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2008 Team Preview by RotoExperts.com Senior Writer Jonathan Phillips.
OVERVIEW The Denver faithful that were seeking a "Rocky Mountain High" in 2007 weren't singing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" when the season ended. After a 2-0 start, the Broncos appeared like they had plenty of fight in them, but by mid-October they were 3-4 and Jay Cutler was suffering from the mystery of chronic fatigue and weight loss. The team would finish 7-9, with the normally stout Bronco defense torched for 409 points, the fifth highest tally in the league and second worst in the AFC. Mike Shanahan's dictatorship kicked into swing in the post season, as he swiftly fired GM Ted Sundquist and both coordinators: Mike Heimerdinger and Jim Bates. With a whole new regime in place, Shanahan looks to find more pleasant "Country Roads" ahead, after a drought that has seen one playoff victory in the last nine years. Of course, with the sweeping changes he has made, the buck now stops with Shanahan. Fifteen years in, this could be a make or break year for him if he's to stay in Denver. For fantasy owners, Shanahan's 2008 unit is like an old guitar with new strings. He's one of the creators of the RBBC (Running Back by Committee), and he chooses his running back du jour like most people select their morning coffee flavor. The Broncos aren't to be completely avoided, though. The defense has been almost entirely rebuilt through free agency, with special attention paid to assembling a new linebacker group, in hopes of making sense of last season's 30th ranked rushing defense. Most importantly, Jay Cutler has his health intact heading into the season. Although the running game is a bit up in the air, and the offensive line is uncertain, there's a chance that they just might be fighting for a playoff spot and proclaiming it's good to be "Back Home Again" in the atrophying AFC West. Okay, don't expect the John Denver song theme to continue. He was a nice singer and one heck of a guy, but not enough to sustain through a whole preview. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds is in parentheses. Quarterback: Jay Cutler (6), Patrick Ramsey Running Back: Selvin Young (4), Andre Hall Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall (3), Darrell Jackson (10), Brandon Stokley (12), Keary Colbert Tight End: Daniel Graham (7), Tony Scheffler (9) Kicker: Matt Prater (16)  | ENGEL EYE ON: THE DENVER BRONCOS | One is seemingly forgotten, and the other is overlooked. Yet two guys could turn out to be terrific value picks from the Denver offense. Darrell Jackson will be surrounded by more impressive players in the passing game than he was in San Francisco, and DJ is likely eager to prove he is not done. He'll develop a good on-field relationship with Jay Cutler very quickly. The other, rookie Ryan Torian, must be noted, because any time Denver drafts a running back, you have to monitor him. Mike Shanahan will not hesitate to make changes at RB at any moment, as any experienced fantasy player knows well. |
NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: SLB Boss Bailey, WR Keary Colbert, WR Darrell Jackson, MLB Niko Koutouvides, S Marlon McCree Subtractions: RB Travis Henry, K Jason Elam, WR Javon Walker  | | Lets hope Brandon Marshall makes it through the parking lot OK. Photo Credit: compujeramey |
2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round One: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Round Second: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech TOP POSITION BATTLE Selvin Young vs. Andre Hall vs. Ryan Torain 2008 SCHEDULE Top matchups in bold Sept. 8: @Oakland
Sept. 14: San Diego
Sept. 21: New Orleans
Sept. 28: @Kansas City
Oct. 5: Tampa Bay
Oct. 12: Jacksonville
Oct. 20: @New England
Oct 26: Bye
Nov. 2: Miami
Nov. 6: @Cleveland
Nov. 16: @Atlanta
Nov. 23: Oakland
Nov. 30: @ New York Jets
FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: Kansas City
Dec. 14: @Carolina
Dec. 21: Buffalo
Dec 28: @San Diego 2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS Quarterback:
Jay Cutler's setback had less to do with his ability than with an undiscovered illness. By May of this year, Cutler had been diagnosed with diabetes, explaining his insatiable appetite during times of weight loss during last season. Even while his body was rebelling against him, he set his career best totals, completing 63 percent of his passes for nearly 3,500 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He had four truly subpar outings, including one during the fantasy playoffs which few owners will forgive: 14-of-32/155/0/2. Overall, he only completed less than 50 percent of his passes in a total of three outings, and he only had five outings where he found 60 percent or less of his targets. His accuracy is frightening considering what he was going through health wise, considering a defense that often put Denver in the hole, and with Javon Walker out much of the season. Cutler is worth a look on draft day in the middle rounds as your starter or later as your backup. But be warned, this could easily be his breakout year, as third years usually are. Patrick Ramsey is a serviceable backup because of his experience and quick release, but he's never been better than a 50 percent passer. Cullen Finnerty and Darrell Hackney are fighting for clipboard duty. Running Back:
Mike Shanahan has never been loved by fantasy players and rightfully so. His RBBC system is a bane to all who play the game, yet it allows his rushers to take less punishment throughout the season. In fact, the last time a Denver running back had 300-plus attempts for a season, that rusher was Terrell Davis and the year was 1998. This would be fitting if he ever kept the same running back for more than one season. For the fifth straight year, Denver's backfield will sport a new leader. Travis Henry was released by the Broncos after testing positive for marijuana in October, and word comes that Mike Bell was waived just prior to training camp. What once was a committee now has few voting members, which does raise the fantasy value of Denver's second-year man, Selvin Young. Young averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his 140 attempts in 2007. However, he doesn't have the kind of experience behind which you'd like to build a new rushing attack. Off-season acquisition Michael Pittman, second-year man Andre Hall, and rookie Ryan Torain sit behind Young on the depth chart. Pittman is a third down specialist with an inclination for making important catches out of the backfield. In 2006, he had more receiving than rushing yards for the Bucs. His best days are behind him, as he hasn't logged 100 carries since 2004, though there's talk he could take some goal line carries away from Young. Hall is more likely to share the committee duties, as long as he can improve his blocking, because he showed good speed and soft hands in limited duty last year. Ryan Torain will also vie for a spot, though he could be relegated to special teams and unique situations. Young goes in as the first choice and could end up hauling the majority of the load. He's a nice value pick in the fourth or fifth round.  | | Little Terrell Owens? Nah, just Big Brandon. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall |
Wide Receiver:
Brandon Marshall did not have the kind of off-season befitting of a new star receiver. He was arrested in March for false imprisonment and domestic violence, and later that month, he accidentally put his arm through a television set. However, Marshall did have the kind of off-season that works as a great conversation starter for the question, "So what did you do this past summer?" Add to this the DUI charge stemming from an October 2007 incident and another traffic ticket he received in June, and you have the makings of a very uncertain future. A suspension is a definite possibility. If Marshall makes the field, he's one of the most dangerous receivers out there. Last year, he was fifth in the AFC in receptions and fourth in receiving yards, garnering 1,325 yards, 100 receptions, and seven touchdowns. He did all of this with a sick quarterback and the expected WR1, Javon Walker, out with injury. Rod Smith hung up his cleats, so the Broncos signed Darrell Jackson, who will most likely win the second WR slot. Jackson should draw coverage, to the benefit of both him and Marshall. D-Jax's problem has always been injury, but when healthy, he makes a solid WR3 for your fantasy team. Colbert has never been able to find separation or solace in Carolina, and he has one lonely 100-yard game, back in 2004, to his credit. Brandon Stokley is aging, but he's still a dangerous slot man. Draft Marshall as one of the elite if he avoids suspension, and watch as he takes his place among the NFL's top five. Jackson will also be a solid draft toward the late rounds as WR3, and maybe with WR2 upside should the Denver offense find its stride. I can't see Colbert being much of a factor at all. Tight End:
Daniel Graham is a strong blocker and can catch, but the guy to keep an eye on is Tony Scheffler. He's had foot problems, even up until and during May's workouts. But even during his injury-riddled second season, he was able to haul in 49 receptions for 549 yards and five touchdowns. Scheffler's problem is blocking, and thus he'll lose downs to Graham. Graham will also provide some offensive help, but after the first tier tight ends are gone, look to grab Scheffler as an overlooked sleeper pick in the late rounds. Kicker:
Matt Prater replaces Denver legend Jason Elam. We feel bad for him. We're thinking that, if there were a 17th round, we'd be more comfortable drafting him. My thoughts from roto central are as follows: Thin air or no thin air, legend or no legend... if you want Prater, he'll be available in the sixteenth round. Defense/Special Teams:
New coordinator Bob Slowik definitely has to reconfigure this unit, which was ranked 28th in the league in points allowed last season. Perhaps having his older brother peering over his shoulder will add motivation to Boss Bailey. A disappointment in Detroit, Bailey did set his career high for sacks last year with 3.5. He joins a deep linebacker group, along with newly acquired MLB and former special teams' standout Niko Koutouvides from Seattle. Leading tackler D. J. Williams is predicted to be a future All-Pro, while veterans Jamie Winborn and Nate Webster serve as experienced depth. The defensive line was beset by problems last year, failing to provide a first line of protection against the run. Joining Jarvis Moss for the pass rush is Elvis Dumervil, who led the team with 12.5 sacks in '07. Alvin McKinley and second-year man Marcus Thomas will work with newly acquired run-stopper DeWayne Robertson. Robertson never fit the 3-4 system as a nose tackle and should fit in better here, though rumor has it that he's suffering from a degenerative knee condition. Dré Bly and Champ Bailey are above-average corners, and they will pair with declining safety John Lynch and four-year man Hamza Abdullah. Former Charger Marlon McCree and former Panther Marquand Manuel add depth. Though Glenn Martinez handled most kicking duties last year, averaging 22 yards per return, Andre Hall will provide competition. In just 19 returns last year, he went for 475 yards, which translates to an average of 25 yards-per-return. Recently signed second round pick, Eddie Royal, will also compete for the job.
Offensive Line:
The biggest question mark on the team this year is whether the line can provide the same stability it has in the past. Last year, this group helped lead the ninth ranked offense in rushing yards per game, and ranked in the middle of the pack for QB sacks allowed. First round draft pick Ryan Clady is expected to anchor the left tackle position, which was vacated by Matt Lepsis. Ever-durable Tom Nalen has 14 years of experience at center, but he is at the end of his career. The Broncos poached Casey Wiegmann from the Chiefs to provide depth, and he could win the job outright. Impressive third year man Ryan Harris joins Ben Hamilton and Montrae Holland to round out the line. Jonathan Phillips realizes that, if he had been eating six meals a day like Jay Cutler and losing weight, he'd have panicked and possibly eaten his foot. Thus, he'd have been listening to a lot of John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in an attempt to deal with his severe limp. Pay your respects to Jay Cutler, John Denver, or Jon at
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