2020 Broncos' Season, Offensive Weapons Added

The end of the first week of Free Agency brought a couple more signings for the Broncos' offense. This was also accompanied by news the team will take a beat after this before looking at more free agents following the 2020 draft.

The Draft will begin on April 23, and will be held virtually by studio. It's going to be a strange situation, but at least the draft will progress on the original timeline. It feels weird to think that's a month from now, and what our world might be like. But until we get there, it's nice to have the distraction of football.

It's been a big off-season for running backs. David Johnson was dealt from Arizona to Houston, and Todd Gurley was released by the Rams. He landed with a one-year prove it deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile Melvin Gordon, previously with the Los Angeles Chargers, bet on himself last season. He held out for a month of the regular season, but didn't get a new contract offer. And the Chargers moved quickly to re-sign Austin Ekeler this off-season, letting Gordon go.

While former Broncos' corner Chris Harris, Jr., signed with the Chargers, the Broncos returned the favor on Friday by snatching up Gordon. He signed a two-year deal, in figures to be a big part of the Broncos' offense.

The first question is what about Phillip Lindsay? But the Broncos made clear he's still a big part of the plan, and that would make sense seeing as how Gordon split the load with Ekeler for the Chargers. That would likely mean Royce Freeman, the Broncos' other third-year back, and the one that came with a third round draft slot, is likely the odd man out. Whether that means he gets a trade, or just moves to more of a bench role similar to what happened with Devontae Booker remains to be seen.

Gordon has been a weapon for the Chargers, and that's what the Broncos are hoping to see in 2020. But it's good he's splitting the load, too, as he's struggled with durability in his career. In five years with the Chargers he's only played 16 games once, though last year his missed games were due to a hold out. He has 4,240 yards and 36 rushing TDs in those five seasons. An under-rated aspect of his game is as a receiver out of the backfield, where he has caught 41 or more passes in four of his five professional seasons.

But Lindsay is no slough, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and catching 35 passes in each of his first two professional seasons. And last year, Lindsay played in all 16 games after missing the finale in his rookie season. While his yards per carry slipped in 2019, that was true of the offense in general.

Last year Lindsay was one half of the one-two punch at running back. Royce Freeman rushed for 496 yards and added 43 receptions. The hope is that Gordon can best that, and I think he will. That will also, likely, take a bite out of Lindsay's production. Lindsay had 192 carries in 2018 and 224 in 2019. It's likely that his carries will drop to the 150-170 range. Last year Gordon had 162 carries, while Ekeler had 132. Lindsay is a better runner than Ekeler, but isn't as prolific a pass receiver, or hasn't been. So it will take some time to see how the split works there, or if it tilts more strongly toward Gordon.

The other offensive signing the Broncos made was tight end Nick Vannett. He was signed to a two-year deal. With Noah Fant going into year two, this might seem curious. It's likely, however, Vannett will be a big part of the blocking effort. Also, with the Broncos moving on from full back Andy Janovich into a scheme that doesn't use a fullback, it's likely tight ends will be more involved.

Still, the Broncos have many tight ends now. In addition to Fant and Vannett, the team has Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt, Troy Fumagali, Andrew Beck, Austin Fort and Bug Howard under contract. They won't all likely stay, and the question is who will make the cut.

Fant is a lock, as I'd assume is Vannett. Fumagli and Butt are still on rookie deals, the question is just if they fit the needs. Beck is also a capable blocker, and I'd wager he's part of the plans at the position. The signing of Vannett actually makes me think Heuerman, who would produce just a cap his of $500,000 if released, the odd man out. That's a question likely answered closer to the season.

For now, it will be interesting to see where the Broncos go in the draft, and what holes are left coming out of it.