Silver And Black Pride
The Broncos strengths and weaknesses after free agency and the draft
Silver and Black Pride is wrapping up its AFC West offseason review series, where we’re keeping an eye on the Las Vegas Raiders’ rivals. The Denver Broncos are the last team up, so let’s take a look at the Broncos’ moves in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Key Additions: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, TE Evan Ingram
Key Losses: LB Cody Barton, RB Javonte Williams
The Broncos were the least active team in the division during free agency, in terms of adding or losing significant players. The front office spent most of its time and resources re-signing its in-house free agents. However, the organization did make a few significant moves to offset the handful of players it lost.
Greenlaw is a clear upgrade over Barton, if he’s healthy. The former 49er was one of the top linebackers in the NFL during his prime a couple of years ago, but he sat out the majority of last season after tearing an Achilles in the 2023 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Greenlaw played in just two games a year ago, recording nine tackles on just 34 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He tweaked a calf just a few plays into his second game and was shut down as San Francisco’s playoff hopes diminished.
The linebacker is already battling injuries this season. He reportedly suffered a quad injury that has sidelined him during the Broncos’ workouts and may threaten his availability for the beginning of the campaign. There are conflicting reports on the latter/the severity of Greenlaw’s hamstring injury.
Denver also upgraded its safety group by signing another former 49er, Hufanga. At his best, the USC product is a first-time All-Pro (2022). However, he also struggled to stay healthy in San Francisco, missing 17 games over the last two seasons with various injuries.
If he can stay off the injury report, Hufanga gives the Broncos a safety who can line up all over the field and impact both phases of the game. But that’s proven to be a challenge over the last two years.
Offensively, Sean Payton was looking to find his new Jimmy Graham at tight end. While Engram isn’t on that level, he does give Payton an athletic and big-bodied pass catcher to draw plays up for in the passing game. The former Jaguar and Giant has made the Pro Bowl twice and isn’t far removed from a career year, logging 114 catches for 963 yards and four touchdowns during the 2023 campaign in Jacksonville.
At running back, Williams had a strong rookie season in Denver but struggled to build on that momentum, partially due to injuries. That makes his loss less significant, especially since Payton leaned heavily on a running back by committee approach last season.
For example, Williams (513 yards) was the team’s leading rusher in 2024, but Jaleel McLaughlin (496) and Audric Estime (310) weren’t too far behind....
