The Denver Broncos are a team headed in a new direction and hopefully, that leads to new and better results.
Sean Payton is building the team in his vision so when it comes to evaluating the roster this summer, there aren't many safe bets. Looking up and down the roster, several players are going to have to step up this summer and prove that Denver is the place they should be.
These players are either coming off of injury or poor performances and for their careers to continue in Denver, they need to start trending in the other direction.
Denver Broncos facing the most pressure ahead of the 2024 season
Zach Wilson, Quarterback
This will be Zach Wilson's first season in Denver, but he has to show something. The former No. 2 overall pick has already had a poor start to his career and has been called a draft bust by just about everyone. The Broncos made the trade for him this offseason to see what he might still be able to offer.
However, he can't afford to lose the competition to both Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. He has to win the No. 2 job, at the very least.
Tim Patrick, Wide Receiver
Tim Patrick remains a fan favorite, but missing the entirety of the last two seasons means he starts this summer directly behind the 8-ball.
The team reworking his contract takes a little bit of the pressure off but there is still no guarantee he is going to be a part of this team in 2024. The Broncos could use his veteran presence, but he must stay healthy.
Javonte Williams, Running Back
The Broncos are not going to cut Javonte Williams, as some have suggested, but he has to be a lot better than he was last season or he is going to see his role with the team greatly diminished.
#Broncos HC Sean Payton on Javonte Williams yesterday: “He’s been looking good. I think historically speaking, when you talk to the experts, they say that the complete heal finishes at two years. Obviously you begin playing before then, but he’s been doing well. He’s in shape. I… pic.twitter.com/L0HfmzQXwr
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) May 31, 2024
Jaleel McLaughlin could be set to take on a big role in his second year in the league and the team has some exciting rookies in Audric Estime and Blake Watson. Samaje Perine is still around as a solid veteran presence as well, so Williams must step up and look like the old version of himself.
Damarri Mathis, Cornerback
Damarri Mathis showed good flashes as a rookie but last season, he struggled in a big way. His struggles were so bad that he was benched and lost a lot of playing time.
Mathis is still on the roster and could play his way back into a solid role with the team in 2024, but he'll have to be a lot better than he was last season.
Beyond Pat Surtain II and Ja'Quan McMillian, the Broncos have real questions at cornerback. Will Riley Moss show something in year two after showing almost nothing as a rookie? Will Levi Wallace prove to be a good veteran signing?
There are questions with other players, but Mathis, in year three, is not guaranteed a spot on this roster so he has to prove he still deserves one.
Riley Dixon, Punter
Punters are players too. Special teams coach Ben Kotwica will have a keen eye on the punting competition this summer between Riley Dixon and Trenton Gill.
Dixon is the holdover from last year and is in his second stint in Denver. But if the team was completely satisfied with him, Gill would have never been signed.
This is a wide-open competition.
