The Broncos are walking into SoFi Stadium with a handful of players who could tilt Week 5 in Denver’s favor if the Chargers don’t account for them.
Los Angeles is still looking for its first win of the season, but the bigger concern for Denver is its own injury pileup. That’s where the sleepers come in.
With Pat Bryant on injured reserve, the Broncos need someone to help replace his explosiveness, and one of the clearest candidates is Troy Franklin. He’s only a year removed from being Denver’s No. 2 receiver, but he’s slipped all the way to fifth on the depth chart.
The Broncos have used him in a limited, specific role, and Bo Nix hasn’t always hit him this year, but this matchup gives the pair a chance to reconnect. Against a beat-up Chargers secondary, Franklin has a real shot to pop if Sean Payton, now calling the plays, puts him in the right spots.
Another name to watch is Nate Adkins. He’s been Denver’s best tight end so far and has played like a starter even though he sits third on the depth chart.
With injuries hitting the Chargers at the second and third levels of their defense, Adkins could become an important chain-mover between the 20s. He also has a knack for slipping free near the goal line, where opponents tend to lose track of him.
Don’t be surprised if Payton dials up something in the red zone and Nix looks his way for six on Sunday.
The Broncos’ injury issues on defense create a different kind of sleeper story. With Patrick Surtain II out, Kris Abrams-Draine has been pushed into the starting lineup, and the pressure is immediate.
The Chargers’ receiver group isn’t elite, but it can still stress corners. Barron’s limited size and experience could make him a target, which is exactly why he’s worth watching here.
A rough outing would keep the first-round bust talk hanging around. A strong one could quiet it for good.
Denver will also be without Riley Moss, which means its No. 4 and No. 5 corners are being asked to start. Abrams-Draine has held up when given chances, though his size and lack of physicality could be tested by the Chargers’ pass catchers. Still, he has already shown he can make plays against this team, picking off Justin Herbert for the first interception of his career as a rookie in 2024.
And then there’s Marvin Mims Jr., who has a chance to matter in more than one phase. His punt return fumble against the San Francisco 49ers last week ended up swinging the game, and he’ll be eager to answer back.
He can do damage as a returner, especially against a Chargers coverage unit that has struggled. Denver may also lean on him offensively to help replace Bryant and spark the kind of explosive plays that have been missing.
With Payton back in control, Mims is the kind of player who can be schemed into space quickly. His effort and route-running issues haven’t disappeared in Year 4, but the door is open for him to make a game-changing play.
In Other News...
Justin Herbert Faces More Pressure Than Ever In Chargers Must Win
The Chargers are already in a precarious spot heading into Week 5, sitting at 0-4 and heading into Denver with no room left for another stumble if they want to keep even faint playoff hopes alive. For Justin Herbert, the pressure is heavy before the first snap. He has thrown interceptions in five straight games, the longest active streak in the league, while trying to navigate an offense dealing with injuries around him and an offensive line that has not been fully healthy.
Denvers defense has its own issues entering the matchup, which adds another layer to a game that suddenly feels bigger than a normal early-season meeting. Still, Herbert is the central figure here because the Chargers need a clean performance from their quarterback more than ever, and every mistake only deepens the urgency around a season that is already slipping. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Fans Are Starting To Worry About J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins first month in Denver has not given Broncos fans much reason for comfort. Through four weeks, the veteran running back has managed 161 rushing yards without a touchdown while averaging 3.5 yards per carry, and he is splitting work with fellow back RJ Harvey as the offense continues sorting out its ground game.
Dobbins has acknowledged the slow start and said he is healthy, even after a soft-tissue injury in training camp that briefly clouded his preparation. He has not leaned on that as an explanation, either, choosing instead to frame the issue as one of performance and improvement as the Broncos try to get more out of a run game that has yet to find its rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Face Two Chargers Problems That Could Wreck This Matchup
The Broncos head into their matchup with the Chargers carrying a couple of concerns that could shape the whole afternoon, starting up front where protection has already been an issue. Denver needs cleaner play on the edge to give its offense a chance to function, and that becomes a tougher ask against a Los Angeles front that can create heat in a hurry.
The other pressure point is on the back end, where Denvers cornerback picture has been thinned by injuries at a bad time. With the Chargers bringing a receiver group that can test depth and communication, the Broncos may have to lean on some less familiar names in coverage and hope the matchup does not force them into constant repair mode. [Read more 🡒]