Broncos stock report: Red zone defense a silver lining for Denver, but Russell Wilson, Jerry Jeudy and offense trending wrong direction

Stock Up

S Justin Simmons

The Broncos safety has been a turnover-forcing machine in recent years and he got his first of 2023 with an early interception against Patrick Mahomes on Thursday night. He’s capable of going on binges and Denver could really use one right about now. Simmons’ name isn’t going to stop coming up in trade talks until either he’s moved or the Oct. 31 deadline passes. A franchise staple, he’s starting to look like he’s playing healthy.

Run game – kind of

Part of the shame of Denver’s complete lack of passing offense Thursday night is that the running game looked potent. The Broncos ran it early and often, but by the second half trailed 16-0 and had to get away from it some. They totaled 115 yards and 5.0 yards per carry but weren’t able to lean on the run game in the second half because of the goose egg on the scoreboard. Denver hasn’t had 20 non-quarterback runs in a game since its opener.

DL Zach Allen

Allen’s production has been hit-and-miss so far this season but he’s now got sacks in each of his past two games and is showing a bit of the pass-rush ability that made him a coveted player in free agency this spring. The Broncos still need to be tighter against the run, but Allen’s up to 2.5 sacks on the year and the performance against Kansas City goes down as a step in the right direction for him and for the front seven in general.

Red zone defense

Vance Joseph’s defense has been bad through six games overall, though the performance against the Chiefs stands as their best outing so far this year. Part of the reason: They held Mahomes and company to one touchdown, two field goals, an interception and a turnover on downs over five trips to the red zone. Over the past two weeks, they’ve only given up one red zone touchdown in 10 chances. That’s pretty good work, though there’s plenty of other improvement to find after giving up 407 yards to the Jets and 389 to Kansas City.

Stock Down

QB Russell Wilson

No two ways about it: This was Wilson’s worst outing of 2023 to date and it isn’t particularly close. Yes, the Broncos receivers have to create more separation. And yes, protection needs to get better, too. But Wilson has to find a way to produce more than 95 passing yards. Before Courtland Sutton’s 21-yard catch midway through the fourth quarter, Denver’s two best passing plays were a 15-yard screen to Samaje Perine and a 13-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy out of the backfield. That’s not going to win games.

WR Marvin Mims, Jr.

Through no fault of his own, really. Mims played 12 offensive snaps and was not targeted on the night. He’s been the Broncos’ most impactful deep threat so far this season but over the past two games has just one catch for four yards. Teams are going to take notice when a guy gets over the top multiple times, but now it’s up to Denver and coach Sean Payton to adjust and figure out other ways to get the rookie the ball in advantageous situations.