Fansided

5 reasons Broncos can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) walks down the hallway during the regular season NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) walks down the hallway during the regular season NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Better offensive line play

This offseason, general manager John Elway addressed the team’s offensive front in numerous ways. In free agency, the Broncos signed right tackle Ja’Wuan James, a 2014 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins. And in the second round of April’s draft, Elway used the 41st overall selection to take Kansas State University standout Dalton Risner. James received big money (4 years, $51 million) to leave South Florida for the Mile High City.

In 2017, Elway grabbed tackle Garett Bolles in the first round and he’s responded by starting all 16 games in each of his first two seasons. But his performance has drawn very mixed reviews. The 6’5”, 300-pound performer is currently the No. 35 ranked tackle by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and his grade this past season dipped slightly from his rookie campaign. Interesting enough, James is No. 34 on the PFF list.

This past season, left guard Ronald Leary was limited to only six games due to an Achilles injury while center Matt Paradis missed the final seven games with a broken leg. The latter was a 16-game starter for the Broncos the previous years but he’s now a member of the Carolina Panthers. Guards Billy Turner (Packers) and Max Garcia (Cardinals) and tackle Jared Veldheer also left in free agency. But the latter opted for retirement after inking a deal with the New England Patriots. Versatile Connor McGovern is back at the pivot.

This was a unit that dealt with its share of injuries and lineup changes in ’18. A little continuity here would go a long way to improving the Broncos’ offensive performance.

Next: No. 3

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