Broncos offense two-deep: Bo Nix looks to ascend in Year 2 with new weapons

After Sean Payton hit on his quarterback of the future in Bo Nix last year, the second-year quarterback has a massive benefit in Year 2: Consistency. Same play-caller. Same offensive staff, for the most part. Same offensive line. But as Nix has settled into both Payton’s offense and his role as the face of the franchise, Denver went out and nabbed him some new weapons this offseason.

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ likely two-deep, with maneuverable depth at the skill positions.

Quarterback

Bo Nix | 10

6-foot-2, 217 pounds, 25 years old, 2nd season, Oregon

Nix hit a few speed bumps out of the gate in his rookie year, then promptly settled in across the second half of the year as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks with 2,022 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 108.0 passer rating across his last eight games. Quarterback development in the NFL is rarely linear, but Nix sits in one of the cushiest situations in the league for any young QB. The Broncos’ ceiling will rise as high as his this year.

Inside Bo Nix’s quest to make Year 2 leap, propel Broncos into NFL’s elite: ‘He has that Tom Brady mindset’

Jarrett Stidham | 8

6-3, 215, 28, 6th season, Auburn

After helping curate some incredible vibes in the Broncos’ quarterback room last season, Denver brought Stidham back on a two-year deal in free agency. His number was only called for 14 snaps in 2025, but he’s shown the ability to be a capable fill-in.

Running back

J.K. Dobbins | 27

5-10, 212, 26, 6th season, Ohio State

The Broncos yanked Dobbins off the free-agent market in June, after his comeback nine-touchdown season with the division-rival Chargers in 2024. He’s never played a full NFL season, and his health is a constant question mark, but Dobbins has proven he can be one of the most productive running backs in the league when he’s on the field.

RJ Harvey | 37

5-8, 205, 24, Rookie, UCF

The Broncos were connected to several other backs in a deep NFL draft class. But Harvey was their George Paton-dubbed “pet cat” all along. A shifty runner who Sean Payton sees as a pass-catching threat, Harvey’s backfield role will rest on his ability to master veteran traits of ball security and pass protection.

Jaleel McLaughlin | 38

5-7, 187, 24, 3rd year, Youngstown State

After sneaky-heavy usage his second year under Payton, McLaughlin’s put on a bit more muscle entering his third year in Denver. If he’s able to capably pick up blitzes in pass-protection, he’ll continue to see a slice of the pie in a crowded running back room.

Wide Receiver

Courtland Sutton | 14

6-4, 216, 29, 8th season, Southern Methodist

With a new four-year extension and massive payday in tow, Denver lifer Sutton will look to build upon his chemistry with Nix after a career-best 2024 that saw him reel in 81 catches for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns.

Pat Bryant | 13

6-2, 204, 22, rookie, Illinois

After the Broncos traded Devaughn Vele before their final game of the preseason, the stage is clear for third-round rookie Bryant to make a big impact in his first year in Denver. He’s got steady hands, is a sure blocker, and is a threat over the middle.

Wide Receiver

Marvin Mims Jr. | 19

5-11, 182, 23, 3rd season, Oklahoma

The Broncos unlocked Mims’ potential as a receiver the back half of last year by … moving him to running back. In 2025, Mims should step in as the Broncos’ starter at the Z, while also flashing on a variety of creative routes out of the backfield. He could be in line for a big year.

Troy Franklin | 11

6-3, 180, 22, 2nd season, Oregon

Franklin endured a rocky rookie year in Denver, catching 28 passes for 263 yards while struggling to find the chemistry he and Nix displayed at Oregon. He’s put together a monster training camp, though, and could be Nix’s best option for taking the top off defenses in 2025.

Tight End

Evan Engram | 1

6-3, 240, 30, 9th season, Ole Miss

Payton searched for an ideal mismatch throughout his first two years in Denver, and he finally found one in Engram, a Pro Bowl tight end who signed with Denver on a two-year deal in free agency. Engram averaged 78 catches a year across a solid 2022, monster 2023 and injury-plagued 2024 with the Jaguars. The Broncos would be more than happy with that output this year.

Adam Trautman | 82

6-5, 253, 28, 6th season, Dayton

Payton’s trusty blocker extraordinaire is back. Trautman has played a key role in Denver’s offense for two years, and that shouldn’t change even with the arrival of Engram.

Left tackle

Garett Bolles | 72

6-5, 300, 33, 9th season, Utah

Even as he’s starting to creep up in age, Bolles put together one of his best NFL seasons in 2024 and earned a nice extension in December. One of the key keepers of the Broncos’ culture, Bolles is back to protect Nix’s blind side for the foreseeable future.

Matt Peart | 79

6-7, 318, 28, 6th season, UConn 

Peart proved himself a serviceable depth tackle in 2024 and re-upped with Denver at the start of free agency. He’s demonstrated a little guard flexibility in camp, too.