Box Nix 2025: Sophomore Slump or Progress?

[cdumler7]

I think for me more my concern is the players around him than Nix himself. We were very fortunate that the OL stayed healthy most of the year. Part of why Stroud had his sophomore slump is OL struggled/had injuries and then a couple of his receivers went down. I also want to see who the Broncos add to the weaponry. If they add a couple of playmakers at RB/WR/TE then I think he should do just fine.

 

[Orange Crush77]

I have zero doubts that Nix is a fiery competitor and hard worker and will only elevate his game. I agree though, we need some weaponry. @58crash called it last year, Jeudy would’ve been a monster in this offense

 

[iknowftbll]

I think for me more my concern is the players around him than Nix himself. We were very fortunate that the OL stayed healthy most of the year. Part of why Stroud had his sophomore slump is OL struggled/had injuries and then a couple of his receivers went down. I also want to see who the Broncos add to the weaponry. If they add a couple of playmakers at RB/WR/TE then I think he should do just fine.

Well they already added one at TE. Even if EE is mediocre it'll be a significant upgrade. I like that they signed him because it frees them up to draft RB early. I just think a veteran TE makes a far greater impact than a rookie, but a rookie RB can be expected to make a more immediate impact. I imagine they'll draft both, but the pressure to perform at TE won't be as pronounced after the EE signing.

 

[Wamu]

I hope Bo doesn't have a sophomore slump.

The Broncos were fun to watch last season for the first time in years.

And that should continue this season.

 

[cdumler7]

Well they already added one at TE. Even if EE is mediocre it'll be a significant upgrade. I like that they signed him because it frees them up to draft RB early. I just think a veteran TE makes a far greater impact than a rookie, but a rookie RB can be expected to make a more immediate impact. I imagine they'll draft both, but the pressure to perform at TE won't be as pronounced after the EE signing.

Engram is definitely a nice start for sure. Like I said injuries make me nervous. We have a great training staff but it was crazy how healthy our team was last year. The OL especially we saw the same group for almost the entire season.

 

[iknowftbll]

Engram is definitely a nice start for sure. Like I said injuries make me nervous. We have a great training staff but it was crazy how healthy our team was last year. The OL especially we saw the same group for almost the entire season.

Injuries always make me nervous every year. We see it every year with players not quite their former selves after an injury and guys who are back like nothing happened. The players this team picked up in FA are game changers on both sides of the ball if they work out. Also you hinted at this earlier and I agree: injuries on the O-line are always scary. Can't have enough depth there.

 

[cdumler7]

Injuries always make me nervous every year. We see it every year with players not quite their former selves after an injury and guys who are back like nothing happened. The players this team picked up in FA are game changers on both sides of the ball if they work out. Also you hinted at this earlier and I agree: injuries on the O-line are always scary. Can't have enough depth there.

I really do like our starting 22. If healthy I would be willing to put them against most teams outside of the top-5 rosters. It really is that depth issue that is most hurt by the Wilson trade and contract. It is also why I would hate to trade up even for a talent like Jeanty as I think the Broncos need as many draft picks as they can for a couple of years.

 

[iknowftbll]

I really do like our starting 22. If healthy I would be willing to put them against most teams outside of the top-5 rosters. It really is that depth issue that is most hurt by the Wilson trade and contract. It is also why I would hate to trade up even for a talent like Jeanty as I think the Broncos need as many draft picks as they can for a couple of years.

I do too. I actually think we have the potential to challenge even some of those top 5 rosters. Remember it took a well timed and generous assist for the refs, followed by some insane luck for the Chiefs to secure a win against this team. And while no team is the same team 2 years in a row, this Broncos roster is definitely ascending.

And it’s a good thing too. There are some very good teams on the docket in 2025.

 

[cdumler7]

I do too. I actually think we have the potential to challenge even some of those top 5 rosters. Remember it took a well timed and generous assist for the refs, followed by some insane luck for the Chiefs to secure a win against this team. And while no team is the same team 2 years in a row, this Broncos roster is definitely ascending.

And it’s a good thing too. There are some very good teams on the docket in 2025.

I would agree. Nice thing is the Broncos this past season got a lot of contributions from very young players that were unknown heading into the season. You hope they take another step forward and that the offense in general can have a greater understanding of how things function. I wonder how those first few games of the season would have gone for example had they gone against Nix in the 2nd half of the season. Do we see a couple of victories over teams like the Seahawks and Steelers that were losses this past season?

 

[LGM]

No slump, especially if we address offensive skill positions.

Injuries will be the only caveat. A bit worried he had 3 spinal fractures in his rookie year.

 

[iknowftbll]

I would agree. Nice thing is the Broncos this past season got a lot of contributions from very young players that were unknown heading into the season. You hope they take another step forward and that the offense in general can have a greater understanding of how things function. I wonder how those first few games of the season would have gone for example had they gone against Nix in the 2nd half of the season. Do we see a couple of victories over teams like the Seahawks and Steelers that were losses this past season?

I wonder the same thing. Of course, the Steelers and Seahawks were both also 10 win teams, which is less impressive in the 17 game era than the 16 game era but still a good win total for most teams any year. That is to say, these teams were not cakewalks. But I still wonder if they had caught Nix after he had found his stride and not before, would either have been 10 win teams?

Also, with so many young WRs showing so much promise, I still think our WR group is going to be one of the best in 2025. It's not going to have the flashy star power some rosters do, but it's going to be a group that sees production from #1 to #5 and any given week we can see someone else paying the freight. And the the EE signing and potential home run hitter at RB we draft is a big enabler to this: Our WR group will be better if we are also getting production from the TEs and RBs!

So I'm not ready to say the Broncos add to their win total yet (some stout competition this season) but I definitely think with the additions they've made in FA they are definitely a better roster. With the development of their young talent, they are definitely a better roster. And with a good draft, they are definitely a better roster.

 

[cdumler7]

I wonder the same thing. Of course, the Steelers and Seahawks were both also 10 win teams, which is less impressive in the 17 game era than the 16 game era but still a good win total for most teams any year. That is to say, these teams were not cakewalks. But I still wonder if they had caught Nix after he had found his stride and not before, would either have been 10 win teams?

Also, with so many young WRs showing so much promise, I still think our WR group is going to be one of the best in 2025. It's not going to have the flashy star power some rosters do, but it's going to be a group that sees production from #1 to #5 and any given week we can see someone else paying the freight. And the the EE signing and potential home run hitter at RB we draft is a big enabler to this: Our WR group will be better if we are also getting production from the TEs and RBs!

So I'm not ready to say the Broncos add to their win total yet (some stout competition this season) but I definitely think with the additions they've made in FA they are definitely a better roster. With the development of their young talent, they are definitely a better roster. And with a good draft, they are definitely a better roster.

I will agree with most of this. The WR's I'm not as high as you are on the group. I think it is a solid group and Payton has shown in the past he doesn't need stars across the board to make his offense go. I would still like to add one more piece to the WR room especially a guy like Egbuka that has a high floor and should be able to make an impact as a rookie. Doesn't have the highest ceiling, but he might be the safest player outside of guys going in the top-7 of this draft in knowing he won't bust.

As for the overall roster the nice thing is we really didn't lose much from what we had last year. Only group you can really point towards losing players that made an impact was the LB group and even there it wasn't exactly great. Getting Singleton back and adding Greenlaw though definitely has the potential to blow out last year's grouping by a mile.

 

[iknowftbll]

I will agree with most of this. The WR's I'm not as high as you are on the group. I think it is a solid group and Payton has shown in the past he doesn't need stars across the board to make his offense go. I would still like to add one more piece to the WR room especially a guy like Egbuka that has a high floor and should be able to make an impact as a rookie. Doesn't have the highest ceiling, but he might be the safest player outside of guys going in the top-7 of this draft in knowing he won't bust.

As for the overall roster the nice thing is we really didn't lose much from what we had last year. Only group you can really point towards losing players that made an impact was the LB group and even there it wasn't exactly great. Getting Singleton back and adding Greenlaw though definitely has the potential to blow out last year's grouping by a mile.

I think we agree on the vast majority here. You more or less expressed my same sentiments differently. That is, at the top end our WR group isn't anywhere near top 5 but at the bottom end, likely still in the top half of the league. So it's not that I am high on the group for its "star power" so much as the potential they have real depth here, unlike many other position groups. This is why I've considered this position a "nice to have" type thing in FA and the draft.

I also agree with your assessment of the LB group. Do a search back to 8-10 months of these threads and you will find more than a couple posts from me expressing doubt that our defense was going to be any good last year. I was actually legitimately concerned our front-7 could hold it down. As much as I love PSII I am also of the belief that a unit, offense or defense, should be built from the trenches out. So seeing our "no-name" unit as last season approached had me a bit nervous. And of course, they really performed well. With Singleton back from injury and adding Greenlaw to the LB room, I think our front-7 is significantly better than it was last year. I am actually really excited about our roster on this side of the ball.

The biggest question on this roster now appears to be at RB. And thankfully, that's a position that really translates well from college to NFL. I hope whoever the team drafts to address this area is able to deliver. If they do, this will be as complete a roster as exists in this era of the league.

 

[cdumler7]

I think we agree on the vast majority here. You more or less expressed my same sentiments differently. That is, at the top end our WR group isn't anywhere near top 5 but at the bottom end, likely still in the top half of the league. So it's not that I am high on the group for its "star power" so much as the potential they have real depth here, unlike many other position groups. This is why I've considered this position a "nice to have" type thing in FA and the draft.

I also agree with your assessment of the LB group. Do a search back to 8-10 months of these threads and you will find more than a couple posts from me expressing doubt that our defense was going to be any good last year. I was actually legitimately concerned our front-7 could hold it down. As much as I love PSII I am also of the belief that a unit, offense or defense, should be built from the trenches out. So seeing our "no-name" unit as last season approached had me a bit nervous. And of course, they really performed well. With Singleton back from injury and adding Greenlaw to the LB room, I think our front-7 is significantly better than it was last year. I am actually really excited about our roster on this side of the ball.

The biggest question on this roster now appears to be at RB. And thankfully, that's a position that really translates well from college to NFL. I hope whoever the team drafts to address this area is able to deliver. If they do, this will be as complete a roster as exists in this era of the league.

I think my worry with the WR room is having a guy that Nix can rely on when he absolutely needs a catch. We saw in the playoff game against the Bills the WR's really let Nix down. Plenty of opportunities that literally slipped through their fingers. It is why I would like to see the Broncos add a little more of a trusted #2 type WR that can do the dirty work over the middle if needed and especially be the reliable guy when teams work to shut down Sutton. Now maybe that is where Engram comes in since he is in many ways a WR in how the Broncos plan to use him.

And I would agree if the Broncos can find a true difference maker at RB the Broncos have a chance to really make some noise this upcoming season. Having an offense that can beat you multiple ways really does open up the entire field and allow us to play some matchup football depending on what a DC is trying to throw at the Broncos.

 

[58crash]

I would agree. Nice thing is the Broncos this past season got a lot of contributions from very young players that were unknown heading into the season. You hope they take another step forward and that the offense in general can have a greater understanding of how things function. I wonder how those first few games of the season would have gone for example had they gone against Nix in the 2nd half of the season. Do we see a couple of victories over teams like the Seahawks and Steelers that were losses this past season?

I was thinking that as well in Sutton he would probably be wanting a huge contract with th number he would have had before Bo told his coach lighten up i Got this !!!!

 

[58crash]

I think my worry with the WR room is having a guy that Nix can rely on when he absolutely needs a catch. We saw in the playoff game against the Bills the WR's really let Nix down. Plenty of opportunities that literally slipped through their fingers. It is why I would like to see the Broncos add a little more of a trusted #2 type WR that can do the dirty work over the middle if needed and especially be the reliable guy when teams work to shut down Sutton. Now maybe that is where Engram comes in since he is in many ways a WR in how the Broncos plan to use him.

And I would agree if the Broncos can find a true difference maker at RB the Broncos have a chance to really make some noise this upcoming season. Having an offense that can beat you multiple ways really does open up the entire field and allow us to play some matchup football depending on what a DC is trying to throw at the Broncos.

I want the youngness to be were it is .. I belive in them . I would tell you there is always the trade dead line to get a WR like you are talking ...I agree to a point though just I want the young WR's a chance to bloom early in the season if not trade for one . My guess is they are working some this right now...

 

[cdumler7]

I want the youngness to be were it is .. I belive in them . I would tell you there is always the trade dead line to get a WR like you are talking ...I agree to a point though just I want the young WR's a chance to bloom early in the season if not trade for one . My guess is they are working some this right now...

Payton said today they will add another player to the room before the season starts either through the draft or FA. I think he likes his guys I just wouldn’t mind some competition to push those young guys.

 

[58crash]

Payton said today they will add another player to the room before the season starts either through the draft or FA. I think he likes his guys I just wouldn’t mind some competition to push those young guys.

I would rather wait . and bring in Rookie Free Agents . I want these guys to get chemistry . I would trade if we have to close to dead line . I am pretty sure we will not .. oh well .. use them or lose them

 

[58crash]

I have zero doubts that Nix is a fiery competitor and hard worker and will only elevate his game. I agree though, we need some weaponry. @58crash called it last year, Jeudy would’ve been a monster in this offense

I will say this we could use him still . the problem is he isn't in tis draft. We have good enough for this year . it will be interesting to see who we bring in .. When Payton says it he does it .. i don't like the idea.. If we draft one late that would be okay .. what ever ...

 

[58crash]

6. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami does interest me .....as I said he is no Jeudy in any stretch of the mind .. But he is a timing wizard just like Judy and Bo.