Fansided

Denver Broncos: 5 offseason needs

By Brad Weiss

Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

The Denver Broncos need to take a big step forward in 2017, and will likely need a big offseason to do so. Here are a few offseason needs.

Coming off a championship in Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos headed in to the 2016 with plenty of questions up and down their roster. Peyton Manning was heading towards retirement, and despite the fact the team would be returning some elite players on defense, the questions at quarterback were looming large. Supposed starter Brock Osweiler bolted for the money to play for the Houston Texans, leaving Trevor Siemian to take the reins when the 2016 season kicked off.

With the 2016 season in the rear-view mirror, lets take a look at five offseason priorities the Broncos need to tackle to get back to the top of the AFC West.

5. Improve on their interior defensive line

For the Denver Broncos, the defense has led the way over the past two season, leading the organization to a Super Bowl victory. While the offense struggled to move the ball last season, the defense helped to keep them in games, and their record was decent thanks to an incredible unit on that side of the ball. The Broncos need to make sure they keep the defense in tact next season, as there are too many questions on offense.

DeMarcus Ware is technically a defensive end, although he does play outside linebacker as well for the Broncos. Not only is Ware heading into free agency, but also players like Vance Walker and Sylvester Williams, both of which played big roles on the defensive line last season. The Broncos need to make sure they lock up at least Ware heading into next season, or else a position that was once a strength will turn into a weakness.

The Broncos have to be able to get push up front, as their schedule is going to be a tough one next season. Denver will have a new head coach in 2017, so it is going to be very important that they control the ball at all times. They cannot afford to be run on like they were last season, as they finished 28th in the league, allowing over 130 yards on the ground per game. New faces will be a plus, and with how well they performed against the pass last season, any improvement could mean a win or two more in 2017.