Denver Broncos focused on reestablishing running game
The Denver Broncos will look to execute an immediate rebuild during the 2018 NFL offseason. Head coach Vance Joseph explained the strategy.
The Denver Broncos have built one of the most impressive foundations in all of the NFL. The defensive line has a superstar pass rusher, the secondary has All-Pro cornerbacks, and the passing attack has two high-profile wide receivers.
Due to the absence of ideal quarterback play and the presence of an imbalanced offensive line, however, the Broncos finished the 2017 regular season at 5-11.
Denver finished the 2017 campaign at No. 20 in passing yards per game and No. 18 in yards per rushing attempt. Neither mark was especially ideal, which is why most expect the Broncos to focus on offense during the 2018 offseason.
According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN, head coach Vance Joseph wants the Broncos to get back to controlling the pace by running the ball and limiting turnovers in the passing attack.
"“As far as what I change moving forward, I think how we played offensively after we hired Billy [Musgrave] was my vision of offense: to run the football, control the games, play great defense and to minimize the errors by the quarterback,” Joseph said at season’s end. “I thought Billy did a great job of calling the game that way.”"
It’s unclear what that will mean for free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft, but we may be able to determine the Broncos’ strategy based on those comments.
Denver is in possession of the No. 5 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Many have speculated that the Broncos will select a quarterback, with the likes of Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen consistently surfacing as options.
Other possibilities exist, however, and Joseph’s comments on Denver’s vision imply that there could be other options.
Based on Joseph’s statement, the two most compelling possibilities appear to be running back Saquon Barkley and offensive guard Quenton Nelson.
Barkley is widely regarded as the best running back in the 2018 NFL Draft. More importantly, he’s a generational talent. As for Nelson, he’s viewed by near consensus as the best offensive lineman in this draft class, and he plays a position that would help legitimize the run game.
There are certainly other options worth discussing, but the Broncos sound as though Barkley and Nelson will be near the top of their draft board.
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The question is: Which prospect will the Denver Broncos end up selecting in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft?