What the Denver Broncos must do this offseason to get better in 2025

With their loss to the Buffalo Bills in their AFC Wild Card matchup, the Denver Broncos’ season is officially over. Here is what they can do to get better in 2025.

The Denver Broncos season ended on a low note with their blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. It certainly wasn’t the result Broncos Country, or the team were hoping for. Overall, I’d still consider their overall efforts this season to be a success. They accomplished a lot of things to be proud of.

We saw a lot of positives that should carry over into next season. However, we were also witness to several big issues that need to be fixed. With the curtains closed on the Broncos’ season, it’s now time to start focusing on the offseason and how the team can get better in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here are a few things I would like the Broncos to accomplish this offseason to make them more competitive next season.

The Broncos need to snag themselves a top-tier running back in the 2025 NFL Draft

If we noticed anything in several of the playoff games thus far over Wild Card Weekend, it is that having a formidable rushing attack like the Bills and Baltimore Ravens sported is essential for success in the postseason.

If there was big criticism or concern with the Broncos’ offensive endeavors in 2024 it would be their lack of a run game. They ranked in the middle of the league by gaining 1,908 yards in the regular season and 112.2 yard per game average. However, their longest run of the season was just 43-yards, and they were not very consistent in this respect at all. Moreover, team didn’t sport a 100-yard rusher all season long and 12 rushing touchdowns on the ground was one of the worst marks in the National Football League.

I’m not convinced that Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, or Blake Watson are number one backs moving forward. It’s also hard to envision the team bringing back Javonte Williams after his performance this season. The aforementioned are reasons why I’ve argued the team needs to make a splash at the running back position in the 2025 NFL Draft. There is no shortage of talent at the position and quite frankly, I’d wouldn’t be against them double-dipping at the position group.

Making a splash doesn’t necessarily mean using a first-round pick, but Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty would be a fantastic addition to the offense. I don’t believe North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson will be too far behind the Heisman Trophy runner-up on most draft boards either.

While I don’t believe most fans would like a Top 20 pick on a back, finding one in the Top 50 who can immediately get the majority of the reps at the position is an absolute must. The longer the Broncos wait to address the need in the draft, their chances of getting a rookie year difference maker wane.

Find Bo Nix more friends and acquire upgrades at both tight end and receiver

The Broncos had a lot of young players make contributions on offense this past season. Bo Nix was tremendous as a rookie and his future looks incredibly bright. And after a nice late season stretch, I’m definitely looking forward to Marvin Mims Jr. getting more looks next year.

However, I do have some concerns with the overall quality of talent at the wide receiver position. There is no reason to throw in the towel on Troy Franklin or Devaughn Vele. It takes time for most receivers to hit their stride. But I’m certainly not against Denver going all-in on a player like Tee Higgins in free agency if he is available. My preference here for an upgrade here would be finding a veteran with proven ability in the league. Perhaps they could lure one away in a trade if they miss out on Higgins since free agency doesn’t offer many top options.

Denver also has to upgrade their tight end group. Their production totals were among the worst in the league and the Broncos not having a reliable safety valve there certainly hurt the offense’s efficiency on key downs. Thankfully, this is a great year for tight ends in the draft and I’m confident Denver gets one. Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland will be in the first-round mix, but a bevvy off prospects will be there on Day 2 who would provide the Broncos with a much-needed talent boost at the position.

Revamping and upgrading their defensive front seven should be a priority

The Broncos’ defense did a pretty good job for most of the season. It was light years better than their ‘23 efforts and I give Vance Joseph and his staff a lot of credit. Even so, there is no doubt their play trended downward in the final quarter of the season. In today’s game, the Bills dominated the line of scrimmage and their offensive line mauled Denver’s defensive front to the tune over 200-yards rushing.

Zach Allen had an All-Pro season, and the additions of Malcom Roach and Jonathan Franklin-Myers helped the team improve drastically. However, D.J. Jones is a free agent and all three of the aforementioned are on the last years of their contracts in ‘25. Investing in the trenches is always a sound football decision.

With one of their first three selections in April’s draft, I would love to see the Broncos invest in a highly talented defensive lineman who can see snaps right away as a rookie. A potential first-round target who could see meaningful snaps right away is Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams.

Additionally, the Broncos are slated to only have Alex Singleton. Drew Sanders, and Levelle Bailey as options at linebacker next season. Both Justin Strnad and Cody Barton are free agents. While it’s certainly possible one of those two come back next year, I would be surprised if the Broncos didn’t try and make a splash here in free agency. Nick Bolton, Ernest Jones, Zack Baun, Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker are options to consider.

What do you think, Broncos Country? What things do you believe the Broncos must do in order to get better in 2025? Give me your top offseason priorities in the comments section!