The Broncos are already built like a team that expects to matter for a while, and ESPN’s latest future power rankings reflect that reality. In a projection that looked ahead to 2027 through 2029 and weighed roster strength, quarterback play, coaching staff and front office, Denver landed at No. 4 among all 32 teams.
Only the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions ranked ahead of them.
That placement makes sense for a roster that barely needed an offseason overhaul. Denver’s biggest move was trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, a clear attempt to give an already strong offense a little more firepower. The rest of the picture stayed mostly intact, because the Broncos are already deep, balanced and dangerous on both sides of the ball.
They were close to breaking through in 2025, and the conversation around them only got louder because of what might have been. The Broncos came up short, but the idea lingers that if quarterback Bo Nix had been healthy for the American Football Conference Championship, they might have taken the final step toward the Super Bowl.
Even after losing some notable defensive pieces, Denver’s defense still looks loaded. The unit that nearly tied the all-time single-season sack record is expected to remain one of the league’s best, record chase or not.
ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed directly to the depth and coaching as reasons the Broncos sit so high in the long-range forecast.
“Across the 53-man roster, there is perhaps no team deeper than Denver,” Ben Solak wrote Monday. “And the Broncos' coaching staff, with Sean Payton and Vance Joseph, features two of the league's preeminent schemers over the past decade.
“The continued growth of QB Bo Nix and the final addition of WR Jaylen Waddle could push this team into one of the three Super Bowl matchups in question.”
The offensive questions are more about fine-tuning than rebuilding. Louis Riddick highlighted whether new offensive coordinator Davis Webb can put together a balanced attack that matches what Denver already has on defense.
He also pointed to the running back room, which looks stronger now than it did last season thanks to Jonah Coleman, RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins.
The clearest long-term concern may be up front. Aaron Schatz flagged the offensive line as the area to watch, even with Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz still among the best at their spots. The issue is age, especially with Bolles at 34, and the challenge of finding replacements who can eventually step in without a drop-off.
There is also a future contract decision looming in the secondary. Seth Walder projected that during the 2027-2029 stretch, cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian will become the highest-paid nickel back in the league. Whether that payday comes in Denver or somewhere else remains to be seen, but the numbers back up the view that he is one of the brightest young corners in football.
The bigger picture is clear: the Broncos are positioned to stay in the mix for years. The only thing that changes is the margin for error, because the Super Bowl window gets a little tighter with each passing season.
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Broncos Backfield Battle Just Got More Interesting With Cuts Looming
RJ Harvey has liked what he has seen from Denvers running backs through training camp, and the rookies optimism is easy to understand. The group has brought together different skill sets with Harvey, J.K. Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman all pushing for roles while the Broncos work through the preseason and try to sort out how the depth chart will look.
The competition matters because roster decisions are getting close, and Denver wants clarity at a position where the group has already shown signs of working well together. Harvey pointed to the early preseason opener as a step forward, and the Broncos now have to translate that momentum into a final call before the end of the month, with the backfield mix still one of the more interesting pieces of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Roster Hopefuls Just Put Real Pressure On Preseason Game 2
The Broncos got a useful first look at several roster hopefuls in their preseason opener, and a few of them made it hard not to notice. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman showed real running ability, while defensive back Jahdae Barron and linebacker Murdock each made their presence felt in a game where every snap matters more than usual for players trying to stick.
Barrons play in the secondary stood out as the kind of splash moment that can reshape a competition, and Murdock brought plenty of activity in his debut. Colemans showing only adds to the pressure heading into preseason Game 2, when coaches will be looking for the same energy and, in some cases, an even bigger answer from players trying to carve out a role. [Read more 🡒]