We’re only a few days away from the Denver Broncos season opener, and followers are actually enthusiastic about what’s to return this season.
New possession, a brand new teaching employees, a brand new quarterback who was just extended, and a few new faces on the roster, together with a strong core returning, give Broncos Nation loads of cause for optimism going into the 2022 season.
With every new season, in fact, come predictions. There are those that are predicting a sure variety of wins for the Broncos, a playoff journey, even perhaps a Tremendous Bowl run.
However there are different objects we are able to have enjoyable predicting, and we are able to go daring with them. Listed below are my daring predictions about sure Broncos gamers for the 2022 season.
Who is aware of? Perhaps one or two will come true.
1. Russell Wilson Can be a Prime-3 MVP Candidate
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Wilson has had an ideal profession to date and he’ll be approaching a few milestones this season, these being 300 landing passes and 40,000 yards passing for his profession.
However whereas Wilson has 10 Professional Bowl nods previously 11 seasons, he is by no means received the MVP award. Here is betting that Wilson reaches new heights, to the purpose that he’ll be a critical candidate and end in not less than the top-3 in voting.
2. Javonte Williams Will Rating at Least 10 TDs
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Final season, Williams averaged 4.4 yards per carry, and scored 4 speeding touchdowns, plus he had three receiving scores. It is anticipated he’ll be even higher this season, as he takes over as the first again.
Here is betting that Williams hits double-digit touchdowns this season. He may additionally threaten to interrupt the 1,000-yard speeding mark, however 10 touchdowns, speeding and receiving mixed, looks like wager.
3. Jerry Jeudy Will Break Out with 80-Plus Catches
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Jeudy was focused 113 occasions as a rookie however caught simply 52 passes. Between drops and ineffective quarterback play, he was unable to reap the benefits of these targets.
Nevertheless, higher quarterback play plus enchancment from Jeudy himself may translate to extra receptions, so long as he stays wholesome. Let’s wager on him surpassing 80 catches this season.
4. Bradley Chubb Hits Double-Digit Sacks
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Chubb’s 2021 season was a disappointment and he’ll have lots to show this season, notably as he enters the ultimate yr of his first-round draft choose contract.
Nevertheless, we have seen Chubb hit double-digit sacks earlier than when he was a rookie, and he wasn’t removed from that in 2020 when he bought his first Professional Bowl nod. A wholesome Chubb, together with extra gamers who can create stress, ought to imply a 10-sack season is not out of the query.
5. Patrick Surtain II Doubles his Interceptions
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Surtain confirmed plenty of promise as a rookie, breaking apart 14 passes and intercepting 4. I anticipate him to be in line for much more interceptions this season.
It might be troublesome for Surtain to method, say, Trevon Diggs’ 14 picks final yr, as a result of groups could also be extra reluctant to focus on Surtain. However they could goal him sufficient for Surtain to succeed in eight picks.
6. Broncos’ Particular Groups Finishes Prime-16
For the previous few years, the Broncos have been among the many worst at particular groups, rating within the backside 5, per Soccer Outsiders‘ DVOA. Wager on that altering this yr.
Between a bona fide return man in Montrell Washington, higher teaching from coordinator Dwayne Stukes, and gamers who ought to do extra to comprise opponents, the Broncos ought to be in line to be within the high half of the league on particular groups. That may undoubtedly be fairly a turnaround.
Justin Simmons has been one of many high safeties within the NFL and has a Professional Bowl bid to his credit score. Sadly, as a result of he has performed on a group that is been one of many league’s worst, All-Professional voters have not appeared his route within the first-team voting, although he has earned second-team honors twice (2019, 2021).
However with the Broncos in line to be a playoff contender, that ought to get extra voters to concentrate. I am betting Simmons performs at a excessive stage, to the purpose that voters have to provide him a first-team All-Professional nod for the primary time in his profession.
