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Broncos officially sign 16 players to their practice squad

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Throughout the day today we have been tracking which players have and have not been signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. We learned of the 16 through various reports, and now, the Denver Broncos have made it official.

This evening, the Broncos announced that they have officially signed 16 players to their practice squad.

We've signed 16 players to the practice squad.

📰 » https://t.co/9r7E3u7MFD pic.twitter.com/ExjVUlkcpw

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 27, 2025
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Denver Broncos Practice Squad Players​

  • LB Levelle Bailey
  • WR Michael Bandy
  • QB Sam Ehlinger
  • TE Caleb Lohner
  • IOL Joe Michalski
  • NT Jordan Miller
  • CB Quinton Newsome
  • WR A.T. Perry
  • FB Adam Prentice
  • CB Jaden Robinson
  • DB Keidron Smith
  • CB Reese Taylor
  • IOL Calvin Throckmorton
  • LB Jordan Turner
  • S Delarrin Turner-Yell
  • LB Garret Wallow

Player Overview​


Linebacker Levelle Bailey

The team surprisingly waived Baileym but the former undrafted free agent made it through waivers and signed back with the team. He had a strong summer where he received first-teams reps in place of the injured Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw, and played well. I anticipate that we will see him on the 53-man roster and on the field for the Broncos this upcoming season.

Wide Receiver Michael Bandy

Michael Bandy is inevitable.

Despite a strong group of undrafted rookie wide receivers, Michael Bandy once again showed enough to make the Broncos practice squad. He is a reliable veteran slot receiver who simply knows how to get open and gives them a trusted option on their practice squad. He helps them on the scout team, in the locker room, and is someone they can count on if needed in a pinch.

Quarterback Sam Ehlinger

As I wrote earlier, Ehlinger turned down two teams that wanted him on their 53-man roster to sign on to the Broncos practice squad. He reportedly loves the Broncos quarterback room and is a big believer of the team and wanted to be part of the ride. He will serve as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback and provide depth for them on the practice squad.

Tight End Caleb Lohner

The rookie tight end cleared waivers and will get some much-needed development on the Broncos’ practice squad. The former basketball player is very raw, and the Broncos would like to continue his development on the practice squad. Hopefully, he can make some strides this season and become an option sooner rather than later.

Offensive Linemen Joe Michalski

The undrafted rookie offensive linemen played primarily center this summer and showed enough to make the Broncos’ practice squad. He provides some depth behind Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth and would be the likely next man up if an injury were to occur.

Nose Tackle Jordan Miller

For a second straight year, Jordan Miller has made the Broncos’ practice squad. The team kept seven defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, along with Miller on the practice squad. This is a very deep unit, and Miller gives them some extra depth to rely on in a pinch if needed.

Cornerback Quinton Newsome

The Broncos are deep at corner on the active roster, but if one were to go down, especially an outside corner, Newsome figures to be the next man up. He is a bigger corner and can hold up on the outside against the bigger and more physical corners.

Wide Receiver A.T. Perry

We did not see much of Perry this summer, but his track record speaks for itself, and he is very familiar with the Broncos’ offensive coaches due to his time with the Saints. We all know that Sean Payton loves big-bodied receivers, and Perry is just that. With Devaughn Vele traded to the Saints, Perry provides them with another big target on the practice squad if needed.

Fullback Adam Prentice

With Michael Burton placed on the season-ending injured reserve, the Broncos signed former Saints fullback Adam Prentice. He will likely be on here for three weeks before the team will have to call him up to the active roster if they want to use him. The fullback position will likely be a fluid situation this season, but for now, Prentice is the man.

Cornerback Jaden Robinson

The undrafted rookie cornerback was signed back to the practice squad after a promising summer with the Broncos. He joins Quinton Newsome and Taylor Reese as the three reserve cornerbacks on the Broncos roster. Again, the Broncos are loaded at cornerback on the 53-man roster, so it would take an injury for them to find a spot on the active roster.

Defensive Back Keidron Smith

Smith made the 53-man roster last season, but this year, he will start the year on the practice squad. Safeties Devon Key, P.J. Locke, and JL Skinner are the reserve safeties on the roster, and Smith will serve as depth behind them.

Cornerback Reese Taylor

Taylor is a smaller corner who primarily plays in the slot and will provide depth behind Ja’Quan McMillian and rookie corner Jahdae Barron. He missed time this summer with an injury, but is a talented player who has spent time with the Broncos the past few seasons and is someone the defensive coaching staff seems to like having around.

Guard Calvin Throckmorton

The veteran guard had a really good summer and made a strong case to make the 53-man roster, but the numbers game was not in his favor. Fortunately, the Broncos were able to get him back on the practice squad, where he will serve as depth and likely see himself elevated on game days for at least the max three games allowed.

Linebacker Jordan Turner

He might be my favorite player on this list.

Turner really turned it up late into the summer and was a standout player for the Broncos in the preseason. He is an explosive and well-built linebacker who is like a heat-seeking missile out there. I think he can make some noise on the 53-man roster and hopefully, he is a player they can continue to develop moving forward.

Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell

DTY missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a serious knee injury late in 2023. He spent the entire year rehabbing and looked to push for a roster spot this season. While he did not make the roster, he showed enough on defense and special teams to stick around on the practice squad. He joins Keidron Smith as the safety depth on the practice squad.

Linebacker Garret Wallow

Wallow is a former 5th-round pick who joined the Broncos in the early portions of training camp after they dealt with some injuries at the position. However, despite being with the team for less than a month, he showed enough to the Broncos coaches that they decided to keep him around on the practice squad. He played a ton of special teams during the preseason so I believe this is more of a special teams addition than a defensive addition.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...ially-sign-16-players-to-their-practice-squad
 
Troy Franklin has newfound confidence in second season with Broncos

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Good morning, Broncos Country. The beginning of the regular season isn’t too far away for the Denver Broncos. In just a little over 10 days, they will host the Tennessee Titans for their first game of the season. In order for the Broncos to achieve their goals this year, they are going to need to see a jump in performance from several players on their roster.

One player I believe will make a huge jump this season is wide receiver Troy Franklin. Over the course of the summer, the second-year pro has flashed and performed at a high level. Yesterday, Franklin spoke to the media about his growth and development to date. He credits that to having a better mindset and newfound confidence compared to his rookie campaign, where he struggled to hit his stride and make an immediate impact.

“I think it’s just that my confidence is up there. I had a really good offseason I thought, and I kind of just wanted to translate that onto the field, and in my practices, training camp. I was trying to be consistent, and I think my confidence is up there,” stated Franklin.

With the ability to line up inside or outside, Franklin’s versatility should be an asset for a Broncos aerial attack. While the Broncos’ offense performed better in ‘24 than in years past, they are hoping to improve upon their efficiency and productivity in ‘25. I believe Franklin will play a big part in that. While he didn’t mention any production or milestone specifics, #11 made it clear on what he hopes to prove this season.

“Really just that I’m a playmaker for the team. Anything the coaches ask me, I just really want to be that trusted guy.”

During his collegiate years, Franklin was an absolute playmaker. He established himself as one of the most dynamic receivers in the nation. Whether it was reeling in deep ball throws or accumulating a lot of yards after the catch on passes from teammate Bo Nix, he was a do-it-all guy for the Ducks. In just three years at Oregon, he hauled in 160 catches for 2,483 and 25 touchdowns.

Franklin finished his rookie campaign with the Broncos notching 28 catches for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns. Interestingly enough, it was quite comparable to his first year in Eugene. But after that? He took flight and ultimately wound up becoming one the most productive receivers in all of college football over the next two seasons. Paired up with his old college quarterback, one can’t help but be optimistic that he will make great strides in his sophomore year in the National Football League.

As always, thank you for reading. Listed below under related is today’s articles for Horse Tracks.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...ound-confidence-in-second-season-with-broncos
 
Creating time in the pocket

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The average starting QB took 2.81 seconds to throw the ball last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That was the exact value obtained by both Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray. Bo Nix took 2.91 seconds on average to throw the ball last season. The QB who got the ball out the fastest last season was Tua Tagovailoa at 2.42 seconds. Lamar Jackson took the longest to throw the ball at 3.14 seconds but Jalen Hurts was pretty close at 3.13.

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SISdatahub.com has what they call “pocket time” which is the average time in the pocket before a QB gets pressure. So the QBs with the biggest difference between the two numbers is the one that does the best at moving in the pocket to create time. Notice that Lamar Jackson got pressure at 2.50 seconds on average, but didn’t throw until 3.14 seconds so on average he “created” 0.64 seconds in the pocket. Bo Nix had a difference of 0.41 which was almost exactly average (0.42 seconds). The QB who did the worst job of creating time was Mason Rudolph and it wasn’t close. He only created 0.20s on average. The next worst was Cooper Rush at 0.25s.

Other QBs who were good at creating time were Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, Caleb Williams and (a surprise) Aidan O’Connell. O’Connell only scrambled three times on 256 dropbacks – 1.2%. That was one of the lowest scramble rates among starting QBs. The other guys all had high scramble rates. Only Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins and Joe Flacco scrambled less often. The two QBs who scrambled the most often last season were both rookies, Jayden Daniels (12.2%) and Drake Maye (10.8%). They were the only two who scrambled more than 9% of the time on dropbacks.

Tua’s OL did him absolutely no favors as he was pressured on average 2.10 seconds after the snap. The fastest sack of the season in 2024 was 2.18s by former Bronco Cody Barton, meaning that when Tua got pressure it was almost aways immediate. That being said, Tua was only pressured on 13.6% of his dropbacks which was the best value among starting Qbs. Andy Dalton, Baker Mayfield, Gardner Minshew and Joe Burrow all only got 2.20s last season before they were pressured. On the other side of the spectrum, Jalen Hurts got 2.70s of clean pocket which lead the league. Rudolph, DeShaun Watson and Sam Darnold were all tied for second at 2.60s. Bo Nix was tied for third with a whole host of other QBs at 2.50s.

One of the things that made both Peyton Manning and Tom “deflated balls” Brady great was their ability to move slightly in the pocket to create time enough for their intended receiver to get to the spot needed for them to make the throw. While athletic ability is needed to avoid pressure in the pocket, neither guy was a “running” QB, but they both were masters at “feeling the pocket” and knowing when to step left, right, up or back in the pocket.

Patrick Mahomes is also very good at this. While he is a much better “athlete” than Manning or Brady, he knows how to use his legs to create time in the pocket to get a better throw or bigger play. Looking at the guys with 0.50s of created time or better, most of the names are not surprising, besides Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.

If we add pressure rates into the discussion we find some interesting things (see below).

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Some QBs had to throw quickly because of how quickly and often they were pressured while others others threw early because the offense was designed for that as a response to a terrible OL. The really interesting data is from the QBs who are green in the far right column (like Nix) but orange or red in the left pocket time (like Mayfield and Mac Jones). If you look at my article from last week you can also see how often various QBs caused their own pressure – or you could just look at the table below – also note that PFF has different time to throw data.

PFF shows some QBs with almost the same time to throw as NGS, while others it shows having a large difference. You can see in the table below.

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Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, Andy Dalton and Russell Wilson had almost exactly the same time to throw at NGS and PFF. While a few guys (green in the table above in the far right column) had significantly smaller times to throw on PFF. Only Jayden Daniels had a significantly higher number at PFF than at NGS.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-stats/155356/creating-time-in-the-pocket
 
Broncos are expected to sign TE Patrick Murtagh to the practice squad as their 17th man

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According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are signing tight end Patrick Murtagh to their practice squad as the 17th man under the International Exemption rule.

Pending physical, TE Patrick Murtagh will become Broncos 17th practice squad player today under International exemption. Former Australian footballer and decathlete, Murtagh, 25, was with Jaguars last year. He’s 6-6, 250 and moves well.

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 28, 2025
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As Klis notes, Murtagh is a former Australian Footballer and Decathlete who is attempting to become an NFL tight end. He is a 6’6”, 250-pound tight end who spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and now will spend this season with the Broncos.

The International Player Pathway (IPP) was established in 2017 and aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster. We have seen the Broncos have multiple IPP players on their roster in recent seasons, including TE Thomas Yassmin last season. Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw was eligible for this exemption as well, but it will be used on tight end Patrick Murtagh.

He will join rookie tight Caleb Lohner as another developmental tight end on the practice squad. Like Lohner, Murtagh is another big and athletic player with an athletic background in other sports that is trying to make it in the NFL. While the likelihood of him becoming anything more than a project is slim, it does not hurt to roll the dice on something like this. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world, but if it does, it would be a great story.

With Murtagh joining the Broncos’ practice squad, they have officially set their roster and practice squad for the start of the 2025 regular season.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...rtagh-to-the-practice-squad-as-their-17th-man
 
Broncos Film Review: Ben Powers vs New Orleans

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I don’t think the Denver offensive line had a particularly bad preseason, but there was certainly a little left to be desired. And while I wouldn’t say I’m worried about the season, I know they’ll be fine, we do have to take a look at the future of a few of these positions. And one of those positions will be left guard.

Ben Powers is a name that might live in infamy and sparks controversy whenever muttered. But I think a couple things can be true about him. Firstly, no he has not lived up to his contract. But he is still an above-average player at his spot and would be somewhat difficult to upgrade. He also is usually good enough for the Broncos to perform well with.

And it’s this topic that brings us to this week’s film review. We’ll be taking a look at Powers’ last preseason action, grading it, and breaking down some of the specifics.

Stat crunch​


Ben Powers played 19 snaps on Saturday. 12 of those were designed pass plays and seven of them were designed run plays or RPOs.

The ball was ran behind him twice for a total of three yards.

He gave up one pressure, zero QB hits, and zero sacks.

According to the RGS, he had two “Bad” blocks, five “Meh” blocks, three “Alright” blocks, and nine “Good” blocks. His final score is 13.75, or 72.4%.

In the run game he scored 5.25 points (75%) and in the pass game he scored 8.5 points (70.8%). Both of his “Bad” blocks were in pass protection.

In general​


Ben Powers just gave me this vibe of “good enough but needs improving” against the Saints.

His run blocking was mostly decent with a few errors, but there was nothing egregious. He never whiffed on blocks, but didn’t have good leverage on some. But his main issue is he seemingly likes to anchor down on blocks and doesn’t get that much vertical push. This leads to the hole getting muddied for the running back and not giving him a great option.

His pad level isn’t great either. There’s hardly a sense of him digging out these blocks to get better leverage. And it’s even more obvious when contrasted by his fellow guard Quinn Meinerz, who does do these things.

His pass protection is better, but I think a contributing factor is having help from the center on a good portion of those plays. He has a good enough base to handle bull-rushing defensive linemen. It’s actually his ability to anchor that works well for him in this sense.

The specifics​

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Inside Zone Lead

Powers and Garett Bolles do a good job on this double team here, but Powers is mostly playing the body positioning game while it seems like Bolles is doing most of the driving. Since they have good hand and body placement on the DT, I’d love for Powers to momentarily disengage, reset his bad level, and strike the DT with his hands hitting underneath the chest plate, and finish the block.

I think he also needs to keep his base just a touch narrower and keep his hips back a little as well. Given the hip position near the end of the rep, his hips being all the way in mean he can really only lift the DT up as that’s where the hips are driving. If his hips are back a little with his butt behind him, that would give him better vertical leverage on the block.

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Outside Zone RPO

One of Powers’ best blocks in this game came on an RPO, and as a former lineman and current coach, it feels like it’s always that way.

He takes a good first step and works his way across to the playside of the DT, cutting him off of the intended rushing lane. It’s too bad we can’t see how this run would’ve played out.

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Outside Zone

An example of good feet and leverage, and then lunging at the point of attack and missing. He’s lucky to even get a hand on the DT and slow him down just a touch. If the other two blocks were handled, then Powers might have been able to get away with this block.

I also don’t necessarily like him trying to launch with both of his hands either. On a reach block like this, the goal is to get your backside hand to the playside shoulder of the defender.

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Pass protection

There is a very specific moment of when this pass pro rep goes wrong. As soon as Powers stops his feet, he gets beat. His initial hand placement and leverage is good, but he just needs to keep working with the DT. He needs one or two more kick steps out as the DT continues to work through his outside shoulder.

It’s that stopping of the feet that forces the soft shoulder, allowing the DT to press through and turn Powers, forcing a pressure.

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Inside Zone Swipe

Here’s a great example of what I was referring to earlier, in regards of Powers choosing to anchor down on a block rather than fight for vertical displacement. To his credit, I can see why he makes this blocking choice, just like how Bolles uses the same technique on this play. The run is supposed to hit away from them so they anchor off and form a wall backside.

What I don’t like about that is that it takes away options from the running back, which is the whole point of zone. It’s about making defenders choose a gap to defend and always being wrong when they declare. If Powers worked vertical, then the cutback might have been there.

And to be fair, the block (or lack of one) by Wattenberg is making Powers look worse here.

Final thoughts​


I think Ben Powers is a good player. He is better than most others at his position. He is valuable to this team. But he is not living up to his contract and I get the feeling that Denver will be looking at other options when his contract is up.

He’ll be good for this season and the next. They should seek to find his replacement now though.

In this next draft the Broncos should take at least three offensive linemen. I’d be very happy with that.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/bron...broncos-film-review-ben-powers-vs-new-orleans
 
GM George Paton dishes out thoughts on Broncos’ roster

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Back in 2021, the Denver Broncos hired George Paton to be their general manager to replace longtime executive John Elway. After spending thirteen years with the Minnesota Vikings in various capacities, Paton finally got his chance to be the lead an NFL franchise and build it the way he wanted to.

Entering his fifth year as GM of the Broncos, Paton has endured his ups and downs. The Russell Wilson trade along with the hiring of Nathaniel Hackett are two large blemishes on his resume. However, many of his other endeavors deserve a lot of praise.

He has found great success in the draft. Whether it is early round, mid round or late round selections, Paton and the scouting staff have done a tremendous job finding players who can help the franchise immediately. In fact, it wouldn’t be out of line to say he has had more success the past several years via the draft than Elway did in a decade long run as the team’s top executive.

Denver’s free agency moves under Paton for the most part have also been positive. It’s impossible to be perfect on that avenue. Nevertheless, the additions there have certainly helped reforge a franchise that was lacking depth and talent. Additionally, a priority of his since arriving in Denver is to reward homegrown and developed players. That’s a strong divergence from the prior regime where few players selected ever earned second contracts from the team.

On the brink of the 2025 regular season, Paton took time to speak to the media via conference call about the state of the Broncos’ roster.

“We have a strong roster, and obviously that’s day-to-day, that’s week-to-week. We feel we’re strong in the trenches. We feel like we have a franchise quarterback. We like the weapons we have on offense, and we play really good defense. That’s a recipe to win a lot of games, so we feel good about this roster,” added Paton.

Indeed, of the primary strengths for the team come in the trenches. Both their offensive and defensive lines are loaded with talent. Every starter, as well as key depth players, are slated to return this season. A rare benefit of continuity that most franchises don’t have the luxury of.

History shows that having top-tier lines can make all the difference in the world when it comes to being competitive in the playoffs and having a shot at hoisting a Lombardi Trophy. I was surprised during the final roster cutdowns with the Broncos’ decision to keep seven defensive linemen. That’s unusual, especially when you sport a three-man front. However, Paton offered insight as to why that decision was made.

“We’re trying to keep the best 53. We’ve talked a lot about building through the trenches. We felt all seven were really good players. That’s how we won last year, and that’s how we want to win this year, offensive and defensive line. So, shame on us if we were to get rid of a really good defensive line player.”

While things haven’t been perfect for Paton in his time as GM, there is no doubt the positives far outweigh the negatives. As I wrote the other day, I feel the roster is in the best shape it has been in a decade. His leadership has played a big role in that. While it’s too early to know whether or not this team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, I’m confident the 2025 Broncos have the ability to do better than last season.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...e-paton-dishes-out-thoughts-on-broncos-roster
 
Broncos Country remains confident as season set to start

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Fans have weighed in following the preseason, and confidence remains high for this 2025 squad as they get ready to host the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

In this week’s SBNation Reacts question, 41% said their confidence in the team remain unchanged after the 3-0 preseason record.

And while that percentage wasn’t too different from the 38% who said their confidence dipped, one-fifth of the fans voting said their confidence actually increased.

One person who is as anxious as anyone about what this team might deliver is head coach Sean Payton.

“This is that time where you’re anxious. You’re anxious to see what you have,” he said. “We need to start fast. …It’s hard to be one of those upper-echelon teams if you play yo-yo football. You lose a couple, you win three. At some point, any one of these teams that win 10 or more games, there’s that three wins in a row, or four wins in a row.”

Payton also noted that “the speed to improve” from the first weeks of the season is greater for better teams. And he’d like to be one of those better teams.

“If you’re not careful and you’re not doing that, then it becomes hard,” he added, noting the 0-2 start last season before winning three in a row.

And the coach believes his young quarterback will improve as much as the offense will let him.

“It’s the details with everyone. [Nix] can move as that group can move,” Payton said. “We always talk about painting a picture for the ‘Q’. We might love a play, and yet are we there yet at tight end or receiver? We just have to make sure we’re moving. We’re still a young offense. We’re experienced in the offensive line, but I think that’s something that’s important, especially early in the year.”

Time will tell, and that time is finally coming soon!

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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/nfl-...ntry-remains-confident-as-season-set-to-start
 
Future Broncos: Denver’s 2026 and early needs analysis

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In just a little over a week, the Denver Broncos will kick off their 2025 regular season when they host the Tennessee Titans. But for fans of college football, the collegiate season is already upon us. You know that that means—the return of Future Broncos. Last year, I started off the series providing an outline of the team’s draft selections and their early draft needs. This year it makes sense to do the same.

The Broncos’ 2026 Slate of Draft Selections

After the Devaughn Vele trade, the Broncos now have seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have an additional fourth round pick via New Orleans Saints. If the Saints play as bad as most people think, that selection could wind up being one of the earliest at the start of Day 3. They have all of their original picks with one exception: the New York Jets have Denver’s sixth round pick due to the Jonathan Franklin-Myers trade.

  • Round 1: Original selection
  • Round 2: Original selection
  • Round 3: Original selection
  • Round 4: Saints selection from Vele trade
  • Round 4: Original selection
  • Round 5: Original selection
  • Round 7: Original selection

What are the Broncos’ biggest future needs on the roster?

Offensive Line

Ironically, this is a position group I had listed last year at the beginning of the series. It may come as a surprise to some this season considering the Broncos’ offensive line performed quite well in ‘24. All starters are scheduled to come back for this season. However, the makeup of the top five beyond this year seems quite ambiguous.

Center Luke Wattenberg is in the final year of his rookie contract. Whether or not he will get a second contract from the Broncos remains to be seen. Additionally, veteran left guard Ben Powers may not be in the team’s future plans. That’s pure speculation, but one that may have some merit. Powers’ ‘26 cap number is $18.425 million. I don’t believe there is any way the Broncos bring him back at that cap number. A post-June 1st cut next offseason seems likely with the Broncos saving $13 million against the ’26 salary cap by doing so.

Do the Broncos think they can find upgrades at either of those positions whilst saving a lot of salary cap space? I’d wager they would. With their recent contract extensions, they are going to need a little bit more cap cushion to retain their best players.

Oh, and at some point, it would be nice to finally see Denver use a draft selection on finding a tackle. While I doubt the Broncos move on from Mike McGlinchey, it’s important to note he turns 32 next season and will account for nearly $24 million (roughly 8-percent) of the team’s salary cap.

Defensive Line

The Broncos enter the ‘25 season with one of the deepest defensive lines they’ve had in quite some time. Headlined by Zach Allen, Denver boasts a formidable and battle-tested four-man rotation with Jonathan Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, and Malcolm Roach.

Joining them will be third-round pick Sai’vion Jones who flashed this preseason and has future starting potential. Additionally, veterans Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike also made the roster. That makes them seven deep at the position.

With that said, you might be wondering why I consider DL need for the Broncos. First, both Franklin-Myers and Roach are set to be free agents at the end of the season. It seems likely at least one of them will on to greener pastures in free agency. Franklin-Myers would be my guess considering he has been vocal about the desire for a new contract.

Looking forward, the elder Jones will be 31 next January. I believe they would be wise to consider finding a potential long-term replacement in the draft that can handle his duties. I’m always a big advocate of building up the lines and keeping the Broncos’ defensive line a strength for the future would be smart to do.

Inside Linebacker

How the duo of Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton fare this coming season is one of the big storylines to watch on defense. It’s likely the most ‘boom or bust’ position group on the squad. However, I am not sure what to think of Drew Sanders’ long-term potential after yet another injury. Long-time veteran Justin Strnad, like Singleton, is in the last year of his deal. While rookie UDFA Karene Reid is a complete unknown. Though I am optimistic about the potential of both Levelle Bailey and Jordan Turner who are on the practice squad.

Broncos Country is collectively hoping Greenlaw’s injury woes are behind him. If so, he can be their blue-chip player there. If he doesn’t, I’d surmise ILB is an area that the Broncos’ brass may consider utilizing a Day 2 selection on in ‘26. They might like their depth players, but I don’t think they would preclude them from adding to the group.

That being said, it takes a truly special prospect to be an early round selection at off ball linebacker. For whatever it’s worth, I think this year’s talent at the position is very good. But that’s a whole other article I’ll have sometime down the road.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...broncos-denvers-2026-and-early-needs-analysis
 
Roundtable: Projecting the Broncos record, AFC West finish, and how far they will make it in the playoffs

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With the start of the 2025 regular season right around the corner, I decided to ask the Mile High Report staff five questions about the Broncos’ upcoming season. The first question I asked was what the Broncos’ record would be at the end of the season, where they would finish in the AFC West, and how deep of a playoff run they would make, assuming they do indeed make the playoffs.

I asked these because the Broncos enter the season as one of the more hyped teams in the entire NFL. Second-year quarterback Bo Nix is coming off a great rookie season, they have added multiple key playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, the defense could be the best in the NFL, and Sean Payton has constructed a deep roster while creating a strong culture. All of these factors have many believing the Broncos could challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West crown and make a deep postseason run.

With all that said, here is how the Mile High Report staff believes the Broncos will do this upcoming season.

Scotty Payne​


12-5, 2nd in the AFC West, at least past the wild card round

I have the Broncos finishing with a solid 12-5 record and finishing 2nd in the AFC. I still think the Chiefs will be the team to beat, and all rumors saying they won’t Is much like the speculation around the Patriots late in Brady’s run with them. “This is the year they fall off!!”. Hope I’m wrong, but that seems like the realistic view.

As for the playoffs, they NEED to win a game (and make it there). They have to show progress from last season and not just be happy to be there like last season. Expectations are high from fans and in the locker room.

Tim Lynch​


11-6. 2nd in the AFC West.

The schedule is just too brutal for a top record in the conference. Somehow, Mahomey will win just enough games to secure one last deep playoff run. My hope for this season is for Denver to keep building and be super competitive in the playoffs.

Sadaraine​


I think this team is capable of 14-3 if they stay healthy. The big reason for that optimism comes from what I see from the Bronco defense. Last year, the great quarterbacks we faced picked on poor talent on our defense. That won’t be an option this season.

Adam Malnati​


I see 12-5. It’s still a bit of a stretch to think they win the division, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.

Ian St. Clair​


Let’s go with 13-4 and the Broncos win the AFC West. Denver’s defense is legit and will be the best in the NFL. I also think the Broncos’ offense will look completely different from a season ago due to the running game. Nix and the Broncos end the Chiefs’ run in the AFC West.

Ross Allen​


12-5 and AFC West champs, and the Broncos will finally win a playoff game. That’s being optimistic of course, as 11-6 is very reasonable. They’ve got a tough schedule this season.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...and-how-far-they-will-make-it-in-the-playoffs
 
Key to Broncos success is the run game … on offense & defense

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There’s no question the Denver Broncos are the Belle of the ball.

Just about everywhere you look, Bo Nix, Sean Payton, and the Broncos are talked about as the team to watch. The team that could make a deep run in the playoffs. The team that will finally dethrone Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

A lot must go right for all of this to happen. Nix must avoid the blasted sophomore slump. The offensive line must hold up and be as good, if not better, than last season. The defense must remain dominant. The special teams can’t lose games. And, of course, that word everyone in sports detests – health.

But for the Broncos to have success this season, it comes down to the running game — on both sides of the ball. Denver’s offense must be able to run the ball consistently and stop the run on defense. The Broncos struggled in both areas last season. For them to take the next step this season, both must be better.

The pieces are there for Denver’s running game and the run defense to do just that.

“I can’t speak for other teams,” Payton told the local media this week after practice. “I just remember always being taught that the offensive line will permeate the building. In other words, if the offensive line is where you want it, very quickly, that defensive line has to bow up, defend, or get replaced. It’s the first line of attack. It’s the first contact. When that group is right, your protection, your run game, all of those things have a chance. All the schemes that you like in the running game and the passing game, without that room being right, become much more difficult.”

The Broncos finished last season 16th in the NFL with 112.2 yards per game on the ground. Honestly, I was surprised it was that high. The problem last season was that Denver couldn’t get consistency. The offense would get flashes, but none of the running backs were able to carry the load. Enter rookie RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, who will likely be the tandem to get the brunt of the action this season.

If the running game improves like Payton and the Broncos expect, that opens up the whole offense. Nix will have play-action at his disposal. The run-pass-option and Nix’s running ability become more dangerous. Basically, the offense will look completely different from last season if Denver can consistently and effectively run the ball.

What certainly helps is having one of the best offensive lines in football.

“Certainly, my position group, we’ve had a lot of continuity, “ right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. ”I think I spoke about it earlier this spring of how rare it is to be returning almost everybody from the two-deep plus to a roster. I’ve very rarely have seen that, and I think that’s what we’re doing at a lot of different positions groups, not just the offensive line. We believe in the people that are in this building, we believe the coaches that are developing the talent, it definitely makes it harder on those guys upstairs to figure out what happens over that last three days.”

As for Harvey and Dobbins, the two have the potential to be one of the better running back duos in the league. Harvey will need to develop, and Dobbins needs to stay healthy.

“I think he’s starting to play with more confidence, certainly,” McGlinchey said. “… (Running backs coach) Lou (Ayeni) is doing such a good job in the running back room, and we’re all trying to get on the same page. We’re doing some different things in the run game; we’re trying to get detailed a little bit harder, and that’s hard on a rookie, especially when your life’s kind of spinning all over the place.

“You’re in a new city, you have to find a place to live, you have new teammates to learn, you have a new playbook, all this stuff that’s coming into our offense and our offense isn’t exactly easy to pick up at all times and certainly there’s going to be a lot put on RJ’s plate because of how talented and capable he is. The reps that he’s getting are so valuable. J.K. being in that room for him is huge because he’s got a ‘vet’ that he can lean on, and that’s been really helpful for him. I think RJ’s going to have a great year.”

Stopping the run on defense is vital, especially when you remember what happened in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen and that offense had their way with the Broncos defense. The Bills finished the 31-7 beatdown with 44 rushing attempts for 210 yards.

Denver finished third in the league in rushing defense with 96.4 yards per game allowed. But that’s a distant memory given the dreadful showing in the playoff loss.

“We’ve talked a lot about building through the trenches,” Broncos GM George Paton said to the media this week. “We felt all seven were really good players. That’s how we won last year, and that’s how we want to win this year, offensive and defensive line. So, shame on us if we were to get rid of a really good defensive line player. In regards to Zach, Zach obviously makes this thing go up front. He has had a tremendous few seasons here. (He is) really good on the field, even better off the field. Obviously, it was a priority to get Zach done. We feel good that he’s going to be here hopefully for the rest of his career.”

As the Broncos embark on what could be a fun and magical season, the key to success is the running game — on both sides of the ball. If Denver improves at running the ball and stopping the run, watch out.

“We like our roster,” Paton said. We like the depth of this roster. I think you could see that depth throughout the preseason. We extended leads with our second and third phase. How talented this roster is, we’ll see. Last year, we were the 31st roster in the league, and we didn’t believe that.

“We have a strong roster, and obviously, that’s day-to-day, that’s week-to-week. We feel we’re strong in the trenches. We feel like we have a franchise quarterback. We like the weapons we have on offense, and we play really good defense. That’s a recipe to win a lot of games, so we feel good about this roster.”
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...os-success-is-the-run-game-on-offense-defense
 
Roundtable: Projecting Bo Nix’s 2025 stats

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After the Broncos selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the expectations were high. He would have a strong training camp and preseason and end up winning the quarterback competition.

Nix would start slowly for him to start the year, but after the first four weeks, Nix and the Broncos offense would turn it around. He finished the season with 3,775 yards passing, 29 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, completed 66.3% of his passes, had a quarterback rating of 93.3. and a QBR of 57.2. He also had 430 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 1 reception for 2 yards and 1 touchdown.

His 29 passing touchdowns rank second all-time for a rookie quarterback and only trails Justin Herbert who had 31 in his rookie season. That is two more than third-place Baker Mayfield who had 27, three more than Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning who had 26, and 4 more than Jayden Daniels who won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Now, Nix enters year two with higher expectations and with added weapons around him. With this in mind, I asked the Mile High Report staff to project Bo Nix’s stat line this upcoming season.

Scotty Payne​


4,500 in total yards, 30-35 total touchdowns and a Pro Bowl/All-Pro caliber year. The run game should keep his TD total from being much higher than last season.

Tim Lynch​


3800 yards passing, 30ish TD passes. I don’t see a huge jump from last year as hopefully the Broncos rushing attack will see a massive year-over-year improvement.

Sadaraine​


I think Nix will throw for 4,000 yards, 32 TDs, 10 INTs with 2 running TDs to add to his pile of stats. Like others, I see the run game making the offense more balanced with a slight uptick for Nix coming from his 2nd year being in the same offense.

Ian St. Clair​


3,974 yards, 36 TDs, 9 INTs and four rushing TDs. I agree with the running game being the driver for the offense this season.

Adam Malnati​


4K yards, 30 TDS, 6 INTs, 4 rushing TDs. Sophomore slump? Nah.

Ross Allen​


4100 total yards with 35 total touchdowns and 12 turnovers. Getting off to a good start, unlike last year, should see his turnover rates tank.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-news/156408/roundtable-projecting-bo-nixs-2025-stats
 
Payton: Week 1 versus Titans about getting the details right

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Good morning, Broncos Country!

As Week 1 quickly approaches (hallefreakinluja!), there’s a lot of anticipation for Denver to have a much-improved run game.

But don’t get too excited, too fast. Head coach Sean Payton reminded the media on Monday that Week 1 showcases 32 teams as a “work in progress” — and that includes Denver.

“We talk about it all the time. That accelerated learning after Week 1, 2, 3, and even Week 4,” Payton said. “But we have liked what we’ve seen from the running game and from our personnel from that perspective. We get a chance to see it first this weekend.”

Although a strong running game is a key help for a young quarterback, Bo Nix’s one year of experience is actually a help to the run game this season as well. His ability to make something happen with his legs when the pocket breaks down keeps the defense honest.

“One of his strengths is the off-schedule throws and then periodically the decision to keep it. We didn’t break the huddle with a quarterback run. So to the latter part of your question, I hope and I think you’re going to have a chance to see a more efficient run game,” Payton added. “When the pocket gets a little dirty, he can move right and left, throw on the run, he can decide to keep it and gain 12 yards. That part of his game we wouldn’t address.”

"Bo is made of the right stuff."

As Peyton Manning sees it, @BoNix10 is on the right track heading into Year 2️⃣ (via @denverpost) » https://t.co/bSsbpLU94S pic.twitter.com/p6n7t8KxgE

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 1, 2025
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The head coach added that he doesn’t look at this year for Nix as a year where they “add more to his plate.” Instead it’s about having a much more comfortable QB who can be more patient and more efficient with all the same plays.

“I think it’s a little bit more of what he’s used to and how he operates within it more efficiently, more quickly, more decisively,” Payton said. “I’ve told the coaches, early in the season it has to be a process. It’s not, ‘All right this is where we ended last year. Now we’re on to…’ So I think if I used a good analogy, it would be a certain play a year ago, the same play this year, he’s out of the huddle a little quicker with the call, maybe he understands the nuances of the play, and has seen the cut ups of it all year and is a little bit more comfortable with the same play from a year ago.”

Payton’s patience with his QB and the run game are a good reminder to fans to develop the same. But that doesn’t mean the head coach is going to have patience with a sluggish start. And he believes most of that will be on him and his coaching staff to get it right.

“It’s the schedule. It’s the sense of urgency. Ultimately it’s the preparation,” he said, noting it’s about getting the details right in the game plan and understanding the opponent team. “Everything from hydration to recovery during the week so that they’re at their best peak performance on Sunday, sleep included, all of that. That really isn’t even discussing the football scheme.”

But when it does come to discussing the football scheme, the head coach is looking at an improved Titans squad.

“They’ve made a commitment in the offensive line, signing a couple of big-name free agents, drafted another player. I think on the perimeter with Tyler Lockett there, their skill people receiver-wise has definitely improved,” Payton said, adding that it’s still the O-line that he’s focusing on. “The No. 1 thing that stood out…I’ve worked with [Titans Offensive Line Coach] Bill Callahan before. He is a fantastic line coach, and I’m sure they felt they had to get better in that area and they committed a lot of resources there.”

Gearing up for the real thing ⚙ pic.twitter.com/ctZPnct73q

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 1, 2025
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The Ultimate Fan Guide is back!

I mean, of course, it’s back!! Best series on the site. But this is just a heads up that the sign-up post will be up this morning, so don’t let it go without adding your name to a game week!

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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...versus-titans-about-getting-the-details-right
 
Broncos announce official Week 1 depth chart

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The Denver Broncos released their official week 1 depth chart ahead of their regular season opener vs. number one overall pick Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans. Unlike the previous depth chart, this one has a bit more meaning to it, and we can learn a few things ahead of the season opener. With that said, it is mostly straightforward and looks as anticipated, but there are a couple of surprises.

With all that said, here is your official 2025 week 1 depth chart for the Denver Broncos.

Broncos Offense​

PositionPlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer
WRMarvin Mims Jr.Troy FranklinTrent Sherfield Sr.
LT Garett BollesMatt Peart
LGBen PowersAlex Palczewski
CLuke WattenbergAlex Forsyth
RGQuinn MeinerzAlex Palczewski
RTMike McGlincheyFrank Crum
TEEvan EngranAdam TrautmanNate AdkinsLucas Krull
WRCourtland SuttonPat Bryant
RBJ.K. DobbinsR.J. HarveyTyler BadieJaleel McLaughlin
QBBo NixJarrett Stidham

Notes

  • WR Marvin Mims is listed as the WR2 and figures to have an expanded role on offense and in the passing game this season.
  • No real surprises along the offensive line. They are returning all five starters and the same reserves from last season. Matt Peart is your swing tackle, Alex Palczewski is your G/T backup, Alex Forsyth is your C/G backup, and Frank Crum is your backup RT.
  • Tight End looks as expected. Nate Adkins will likely miss week 1, so we could see Lucas Krull active and serving as the Broncos’ third tight end on Sunday.
  • Running back J.K. Dobbins is listed as the starter and figures to be the lead back with Harvey mixing in as well. Probably the most noteworthy tidbit from this depth chart is that Tyler Badie is ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin on the depth chart. Look for Badie to be active while Jaleel McLaughlin could be a healthy scratch.
PositionPlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer
DEZach AllenJordan Jackson
NTD.J. JonesMalcolm Roach
DEJohn Franklin-MyersEyioma UwazurikeSai’vion Jones
SLBJonathon CooperJonah Elliss
WLBNik BonittoDondrea TillmanQue Robinson
ILBAlex SingletonJustin Strnad
ILBDre GreenlawKarene Reid
LCBPat Surtain IIJahdae Barron
RCBRiley MossKris Abrams-Draine
NCBJa’Quan McMillianJahdae Barron
STalanoa HufangaP.J. LockeJL Skinner
SBrandon JonesDevon Key

Notes

  • Overall, this defensive unit looks as expected heading into the season
  • Rookie IDL Sai’vion Jones is listed last on the depth chart and likely will be an inactive player early in the season
  • Rookie edge rusher Que Robinson is listed as the 5th edge rusher and could be inactive early in the season as well. He does have special teams upside, so we’ll see if he cracks the active roster or not
  • Linebacker looks as expected, but with Greenlaw and Singleton on a pitch count, look for Levelle Bailey to be elevated from the practice squad this Sunday.
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian is ahead of rookie Jahdae Barron, which was the case during the preseason, but I think we’ll see both players play a bit on Sunday.
  • Safety looks as expected with Skinner potentially being the healthy scratch here
PositionPlayerPlayerPlayer
PKWil Lutz
KOWil Lutz
PJeremy Crawshaw
HJeremy Crawshaw
LSMitchell Fraboni
KRMarvin Mims Jr.Jaleel McLaughlinTyler Badie
PRMarvin Mims Jr. Riley Moss

Notes

  • Overall, the special teams unit looks as expected
  • The only real noteworthy addition here is CB Riley Moss being listed as the backup punt returner behind Marvin Mims Jr.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-roster/156498/broncos-depth-chart-2025
 
Who were ACTUALLY the best pass rushers in 2024?

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Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks, but sacks are over-hyped. Pressures are the truest measure of a pass rusher’s effectiveness. Elite pass rushers may go games without a sack, but they rarely get shut-out – have a game with zero pressures.

So first let’s talk about a QB pressure. A pressure is when a rusher gets close enough to a QB to effect the QB without actually hitting the QB. A QBhit is a pressure. A QB knockdown is a pressure and a QBhit. A sack puts a check in all four boxes. Unfortunately, different sites credit pressures differently since they are the most subjective of the pass rush stats.

SISdatahub.com is much more free with pressures. Trey Hendrickson led the league in pressures according to SIS (85) and pro-football-reference.com (54). The player who got screwed over the most by PFR was Jared Verse. Sis credited him with 39 more QB pressures than PFR did. Seven other guys were shorted 30 or more pressures by PFR. See the table below (PRSS SIS – PFR)

Pass RusherPOSTeamGamesRushesPass Rushes/GameRush%SacksPressuresPRSS SIS – PFRPressures/GamePress%
Jared VerseDERams1744926.493.74.572394.2416.04%
Maxx CrosbyDERaiders1241934.995.77.568335.6716.23%
Will McDonaldDEJets1741024.194.510.570324.1217.07%
Josh SweatLBEagles1637823.691.58.048323.0012.70%
Trey HendricksonDEBengals1747628.092.617.585315.0017.86%
Yaya DiabyDEBuccaneers1742124.882.24.563313.7114.96%
T.J. WattDESteelers1752731.094.311.561303.5911.57%
Nnamdi MadubuikeDTRavens1750929.997.96.551303.0010.02%

If you read my work, you know I like rate stats. So I figured pressures per game for both sites (min 20 pressures on SIS). Looking at it this way we can see the most effective pass rushers and the least effective pass rushers (on a per game basis, not on a per rush basis). This really only works for comparing guys whose job it is to primarily rush the passer (>85% pass rush). If you rank guys by pressures per game, you have to get to the 39th ranked player (Nik Bonitto) to find a player who dropped into coverage more than 15% of the time. Bonitto only rushed 83.2% of the time on passing downs that he played.

Nik’s sack to pressure rate (SIS) was the 3rd best among heavy pass rushers (min 100 rushes and 20 pressures) at 28.1%. Only Dexter Lawrence (34.6%) and Patrick Jones II (29.2%) were higher. On the other end of the spectrum two pass rushers had a 0% conversion rate (sacks/pressures). Myles Murphy and Moro Ojomo both had zero sacks and more than 20 pressures (23 and 26).

Pass RusherPOSTeamGamesRushesPass Rushes/GameRush%SacksPressuresPressures/GameSack/PrssPress%
Aidan HutchinsonDELions517735.496.77.5387.6019.7%21.47%
Maxx CrosbyDERaiders1241934.995.77.5685.6711.0%16.23%
Micah ParsonsDECowboys1338729.893.012.0705.3817.1%18.09%
Trey HendricksonDEBengals1747628.092.617.5855.0020.6%17.86%
Alex HighsmithLBSteelers1127324.890.46.0494.4512.2%17.95%
Zach AllenDEBroncos1658636.698.28.5694.3112.3%11.77%
Jared VerseDERams1744926.493.74.5724.246.3%16.04%
Will McDonaldDEJets1741024.194.510.5704.1215.0%17.07%
Nick BosaDE49ers1439728.498.39.0574.0715.8%14.36%
Chris JonesDTChiefs1550633.799.25.0614.078.2%12.06%
Myles GarrettDEBrowns1744526.295.914.0694.0620.3%15.51%
Jonathan GreenardDEVikings1750229.586.012.0684.0017.6%13.55%
Brian BurnsLBGiants1743225.490.88.5633.7113.5%14.58%
Yaya DiabyDEBuccaneers1742124.882.24.5633.717.1%14.96%
Gregory RousseauDEBills1643627.395.88.0583.6313.8%13.30%
T.J. WattDESteelers1752731.094.311.5613.5918.9%11.57%
Osa OdighizuwaDTCowboys1748328.499.64.5613.597.4%12.63%
George Karlaftis IIIDEChiefs1651131.995.38.0543.3814.8%10.57%
Danielle HunterLBTexans1746927.698.512.0573.3521.1%12.15%
Carl GrandersonDESaints1748128.394.15.5573.359.6%11.85%
Boye MafeLBSeahawks1531420.983.36.0493.2712.2%15.61%
Calijah KanceyDTBuccaneers1235129.397.27.5393.2519.2%11.11%
Josh Hines-AllenDEJaguars1643627.394.88.0523.2515.4%11.93%
Kayvon ThibodeauxDEGiants1232827.397.05.5393.2514.1%11.89%
Travon WalkerDEJaguars1750629.897.510.5553.2419.1%10.87%
Kyle Van NoyLBRavens1636722.985.712.5513.1924.5%13.90%
Jonathon CooperLBBroncos1742424.985.110.5533.1219.8%12.50%
Chase YoungDESaints1744526.295.55.5533.1210.4%11.91%
Will AndersonDETexans1434124.497.211.0433.0725.6%12.61%
Leonard WilliamsDESeahawks1644227.696.311.0483.0022.9%10.86%
Josh SweatLBEagles1637823.691.58.0483.0016.7%12.70%
Nnamdi MadubuikeDTRavens1750929.997.96.5513.0012.7%10.02%
Keion WhiteDEPatriots1739123.086.55.0502.9410.0%12.79%
Jalen CarterDTEagles1650431.599.24.5472.949.6%9.33%
Khalil MackLBChargers1635422.195.76.0462.8813.0%12.99%
Quinnen WilliamsDTJets1640325.298.16.0462.8813.0%11.41%
Zach SielerDTDolphins1544329.597.110.0432.8723.3%9.71%
Nik BonittoLBBroncos1736721.683.213.5482.8228.1%13.08%
Jadeveon ClowneyLBPanthers1431722.687.15.5392.7914.1%12.30%
Cameron HeywardDTSteelers1744526.2100.08.0472.7617.0%10.56%
Chop RobinsonDEDolphins1732218.987.36.0472.7612.8%14.60%
Dayo OdeyingboDEColts1741324.398.83.0472.766.4%11.38%
John Franklin-MyersDEBroncos1734720.498.67.0462.7115.2%13.26%
DeForest BucknerDTColts1231626.3100.06.5322.6720.3%10.13%
Andrew Van GinkelLBVikings1737622.164.811.5452.6525.6%11.97%
Braden FiskeDTRams1740223.699.08.5452.6518.9%11.19%
Rashan GaryDEPackers1739123.099.27.5452.6516.7%11.51%
Montez SweatDEBears1633921.297.15.5422.6313.1%12.39%
Odafe OwehLBRavens1740323.792.610.0442.5922.7%10.92%
Derick HallLBSeahawks1734520.389.68.0442.5918.2%12.75%
Vita VeaDTBuccaneers1644227.697.67.0412.5617.1%9.28%
Dorance Armstrong Jr.DECommanders1634321.495.85.0412.5612.2%11.95%
Kwity PayeDEColts1536024.097.08.0382.5321.1%10.56%
DeMarcus WalkerDEBears1739223.196.83.5432.538.1%10.97%
D.J. WonnumLBPanthers821326.686.24.0202.5020.0%9.39%
Arden KeyDETitans1637323.393.76.5402.5016.3%10.72%
Joey BosaDEChargers1429421.098.35.0352.5014.3%11.90%
Jeffery SimmonsDTTitans1642126.396.65.0402.5012.5%9.50%
Michael HallDTBrowns815219.096.21.0202.505.0%13.16%
Leonard FloydDE49ers1735520.997.88.5422.4720.2%11.83%
Dre’Mont JonesDESeahawks1734620.496.14.0422.479.5%12.14%
Al-Quadin MuhammadDELions915116.895.03.0222.4413.6%14.57%
Emmanuel OgbahDEDolphins1638524.188.15.0392.4412.8%10.13%
Kobie TurnerDTRams1748628.699.68.0412.4119.5%8.44%
Nick HerbigLBSteelers1320015.483.75.5312.3817.7%15.50%
Dante FowlerDECommanders1730317.891.310.5402.3526.3%13.20%
Maliek CollinsDT49ers1741324.399.55.0402.3512.5%9.69%
B.J. HillDTBengals1539926.698.03.0352.338.6%8.77%
Blake CashmanLBVikings1415511.126.84.5312.2114.5%20.00%
K’Lavon ChaissonDERaiders1528118.786.25.0332.2015.2%11.74%
Joseph OssaiDEBengals1731918.890.65.0372.1813.5%11.60%
Dexter LawrenceDTGiants1231125.999.49.0262.1734.6%8.36%
Alim McNeillDTLions1439228.097.53.5302.1411.7%7.65%
Ed OliverDTBills1436526.198.13.0302.1410.0%8.22%
Carl LawsonDECowboys1527418.395.55.0322.1315.6%11.68%
Gervon DexterDTBears1533622.498.85.0322.1315.6%9.52%
Levi OnwuzurikeDTLions1637923.797.91.5342.134.4%8.97%
Tuli TuipulotuLBChargers1736121.283.48.5362.1223.6%9.97%
Byron YoungLBRams1733619.870.37.5362.1220.8%10.71%
Calais CampbellDEDolphins1737422.095.95.0362.1213.9%9.63%
Jarran ReedDTSeahawks1736921.794.64.5362.1212.5%9.76%
Laiatu LatuDEColts1735320.897.24.0362.1211.1%10.20%
Azeez OjulariLBGiants1118717.096.46.0232.0926.1%12.30%
Nolan SmithLBEagles1626016.386.76.5332.0619.7%12.69%
Bryan BreseeDTSaints1743925.898.97.5352.0621.4%7.97%
Arnold EbiketieLBFalcons1731518.585.46.0352.0617.1%11.11%
Tershawn WhartonDTChiefs1742324.997.26.5342.0019.1%8.04%
Kaden EllissLBFalcons171498.823.45.0342.0014.7%22.82%
Haason ReddickLBJets1022222.292.11.0202.005.0%9.01%
Harold LandryDETitans1738722.881.39.0331.9427.3%8.53%
Chauncey GolstonDECowboys1742925.298.65.5331.9416.7%7.69%
Milton WilliamsDTEagles1728016.599.35.0331.9415.2%11.79%
Zaven CollinsLBCardinals1728116.577.65.0331.9415.2%11.74%
Tyree WilsonDERaiders1631319.695.14.5311.9414.5%9.90%
Devonte WyattDTPackers1423616.997.15.0271.9318.5%11.44%
Von MillerDEBills1319615.195.16.0251.9224.0%12.76%
Za’Darius SmithLBLions1720311.997.14.0321.8812.5%15.76%
Arik ArmsteadDTJaguars1735320.899.22.0321.886.3%9.07%
Jihad WardLBVikings1737221.997.91.0321.883.1%8.60%
Dalvin TomlinsonDTBrowns1629918.798.03.0301.8810.0%10.03%
Bryce HuffDEEagles1217114.396.62.5221.8311.4%12.87%
Anthony NelsonDEBuccaneers1726715.774.24.0311.8212.9%11.61%
Mario EdwardsDETexans1328922.2100.03.0231.7713.0%7.96%
Myles MurphyDEBengals1320215.590.60.0231.770.0%11.39%
Frankie LuvuLBCommanders1720412.036.88.0301.7626.7%14.71%
Grady JarrettDTFalcons1743025.398.22.5301.768.3%6.98%
Dondrea TillmanLBBroncos1214111.892.85.0211.7523.8%14.89%
Josh PaschalDELions1433323.896.02.0241.718.3%7.21%
Anfernee JenningsLBPatriots1631719.879.62.5271.699.3%8.52%
Jacob MartinDEBears1111610.592.13.0181.6416.7%15.52%
Patrick Jones IILBVikings1529819.991.17.0241.6029.2%8.05%
Tim SettleDTTexans1737722.299.75.0271.5918.5%7.16%
Daron PayneDTCommanders1740723.999.84.0271.5914.8%6.63%
Morgan FoxDEChargers1735320.897.53.5271.5913.0%7.65%
Baron BrowningLBCardinals131289.882.62.0201.5410.0%15.63%
Javon KinlawDTJets1735921.199.44.5261.5317.3%7.24%
Michael HoechtLBRams1720812.260.53.0261.5311.5%12.50%
Moro OjomoDTEagles1725114.8100.00.0261.530.0%10.36%
Darrell TaylorDEBears1621613.593.53.0241.5012.5%11.11%
Bud DupreeLBChargers1732319.093.46.0251.4724.0%7.74%
Adam ButlerDTRaiders1747628.093.05.0251.4720.0%5.25%
Travis JonesDTRavens1735921.198.91.0251.474.0%6.96%
Deatrich Wise Jr.DTPatriots1524516.399.25.0221.4722.7%8.98%
Joe Tryon-ShoyinkaLBBuccaneers1526117.475.42.0221.479.1%8.43%
Solomon ThomasDTJets1624115.199.63.5231.4415.2%9.54%
Kingsley EnagbareDEPackers1727416.189.84.5241.4118.8%8.76%
Micheal ClemonsDEJets1729817.597.74.5241.4118.8%8.05%
Cameron JordanDESaints1732419.196.44.0241.4116.7%7.41%
Kyzir WhiteLBCardinals17995.816.82.5241.4110.4%24.24%
Ogbo OkoronkwoDEBrowns1626016.396.33.0221.3813.6%8.46%
Za’Darius SmithLBBrowns1719411.496.55.0231.3521.7%11.86%
Derek BarnettDETexans1620512.899.55.0211.3123.8%10.24%
A.J. EpenesaDEBills1733419.696.36.0221.2927.3%6.59%
A’Shawn RobinsonDTPanthers1633621.099.45.5201.2527.5%5.95%
Sam OkuayinonuDT49ers1623314.698.33.0201.2515.0%8.58%
Karl BrooksDTPackers1727716.397.53.5211.2416.7%7.58%
T’Vondre SweatDTTitans1732819.396.21.0211.244.8%6.40%
Matt JudonLBFalcons1730317.877.75.5201.1827.5%6.60%
Lavonte DavidLBBuccaneers171357.919.85.5201.1827.5%14.81%
Poona FordDTChargers1732619.299.43.0201.1815.0%6.13%
Malcolm RoachDTBroncos1725314.997.72.5201.1812.5%7.91%
Keeanu BentonDTSteelers1734420.299.41.0201.185.0%5.81%
Kenny ClarkDTPackers1739423.298.71.0201.185.0%5.08%

Aidan Hutchinson was having a monster season before you got hurt last season. 7.60 pressures per game is insane! That’s almost two pressures better than Maxx Crosby who was second. When 4.o per game is elite, getting almost double that is amazing. Former DPOY TJ Watt only got 3.6 per game last season. So let’s talk about consistency.

How often do these rushers have huge games and how often do they get shut out. I’m going to use SIS since they show pressures in their game logs. Because this is time consuming and I have other things to do over Labor Day weekend, I only looked at pass rushers who were greater than 14.50% pressure rate (I polished the SIS data which can have some errors). I then plotted pressures per game for all 23 players who were better than 14.50% (plus Nik Bonitto and John Franklin-Myers).

QB pressures by the top rushers (> 14.5% pressure rate) by game in 2024. Very few "shut-outs" (0 pressure games) for these guys

— Joe Mahoney (@ndjomo.bsky.social) 2025-08-28T19:04:10.295Z
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There were only 28 games when one of these 23 rushers got shut-out and five of those belonged to Chop Robinson who was very boom and bust. He had 32 of his 47 pressures (SIS) over seven games. In the other nine games he had only 15 pressures. While Bonitto, JFM and Zach Allen did not get above 14.5% pressure rates last season (the only Bronco who did was Tillman), I added Nik and JFM to the chart below.

top-pass-rushers-pressure-by-game.png

Of course with a player like Dondrea Tillman, you also have to look at how many pressures he didn’t get because another Bronco defender got there first. Unfortunately, no site shows team QB pressures per game (at least in front of a pay-wall) so we can’t see how often a particular player was the only defender to be able to get pressure in a game. That would be an interesting study for someone who has a subscription to PFF or another site that has that data. Notice the both Bonitto and JFM were fairly consistent in terms of pressures per game. Neither Bronco defender had more than six pressures in a game last season. Zach Allen had the most in any game for Denver last season with nine pressures (in the first loss to the Chargers).
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...o-were-actually-the-best-pass-rushers-in-2024
 
Broncos vs. Titans Week 1 practice participation report

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Game week is fully in swing as the first injury report for the 2025 regular season just dropped for the Denver Broncos as they prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans. Typically, the Week 1 report is light for all teams but there is one name on Denver’s list that is adding a bit of concern: Dre Greenlaw.

Mike Klis of 9News reported that Greenlaw is continuing to struggle to get healthy. He did not practice on Wednesday and spent his time on the side field. He has missed significant time all offseason and now we should be concerned he is not as far along as many had hoped with his rehab. While missing a Wednesday practice isn’t a big deal and Sean Payton did note some guys will be on ‘pitch counts’ heading into the season. Hopefully we see him practicing by Friday. The other starters dinged up in the preseason are all full participants, however, so that is the good news heading into this Sunday’s game.

Here is your full practice report for Wednesday.

Denver Broncos Injury Report​

PlayerPos.InjuryWednesdayThursdayFridayGame Status
Nik BonittoOLBFootFULL
Marvin MimsWRThighFULL
Alex SingletonILBThumbFULL
Nate AdkinsTEAnkleDNP
Dre GreenlawLBQuadDNP

Tennessee Titans Injury Report​

PlayerPos.InjuryWednesdayThursdayFridayGame Status
L’Jarius SneedCBKneeLIMITED
Kevin Winston Jr.SHamstringLIMITED
Dan Moore Jr.TAnkleDNP

BOLD – Indicates change in status; NIR- Indicates not injury related; *- Team conducted a walk-through / report is an estimation; UNDERLINE– Player is on Reserve or Exempt List and has returned to practice
STATUS DEFINITIONS: Did not participate (DNP); Limited: means less than 100 percent of a player’s normal repetitions; Full—100 percent of player’s normal repetitions; Out: will not play; Doubtful: Unlikely to play; Questionable: Uncertain to play
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-injuries/156571/broncos-vs-titans-week-1-injury-report
 
BREAKING: Broncos sign Nik Bonitto to a four-year extension worth up to $120 million dollars

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The Broncos extended another star player!

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos and edge rusher Nik Bonitto have reached an agreement on a four-year extension that is worth up to $120 million dollars and includes $70 million dollars in guaranteed money. The Broncos’ star pass rusher was entering the final year of his rookie deal, and GM George Paton and the rest of the Broncos front office made sure he would be around for the foreseeable future.

9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis confirms the deal and provides some added insight. It’s a four-year deal, worth $106 million, but he can earn up to $120 million with incentives. He is scheduled to make $5,35 million this season and will still get that along with whatever signing bonus he is receiving.

Another deal in Denver: Nik Bonitto and the Broncos reached agreement today on a four-year extension worth up to $120 million, including $70 million guaranteed. Bonitto is now the highest paid non-qb in Broncos’ franchise history in a deal negotiated by @ToryDandy of… pic.twitter.com/cvssg9jzbg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2025
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Bonitto and the Broncos signing an extension always seemed like a matter of when, not if. Unlike the Micah Parsons situation, the two sides were confident something would get done. Bonitto showed up and participated throughout camp without issues, dominating in the one preseason game he played in, and will now enter the season freshly signed and worry-free.

Good luck, Cam Ward.

The former second-round pick by the Broncos had a breakout year for the team last season and was a big part of their top-ranked defense. He finished the year with 13.5 sacks and has 2 game-changing INT/Fumble recoveries for a touchdown late in the year. Bonitto would go on to be named 2nd team All-Pro by the Associated Press, was named to the Pro Bowl, and while teammate CB Pat Surtain II won the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, Bonitto made a strong case for that, too.

Expectations are high for the Broncos and their defense this season, and Bonitto is their top pass rusher on the team. He dominated last season, looked explosive during the preseason, and now that he has signed his deal, he can be worry-free heading into week one against a rookie quarterback making his first-career start.

I would anticipate Bonitto to come close, match, or even exceed his sack total from last season and lead the Broncos’ top-ranked pass rush in sacks once again. He is just as important to this defense as Pat Surtain II, and hopefully, these two can help lead the Broncos on a deep postseason run this season.

One last thing before we finish this. We need to be thankful for the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group. Since they have bought the Broncos, they have handed out extensions to Nik Bonitto, Pat Surtain II, Quinn Meinerz, Courtland Sutton, Jonathon Cooper, Garett Bolles, and D.J. Jones while also being very active in free agency. They have locked up a talented core for the Broncos, added key free agents, and Sean Payton and George Paton have drafted very well recently.

The future is bright in Denver.
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv.../broncos-bonitto-signed-extension-parsons-nfl
 
Thursday Night Football Week 1: Cowboys at Eagles Open Thread

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Welcome to Week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season! It has finally arrived.

The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will be hosting their NFC East division rival Dallas Cowboys to open the season. One team is close to ascending to the level of NFL dynasty, while the other just traded away one of the best players in the NFL because they didn’t want to offer a big contract. It would appear Jerry Jones plans to tank the franchise as his final act, but who knows maybe he’ll draft two Micah Parsons with those two first round picks he got from the trade. lol, doubt it.

Kickoff is set for Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:20 p.m. Mile High time at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will air on NBC.

My Prediction​


According to FanDuel, the Eagles are 8.5-point favorites over the visiting Cowboys. Last season, the Eagles start off the season pretty sloppy before winning 15 of their next 16 games including the playoffs. If that were to happen again in 2025, I’d still give them the edge here at home and on prime time. The crowd is going to be electric and the Cowboys likely in disarray after losing one of their core leaders and best player. A few late garbage time scores makes it closer, but give me the Eagles with a 1-0 start to the year.

Prediction: Eagles 30, Cowboys 20

Open thread in the comments section below. Discuss the games action there!​

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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/game-day-threads/156612/tnf-week-1-cowboys-vs-eagles
 
Friday Night Football Week 1: Chiefs vs. Chargers Open Thread

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We’re going international for Week 1 in the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers squaring off in São Paulo, Brazil.

The defending Super Bowl loser Kansas City Chiefs will start their season in Brazil taking on their AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs have dominated the AFC West for nearly a decade and have found ways to win the conference in five of the last six years. They are the team to beat and until they are beaten they are at the top in the conference. Here’s to the end of their reign beginning in Week 1.

Kickoff is set for Friday, September 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Mile High time at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil and will air exclusively on YouTube.

My Prediction​


According to FanDuel, the Chiefs are mere 3-point favorites over the Chargers. These two teams play tough, close games with their last meeting being a low-scoring 19-17 win for Patrick Mahomes and the ketchup on steak crew. Under the bright lights and pressure moments, the Chargers under Justin Herbert have come up short. I think that streak likely continues here with another disappointing big game loss for the bolts. They should just move back to San Diego.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Chargers 23

Open thread in the comments section below. Discuss the games action there!​

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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/game...iday-night-football-week-1-chiefs-vs-chargers
 
Broncos vs. Titans: Friday practice participation report

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The Denver Broncos have ruled out inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. His Broncos’ debut will have to wait a week at least. The big news came from a report that defensive tackle Malcolm Roach suffered a grade 2 calf strain. That could keep him out for the first month of the season potentially. Not an ideal start to the season in the injury front.

Tight end Nate Adkins was also ruled out and was a non-participant all week. Everyone else on the report this week is a full go. The Titans did add another player to their report on Friday. Two of their guys are listed as questionable, while safety Kevin Winston Jr. is doubtful for Sunday.

Here is your full practice report for Friday.

Denver Broncos Injury Report​

PlayerPos.InjuryWednesdayThursdayFridayGame Status
Nik BonittoOLBFootFULLFULLFULL—
Marvin MimsWRThighFULLFULLFULL—
Alex SingletonILBThumbFULLFULLFULL—
Dondrea TillmanOLBHamstring—LIMITEDFULL—
Nate AdkinsTEAnkleDNPDNPDNPOUT
Dre GreenlawLBQuadDNPDNPDNPOUT
Malcolm RoachDTCalf—LIMITEDDNPOUT

Tennessee Titans Injury Report​

PlayerPos.InjuryWednesdayThursdayFridayGame Status
Dan Moore Jr.TAnkleDNPFULLFULL—
Kalel MullingsRBAnkle——LIMITEDQUESTIONABLE
L’Jarius SneedCBKneeLIMITEDLIMITEDLIMITEDQUESTIONABLE
Kevin Winston Jr.SHamstringLIMITEDLIMITEDLIMITEDDOUBTFUL

BOLD – Indicates change in status; NIR- Indicates not injury related; *- Team conducted a walk-through / report is an estimation; UNDERLINE– Player is on Reserve or Exempt List and has returned to practice
STATUS DEFINITIONS: Did not participate (DNP); Limited: means less than 100 percent of a player’s normal repetitions; Full—100 percent of player’s normal repetitions; Out: will not play; Doubtful: Unlikely to play; Questionable: Uncertain to play
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Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denver-broncos-injuries/156659/broncos-vs-titans-injury-report-week-1
 
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