NFL Free Agency 2025: Denver Broncos Depth Chart + Offseason Moves
The Denver Broncos were a pleasant surprise last year. The Kansas City Chiefs rule the division. Justin Herbert and the Chargers are always going to be a threat. But Sean Payton, with a rookie quarterback Bo Nix, was able to take this team to the playoffs. Three teams from the powerhouse AFC West made the dance.
The fun part for Broncos fans is that we KNEW the team wasn’t complete. The playoffs last year were just gravy. Now is where they go in and build around Bo Nix and a great defense to win. And that starts with upgrading some of the weapons.
Today we’re going to look at the Broncos depth chart, contracts, salary cap, and free agents to make some predictions on what might happen when free agency opens next week. I’ll give my thoughts for you folks who play dynasty fantasy football as well. Identifying the holes in these rosters now and seeing what they work on, or don’t, in free agency is also the best way to start your NFL mock drafts.
*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*
Denver Broncos Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)
QB | |||
RB | |||
RB | |||
WR | |||
WR | |||
WR | Devaugn Vele | ||
TE |
- White = free agent
- Green = role is safe
- Yellow = role in flux
- Orange = likely a depth piece
- Red = roster spot not guaranteed
Denver Broncos Free Agency 2025
- CURRENT PROJECTED TOP 51 2025 SALARIES: ~$240M
- CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 TEAM CAP SPACE: ~$41M
Broncos Quarterback Depth Chart
Bo Nix: The Broncos have to be happy with what they got out of rookie Bo Nix. He beat out veterans Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham but it didn’t stop there - he took the Broncos all the way to the playoffs. In most years he would have been a shoe-in for Offensive Rookie of the Year but Jayden Daniels also had an impressive year with a playoff run.
Bo Nix is exactly the kind of guy that you should be acquiring in dynasty because he’s willing to run. Every QB that has run the ball at least 90 times while starting 16 games has finished as a QB1 in fantasy except one - 2014 Colin Kaepernick. In fact, the only QBs to not finish as a fantasy QB1 while running 80 or more times over that last decade are 2015 Alex Smith and 2024 Caleb Williams.
Much like running backs, typically you can run the ball at a high volume as a quarterback until you hit the age of 28 or so. At 25 years old, Bo Nix should be locked into your lineups in superflex leagues at least for the next few years. This year, as a rookie, he finished as QB7.
Zach Wilson: After losing out on the job to Nix, Zach Wilson is expected to take his talents on the road as an unrestricted free agent. And a team drafting a rookie quarterback might once again be willing to use Wilson as a litmus test to decide if he’s ready or not.
Jarrett Stidham: By most accounts, Jarrett Stidham is a fairly smart player. Guys like that can have a long career if the NFL serving as a “player coach” before inevitably becoming a coach themselves. As long as a team is willing to give you a million dollars, it makes sense to continue throwing the pads on. He’s an unrestricted free agent.
- Reserves/Futures: N/A
BRONCOS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Broncos are going to need a backup to Bo Nix. And, since they are a competitive team now, it should be someone who can step in and actually win games if needed. Maybe they view Jarrett Stidham that way, maybe he’s more of a QB3 at this stage. Here are some options.
POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Jarrett Stidham, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flaco, Marcus Mariota
Broncos Running Back Depth Chart
Javonte Williams: At one point, Javonte Williams was ranked in the top three backs on crowdsourcing value site KeepTradeCut. There was a lot of excitement for him after he looked explosive in his rookie year. But, following a serious knee injury in 2022, he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. Last year he couldn’t escape a timeshare in the Broncos backfield.
In a fairly thin free agent RB market, I expect Williams to walk. He’s still only 24 years old which is obviously more appealing to teams just starting the building process vs. guys like Nick Chubb or Aaron Jones. Teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders with cap space to work with could give Williams a second chance. He’s a hold for now in dynasty to see what happens.
Jaleel McLaughlin: McLaughlin was the more efficient back in 2024 but he also had the easier assignments, operating more on pass downs. And, at under 190 pounds, he doesn’t really have the size to be an every down back. This is the kind of player I often cash out for anything if I can, even if it’s a third round rookie pick, as his upside is limited and this is a deep running back draft class.
Audric Estime: Estime on the other hand is 5’11” 221 pounds. He also has the distinction of being drafted by the new regime. We have to temper expectations for fifth round picks, especially a guy who ran a 4.71 forty. But, of the guys remaining on the team, he’s mostly likely to get the bulk of the rushing work - which would include the goal line. He’s a rookie deal through 2027.
Tyler Badie: Tyler Badie actually had a couple nice plays early in the season on limited snaps before suffering a serious back injury that kept him out from Week 4 through the entire regular season. He was activated for Week 19 but played limited snaps. If you are in a really deep dynasty league, Badie is a bit of a dark horse for work as he has pretty good speed and, at 197 pounds, he’s at least close to what we hope for in terms of size.
Blake Watson: Watson bounced around on the practice squad and bottom of the roster. Sean Payton has had some nice things to say about him but he can be released with zero dead cap so he could very well be a practice squad level guy again in 2025.
- Reserves/Futures: N/A
BRONCOS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Broncos could just move forward with what they have. But we know that Joe Lombardi loves throwing the ball to his running backs. And if you don’t believe me, just look at this little factoid.
The draft could be the best way way to find that type of player as guys like Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler don’t grow on trees and they don’t often hit free agency. Here are the current best options in free agency with a little emphasis on the pass-catching element if they do let Javonte Williams walk (who caught the sixth most passes of any running back last year).
POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, Kareem Hunt, Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, Ameer Abdullah
Broncos Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Courtland Sutton: Sutton has always been a wide receiver I liked in a vacuum. He put together a reel of highlight catches in 2023 despite poor quarterback play. And, in 2024 with improved quarterback play, he set a career high for targets (135) and receptions (81).
Sutton is 29 years old so he’s probably only a guy you go after in dynasty fantasy football if you are playing to win now. According to Alex Korff’s trade value charts, which attempt to capture industry sentiment, it would probably cost you a late 1st round pick to acquire him. If he would slot into your lineup every week and you think he puts you over the top, he’s a solid target. Especially if the owner is good “rookie fever” and you can nab him for a couple 2nd rounders instead.
Marvin Mims: No wide receiver on the Broncos played more than 50% of the snaps besides Courtland Sutton (85%). That said, Marvin Mims is the most safe on this roster for a couple reasons. First, he did flash a bit towards the end of the season while playing the second most snaps in the playoff game. And, secondly, he returned every single punt and half the kicks for this team.
If you can sell Mims for a 2nd round pick I would do that immediately but the best you’d probably get is a 3rd. There’s a real chance that this team adds a wide receiver or tight end that pushes Mims down the target pecking order. Not to mention, every team that has had Joe Lombardi on the staff has been top five in passes to the running back. The Broncos, the Saints, the Chargers, the Lions. Every year.
Troy Franklin: The Broncos bet on the chemistry between college teammate Bo Nix and Troy Franklin when they selected Franklin early in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He had a fairly quiet season but adjusting to NFL football isn’t easy. Franklin to me projects to be more of a field stretcher than a target hog at the NFL level so I’m not sold on his fantasy upside. But he’s worth holding just to see if the connection with Bo Nix comes through in year two.
Devaughn Vele: They seem to want a kind of “big slot” element in Denver. Devaughn Vele and Lil’Jordan Humphrey beat out guys like Lucas Krull and Greg Dulcich for those duties. Still, neither player could parlay that into a full-time role with this team. Vele is an older prospect so he’s actually already 27. Anytime I have a 7th round pick that flashes at all, I try to move them for anything in dynasty.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey: Humphrey was one of Payton’s guys in New Orleans who came along to the new squad. As I mentioned above, he’s been competing for that big slot role but no one really ran away with it. His snap share dwindled as the season went on so I’m not sure he’s back in 2025. He’s an unrestricted free agent.
- Reserves/Futures: AT Perry, Michael Bandy
BRONCOS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Broncos have their split end in Courtland Sutton. They also have some field-stretching options in Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. What they could use is a slot WR and it seems they’ve been looking for a bigger player to help with the run.
The solution could be a tight end, the way they used Jimmy Graham in that “joker” role. Or they could look to the draft. But there are some guys out there that are adept at it. Here are some options.
POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp (via trade), Keenan Allen, Tim Patrick, Demarcus Robinson
Broncos Tight End Depth Chart
Adam Trautman: Adam Trautman is a solid inline blocking tight end. He’s not going to wow you with his pass-catching ability. But he’s a decent mauler in the run game. He’s under contract for 2025 and should retain that role. He’s not a fantasy relevant asset.
Lucas Krull: The battle was between Greg Dulcich and Lucas Krull for the pass-catching TE role. And Krull, The Warrior King, won out. They already opted to bring him back on an exclusive rights free agent tender that locks him in at the league minimum.
Nate Adkins: Adkins is essentially the backup blocking tight end to Adam Trautman. He can also dabble at fullback. But the main reason he will remain on the team in 2025 is that he contributes on four different special teams units.
- Reserves/Futures: Thomas Yassmin
BRONCOS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: Along with the Los Angeles Chargers, this is one of the best landing spots for a tight end in fantasy football. Sean Payton has a documented history of using a “joker” tight end which is essentially a tight end you can play out of position at WR. The most famous example of course was Jimmy Graham.
That makes this a great landing spot for a rookie like Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, or Harold Fannin. But there are also some “big slot” tight ends available in free agency. Juwan Johnson, for instance, is a converted wide receiver who was with Sean Payton in New Orleans.
- POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Juwan Johnson, Evan Engram, Mike Gesicki, Gerald Everett
Player News
Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter said NFL teams he’s met with during the pre-draft process have no issue with him playing both sides of the ball.
Hunter said he would refuse to play for a team that did not allow him to play both corner and wideout. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field,” he told CBS Sports. “I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.” Hunter in 2024 played 713 offensive snaps and 748 defensive snaps, “which made him the only player since at least 2017 with at least 250 snaps played on both offense and defense in a single season,” according to CBS Sports Research. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, a mentor to Hunter, said Hunter could easily play both sides of the ball as a pro since physical contact in the NFL is “minimal.” Pro Football Focus graded Hunter as last season’s second best cover corner. The most likely outcome for Hunter, 21, would include a full-time defensive role in the NFL with a package of receiver snaps in certain situations. He’s expected to go in the first ten picks of the 2025 draft.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports Louisville QB Tyler Shough could be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Russini said Shough’s draft prospects have spiked over the past two weeks, going from a second or third round selection to a possible first rounder. That, of course, depends on how desperate quarterback-needy teams will be on the first night of the NFL Draft. An anonymous head coach told Russini that Shough, who threw for nearly 3,200 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his final collegiate season, is the best QB prospect in the entire 2025 draft class. Shough, who will be 26 in September, played seven years of college football, including stints at Texas Tech and Oregon. Pro Football Focus graded Shough as 2024’s fifth best passer. His adjusted completion rate in 2024 ranked 25th out of 93 qualifying QBs. It would be surprising if a team aggressively pursued a questionable, older QB prospect as a first-round selection.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Shedeur Sanders on Thursday will hold “one last private workout” for representatives from the Giants.
It appears the Giants are very much considering using their first rounder on Sanders, whose draft prospects are all over the place in the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. “When this happens so late in the process either there’s a big disagreement in their building on their evaluation or their reacting to new information,” said former Jets GM and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum. Sanders could go in the top five picks or drop out of the first round depending on how the Giants, Browns, and other QB-needy teams approach the first night of the draft. It remains to be seen if Sanders, who threw 64 touchdowns in two seasons on his father’s Colorado team, would compete with Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson for New York’s Week 1 starting job.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Dolphins and CB Jalen Ramsey are exploring trade options.
Rapoport added that “it wouldn’t be a surprise if [Ramsey] played elsewhere in 2025.” The Dolphins owe Ramsey $25.1 million in 2025, and don’t seem eager to keep him onboard after an underwhelming two seasons in Miami. Ramsey has five interceptions for the Dolphins over 27 games, missing significant time with various injuries, including a lingering knee issue. Ramsey in 2024 was graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 24th best cover corner out of 133 qualifying cornerbacks. Entering his age-31 seasons, Ramsey should get a decent amount of interest in the trade market in the coming weeks.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reports Jakobi Meyers is “open” to an extension with the Raiders.
Meyers is entering the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract signed in the 2023 offseason and coming off an 87/1027/4 receiving line in 2024. McFadden writes that the team views Meyers as a “key player” on the roster. Meyers could probably come close to a $20 million AAV in a new contract given the way the market is trending — that’s about what Stefon Diggs got from the Patriots this offseason after a lengthy wait.
The Athletic’s Nate Taylor writes that the Chiefs “need a young, dynamic running back to pair with” Isiah Pacheco.
Rarely do you see a beat writer go with the word “need,” but here we are. Kansas City clearly had no juice in the running game all last season as Pacheco struggled to run the same after returning from a broken leg. Kareem Hunt was a steady veteran pounder but couldn’t hit a second gear. Taylor notes that Brett Veach has been quoted as saying running backs in Andy Reid’s offense “need to be a better receiver than a runner” and ties them to Georgia back Trevor Etienne.