Denver Broncos fantasy preview

Warren Sharp’s Strength of Schedule: Similar to Cleveland, Warren Sharp projects the Broncos to have a complex schedule. Although projected to face the 7th-easiest offensive schedule overall, they face 9th-hardest run-defense schedule.

Must Draft

New OC Rich Scangarello will attempt to install the famed Shanahan run game in Denver this year, after serving under Kyle Shanahan in 2015 as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive quality control coach and 2017-2018 as the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterbacks coach. This means Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay are in for some heavy lifting in 2019. There appears to be a changing of the guard though. Scangarello has repeatedly talked up Freeman as the favorite operate as the lead back this year, a stark contrast from 2018. Establish The Run’s Evan Silva has repeatedly referenced Scangarello’s declaration the Royce will assume the Devonta Freeman role while Lindsay takes on Tevin Coleman’s, of 2015. Both belong on fantasy rosters but savvy drafters should target the Freeman, going multiple rounds after his expected second-fiddle.

Update 9/1/19: A previously overlooked aspect of the running game — not only with Rich Scangarello be bringing his Shanahan-smarts to Denver, he’ll be pairing that with the wisdom of newly-acquired offensive line guru Mike Munchak.

Good Values

N/A

Monitor

Emmanuel Sanders’ remarkable recovery from a ruptured Achilles throws the Broncos receiving corps into foggy territory. DaeSean Hamilton had been slated to takeover as the team’s slot receiver, and de facto No. 1 passing game option. Courtland Sutton offers uncontested work on the outside while Noah Fant and Jeff Heuerman battle for pass catching work at tight end. Drafters might consider snagging Hamilton late in drafts as a shrewd wait-and-see approach to a possible Sanders’ reinjury.

Avoid

Joe Flacco and Drew Lock. Tim Patrick would be an excellent weapon on another team.