Before the Denver Broncos even reported to training camp in 2007, they were already dealing with major adversity. Unfortunately, starting corner back Darrent Williams was shot outside of a Denver nightclub and just six weeks later running back Damien Nash collapsed and died during a charity basketball event. 

Despite the tragic losses, the Broncos still had high hopes of making it to the postseason for the third time in the past 4 seasons. They went out and signed Travis Henry in attempt to beef up the running game, had started to groom quarterback Jay Cutler at the end of 2006 and added Dre’ Bly and Sam Adams to bolster the defense.  However, outside of the emergence of wide receiver Brandon Marshall (102 receptions, 1,325 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns) and the growth of Cutler (3,497 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns), things didn’t go well for the Broncos. After a 2-0 start, the Broncos dropped five of their next 6 games, had to deal with Henry’s legal problems, and finished with a 7-9 overall record. From a fantasy football standpoint, both Cutler and Marshall finished in the top 12 at their positions, and so did second year tight end Tony Scheffler. Despite missing the first four games, Scheffler finished the season with 49 receptions, 549 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns and should be primed for a big 2008 campaign.

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Key Departures

Travis Henry (RB) – One could only imagine just how much the Denver Broncos franchise regrets signing Travis Henry.  He was supposed to come into “Mile High” and become the next big time running back in the Broncos storied history. Instead, before the season started, it was discovered that Henry had 9 children and was chronic marijuana addiction.  To go along with all the extra baggage, Henry had a nagging knee injury, failed a drug test during the middle of the season and finished with just 691 rushing yards in 12 games played.  Finally, the Broncos had enough of Henry and decided to cut ties with him on June 2nd, ending his short stint in Denver.

Javon Walker (WR) – Like Henry, Javon Walker never really found his groove as a member of the Denver Broncos.  He enjoyed a find 2006 season, and was primed to be a top 15 wide receiver heading into the 2007 fantasy football season, but multiple right knee injuries but a damper to his season. All in all, Walker finished with just 26 receptions for 287 receiving yards and failed to find pay dirt. In March, the Broncos decided to part ways with Walker, and he somehow signed a ludicrous six-year, $55 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.  Now if that’s not highway robbery, than the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff doesn’t know what is.

Rod Smith (WR) – People are probably wondering what ever happened to Mr. Smith.  Well, after spending all of last season on the injured reserve, it appears that Smith will call it quits. When it is all said and done, Smith is the best receiver ever to wear a Broncos uniform. In his 13 years career, Smith has   849 receptions, 11,389 receiving yards and 85 receiving touchdowns.  Not only are those numbers Hall of Fame worthy, for almost a decade Smith was one of the best fantasy football wide receivers around.

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Key Additions

Michael Pittman (RB) – If you think Pittman was brought in to Denver to mold the young running backs, you are wrong.  Head Coach Mike Shanahan (the man who loves to play fantasy games) is having an open competition for the starting job in training camp and is determined to play the running back who gives the team the best chance to win. In all likelihood, Pittman will lose the job to Selvin Young, but serve as the team’s third-down option. Still, with this signing, the Broncos add leadership, great intangibles and a much needed veteran to a backfield full of youngsters. 

Darrell Jackson (WR) – After releasing Javon Walker, the Broncos decided to add a proven veteran to their receiving corps in Jackson. However, if Jackson’s ‘07 season is any indication of how he will perform in ’08, you Broncos fans could be in for a long year. As a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Jackson caught just 46 receptions for 497 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.  Overall, the Broncos addressed a need by adding much needed depth at the wide receiver position.

Keary Colbert (WR) – Colbert has spent the past four years as a member of the Carolina Panthers, and at times showed glimpses of becoming a productive NFL wide receiver. With a change of uniform, the Denver Broncos hope Colbert can forget about his inconsistent play and become the deep threat that came with his name when he entered the league in 2004. We all know Cutler has the arm strength to throw him the deep ball, but the question is will Colbert see enough targets to be fantasy football worthy?

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2008 Bruno Boys Crystal Ball

Jay Cutler (QB) – In his first two NFL seasons, Cutler has thrown for 4,498 yards and 29 touchdowns in 21 total games and showed great signs of progression from 2006 to 2007, as he completed almost 64 percent of his passes last season.  Entering his third season (2nd full season) as the Broncos starting quarterback, the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff feel Cutler is primed for a breakout year in 2008. When the 2008 Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets come out later in the month, Cutler will rank as a top 10 quarterback and should be able to continue his progression towards one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. Even with the loss of Javon Walker, it is safe to predict that Cutler will approach 3,800-3,900 passing yards and hover around the 23-25 passing touchdown range. Big Predictions; Yes, but Cutler has a big time arm and in the eyes of the Bruno Boys, is a big time player.

Selvin Young (RB) – When you are the running back in a Mike Shanahan offense, if given sufficient touches, you have the potential have quite an impressive season. With the Broncos releasing trouble making Travis Henry, it looks like Young will get the first shot to be the primary ball carrier in Denver. If Young can take advantage of the opportunity and prove to Shanahan that he is an every down back, he could very well be the fantasy football surprise pick of 2008. If not, we all know that the Broncos will use an abundance of running backs in attempt to keep opposing defense's off guard. It is still early to make a dead lock projection on Young, but it hasn't been since the 2003 season that the Broncos haven't used some type of running back by committee approach.

Andre Hall (RB) – In 2007, which was Hall's rookie season, he saw limited action but still managed to rush for 216 yards on just 44 carries.  The highlight of his season came in week 12 when Hall was forced into an emergency start. He finished the game with 167 total yards and a touchdown and proved to the Broncos coaching staff that despite being an undrafted free agent signee, he could get the job done in the NFL. With training camp right around the corner, Hall heads into camp battling for playing time with Young, Michael Pittman and rookie running back Ryan Torain. It is evident that the backfield is crowded in Denver, so it wouldn't be wise to draft Hall, but keep an eye on his touches throughout the preseason, because you just never know what Shanahan has in store for us fantasy football owners.

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Other Team Capsules

NFC WEST -   ARI I STL I SF I SEA

NFC SOUTH - ATL I CAR I NO I TB

NFC NORTH - CHI I DET I GB I MIN

NFC EAST -    DAL I NYG I PHI I WAS

AFC WEST -   DEN I KC I OAK I SD

AFC SOUTH - HOU I IND I JAX I TEN

AFC NORTH - BAL I CIN I CLE I PIT

AFC EAST -    BUF I MIA I NE I NYJ