Three Broncos players who need to get off to a fast start in Week 1

Few people in the NFL have high expectations for the Denver Broncos this season. Only the Patriots have a lower projected win total, but there is a quiet optimism within the Broncos organization and among fans that this season could be the start of something special.

Much of that optimism comes from the preseason performance of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who easily earned the starting spot over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix was hand-picked by head coach Sean Payton with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft, and while the rest of the league collectively raised eyebrows at the early selection of a player many teams projected to be a second-round pick, Nix’s command of the offense has silenced skeptics… for now.

Of course, preseason performances mean little when the games start to count, and with Week 1 approaching, Nix’s true day of reckoning is almost here. But he’s not the only Bronco with a lot to prove, as the roster looks much different on both ends of the court than it did a year ago.

The NFL schedules have not benefited the Broncos at the start of the season, as they will begin their season with a trip to the hostile Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks and 12th Man. Which players need to get going quickly if the Broncos want to pull off an upset? Let’s take a look.

Just because it’s obvious doesn’t make it any less true. Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and ultimately the Broncos will go wherever their rookie QB takes them.

The test for Nix in Week 1 is huge for a number of reasons. First, he’ll be playing in a notoriously loud, hostile away environment. He can’t afford to take plays from a veteran center, as former backup Luke Wattenberg, who is in his third year, has taken over from reliable Lloyd Cushenberry III, who signed a $50 million free agent deal with the Titans.

New Seattle coach Mike Macdonald is one of the most respected defensive minds in the game. His tenure as Ravens defensive coordinator was marked by aggressive, powerful but fundamentally sound play, and with pass rushers like Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II in the offense, Macdonald has the weapons to get to Nix and force him into mistakes.

Nix won’t have to do it all by himself. Denver will certainly rely on the running skills of Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin to get their young quarterback into a rhythm, which could open up play-action opportunities, an area where Nix really excelled at Oregon.

Nix set the single-season record for pass percentage in his final season in college, but it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to come out and immediately shine in the pros. The Broncos don’t need him to throw for 300 yards or score three touchdowns, though. They just need to see him handle pressure in a tough environment and play flawlessly. If Nix can do that, this new era of Broncos football will be off to a great start.

All eyes will be on Nix as he makes his Broncos debut, but there could be even more pressure on one of his defensive teammates to make a good first impression. Former Dolphins defensive end Brandon Jones has replaced four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons, and despite missing nearly the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, he’ll be thrown into the fire immediately against a Seahawks offense that has a myriad of ways to move the ball.

Jones will be tested early and often by a group of wide receivers who can do it all. DK Metcalf is one of the league’s most physically gifted receivers, with the speed to turn any play into a touchdown. Tyler Lockett is a shifty veteran who can exploit any gap in the defense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s speed and route-running make him poised to break out in Year 2.

Jones will also be needed to help contain Kenneth Walker III’s run game, and he could also be called upon to cover receiver Zach Charbonnet and middle linebacker Noah Fant. That’s a lot of responsibility for a new teammate who has been sidelined by injury. To make matters even more difficult, while the talent on the Seahawks’ offense is very evident, their scheme is still largely a mystery as they are led by new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Grubb led a high-flying offense at the University of Washington, but there’s no NFL tape of Jones and the rest of the Broncos’ defense working with him.

Jones will be aided by returning starters Patrick Surtain II and Ja’Quan McMillian, but the rest of the defense is new and unproven. Many fans were disappointed with the decision to cut Simmons, and as the recipient of a three-year, $20 million contract (the largest the Broncos have given an outside free agent this offseason), Jones will be an obvious scapegoat if the Denver D gets a makeover.

The Broncos’ receiver room is a big question mark heading into the season. Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns in the offseason for a very small amount, and just last week, fan favorite Tim Patrick was released. In their place are veteran Josh Reynolds, who was signed after catching 78 passes over the past two seasons with the Lions, and rookie Troy Franklin, a rusher who was Nix’s favorite target at Oregon last year.

Second-year deep threat Marvin Mims will be asked to take on a larger role this season, but a measure of how Denver’s receiving corps will fare will be Courtland Sutton. Now the undisputed No. 1 after Jeudy’s departure, Sutton has shown potential in his six years in the league, but he hasn’t come close to the 72 catches and 1,112 yards he had in his sophomore season.

One thing Sutton did last year was find the end zone. His 10 touchdowns were a team-high, but he’ll have to put it all together this year. Catches, yards, touchdowns — the Broncos need it all, and Nix needs someone he knows he can turn to when the going gets tough. With very little proven talent around him, Sutton has to be that guy.

The Seahawks game will be an illuminating litmus test in determining whether Sutton is up to the challenge, as he’ll likely spend most of the day opposite top cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon made the Pro Bowl and finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting a year ago. If Sutton wins this game, it will be important to start the season on the right foot.