The Denver Broncos‘ roster remains largely unchanged from the 2025 season, thanks in part to investments in key players and finding the right fit for positions on coach Sean Payton’s team.
That’s why, in part, ESPN writers Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranked the Broncos‘ roster as the eighth-best in the NFL. Denver was ranked as the fourth-best AFC roster, both on offense and defense, behind the Buffalo Bills (No. 4), Baltimore Ravens (No. 5) and New England Patriots (No. 7).
The trio of writers listed the offensive line as the biggest strength of the team. “This was an easy call after the Broncos led the NFL in both pass block and run block win rate in 2024 prior to finishing top eight in both categories last season,” Clay wrote. “Incredibly, Denver will have the same starting five for the third season in a row, all of whom have played good-to-great ball each of the past two years.”
On offense, the Broncos retained all of their starters, as well as adding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade prior to the NFL draft. On defense, the biggest loss came when defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers left for the Tennessee Titans.
The biggest X-factor of the team hinges on the health of quarterback Bo Nix. “Assuming he is fully recovered from the ankle injury that cost him the chance to play in the AFC Championship Game (he’s now on track to be ready for training camp), the Broncos can get more out of their quarterback to push them over the top,” wrote Walder. “If Nix can up his game a bit, the Broncos would quickly become one of the title favorites.”
Denver hopes to realize those title dreams and embrace the championship expectations going into 2026. The climb towards Super Bowl LXI begins when training camp opens for the team on July 31.
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