ESPN’s ‘future power rankings’ has Broncos weighed down by QB and coaching

It’ll be another two plus months before we start seeing weekly power rankings lists, but we do have ESPN’s ‘future power rankings’ to review here today. This goes beyond 2021 as the analysts in this feature ranked teams according to their three-year window from 2021-2023.

The Denver Broncos did okay in some areas, but a couple of very poor outlooks bogged them down to 24th overall.

It’s hard not to disagree at all with these rankings. Overall, the team has a pretty strong roster and while I think 12 is a bit low I can see how they might have a less positive outlook than me (a Bronco fan).

Why they’re here: The Broncos have one of the league’s best defenses — filled with talented and feisty competitors — a wide receiver group that is drenched with possible stardom and a dynamic tight end. The missing link, however, is a quarterback who can be counted on right now as the long-range answer. Drew Lock’s inconsistent start to his career casts more questions than answers about his future, and the team bypassed two first-round quarterbacks at pick No. 9 this year. If Denver gets its hands on a QB solution, watch out. — Yates

They went on to discuss other things like the teams biggest worry (QB obviously) and how it could change for the better (receiving corps), but the above snippet was supposed to tell us all and it told us nothing we all didn’t already know.

The ranking that had me most curious was coaching. Why do the analysts at ESPN feel the coaching in Denver is one of the worst in the NFL? If its an indictment on their losing records and some of Vic Fangio’s more questionable in-game decisions, then I get it. However, if its about the coaching as a whole and the coaching staff itself, I would wholeheartedly disagree.

You look at how Fangio kept the team competitive despite have the second most injuries in the NFL last season (49ers led that category by far), what Mike Munchak did to turn Garett Bolles’ career around, and how well the team keeps churning out quality edge rushers and you lose me on that 29th in the NFL ranking for coaching.

What do you all think? Is it honed in on just the Fangio side of things or the entire coaching staff?

Horse Tracks

Joe Ellis, Broncos to receive Community Enrichment Award at 2021 Mizel Institute Annual Event
Ellis will be the third person with Broncos ties to receive this distinction from the Mizel Institute, following late team owner Pat Bowlen (2013) and President of Football Operations John Elway (2017).

Return to health could be big boost for underrated Denver defensive line
We continue our look at the Broncos with an in-depth evaluation of the defensive line.

Can the Denver Broncos offense average 25 points per game?
The Denver Broncos' offense hasn't come close the past six seasons.

What would the Denver Broncos record be with Aaron Rodgers at QB?
The Denver Broncos head into the 2021 NFL season with a schedule that’s projected to be the fifth easiest in the league. But, before Broncos Country can get too excited, they have to remember that so much of how this season plays out will be dependent on who the starting quarterback is.

What must Justin Strnad do to earn a role on the Broncos' 2021 defense?
Denver’s 2020 draft class saw a lot of playing time as rookies, and that was with their enticing fifth-round pick, Justin Strnad, missing the entire season due to injury.

This is what Dionate Spencer has been working on
"I just want to grow into learning what everyone does up front and making my job easier," Broncos returner Dionate Spencer said.