Building a winning football team isn't just about grabbing the highest-rated guy on a draft board and hoping for the best. It's a puzzle. For Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, 2024 was basically the year they decided to throw out the old, dusty pieces and start fresh. Everyone was obsessed with the massive dead cap hit from moving on from Russell Wilson, but while the national media was busy counting pennies, the Broncos were actually building a foundation.
Honestly, if you look at the denver broncos roster 2024 depth chart, the most shocking thing wasn't who left—it was how fast the "new" era took hold.
The Bo Nix Era: More Than Just a Rookie Start
When Bo Nix was named the starter over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson back in August, some people rolled their eyes. They called him a "check-down king." But man, did he prove that wrong. Nix finished the 2024 season with some serious numbers: 3,775 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. He wasn't just managing the game; he was winning it.
Behind him, the depth was actually more stable than folks gave it credit for. Jarrett Stidham stayed on as the reliable vet, while Zach Wilson—the former second-overall pick—served as a high-upside project in the QB3 slot. It was a room designed for growth, not just survival.
The real story of the offense, though, was the protection. You've got to give it up for the big guys up front. Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey turned into one of the best offensive lines in the entire league. In fact, ESPN’s analytics had them ranked at the top for both pass-block and rush-block win rates. That’s rare. Usually, you get a line that's good at one or the other, but these guys were dominant across the board, which is a huge reason why Nix didn't spend the whole season running for his life like other rookies.
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Breaking Down the Denver Broncos Roster 2024 Depth Chart
Let's get into the weeds of the skill positions. Courtland Sutton remained the "alpha" on the outside, hauling in over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s basically the security blanket every young quarterback dreams of. But the emergence of Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. added a vertical threat that Denver has lacked for years.
- Wide Receivers: Sutton led the way, but Troy Franklin's 709 yards showed he’s a legit WR2. Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Devaughn Vele provided that "big-bodied" reliability Sean Payton loves for those dirty-work plays.
- Running Backs: Javonte Williams handled the bulk of the carries, but Jaleel McLaughlin was the lightning to his thunder. Between Javonte’s power and Jaleel’s 5.0 yards-per-carry average, the ground game kept defenses honest.
- Tight Ends: This was a bit of a "by committee" situation. Adam Trautman did the heavy lifting as a blocker, but Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull popped up in the red zone more than people expected.
The Defense Nobody Saw Coming
If you looked at the defensive side of the denver broncos roster 2024 depth chart before the season started, you might have been worried. Justin Simmons was gone. Josey Jewell was gone. It felt like the heart of the defense had been ripped out.
Instead, Vance Joseph turned this unit into a top-three scoring defense. They only allowed 18.3 points per game. That’s elite.
Patrick Surtain II continued to be a literal "no-fly zone." He’s the best corner in football, period. But the real surprise was Riley Moss stepping up on the other side. People wondered if he could handle being a full-time starter, and he responded with 80 tackles and the kind of consistency that makes coordinators sleep better at night.
In the middle, Alex Singleton was a tackling machine again, racking up 135 total stops. He’s the pulse of that defense. Up front, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto were absolute nightmares for quarterbacks. Bonitto led the team with 13.5 sacks, proving that his "burst" wasn't just a draft profile myth—it's a real-world problem for offensive tackles.
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Why the Depth Mattered in 2024
Depth isn't just a list of names; it's insurance. When injuries hit the linebacker corps, Justin Strnad stepped in and didn't miss a beat, even recording 3.0 sacks in limited starts. When the secondary needed a boost, Ja'Quan McMillian proved he's one of the best nickel corners in the league.
The Broncos finished 10-7 and made a Wild Card appearance. Sure, they lost to the Bills, but think about where this team was a year ago. They were a punchline. Now? They have a franchise QB, a dominant O-line, and a defense that scares people.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re tracking how this roster evolves into 2025, here are the three things you need to watch:
- The Garett Bolles Extension: He’s the anchor of the line. Keeping him long-term is the only way to ensure Bo Nix continues to stay upright.
- The Edge Rusher Rotation: With Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto playing at a high level, Denver has to decide if they want to add a "blue-chip" veteran or keep letting the young guys eat.
- Playmaker Hunt: Sutton is great, but Nix needs one more "X-factor" receiver to truly compete with the heavyweights in the AFC West.
The 2024 season wasn't just a "rebuild" year; it was a proof of concept. The roster is younger, faster, and finally has a clear direction.