Make no mistake about it, the Broncos are now loaded with weapons on the offensive side of the ball. John Elway made it his mission to provide second-year quarterback Drew Lock with a variety weapons, from big athletic tight ends to smaller guys, known as “burners.”
Many call the NFL a “copycat league” and after seeing the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV behind their high-octane offense, Elway and the Broncos knew they would have to try and replicate that blueprint in some fashion. The Broncos averaged 17.6 points per game in 2019, good for 28th in the league, so adding some much needed juice in the draft was a top priority.
By drafting wide receivers Jerry Jeudy in the first round and K.J. Hamler in the second, Denver has given Lock all the necessary ammunition to work with on offense. Not to mention, Lock’s former college teammate at Missouri, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, was selected in the fourth round, reuniting the pair.
Jeudy was, without question, the best receiver in the draft class. He’s a precise route-runner, knowing the entire route tree, which will help him contribute immediately. And, his 6’1” frame is perfect to play the No. 2 receiver opposite of Courtland Sutton, while he also has 4.5 speed.
With Tyreek Hill already in the division and the Raiders drafting Henry Ruggs III with their 12th overall pick, the AFC West is stockpiled with wide receivers who possess game-breaking speed. The addition of Hamler will unquestionably help counteract that, as many experts have compared Hamler’s speed to that of Hill and Ruggs III, all three of whom are capable of churning out sub-4.3 40-yard dash times.
Following the draft, Elway joined Mike Tirico on Lunch Talk Live. “You have to be explosive on the offensive side and be able to put some points on the board,” said Elway. “We’re going to have a heck of a battle in the AFC West.”
Over the past couple seasons, the Broncos have improved immensely with their personnel on offense. The rest of the NFL seems to be taking notice, from draft experts to former players.
It's official. The #Broncos are my no. 2 AFC team. Hamler the 28th overall player on my board. Denver is LOADED with talent on offense
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 25, 2020
The Broncos offense about to be crazy!!!
— Eddie Royal (@EddieRoyalWR) April 24, 2020
Although the offense seems promising, the fact of the matter is they are still very young. Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay are aged 27 and 25 respectively, Courtland Sutton is 24, Jeudy is 21, Noah Fant is 22 and Lock is 23.
In the modern-day NFL, teams must find a way to put points on the scoreboard in order to achieve success. Teams that win on stout defense alone are few and far between. Many around the league have stated they believe the Broncos crushed this draft, in large part because Denver drafted players who can contribute immediately on offense and change the outcome of games with one explosive play.
After this rapid rebuild on offense, Denver looks like a team on the rise in years to come. The only problem is division rival Kansas City features the most explosive offense in the NFL. Teams around the league are aiming to model their offense parallel to what the Chiefs have been able to do with a young and talented quarterback, fast playmaking wide receiver(s) and an athletic tight end who is a serious threat in the passing game.
Sure, the Broncos look good on paper, but NFL games are won on the field. These young guns still have to prove themselves at the highest level, but all signs point to Denver moving in the right direction.