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Denver Broncos: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Sayre Bedinger

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: John Elway President of Football Operations/General Manager for the Denver Broncos walks to the field for warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Denver 20-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: John Elway President of Football Operations/General Manager for the Denver Broncos walks to the field for warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Denver 20-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos have some big needs in the 2020 offseason, but they also have plenty of assets to address them. What are their top five needs in 2020?

After three straight losing seasons paired with the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LIV, why would Denver Broncos general manager John Elway be smiling?

Elway, whose success with the Broncos as the team’s general manager has typically come either mostly in free agency (2012-15) or the NFL Draft (2011, 2018-19) and not always both at the same time, has a plethora of assets to work with as the Broncos look to build off of their second-place finish in 2019.

With the emergence of possible franchise quarterback Drew Lock down the stretch of the 2019 season, Elway and the Broncos have newfound life going into the 2020 offseason with more than $60 million in cap space, nine draft choices, and more cap space/draft capital on the way with likely roster cuts and compensatory picks coming.

Despite the late-season excitement brought about by Drew Lock and a fantastic couple of rookie classes in 2018 and ’19, Elway and the Broncos front office have a lot of work to do. What are this team’s top five needs heading into the 2020 offseason?

1. Defensive line

The Broncos’ top five needs could almost be characterized as 1a, 1b, and 1c. Until there’s some actual movement or the team re-signs some players, the defensive line looks like the top need currently.

Starters Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris are both unrestricted free agents and combined for 13 sacks last season.

Former starter Adam Gotsis is also slated for unrestricted free agency, and breakout player Mike Purcell is a restricted free agent.

Basically, the only players returning on Denver’s defensive front are 2017 second-round pick DeMarcus Walker and 2019 third-round pick Dre’Mont Jones, and neither have been full-time starters at the NFL level.

The Broncos are fortunate this year’s defensive line class in free agency is very deep, and they have an attractive scheme for players to come in and have immediate success under the direction of head coach Vic Fangio.

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