Patrick Surtain II has become the NFL’s face of elite defense, winning Defensive Player of the Year in just four seasons and already earning Pro Bowls and First-Team honors. Opponents rarely attack his side, yet when they do, Surtain often makes them pay, showcasing why he’s one of the sport’s premier pass defenders and a cornerstone for a Broncos unit that could finally contend.

The Denver defense is aided by Barron and Moss, who’ve emerged as versatile covers and playmakers, while Bo Nix’s leadership and growing comfort with Sean Payton’s system have Broncos fans buzzing about the offense’s ceiling. A key moment last season—a deep ball to Marvin Mims Jr. against Cincinnati—suggests the pass game can complement Denver’s lockdown backbone. PS2 remains a popular nickname tie-in, reflecting Surtain’s rising star power alongside Jokic’s city-wide basketball momentum. Meanwhile, the broader Denver debate includes Elway’s legacy and Jokic’s era-defining trajectory, underscoring a city-wide renaissance across multiple pro franchises. Nutrition and discipline, like his Muscle Milk routine, round out a profile built on steady progress and relentless work.

The Broncos’ second preseason game against Arizona brings a cautionary note on depth charts that are labeled unofficial but still guide fantasy angles. Denver’s QB rotation stays front and center as Bo Nix sits atop the depth chart with Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger backing him. In the backfield, a six-man committee hints at a possible four-man active roster, keeping rookies like Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime hungry for touches. At receiver, Courtland Sutton anchors a crowded group that features Marvin Mims and a path for Troy Franklin to carve out a role. Evan Engram is the clear top pass catcher, with Trautman and hybrid options shaping the TE landscape. The offensive line preserves its core, while the defense looks to Sai'vion Jones and Eyioma Uwazurike for pop in the trenches. This sets up intriguing late-summer pivots and contingent rosters for fantasy managers who ride the summer bandwagon and chase Week 2 production scenarios.

Payton’s preference to test rookies behind veterans keeps the door open for late-summer surprises, particularly in a game that doubles as a showcase for depth and special-teams players who could impact the 53-man cut. The Broncos’ Week 2 tilt will be as much about evaluating backups as about the starters, meaning fantasy players should watch how carries, targets, and special-teams roles shake out, rather than assuming the Week 1 blueprint carries over. In short, the Broncos offer a layered, rotating canvas where depth-chart nudges can create value bets and sleeper pivots into September rosters.

Overall, the Broncos’ unofficial depth chart signals a familiar 2024 theme: veterans get the first look, but rookies have the upside. For fantasy managers, that translates into buying opportunities on versatile backs with pass-game usage and a TE duo that could drift toward high-target weeks. Week 2 will illuminate who among Dobbins, McLaughlin, Estime, Badie, Watson, and the WRs lands in the most favorable game-planning spots, while Engram remains the anchor for Denver’s short-to-intermediate targets.

Denver’s NFL ascent hinges on Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton forming a formidable Week 1 connection, with Sutton praising Nix’s intellect and maturity as Chemistry blossoms into Year 2. Nix acknowledges sharper huddle operations and growing confidence, while Sutton concedes he underestimated his quarterback’s readiness. Pat Surtain II enters as a defensive force, pushing the Broncos’ high-floor option with a young, fast secondary compliment. Sean Payton frames the team around a Joker concept—elite receiving skills from a back or tight end—naming Travis Kelce and George Kittle as archetypes and hinting RJ Harvey’s potential to earn Joker wings. Payton is two-to-three wins from Parcells’ mark and stresses a culture of constant evolution. All four Broncos voices converge on a goal: push Denver into real playoff contention this fall, with a defense that has energy shifts and a new cadre of contributors ready to rise.

In the background, Payton’s Joker blueprint, Sutton’s confidence in Nix, and Surtain’s mentorship of coexisting rookies outline a strategic blend of offense and defense designed for the mid/late-season climb. The Broncos aim to turn camp chatter into on-field consistency, leveraging Sutton-Nix chemistry, Surtain’s elite coverage, and Payton’s veteran-laced leadership to maximize a potential breakout campaign for a defense that promises to lockdown, while an emergent Joker at RB/TE could turbocharge a balanced attack.

Denver’s open camp portion wrapped with a loud send-off after two-plus hours of Cardinals demos, setting the stage for a busy September slate. Bo Nix bounced back with decisive throws and movement, cutting past the week’s rough patch to thread passes through tight windows and connect with multiple targets, including Krull and Mims. Arizona’s Kyler Murray showed spark and quick decision-making in the live days, while Denver’s defense clamped down at times with McMillian and Barron drawing sprint-to-ball moments. Lucas Krull emerged as a notable Broncos target, while veteran leadership from Surtain II and a bevy of depth pieces hinted at a deeper, more competitive roster. The joint sessions underscored a coaching staff intent on fast-toward-tape improvement, with Payton’s praise highlighting a productive mismatch against a Cardinals squad eager to build cohesion for the preseason. The conversation after practice zigzags between clean-ups and playmakers as Denver tightens its rotation, eyes remaining on the August 23 finale in New Orleans and a defensive/receiving corps that could surprise fantasy rosters if roles solidify early.

In the run game, Denver found moments with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, while Bo Nix’s improved footwork and on-time delivery suggested a more stable pocket presence. Undrafted finds Jerjuan Newton and Joaquin Davis impressed with contested catches and competitive edge, bolstering depth at receiver. On defense, Ja’Quan McMillian and Pat Surtain II drew attention for takeaways and tight coverage, though consistency will hinge on film study. Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray flashed enough veteran timing to keep defenses honest, with Krull’s progress at tight end offering a potential mid-round surprise for Denver’s depth chart. The summit vibe between Manning, Murray, and Payton underlined the cross-pollination of West-based camps, a reminder that tape will drive the ladder of roster moves all through August.

Denver navigates a curvy preseason as Sean Payton wires back-to-back joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals, a setup that tests calendar discipline, installation pace and a coach’s obsession with routine. The Bay Area swing came with travel headaches, a hotel next to a jazz festival, and even a flight snag that forced an unplanned day off. Denver still won 30-9 over the 49ers, but Payton logged 14 notes he was pissed about after the trip, underscoring how minor logistics can ripple into practice and installation time. This week, Denver shifts toward a more typical cadence ahead of a finale against New Orleans, aiming to grind through fatigue and build season-long resilience. Fantasy angles hinge on how the Broncos manage reps and depth as Payton chases a cleaner install.

Pat Surtain II faces a meaningful test across from Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. in practice, a matchup that signals how Denver’s lockdown corners can handle top-level speed and route-running. With two joint sessions in the books, Denver is leaning into disciplined prep and smart installation into Week 1, not just the result of any single exhibition. The overarching goal: a sharper mental and physical edge that translates into more reliable defensive floors and a more cohesive offense as the Saints game orbit closes in. In fantasy, the macro focus remains depth, rotation and the potential for leaner starter usage in the second preseason game as Denver readies for the grind of the regular season.