The Broncos approach organized team activities next month with plenty to prove.<\/p>\n
Denver finished 14-3 last season and reached the AFC Championship Game. The team returns the majority of its roster from a year ago, plus a few critical newcomers. Here is a list of 10 Broncos with the most to prove entering the 2026 NFL season.<\/p>\n
LB Drew Sanders<\/p>\n
Sanders required season-ending surgery in training camp last year. It was a crushing blow for a promising young player \u2014 making the switch from outside to inside linebacker \u2014 who also suffered an Achilles injury during the 2024 offseason. Coach Sean Payton said that Sanders is \u201cin great shape\u201d and that we\u2019ll \u201cprobably see him more at the edge\u201d during the team\u2019s offseason program. Sanders is an under-the-radar difference-maker on defense.<\/p>\n
LG Ben Powers<\/p>\n
The Broncos recently handed out big contract extensions to multiple offensive linemen. But not Powers. He started every game of his first two seasons in Denver (2023-24) before missing nine games last year with a torn biceps. The Broncos flexed depth with Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski filling the gaps. It seems the Broncos are committed to keeping Powers in 2026, but his future beyond this season remains in doubt. His play might dictate what happens next.<\/p>\n
QB Jarrett Stidham<\/p>\n
Stidham did not get a storybook ending after being elevated to starting quarterback for the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos lost 10-7 to the Patriots with Stidham unable to overcome wintry conditions. Stidham enters a contract year as the established backup to Bo Nix. But for how much longer? He signed a two-year deal worth up to $12 million. It\u2019s possible that the Broncos might seek a cheaper (and younger) backup to help maximize other parts of the roster.<\/p>\n
WR Courtland Sutton<\/p>\n
Who is the No. 1 wide receiver in Denver? That debate started in March when the Broncos traded a first-round pick to acquire Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins. The move comes after Payton called out the position group for needing improvement in 2026. Sutton is the leader of that unit. He logged 1,017 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year. He also recorded eight drops. Adding Waddle to the mix should motivate Sutton to improve.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/102625-s-dg-season-opener-14-1024x478.jpg\")
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) celebrates a broken-up pass in the end zone to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the game against the Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2025. (Jerilee Bennett\/The Denver Gazette)<\/p>\n
CB Riley Moss<\/p>\n
Moss faced the most targets in coverage (116) last season, per Next Gen Stats. Such is life playing across from cornerback Pat Surtain. Yet Moss held his own, allowing a completion percentage of 53.4% \u2014 tied for the 11th-lowest among 61 outside cornerbacks with at least 50 targets. It wasn\u2019t all roses, though, with Moss often targeted on deep receptions or being called for defensive pass interference. He must find a balance or risk being replaced as a starter.<\/p>\n
QB Bo Nix<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to determine where Nix belongs on this list. He\u2019s got nothing to prove after leading Denver to a division title and the No. 1 AFC playoff seed. The Broncos found their franchise quarterback. The flip side? You can\u2019t ignore the ankle injury that derailed his playoff run and the lengthening of his estimated return timeline. The Broncos are confident Nix will be full-go for the start of training camp in July. He needs to show up healthy to erase all doubts.<\/p>\n
TE Evan Engram<\/p>\n
The hype didn\u2019t match the production in the first year with Engram in Denver. He managed to snag 50 catches for 461 yards. He scored a single touchdown. Engram also played on just 42% of all offensive snaps \u2014 the lowest percentage of his eight-year NFL career. The Broncos also selected two tight ends in the NFL draft. Engram, 31, has the skill set to be a valuable weapon for Nix. But he must prove his worth in a crowded position room.<\/p>\n
CB Jahdae Barron<\/p>\n
Barron is a first-round pick who played on 30% of total defensive snaps as a rookie. But is he simply a victim of circumstance? The No. 20 overall pick joined a stacked secondary that lacked major holes. Barron played in a variety of roles, although sparingly, to build his NFL skill set. He flashed elite open-field tackling and coverage at times. Expectations will be raised in his second season no matter who else is on the depth chart. Barron needs improvement.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25316764807929-1024x683.jpg\")
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) runs against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL game Nov. 6 in Denver. (The Associated Press)<\/p>\n
RB J.K. Dobbins<\/p>\n
Dobbins disputed his reputation as being \u201cinjury prone\u201d in an October interview. He suffered a season-ending foot injury one month later. A brutal turn of events for the otherwise stellar running back. The Broncos re-signed Dobbins on a two-year contract last month as a vote of confidence that he will stay healthy this season. But drafting running back Jonah Coleman in the fourth round suggests his job as the lead running back is not guaranteed.<\/p>\n
OLB Nik Bonitto<\/p>\n
Bonitto had a legitimate NFL Defensive Player of the Year case after Week 6 last season. He recorded eight sacks and 16 quarterback hits. But the rising star fell off over the final 11 games. He had only six sacks and 12 QB hits over that span. Bonitto, 26, has scratched the surface for his potential as an elite NFL edge rusher. He must find ways to produce despite increased attention from opposing teams. Will it happen in 2026? Stay tuned.<\/p>\n
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