The Denver Broncos are the defending Super Bowl champs, and they want to make it back to the Super Bowl this year. But Denver lost plenty of talent this year, and will need to lean on new players to help fill those roles. The Broncos need a few players to have breakout seasons if they want to defend their title.
Breakout seasons happen every year in the NFL. Sometimes, the player in question makes the leap from very good to superstar. Sometimes, a player goes from role player to key starter. So who will be the breakout players for the Broncos in 2016? We've put together four of the most likely candidates below.
RB C.J. Anderson
The Broncos paid Anderson like a franchise back and it's time for him to take the starting job and keep it. While Ronnie Hillman (and maybe Devontae Booker) will get carries, Anderson needs to get the bulk of them. That wasn't the case last season, but Anderson was the better back late in the year. The Broncos, especially with questions at QB, need Anderson to help carry the offense.
WR Cody Latimer
It's okay if you forgot about Latimer, Denver's second round pick in 2013. He's done nothing in his NFL career, posting just eight catches for 82 yards and a score. That's single-game numbers for Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. While those two will remain the primary options, it's time for Latimer to become the No. 3 WR. He has the ability, and needs to jump only Bennie Fowler and Jordan Norwood. The time is now for Latimer to look like a second round pick.
ILB Todd Davis
Danny Trevathan is gone, leaving a hole next to Brandon Marshall. Expect Davis to slot into the starting role. The Broncos nabbed Davis in 2014 after the Saints cut him and they've been grooming him for this chance. He has only 43 career tackles, but should match that this year. The Broncos don't have many options at ILB outside of Marshall, so unless they make a move for someone else, Davis should start.
OLB Shaquil Barrett
Yes, the Broncos already have Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. There's also 2015 first round pick Shane Ray, but Barrett played more than Ray last season and was better. The 2014 UDFA had 5.5 sacks last season and has great promise. Ware will turn 34 before the start of the season and has a few years left at most. The Broncos will try to limit his snaps this season, and Barrett is first in line to get them. Barrett should have an impressive season, even if his playing time is limited.
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