ESPN ranks Broncos as No. 8 best starting lineup in the NFL

The Denver Broncos were one win from playing in the Super Bowl last season.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have starting QB Bo Nix in the AFC Title Game against the New England Patriots.

The Broncos lost on a snowy Sunday 10-7 and now have to begin the journey all over again. Nix is confident in his ankle after having two offseason surgeries, so that at least has Broncos Country feeling okay with training camp getting going later this month.

And while many in Denver feel like this is still one of the best teams in the NFL, nationally that might not be the case. The Broncos added Jaylen Waddle in a big trade with Miami, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of buzz around the squad.

On Monday, ESPN’s Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranked all 32 starting lineups across the league. They have Denver at No. 8 on the list, trailing the Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, Bills, Ravens, Lions and Patriots.

They say the biggest strength with the Broncos is the offensive line.

“This was an easy call after the Broncos led the NFL in both pass block and run block win rate in 2024 prior to finishing top eight in both categories last season. Incredibly, Denver will have the same starting five for the third season in a row, all of whom have played good-to-great ball each of the past two years,” Clay wrote.

As for the biggest weakness, ESPN is concerned with the tight end group, like many in Broncos Country.

“I’ll be picky and go after a position group that didn’t improve as much as expected last season despite the addition of Evan Engram. The veteran tight end played a career-low 42% of Denver’s snaps and found the end zone once,” Clay wrote.

Fans are definitely hoping that Engram can have a big season in 2026 after 2025 didn’t live up to the hype.

The writers add that the x-factor in Denver is Nix and the “nonstarter to know” is Jonah Elliss. He could certainly have a big role, depending on how the Jonathon Cooper legal situation plays out.

No. 8 is a solid ranking, although you could make a case that the Broncos should be even higher coming off a 14-3 season.

To see ESPN’s full list, click here.