NFL Fantasy Preview: Denver Broncos

Noah Fant (Google Images)

In a 32-part series leading up to the start of the 2021 National Football League season, we will take a look at each NFL franchise from a fantasy perspective. The 10th team we will review is the Denver Broncos.

There is literally not too much to like about the Denver Broncos from a fantasy perspective in the 2021 season. This team on paper is the weakest team in the AFC West, and it is unlikely they will reach five victories like they did a year ago–even with the increased number of games each team has in 2021.

There could be one spark plug in fantasy this year, and that is tight end Noah Fant of Omaha, Nebraska. The 23-year-old is entering his third NFL season after being selected in the first round, 20th overall by the Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa. The former Hawkeye has shown steady progress over his first two NFL seasons. In 2019, he had 40 catches for 562 yards, and three touchdowns. Then in 2020, he had 62 catches for 673 yards, and three touchdowns.

Due to the fact that there are low expectations with the Broncos offense this year, it is unlikely Fant will see a major spike in touchdown receptions. However, if he shows steady progress, Fant could reach 100 fantasy points.

At quarterback, Drew Lock seems to be the starter–for now. However, he will definitely be on a short leash with the team trading for Teddy Bridgewater in an off-season deal with the Carolina Panthers.

In 2020, Bridgewater was better in Carolina than Lock was in Denver. Bridgewater completed 340 passes in 492 attempts for 3733 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Lock completed 254 passes in 443 attempts for 2933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. His 15 interceptions also led the NFL.

Bridgewater was also better than Lock when it came to running the football. In 2020, Bridgewater had 279 yards rushing and five touchdowns (both career highs), while Lock had 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Before you give the starting job to Bridgewater based on his 2020 statistics, remember he only won four of 15 games in 2021. His low win total factored into Carolina acquiring Sam Darnold from the New York Jets. 

At running back, the Broncos selected Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of North Carolina. It is expected that Williams will be their long-term running back, just not right away. Denver is expected to start with Melvin Gordon III. In his first season in Denver after five seasons with the Chargers, Gordon had 215 carries for 986 yards, and nine touchdowns.

The Broncos have two wide receivers worth taking, but not until the very end of the pool. Jerry Jeudy of Deerfield Beach, Florida had 52 catches for 856 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season, but struggled in literally catching the football. He only had a 44% catch rate, and had 12 drops. Until Jeudy improves in these statistics, he is simply not worth drafting high. Meanwhile, Courtland Sutton tore his ACL in week three of the NFL season after having 72 catches for 1112 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. It may take Sutton sometime before he reaches his 2019 statistical totals.

Finally, at kicker, Brandon McManus of Philadelphia is ranked seventh in fantasy among kickers because he has an opportunity to kick regularly at Empower Field at Mile High regularly. Due to the high altitude in Colorado, field goal kicks go longer than in other stadiums, making McManus a fantasy asset. Last year he completed 28 of 34 attempts, including 10 field goals 50 yards or more.

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