The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Broncos brought in Russell Wilson in 2022 and it was supposed to solve the team’s long-term issues at quarterback. But under first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett, things didn’t go as planned. The team struggled mightily, as did Wilson. The Broncos finished with just five wins, in last place in the AFC West. And Hackett didn’t even make it through a season.

Needless to say, the Broncos are looking for better in 2023.

Off-Season Changes

The biggest change was signing Sean Payton as Head Coach. Payton had great success with the New Orleans Saints and even won a Super Bowl. His task is to turn around Wilson and a Broncos team in the midst of a long playoff drought.

The Broncos had a fair amount of turnover on the roster, with defensive end Dre’Mont Jones heading to Seattle, running backs Chase Edmonds and Latavius Murray leaving for Tampa Bay and Buffalo, respectively, and even long-time kicker Brandon McManus—the last player from the Super Bowl 50 winning team—leaving for the Jaguars. But it wasn’t all a one-way street.

The Broncos added Samaje Perine in the backfield, bringing him over from Cincinnati. In 2022, he finished as RB34 and proved an invaluable contributor for the Bengals. The Broncos added former Saints in receiver Marquez Callaway and tight end Adam Trautman. The team also added right tackle Mike McGlinchey and tackle Ben Powers to shore up the offensive line.

Defensively, the Broncos moved to add some teeth to the pass rush. The team agreed to a deal with Zach Allen, formerly of the Cardinals, to beef up the defensive line. In addition, the team brought over Frank Clark at linebacker. Clark was with the Chiefs in 2022, giving the Broncos a talented pass rusher with experience in the division.

Fantasy Impact

The questions start with Wilson, who struggled for much of 2022. Wilson finished as QB16 for the season, throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But a sign of life came at the end of the season. In the final two games, after Hackett was fired, Wilson finished as QB1. If Payton can be a solid influence, Wilson could return to QB1 value. For now, I like him as a high-end QB2.

In the backfield, Javonte Williams is returning from a knee injury. He didn’t land on PUP to start the season, which is a promising sign. If he’s ready to go Week 1, I think he has RB1 potential. Perine, meanwhile, figures to be a solid contributor. I think he could have week-to-week flex value.

The receiving corps entered camp as a strength with plenty of depth but this week has been rough. Veteran Tim Patrick was lost for the season with a torn Achilles and K.J. Hamler is stepping away from football—and was released—following the news he has a heart condition. The Broncos still have Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton at the top, and both figure to be in for a better season. I like Jeudy as a WR2 and Sutton as a WR3 with upside. The Broncos also drafted Marvin Mims, the receiver out of Oklahoma. I think he has good long-term potential and could be an interesting stash this season.

At tight end, the Broncos return second-year man Greg Dulcich. He caught 33 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns in just 10 games as a rookie. He has TE1 potential but is a safer bet as a top-end TE2. The interesting camp battle will be between Trautman—who played with Payton in New Orleans—and Albert Okwuegbunam. I think one of them will make the roster, and my bet right now is Trautman. He’s little more than a stash for fantasy.

Prediction

The Broncos felt like a team that was better than its record in 2022, but they couldn’t get the offense going. If Payton can deliver that, the team should see some major improvement. It’s a tough division but I think the Broncos can win 10 or 11 games and be in the playoff hunt.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.