AFC West
Denver Broncos
AI Summary
Denver enters 2026 as one of the sport's most respected teams after a 14-3 season that ended one win short of the Super Bowl, with NFL.com and ESPN both slotting the Broncos among the league's top three teams in preseason power rankings. QB Bo Nix, who fractured his ankle in the divisional-round win over Buffalo, says he's fully healthy and unlimited entering camp, and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb takes over play-calling from Sean Payton while newly acquired WR Jaylen Waddle pairs with Courtland Sutton to upgrade the passing game. A center depth crisis has emerged in camp, with starter Luke Wattenberg and backup Alex Forsyth both banged up and third-stringer Michael Deiter lost for the season, pushing guard Calvin Throckmorton into the middle of the line. Despite the hype, oddsmakers have set Denver's win total at 9.5, well below last year's 14 wins, reflecting an expectation of some regression from a team that overperformed in 2025.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Real Efficiency KPIs
Offensive EPA/play
+0.050
#10 of 32
Defensive EPA/play allowed
-0.088
#6 of 32
2025 regular season, 1079 offensive / 1055 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.
Key Players (2025 production)
Leading Passer
Bo Nix · QB
388/612, 25 TD, 11 INT
+63.3 passing EPA
Leading Rusher
J.K. Dobbins · RB
153 car, 772 yds, 4 TD
+4.2 rushing EPA
Leading Receiver
Courtland Sutton · WR
74/124, 1017 yds, 21% target share
+45.6 receiving EPA
Leading Pass Rusher
Nik Bonitto · LB
14 sacks, 28 QB hits
Leading Tackler
Alex Singleton · LB
52 solo, 81 assist
Leading Interceptor
Ja'Quan McMillian · CB
2 INT
Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.
Key Storylines
- QB Bo Nix, who fractured his ankle in the divisional-round win over Buffalo, says he's fully healthy with no limitations entering camp
- Davis Webb promoted to offensive coordinator, taking play-calling duties from head coach Sean Payton
- Traded a 2026 first-, third- and fourth-round pick to Miami for WR Jaylen Waddle to pair with Courtland Sutton
- Center depth crisis in camp: Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth both banged up, Michael Deiter lost for the season, guard Calvin Throckmorton moved to center
- NFL.com (No. 2) and ESPN (No. 3) preseason power rankings rate Denver among the league's elite despite a 9.5 win total that projects some regression from last year's 14-3 record
Injury Report
Michael Deiter · C
Out for season
Suffered a season-ending thigh injury during training camp, deepening Denver's center depth issues.
Luke Wattenberg · C
Limited
Starting center has missed significant camp practice time with an undisclosed injury; guard Calvin Throckmorton has taken first-team reps at center in his absence.
Alex Forsyth · C
Limited
Backup center has been working on the side rehab field during camp.
Levelle Bailey · LB
Injured
Suffered a fractured leg during the preseason win over Atlanta.
Jaylen Waddle · WR
Limited
Newly acquired via trade from Miami; working back toward full practice participation after an in-camp injury.