TAKING STOCK: 2022 DENVER BRONCOS

BY ADAM GREENE

A spirited effort against the Kansas City Chiefs will be the final legacy of the Vic Fangio era with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos lost their final four games, all but one to playoff teams, to finish their fifth consecutive losing season. To no one’s surprise, Fangio was fired.

But the Broncos are obviously close, with good skill position players and a defense that was one of the league’s best most weeks. Denver held teams under 20 points seven times and five of its 10 losses were by a single score. With a play flipped per game, this is a squad that could have finished 12-5, right with the Kansas City Chiefs.

DENVER BRONCOS

2021-22 Record: 7-10, fourth place AFC West

Playoffs: N/A

NOW WHAT?

With one of the better open head coaching opportunities, the Broncos landed Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. And because of that, if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t retire, there’s a good chance the team can put a solid trade package together for the reigning NFL MVP. Rodgers would cost plenty, probably three first round picks and some extras, but a team like the Broncos would immediately become a contender with him under center.

If Rodgers doesn’t work out, they could also be a contender for Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson. Even if they can’t pull any of those trades off, they must be very active in the quarterback market.

FREE AGENCY

Denver is sitting pretty with $39.188 million in available cap before re-writing any contracts. Of their own pending free agents, none are a “must keep,” but they’ll probably look at bringing back cornerback Kyle Fuller and running back Melvin Gordon if the price is right.

Drew Lock remains under contract and he’s a fine option as a back up, but this is a team that needs a legit QB. If those trade possibilities fall through, they have to get involved with the Jimmy Garoppolo sweepstakes with the San Francisco 49ers or sign a guy like Marcus Mariota or Mitchell Trubisky. Both of those men are young and have some good football left in them.

DRAFT

In my first mock draft I had the Broncos taking Nakobe Dean, linebacker out of Georgia with the No. 9 overall pick. If they make one of the marquee trades, they won’t get the chance. If they sign a guy like Mariota off the street, this could be a spot to see one of the first QBs go. I’m thinking it’ll be Kenny Pickett, though Matt Corral might better fit Hackett’s McVay/LaFleur system.

AFC WEST

The AFC West joined the NFC West as the two best divisions in football, with three teams finishing with winning records and two making the playoffs. The Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers will all be better next season so the Broncos really need to swing for the fences in the QB trade market. With three superstars available, they should be able to land one of them.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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