Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Denver Broncos

Mattel's Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Denver Broncos by one, and the results weren't great.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, users ask yes-no questions to the ball, give it a shake and then turn it over to reveal the answer. We opted for an online version to ask the following:

Is rookie QB Bo Nix the answer?
Magic 8 Ball says: Ask again later 

After releasing former QB Russell Wilson in March, the Broncos drafted Nix (pick No. 12) in the first round, which raised some eyebrows. Pro Football Focus named the selection one of the draft's biggest reaches.  

The 24-year-old QB completed an NCAA-record 77.45% of his passes in 14 games in his final season at Oregon. Doubts about his ability to push the ball downfield remain, though. Per PFF, Nix's average target depth (6.8 yards) ranked 167th in the FBS. 

Still, expect Nix to win the starting QB competition between Jarrett Stidham and former first-rounder Zach Wilson. Denver head coach Sean Payton recently compared the rookie to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, whom he coached for 15 seasons in New Orleans. 

Only time will tell if that assessment proves correct.

Will WR Courtland Sutton sign a contract extension?
Magic 8 Ball says: Very doubtful

Sutton, who has two years remaining on a four-year, $60.8M deal, admitted he considered holding out of minicamp, which would've cost him $101,716 in fines, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. 

"I wanted to make sure it was known that I was upset about the contract, how the conversation went about, and how the stalemate has persisted," Sutton recently said, via The Denver Post's Ryan McFadden. "I don't think it was a high consideration (of skipping minicamp) because the point has been made. I'm hoping we can find a solution and get to the bottom of this."

Spotrac estimates Sutton's market value is a three-year deal worth $18.7M annually, which may be a stretch for the cash-strapped Broncos. Moving on from Wilson resulted in $85M in dead cap over the next two seasons. 

Plus, the Broncos certainly want to avoid overpaying Sutton. Entering his seventh season with the club, he has only made one Pro Bowl and finished with more than 1,000 receiving yards once.

Will the offense improve?
Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook good

When he served as Saints HC from 2006-21, Payton developed a reputation as an offensive mastermind. In 2011, New Orleans recorded an NFL-record 7,474 yards in 16 games. 

The Broncos offense was underwhelming in Payton's first season in Denver. It finished 26th in the league in yards (298.4) and 19th in points scored (21 PPG). However, the team focused on adding playmakers in the draft, possibly giving the unit a spark.  

Denver found potential steals in Oregon WR Troy Franklin (pick No. 104) and Notre Dame running back Audric Estime (pick No. 147). Franklin tied for third in the FBS in touchdown catches in 2023 (14 in 13 games), while Estime tied for third in rushing TDs (18 in 12 games).  

Will the Broncos end their eight-year playoff drought?
Magic 8 Ball says: My sources say no

Denver's roster clearly lacks talent. PFF's Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman rated it the worst in the league. They pointed out that the Broncos failed to upgrade a dreadful defense that allowed 70 points vs. the Miami Dolphins in Week 3 last season.

"Outside of cornerback Patrick Surtain II, this defense lacks playmakers at every level," Wyman and Wasserman wrote. "...While the defense shouldn't be as bad as it was last season, don't expect any miracles in 2024."

After seven straight losing seasons, don't be surprised if Denver logs another in 2024. As of Monday, FanDuel lists the Broncos' 2024-25 over/under total at 5.5 wins, tied with the Carolina Panthers for the second worst in the league.