Friday, December 25, 2020

Denver Broncos Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Denver Broncos rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 24.4 (25th)
  • Best ranking: 22nd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 26th (The Athletic)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Broncos in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 26

Wish: A smarter roster-building approach at quarterback. This year, John Elway put all his eggs in the Drew Lock basket. That was a mistake and one he can't afford to make again next season. It's not easy to get a Mahomes or a Wilson, but Elway's approach should be to take a bunch of swings and hope one connects. That might mean the draft, the trade market and/or free agency. There's actually a lot to like about the Broncos. The offensive line has improved. The pass catchers are exciting. And the defense can be good with better injury luck. But Denver needs to give itself a chance with better quarterback options.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

The defense has regressed in a big way. But there is a lot to like for next season.

USA Today -- Rank: 25

His turnover streak extended to a league-worst 10 consecutive games, QB Drew Lock may be playing himself out of a starting job in 2021.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Most underrated star: DE Shelby Harris

In a season in which the Broncos have four defensive starters on injured reserve, including Pro Bowl players such as Von Miller and Jurrell Casey, and a fifth defensive starter who has been suspended for the remainder of the season in A.J. Bouye, Harris has had to be a little of everything for the Broncos. He is tied for fourth among the league's defensive linemen in batted passes, with five, he is fourth on the team in sacks, with 2.5, and he is third in quarterback hits. That's all despite his missing three games because of COVID-19. Harris signed a one-year deal last offseason to return to the team and will be an unrestricted free agent in March. -- Jeff Legwold

NFL.com -- Rank: 25

The hope was that Drew Lock would build off his four-touchdown explosion in Week 14 against the Panthers and roll into the offseason with a strong finish to his second NFL campaign. Those hopes were deflated some in a 48-19 blowout by the Bills, who had their way with Lock for most of the afternoon. Lock lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and fired two passes into the hands of Buffalo defenders that were dropped. His final numbers were OK, but Lock was far from good. Of course, quarterback isn't the only issue facing Broncos GM John Elway this offseason: Denver's defense allowed more than 500 yards to the Bills. Another disappointing day in a disappointing season.

Previous update: Denver Broncos Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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