Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, championship-caliber teams are defined not just by their star players, but by the quality of talent waiting in the wings. For the Denver Broncos in 2024, this depth has been a game-changer—turning potential injury crises into opportunities for unsung heroes to shine. Unlike many teams that struggle when starters go down, the Broncos have maintained consistency across offense, defense, and special teams, thanks to a roster built to withstand adversity. Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos explores how this depth was constructed, the standout performances from backup players, and why it has become one of the Broncos’ greatest strengths in their push for a Super Bowl run.

Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos first examines the offense, where depth has transformed a once-inconsistent unit into a reliable force. At quarterback, backup Bo Nix has proven to be more than just a fill-in: when Russell Wilson missed two games with a shoulder injury in Weeks 6-7, Nix completed 70% of his passes for 486 yards and 4 touchdowns, leading the Broncos to two crucial wins. The running back room is equally stacked: behind Javonte Williams (1,204 rushing yards), the Broncos have Samaje Perine—a versatile veteran who has rushed for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also catching 24 passes for 189 yards. Even at wide receiver, where stars like Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy dominate headlines, backups like Jalen Brooks (a 2024 seventh-round pick) have stepped up, catching 15 passes for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns in limited snaps. The offensive line, often a weak spot for teams with thin depth, has also held strong: when left tackle Garett Bolles missed three games with a knee injury, backup Calvin Anderson allowed just 1 sack and helped the Broncos rush for 140+ yards in all three contests. This offensive depth has allowed the Broncos to rank 8th in the NFL in total yards per game (391.2)—even with key players missing time.

On the defensive side, Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos shines a light on a unit that has remained elite despite injuries to key contributors. The defensive line, anchored by Von Miller and Dre’Mont Jones, has gotten critical production from backups like Matt Henningsen (a 2024 third-round pick) and Elijah Garcia. Henningsen, who was expected to be a rotational player, has started 10 games, recording 6 sacks and 12 tackles for loss—numbers that would make him a starter on most NFL teams. Garcia, an undrafted free agent, has also impressed, tallying 3 sacks and 8 quarterback hits in spot duty. At linebacker, the Broncos have depth that few teams can match: when Josey Jewell missed six games with a hamstring injury, backups Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad combined for 87 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. Singleton, in particular, emerged as a fan favorite, recording 17 tackles in a Week 8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Even the secondary—often a focus of depth concerns—has shown resilience: when safety Justin Simmons missed two games with a concussion, P.J. Locke filled in admirably, recording 18 tackles and a forced fumble, while rookie safety JL Skinner made his first career interception in a Week 13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. This defensive depth has kept the Broncos ranked 6th in the NFL in points allowed per game (19.1), even with seven different starters missing at least one game.

Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos also highlights the team’s special teams unit, which has gone from a liability in 2023 to a strength in 2024—thanks in large part to depth at key positions. Kicker Wil Lutz has been reliable (86.7% field goal accuracy), but backup kicker Elliott Fry has also proven capable, converting all 3 of his extra point attempts in a Week 4 game when Lutz was sidelined with a hip injury. The punt return unit, led by Marvin Mims Jr. (12.1 yards per return), has depth in wide receiver Montrell Washington, who averaged 9.8 yards per return in Mims’ two-game absence. Even the long snapper position—often overlooked until a mistake happens—has depth: when Jacob Bobenmoyer missed four games with a knee injury, backup Mitchell Fraboni didn’t record a single bad snap, helping Lutz and punter Sam Martin maintain their consistency. For the Denver Broncos, special teams depth has eliminated the “hidden losses” that often derail teams—games where a missed extra point or a botched punt return costs a victory. Instead, the Broncos have gotten key contributions from special teams backups, including a 45-yard punt return by Washington that set up a touchdown in a Week 10 win over the Green Bay Packers.

A key reason for Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos is the team’s intentional roster-building strategy, led by general manager George Paton. Unlike teams that overspend on high-priced free agents and neglect depth, Paton has focused on three pillars: drafting for upside (e.g., Henningsen, Skinner), signing low-risk, high-reward veterans (e.g., Perine, Singleton), and developing undrafted free agents (e.g., Garcia, Fraboni). This approach has allowed the Broncos to build depth without sacrificing salary cap flexibility—they currently have over $40 million in cap space for 2025, which will help them retain key backups and add more talent. Paton has also prioritized position versatility, drafting players who can play multiple roles: for example, Henningsen can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, while Perine can line up as a running back, slot receiver, or fullback. This versatility means the Broncos don’t need a separate backup for every position—they can shift players around to fill gaps, which has been critical during injuries. “Depth isn’t just about having 53 good players—it’s about having players who can do multiple things,” Paton said in a recent interview. “That’s how you win in the NFL, especially during the long season.” For the Denver Broncos, this strategy has paid off in spades, turning their roster into one of the most flexible and resilient in the league.

Another factor in the Broncos’ impressive depth is the role of head coach Sean Payton, who has created a culture where backups are prepared to contribute at a moment’s notice. Payton’s practice philosophy emphasizes giving backups significant reps in game-like situations, so they’re not caught off guard when they’re called upon. For example, Nix takes nearly as many snaps as Wilson in practice, and backup offensive linemen run the same plays as starters—so there’s no learning curve when they have to fill in. Payton also encourages competition, which pushes backups to improve and ensures that starters don’t become complacent. “In our locker room, there’s no such thing as a ‘backup’—everyone is a starter in waiting,” Payton said. “We prepare every player like they’re going to play 60 snaps on Sunday, and that’s why they’re ready when their number is called.” This culture has led to a unique dynamic: backups don’t view themselves as second-tier players—they view themselves as integral parts of the team’s success. For the Denver Broncos, this mindset has been just as important as talent, as it has created a roster where every player is motivated to perform at their best, regardless of their snap count.

The final layer of Overall Pretty Impressive Depth for the Denver Broncos is how this depth has positioned the team for a deep playoff run. Unlike teams that rely heavily on a few stars, the Broncos can absorb injuries and still compete at a high level—something that will be critical in the postseason, where physicality increases and injuries are more common. For example, if Wilson were to get injured in the playoffs, Nix has already proven he can lead the team to wins. If Miller were to miss time, Henningsen and Garcia have shown they can generate pass rush. This depth also allows the Broncos to stay fresh late in games: while other teams’ starters tire, the Broncos can rotate in backups who are just as talented, keeping their offense and defense performing at peak efficiency. In a Week 14 win over the New England Patriots, for example, the Broncos used 22 different players on offense and 24 on defense—yet still outscored the Patriots 10-0 in the fourth quarter. “Depth is the secret to playoff success,” said defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. “You can’t win a Super Bowl with just 22 players—you need 53, and we have 53 players who can contribute.” For the Denver Broncos, their impressive depth isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity, and it’s why they’re considered one of the favorites to win the AFC. As the playoffs begin, the Broncos’ depth will be their greatest weapon, allowing them to overcome adversity and compete for a championship.