Predicting the Broncos breakout player, comeback kid and more

The Draft Networks Jon Ledyard started this on Twitter and it has spread like wildfire. He was naming a breakout player, comeback kid, don’t forget about, needs to rebound, darkhorse MVP, and under the radar player for each team. So I have decided to do my own version of this for the Broncos and I ask you MHR to do the same.

First, lets take a look at Ledyard’s version for the Broncos.

Breakout guy: Cornerback, Bradley Roby

Roby is taking over for the veteran Aqib Talib who was traded to the L.A. Rams this past offseason. During his time with the Broncos, Talib and Chris Harris Jr. were the best corner tandem in the NFL during their time together. Roby served as the third-corner during this time but he now will move into the number two corner spot and those are some big shoes to fill.

I believe Roby will fill those shoes just fine and earn himself a long-term extension from the Broncos either during the season or prior to the start of Free Agency. He has proven to be a productive corner already and flashed some good ball skills as well. I believe he will take that next step and turn into a star in this league.

Comeback kid: Defensive End, Derek Wolfe

Wolfe has dealt with a nagging neck injury and it really slowed him down last season, but all signs point to a bounce-back season for the veteran run stuffer.

The Broncos run defense was dominant without a healthy Wolfe for a good portion of the 2017 season and I believe he will only make them that much better in 2018. Add in what he can do as an interior pass rusher/pocket pusher and he should have a big impact on the Broncos defense in 2018.

Rising Star: Edge Rusher, Bradley Chubb

This an obvious one, but the fifth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, is a rising star for the Broncos.

He was the best defensive player in the draft and figures to start alongside star edge rusher Von Miller in 2018 which should help vault quickly into stardom. Chubb has all the tools to be great from day one and lands on an already talented defense. All eyes and attention will be on Miller so this should open up opportunities for many one-on-one chances for Chubb.

I think 10+ sacks is not out of the question for Chubb and he will continue the long history of great sack artists for the Broncos.

Don’t Forget About: Linebacker, Brandon Marshall

Last year, Marshall played through a pretty serious injury that hampered his play throughout the year. He didn’t play like the Marshall we have grown to know and I think we shouldn’t sleep on him in 2018.

He has lost weight and is down to 227 lbs which should help his play speed, conditioning, and range improvements. Marshall wasn’t overweight or out of shape beforehand, but now he’s just a little bit slimmer and maybe a little more athletic. This is the way the NFL is going and now Marshall is looking like a modern-day NFL linebacker.

But yeah, don’t forget about Marshall because he will be a key piece to the Broncos defense once again in 2018.

Needs To Rebound: Head Coach, Vance Joseph

I know this supposed to be players only, but the person who needs to rebound the most in 2018 is Head Coach Vance Joseph.

He was a first-time Head Coach with a flawed coaching staff, flawed roster, lacking even a below average starting quarterback while being on a team with playoff aspirations. It obviously did not go well, but the players wanted Vance back and so how he gets one more shot to live up to the hype surrounding him.

He now has a capable quarterback, an improved defense on paper, hopefully, an answer at right tackle, and a roster full of young and talented players ready to step up. He has all the tools in place to bounce back in 2018 but will he? That’s the biggest unanswered question this team will have during the 2018 season.

Darkhorse MVP: Running back, Royce Freeman

This is another obvious one, but the 2018 third-round pick is a popular breakout candidate and could be a big-time impact player for the Broncos offense.

He is in a competition with Devontae Booker who has yet to show he can be the lead back in the NFL so I like his chances of earning the starting running back job. He has a good blend of size, speed, elusiveness, and power in his game and can contribute in the passing game as well. Could he be the 2018 version of Kareem Hunt or Alvin Kamara for the Broncos?

I sure hope so.

Under The Radar: Guard, Connor McGovern

I am going to continue beating the drum for McGovern until proven otherwise. He is as strong as they get(a monster in the weight room) and was a talented player already. Add in the addition of interior Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler into the mix and we should see McGovern take a giant step forward in 2018.

Many people are focusing on Garett Bolles, Jared Veldheer, and the improvements at the right tackle position and are overlooking McGovern. I believe he will quickly run away with the right guard job and help the Broncos run game improve this upcoming season.