Denver opened with a 97-yard barrage that set the tone in a 27-7 win over Arizona, showing off a fast, high-variance attack that piled up chunk plays and kept the sticks moving. The Broncos’ first-half rhythm produced multiple big gains and a late 88-yard drive, capped by Jarrett Stidham’s efficient leadership and help from Troy Franklin on key catches.

Arizona answered with a 7-minute TD march, but Denver answered back with a flurry of 15-yard-plus plays and a defense that limited scoring opportunities. Levelle Bailey stood out in coverage, yielding just nine yards on 20 snaps, while Karene Reid and Jordan Turner were active contributors in the win. The box score underscored Denver’s edge in explosiveness (15 plays of 15+ yards to Arizona’s two) and the game’s overall tone was set by the Broncos’ big-play ability and pace.

PFF graders will finalize grades after tomorrow’s review, but the early read points to a Broncos club that can string together efficient drives and turn offenses into points with quick, decisive plays. Bailey’s coverage, combined with Franklin’s downfield impact, positions Denver as a dangerous matchup as they build out their offensive identity around pace and big plays.

The Broncos rolled with Jarrett Stidham in the exhibition win over Arizona, cruising to a 27-7 victory. Stidham finished 16 of 23 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, directing Denver through a sharp opening drive that featured Evan Engram and rookie Pat Bryant on the highlights. RJ Harvey punched in Denver’s first TD, while Troy Franklin added a late score to seal the margin. Will Lutz provided three field goals, with the defense bending but mostly bending-less in the second half. Broncos injuries to Nick Gargiulo and Garrett Wilson were noted as they head toward the finale against New Orleans.

Arizona answered early but stagnated after the opening sequence, with Jacoby Brissett tossing a 16-yard TD to Simi Fehoko before Tune took over and Denver extended the lead behind continued big plays from Franklin and Fehoko. The night showcased Denver’s depth at skill positions and a QB competition under Payton’s watch, while the Cardinals evaluated Tune and the young pass catchers. A strong preseason push leaves fantasy managers eyeing expanding roles for the Broncos’ playmakers as the regular season approaches.

Stidham connected twice with Troy Franklin for Denver, first on a 27 yard TD and then a 17 yard strike late in the second, pushing the Broncos to a 24-7 halftime edge over Arizona. The quarterback finished the opening half 14 of 20 for 228 yards with two touchdowns, demonstrating accuracy and rhythm on both shorter and intermediate routes. Franklin showed big play ability in both catches, hinting at a budding chemistry that could unlock Denver’s aerial attack in fantasy lineups.

This two TD moment for Franklin and Stidham creates a clear fantasy storyline: a Broncos passing game that looks efficient and capable of producing volume targets, with Franklin emerging as a must-watch flex upside if the connection continues. If Denver sticks with this rhythm, Stidham and Franklin could become viable streamer options, while the rest of the offense will impact weekly projections as the season unfolds.

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.