Wide Receiver
The Broncos desperately need help at wide receiver, for the love of Tebow! Demaryius Thomas broke out in the 2nd half of last season and showed great chemistry with Tebow, but Eric Decker shouldn’t be anything other than a depth receiver. They need a complimentary starter opposite Thomas.
Offensive Tackle
Phil Simms said the Broncos had one of the best offensive lines in the league (in the same game where the Patriots abused the Broncos offensive line and eliminated them from the playoffs). Simms is an idiot. ProFootballFocus ranked the group as the 8th worst pass blocking group and by far the worst run blocking group. Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin were both overmatched at their current positions. Clady allowed 6 sacks and 34 pressures, while committing 12 penalties on the left side. He hasn’t been the same since Mike Shanahan left. Meanwhile, right tackle Orlando Franklin allowed 7 sacks, 31 pressures, and 6 penalties. The rookie 2nd rounder was also looked at as a guard coming out of Miami and should be moved there long term, where the Broncos also have a need. Ideally, the Broncos would get a new left tackle and move Clady to right tackle and Franklin to guard, but in a weak left tackle class with the 25th overall pick, that’s not likely. They’ll have to settle for a new right tackle at best. They may also go into next season with Clady and Franklin as the starters.
Guard
Make this two guards if Franklin stays at right tackle, both Chris Kuper and Zane Beadles really struggled as run blockers and Beadles was awful as a pass protector as well, allowing 7 sacks, 36 pressures, and 7 penalties. He had the most sacks and pressures allowed of any guard in the league. At the very least, they need to replace him.
Center
As bad as Beadles is, ProFootballFocus actually rated center JD Walton as their worst offensive player. He was rated as by far the worst center in the league. He also graded out as the worst run blocking offensive lineman in the league, regardless of position. He’s a player they absolutely have to replace.
Defensive Tackle
I didn’t agree with them taking Von Miller over Marcell Dareus (oops?), but they had him graded as the better player so that makes some sense. What doesn’t make any sense is that they didn’t spend a single draft pick on a defensive tackle last season when it was their biggest need. The Broncos weren’t bad against the run, but they couldn’t get any pass rush whatsoever from the inside of their defensive line. Neither of their two starting defensive tackles got a sack all season (Brodrick Bunkley and Marcus Thomas) and none of the depth guys were much better. Besides, both Bunkley and Thomas are free agents.
Running Back
Willis McGahee turns 31 next season. Knowshon Moreno can’t stay healthy. Lance Ball sucks. The Broncos have such as a run heavy offense and John Fox is used to having 2 good running backs, so they could spend a pick on this fairly early if they value makes sense.
Cornerback
Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman both turn 34 this offseason. Chris Harris had a good rookie year as a depth cornerback, but they could use another young cornerback in the mix.
Tight End
The Broncos took two developmental tight ends last season, but neither of them did anything this season. Daniel Fells led all tight ends with 19 receptions. If they aren’t pleased with the development for Julius Thomas or Virgil Green, they could find another tight end because they really need a new starter at the position for 2012. Tebow needs a reliable safety net.
Quarterback
Tim Tebow is going into 2012 as the starter and rightfully so. However, he’s no guarantee going forward so they need a better backup for him than Brady Quinn, just in case. Look for them to look at veterans like Rex Grossman and Jason Campbell in free agency. By the way, take a look at all the needs the Broncos have, especially on offense, and tell me Tebow didn’t do an awesome job just getting them to the playoffs.
Middle Linebacker
Both of their middle linebackers, Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard, are free agents so they could need depth depending on what happens there.
Football Fan Spot 