Denver

Broncos

Meinerz, nicknamed “The Belly”, is a 2021 third-rounder who is now one of the top-five paid guards in the NFL. The extension includes $45 million guaranteed with $24 million in the first year of the deal. At 25-years-old, Meinerz has started every game he has played each of the last two seasons. Last season, he allowed just two sacks and posted an 83.7 PFF grade, ranking as one of the top run blockers in the league. Meinerz is now locked in for the future of the Broncos offensive line at right guard.

The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider writes that Estimé is expected to push Javonte Williams for the starting job in camp. Estimé, who was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round of this year’s draft, is a 5-foot-11, 233-pound bruiser who averaged 6.2 YPC in his three seasons at Notre Dame. Despite missing much of the team’s offseason programs, Kosmider believes he’ll have a chance to unseat Williams, the incumbent, who is a second year removed from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2022 season. Williams averaged just 3.6 YPC last season while totaling 1,002 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns, but he should still find a role in Payton’s offense — even if it’s a reduced one. We’ll see how things play out in camp, but it will likely take an impressive performance from Estimé for him to be viewed as the Week 1 starter.

It is assumed that Nix will take over the offense in Denver either this season or next after he was taken with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Whether or not that happens during his rookie season remains to be seen, but reports continue to flood in stating that the first-year quarterback has impressed his new coaching staff as camp nears. Head coach Sean Payton has specifically called out Nix’s composure in the pocket, understanding of the playbook, and quick release. Working against the rookie is the fact that Payton has yet to develop a young quarterback throughout his coaching career, although that trend could change as early as this year. Expect Nix to continue to battle fellow quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson through camp and preseason.

Patrick is working his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered in training camp last season. The year before, Patrick saw his 2022 come to an end due to a torn ACL. The veteran receiver is set to enter his eighth season with the Broncos, but hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2021. Patrick caught 53 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns in his last year of play, but his status with the team heading into this season remains very much up in the air. Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, Patrick probably won’t see a significant role as long as the guys ahead of him are healthy.

The report is via Broncos insider Mike Klis. Shaw stepped away from Stanford after the 2022 season and interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Chargers and Titans this offseason. Shaw has spent time in the NFL with the Eagles, Raiders, and Ravens but will now take up a front-office position with the Broncos. It’s his first NFL gig since 2005 but it is a good foot in the door for a guy who appears interested in re-joining the pro ranks.

Tillman just finished the season with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. Tillman led the Stallions’ 2024 championship defensive line in pass rushing snaps (343), pass-rush productivity (9.5) and pass-rush win rate (23.9%) while ranking top-two positionally among UFL EDGE defenders with at least 100 pass rushing snaps. He joins a needy Broncos pass rush unit, which ranked 21st among NFL teams in quarterback pressure rate (33.3%). The contract includes a $10,000 signing bonus.

Surtain is entering his fourth season as a pro and is coming off arguably his worst year. The former No. 9 overall pick earned a PFF coverage grade of 64.7 last season while allowing 56 receptions for 701 yards and three touchdowns. It was the most receptions and yards he had ever allowed in a season, while opposing quarterbacks also enjoyed a 93.9 passer rating when targeting the Broncos’ CB1. The bill will soon come due for Surtain, who had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this offseason. While it’s possible he will play out this season without an extension, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him ink a new deal next offseason if the Broncos view him as part of their long-term plans.

Smith appeared in 11 games for the Falcons last season, totaling 19 tackles. The veteran linebacker has played in 62 career games since entering the league as a seventh-round pick in 2018 and has just one career start to his name. If he makes the Broncos’ 53-man roster, it will likely be as a contributor on special teams.

Despite reporting for mandatory minicamp this week, Sutton was unwilling to commit to reporting for Broncos training camp next month. The veteran receiver is still in search of a new contract and reiterated his desire to stay with the team, saying, “This is where I want to go hoist the Lombardi Trophy. This is the place where I want to retire.” Sutton, 28, caught 59 passes for 772 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns last season. He hasn’t totaled more than 829 yards since 2019 but remains a reliable threat on the outside, averaging 13.3 YPR over the last four years. He’s reportedly seeking between $15-$16 million per season on a new deal, but there’s been little word on whether the Broncos are looking to extend him at this time. Sutton doesn’t project as much more than a fringe WR3/WR4 in PPR leagues this season.

It’s been a strange offseason for Sutton, who was the subject of trade rumors at one point but is now expected to remain with the team. The veteran receiver, who totaled 59 receptions for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, is in search of a new contract and skipped voluntary OTAs last month. Whether a new contract comes his way is to yet to be determined, but it’s possible the Broncos prefer he play out the rest of his deal and they’ll decide next offseason whether they’re interested in re-upping with him on a new deal. Sutton is expected to open this season as the Broncos’ WR1, but emerging youngsters like Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin could challenge him for targets down the line.