2015 Team Preview: Denver Broncos

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Updated on July 23, 2015 4:06PM EST

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

It's not often that a franchise parts ways with a head coach after the team goes 12-4, a mark preceded by two 13-3 seasons and a Super Bowl appearance, but that is exactly what happened with the Broncos this offseason. Thus, on the heels of coaching Denver to a fourth consecutive AFC West title, John Fox was replaced by former Broncos quarterback Gary Kubiak.

It was a bit of an interesting move, as the offense has never been the problem with Peyton Manning under center. Coming off a historic 2013 season in which he set the NFL's single-season passing yards and touchdowns records, Manning's numbers predictably declined some last year, though he still finished with 4,727 passing yards (fourth in the NFL) and 39 touchdowns (second).

Following the Broncos' playoff loss it was revealed that Manning had been playing with a torn right quad muscle. The injury has since healed, and the quarterback's annual neck exam yielded favorable results, so he'll return for another season. He'll be working minus the help of left tackle Ryan Clady, who will miss the 2015 campaign due to an ACL tear. In addition, one of his key targets is gone, as tight end Julius Thomas signed with the Jaguars after back-to-back seasons with 12 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the team has also failed to sign wideout Demaryius Thomas to a long-term deal, instead using the franchise tag on the star pass-catcher, who recorded a career-high 111 catches for 1,619 yards and

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

The team's running back situation is also a bit foggy, as Montee Ball began last season as the starter, but struggled and suffered a groin injury early on, losing his job to Ronnie Hillman. However, Hillman then sat out with a foot injury, opening the door for C.J. Anderson. The 2013 undrafted free agent proceeded to rush for 167 yards in his first start in Week 12, following that effort up with 168 yards the next week. Anderson dominated the team's touches from then on, and while there will be a competition for the top job this summer, Anderson is the early favorite to head the team's backfield.

There was also coaching turnover on the other side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is now the head coach of the Raiders, and the Broncos replaced him with Wade Phillips. The Broncos' defense was solid statistically last season, finishing third in total yards allowed per game (305.2), but they were tied for 16th in points allowed. The team's pass rush is still strong, and there's plenty of talent in the defensive backfield, though the linebacking corps still has questions.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Owen Daniels – TE, Ravens
The tight end follows coach Gary Kubiak from Baltimore and will try to help fill the void left by Julius Thomas.

James Casey – TE, Eagles
Saw few offensive reps over the last two years and will compete with Daniels for playing time.

Jeff Heuerman – TE, Ohio State (ROUND 3, 92nd overall)
Suffered a torn ACL in his first practice with the Broncos and will miss the entire 2015 season.

Shane Ray – DE, Missouri (ROUND 1, 23rd overall)
The SEC defensive player of the year will learn from DeMarcus Ware before replacing him.

Ryan Harris – OT, Chiefs
Bolsters the team's offensive line depth following Ryan Clady's ACL tear.

Key Losses

Julius Thomas – TE, Jaguars
Notched 24 touchdowns over two seasons, but $24 million guaranteed was too much for Denver to match.

Wes Welker – WR, FA
Coming off a subpar season and continues to fight concussions.

Terrance Knighton – DT, Redskins
A huge run-stopper, though he only had 61 tackles and five sacks in the past two seasons.

TEAM NOTES

RED ZONE OPPORTUNITIES
Two years ago, Eric Decker trailed only Calvin Johnson in red-zone targets, and he led the league in targets inside the five-yard line. Last year, Demaryius Thomas led the league in red-zone targets and targets inside the five-yard line. In addition to the wideouts, tight end Julius Thomas was also a solid source of looks near the end zone, and his big body near the goal line surely opened up additional space for the Broncos' wideouts. Peyton Manning clearly wants to throw the ball when he's in tight, but things could be very different this season, as Orange Julius is now with the Jaguars, while the Broncos brought in Owen Daniels and James Casey to help fill the void. Neither is as talented a receiver as Thomas, and it certainly opens the possibility of more rushing attempts near the goal line, which could further reduce Manning's passing touchdowns.

BACKFIELD QUESTIONS
The Broncos drafted Montee Ball in the second round of the 2013 draft with the expectation that he would control the backfield for years to come. However, he failed to win the starting job as a rookie. Knowshon Moreno's departure left him as the top back heading into last season, however. There were high expectations given the offense in which he worked, but he failed to rush for even 70 yards in a game before suffering a groin injury in Week 5, and he didn't get another carry the rest of the season. Ronnie Hillman took over, and while he outperformed Ball, he too went down with an injury in Week 10, leaving C.J. Anderson as the team's lead back. Anderson was surprisingly dominant, twice rushing for more than 165 yards and two other times scoring three touchdowns. Anderson will head into the season as the presumed starter, but there will likely be a competition, and injuries could play a role yet again.

MANNING'S DECLINE
There is no question Manning remains a respectable option at his position, but it's time to recognize that his best days as a player may be behind him. His 2013 season was prolific and historic, but it's in the past and it now seems likely that Manning will fall short of even his reduced 2014 numbers, minus tight end Julius Thomas and with left tackle Ryan Clady set to spend this year on IR. With wideout Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders working on the outside, Manning's 2015 cause could be boosted, however, by an uptick in production from Cody Latimer, a 2014 second-rounder, who had only two catches last season.

VALUE METER

Rising:C.J. Anderson is the front-runner to head the backfield after impressing at the end of last season.

Declining:Peyton Manning isn't getting any younger and he'll play this year without one of his favorite targets, Julius Thomas.

Sleeper: The time has come for Cody Latimer to step up as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

Supersleeper:Juwan Thompson may be fourth on the running back depth chart, but he's a big body who could fight for goal-line work. C.J. Anderson was also an RB4 once.

IDP WATCH

Von Miller - LB
A dominant pass-rusher who has 49 sacks in 56 career games, including 14 last season.

DeMarcus Ware - LB
Returned to double-digit sacks last season and now sits at 14th all-time with 127.

Brandon Marshall - LB
Recorded 112 tackles last season but had foot surgery in March.