Three Questions the Broncos Must Answer This Preseason
The NFL preseason is about much more than preparing for Week 1. It gives coaches an opportunity to evaluate position battles, test young talent, and determine which players are ready for larger roles once the regular season begins.
The Denver Broncos enter 2026 with one of the most talented rosters they have assembled in years, but several important questions remain unanswered. From replacing key veterans to defining offensive roles, these are the three biggest questions Denver must answer before the preseason comes to a close:
3. Can Justin Joly Earn Meaningful Playing Time?
The Broncos drafted Justin Joly with the belief that he could eventually become an important part of the team’s offensive attack. The question is whether that opportunity will arrive immediately or require another year of development. His performance throughout the preseason should provide an early indication of where he stands.
Evan Engram returns after joining Denver during the 2025 offseason and is expected to once again lead the Broncos’ tight end room. Veteran Adam Trautman also remains a trusted option who understands Denver’s offense. That leaves Joly competing for opportunities behind two experienced veterans.
Joly enters the NFL with an impressive résumé as a pass catcher. During the 2025 season, he hauled in seven touchdown receptions while averaging 10 yards per catch. Across his collegiate career, he totaled 1,978 receiving yards and averaged 11.9 yards per reception, consistently proving he could stretch the field from the tight end position.
The preseason will reveal whether those receiving skills can translate against NFL competition. If Joly can establish himself as a reliable mismatch in the red zone while continuing to develop as a blocker, the Broncos may have little choice but to expand his role. His ability to contribute in multiple situations could make him difficult to keep off the field.
A strong preseason would not make Joly Denver’s starting tight end, but it could earn him meaningful offensive snaps much sooner than expected. With Engram unlikely to play every snap and Trautman serving primarily as a blocker, there should be opportunities available for a rookie who proves he can consistently make plays. If Joly capitalizes on those opportunities this August, he could become a contributor much earlier than expected.
2. How Will the Broncos Divide Touches in the Backfield?
Few position groups will receive more attention this preseason than Denver’s running backs. While J.K. Dobbins is expected to open the season as the Broncos’ starter, the coaching staff still has important decisions to make regarding the running back rotation entering Week 1. The answer could shape the identity of the offense throughout the 2026 season.
Dobbins has proven he can be an explosive runner when healthy, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his career. Given that history, Denver may choose to limit his preseason workload in an effort to keep him healthy for the regular season. If that happens, Jonah Coleman and RJ Harvey could receive extended opportunities to prove they deserve meaningful touches once the games begin to count.
Coleman enters the NFL after averaging 5.5 yards per carry across four collegiate seasons and establishing himself as one of the more reliable running backs in this year’s draft class. Meanwhile, Harvey projects as the Broncos’ primary pass-catching back after hauling in five touchdown receptions during the 2025 season, giving Denver’s offense another weapon on obvious passing downs. Each player brings a different skill set, making this one of the roster’s most intriguing position battles.
The Broncos now face the challenge of determining how those pieces fit together. How many carries should Dobbins receive if he’s healthy? Can Coleman force his way into meaningful early-down touches? Will Harvey carve out a consistent third-down role? Those are questions the preseason should help answer.
By the end of August, Denver should have a much clearer vision for its rushing attack. Finding the right balance between Dobbins, Coleman, and Harvey could maximize each player’s strengths while keeping the backfield fresh throughout the regular season. The Broncos strike that balance, the running game could become one of Denver’s biggest strengths on offense.
1. How Will the Broncos Replace John Franklin-Myers?
Replacing one of the NFL’s most productive defensive linemen is no easy task. After John Franklin-Myers departed in free agency, Denver must determine whether one player can fill that void or if replacing his production will require a committee approach. The preseason should provide the first clues.
Much of the attention will center on rookie Tyler Onyedim, the Broncos’ highest draft pick in 2026. At this stage of his development, Onyedim projects as more of a run-stopping defensive lineman than an interior pass rusher. He recorded 5.5 sacks during his entire collegiate career, including 2.5 during his final season, making his pass-rushing development one of Denver’ biggest long-term questions.
Even if Onyedim is not ready to shoulder a full-time role immediately, the Broncos have several veterans capable of helping fill the void. Malcolm Roach recorded four sacks in 2025, while Eyioma Uwazurike added 3.5 of his own and continued to emerge as a valuable rotational piece. Sai’Vion Jones also gives Denver another young defensive lineman to evaluate throughout the preseason.
The biggest question is whether Onyedim can develop into more than just a run defender. If he begins to show flashes as an interior pass rusher, the Broncos may have found a foundational piece for their defensive line. If not, replacing Franklin-Myers’ production will likely become a collective effort spread across multiple players.
How Denver answers this question could have a significant impact on one of the league’s best defenses. A successful transition would allow the Broncos’ defensive front to remain among the NFL’s elite while giving the organization confidence in its long-term plans along the defensive line. If the answer doesn’t emerge this preseason, however, it could remain one of the team’s biggest storylines throughout the regular season.
