Denver Broncos Fantasy Preview

Is Kyle Orton a quality NFL starting quarterback?
That is the primary question, for the Broncos, leading into the 2009-2010 season. Early indications are not good, but don't be so quick to come to a conclusion that he is not. Look, it has been a tumultuous offseason: Shanahan is unexpectedly fired and replaced by the young, and very brash, Josh McDaniels who almost simultaneous alienates his perceived primadonna QB, who in turn forces his way out- oh and Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler almost got sent the way of Cutler too- resulting in the equally unexpected Kyle Orton era in Denver... did I get all that? Let's not trick ourselves into thinking Orton can make half the throws Cutler can, and for that players like Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal will suffer in terms of their overall stats. However, let's also not trick ourselves into thinking Kyle Orton is not at least a capable QB whose skill set might play up once he fully grasps the offense and understands how to utilize the talent around him.

The fact remains, he still seems like the type of cerebral QB who can thrive in an intricate offense like the one McDaniels is attempting to install. The position players and offensive line he has surrounding him, in Denver, are markedly better than the ones he had in Chicago. Kyle Orton will be this teams starting QB, this season, and I believe he will perform at least well enough to not seriously downgrade other potential fantasy stars like Marshall, Royal and Moreno.

Best Bet:
Eddie Royal- I know that may sound strange, Eddie Royal as the Broncos best bet, but look at the facts. He is coming off of a superb rookie season in which he caught 91 balls for 980 yards and 5 scores. He is a more athletic Wes Welker- a player who McDaniels has proven to be very good at utilizing. As well, he is a player who can make plays off screen passes and short-to-intermediate routes so if Orton can just deliver the ball with accuracy he can constantly put Royal in a position to make plays after the catch. He may not improve on his touchdown receptions, but he is a safe bet to get over a 1,000 receiving and 90+ receptions- barring injury.

Buyer Beware
Brandon Marshall- Well this is a messy situation. Marshall is at the center of controversy, these days, in Broncosland. He wants a new contract; he simply doesn't trust the organization; He's dealing with a new QB that might not be able to fully take advantage of his skill set; oh and he's a primadonna- could the baby TO nickname be any more perfect. I love B-Mars' skill set, and think he has a chance to rank among the truly elite receivers in football. But his 2009-2010 season has underachiever written all over it and you would be well -advised to draft him only if it came in the form of a discount. As it stands right now, there are many receivers who are better (more importantly safer) options than Marshall is for this season.

Sleeper
Knowshon Moreno- Right now, there is a plethora of runningbacks vying for time in Denver. Furthermore, Moreno is injured and may not be ready until the start of the season. Still, barring nagging injuries, he is immensely more talented than the other options and stands to be the primary back once he can get a full handle of the offense. You can say that McDaniels has displayed a history of rotating backs in NE and will continue to do so in Denver. But McDaniels has never had a back as talented as Moreno- don't even think about citing Maroney- and he will figure out a way to fully integrate him into an offense that needs a dynamic RB to take pressure off of Orton. Look, the Broncos would not break the mold- of waiting til late in the draft to find a RB- unless they believed that Moreno could be an every down difference maker, which he will be. The only complication might be Peyton Hillis vulturing TD's. But Moreno is a relatively big back (at 220) and shouldn't have trouble powering it in the end zone either. If he's healthy, and McDaniels gives him his carries, he's going to have a big rookie year.