The Broncos’ march toward the 2024 season hit an important checkpoint on Tuesday, with the start of organized team activities at the team facility in Centennial.
This is the first time Denver’s rookies, including quarterback and first-round pick Bo Nix, get to practice with new and returning veteran players on the roster. Denver will conduct OTAs over the next three weeks before starting mandatory minicamp on June 11.
The three-week period will be as notable for who isn’t there as who is. As players start to separate themselves in certain position battles, here are a few things to watch for:
Will Sutton participate?
Perhaps the biggest question hanging over OTAs is whether or not wide receiver Courtland Sutton will show up after opting to skip the Broncos’ voluntary workouts last month.
General manager George Paton expressed zero alarm over Sutton’s absence, saying the seven-year veteran is “in a good place.” However, NFL Network reported at the time that Sutton is seeking a new contract. He has two years left on his deal and only $2 million guaranteed of the $27.6 million total remaining on the four-year extension he signed in November 2021.
Remember, these practices are optional. But Denver might sound the alarm if Sutton is not present when minicamp begins.
Quarterback competition
Around this time last season, it was certain Russell Wilson was Denver’s starting quarterback. Now, it’s a different story. Tuesday will begin a quarterback battle between Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said at rookie minicamp that they’ll have a rotation to split the reps. Nix has already made a good impression. Payton said watching him is “almost like watching a good golfer” while praising how the former Oregon standout plays with patience and operates efficiently in the pocket. Stidham was able to show off his skill set in the final two games of the 2023 season, but Denver’s trade for Wilson — a second-overall pick in 2021 — indicates he still has plenty to prove.
For Nix, it’s just a matter of when he will become Denver’s starting quarterback. Wilson and Stidham, on the other hand, could be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. The Broncos could save $5 million by releasing Stidham, an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
Life after Lloyd Cushenberry
Lloyd Cushenberry’s departure leaves a large hole to fill at center. The LSU product had a career year in his final season in Denver and was paid handsomely for his performance, signing a four-year, $50 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Cushenberry played a key role in the revitalization of Denver’s offensive line in 2023, so it’ll be essential for the team to find someone who can pick up where he left off. Second-year center Alex Forsyth is worth monitoring. Denver believes Forsyth has the potential to become a starting-caliber center, and his relationship with Nix is beneficial since they played together at Oregon in 2022. While offensive lineman Luke Wattenberg started 16 games at center in college, Sam Mustipher has the most pro experience. Mustipher has started in 42 of his 52 career games in the NFL, most recently in Baltimore, where he started in two games in 2023 after Tyler Linderbaum was sidelined due to injury.
Dulcich’s health
Even after another injury-riddled season, tight end Greg Dulcich still has an opportunity to carve out an important role.
Denver didn’t make a major move at tight end this offseason except bringing back Adam Trautman on a one-year deal. Dulcich could very well solve the lack of production from Denver’s tight ends (39 receptions for 362 yards and four touchdowns in ’23). However, staying on the field has been his problem. He injured his right hamstring in Week 1 before injuring it in his return to play in Week 6. Dulcich’s right hamstring has been injured on at least four occasions, and he has played in just 12 games since getting drafted in 2022.
Whether or not the Broncos feel this could be a final audition for Dulcich — an unrestricted free agent in 2026 — to prove he can stay healthy and be a valuable asset, it sure seems that way. “You wouldn’t say it’s a crossroads year, but (Dulcich) feels that urgency to put this in his rearview mirror,” Payton said at the owners meetings in March.
Which second-year player will take a leap?
Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. and cornerback Riley Moss are among second-year players who could see their role increase in 2024. As a rookie, Mims showed flashes of his potential. But for the most part, he was limited on offense, partly due to playing the same role as Jerry Jeudy. With Jeudy now in Cleveland, Mims should see more opportunity.
“Marvin will certainly be a candidate to play more snaps because of that, and there’ll be some competition, I’m sure,” Payton said.
Mims’ speed allows him to be a vertical threat. He had three catches for 40-plus yards, including a 60-yard touchdown grab against Washington in Week 2. With Tim Patrick — returning from a torn Achilles — in the slot, Mims could be the Broncos’ second outside receiver.
On defense, Moss could go from playing three snaps at outside cornerback in 2023 to possibly starting on the opposite side of Pat Surtain II. Although Moss’ snaps were limited, Payton thinks the former Iowa star provides value in the secondary. Moss’ competition will be Damarri Mathis, who was benched last season, Levi Wallace and rookie Kris Abrams-Draine, meaning he has a good chance to make his case for being a starter.
Can Estime be Denver’s top running back?
Audric Estime has a real shot at being an every-down running back in Year 1. Last season, Denver finished tied for 21st in yards per carry (four) and 28th in rushing touchdowns (eight). Meanwhile, Javonte Williams, who returned from a torn ACL, averaged 3.6 yards per carry and didn’t surpass 50 rushing yards in the final four games.
Payton won’t put a limit on roles that rookies can compete for, and Estime is a strong and violent runner who could crack the starting lineup. In Estime’s final season at Notre Dame, he rushed for 1,348 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 892 yards after contact (4.27 per attempt) and 38 runs for over 10 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
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