The Denver Broncos caught the NFL off guard in 2024. Coming off the disastrous Russell Wilson experiment, eating his massive cap hit just to ship him out of town, Sean Payton’s quick turnaround seemed unlikely. Then rookie Bo Nix stepped up, the offensive line gelled, and a dominant defense carried them to an unexpected playoff berth.
Now, expectations have shifted for 2025. Payton faces pressure to elevate the offense and compete with the powerhouse teams in the AFC West.
Which Starters Will See the Field Against the San Francisco 49ers?
Payton has consistently played his starters during preseason games, and this year won’t be different. The Broncos’ head coach believes in keeping his top players sharp, even after joint practices.
While the exact snap count remains unclear, Bo Nix and the first-team units on both sides of the ball will take the field Saturday. Despite facing the 49ers in Thursday’s joint practice, Payton has no reservations about putting his starters out there to shake off any rust.
Nix has impressed throughout training camp, earning high praise from Payton, who says the quarterback is “light years further along” in understanding the offense.
The second-year quarterback built an impressive foundation as a rookie. He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, threw 29 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, and posted a 93.3 passer rating.
He’s continuing to develop chemistry with Courtland Sutton while looking to get second-year receiver Devaughn Vele more involved. The 6’5″, 210-pound pass catcher possesses the physical tools and needs increased opportunities to showcase his abilities.
How Is the Denver Broncos’ Running Back Competition Developing?
J.K. Dobbins currently sits atop the depth chart as the starting running back, but rookie R.J. Harvey has generated significant buzz despite being listed fifth.
Dobbins will likely handle the first couple of series, but expect Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, Blake Watson, and Harvey to get meaningful touches against the 49ers. This backfield battle remains wide open.
Harvey has particularly caught fans’ attention with his explosive plays during camp. While Dobbins holds the top spot for now, Denver has a legitimate competition unfolding at the position.
Under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, the Broncos transformed their defense in 2024. They jumped from the 27th-ranked scoring defense in 2023 to third in 2024, leading the league in both sacks and expected points added.
The organization also added playoff-tested veterans in safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, bringing crucial postseason experience to the locker room.
With 14 of their top 15 players in defensive snaps returning, the Broncos boast one of the NFL’s most stable defensive units. How much playing time the starters receive Saturday remains Payton’s call, but based on his track record, they should see enough action to satisfy eager fans.
