trade a little too late. They didn’t get the haul I expected for a player of Wilson’s caliber. They received two 1sts – which they haven’t been successful with in years. They also got Drew Lock – who’s proven to be nothing more than a bridge starter. They get Shelby Harris, Noah Fant, and two 2nds as well. It’s a good package, but I feel if they pulled the trigger with Chicago last off season the package would’ve been much more lucrative.

I think Noah Fant can be a primary target for a depleted offense, almost exactly the same way he was in Denver. DK Metcalf will see an overall dip in production and value, but if you can afford to buy that dip and take the hit in production it’s worth it.

It sounds as if Tyler  Lockett could be next to be traded, but if not he’ll be fine. His value will dip as well as his production, but nothing that should make him that much of a different player productively as before.

I hope Seattle addresses other needs this off season, especially on the defensive side. Worry about QBs later. My overall sense is a dip for Seattle players short term, but could be a value gain in the long term.

The NFL has been shaken up today. Russell Wilson makes the AFC that much harder. I think that the Denver Broncos can contend for a Super Bowl as soon as next year, while the Seattle Seahawks will be looking forward to the 2022 and 2023 draft.