Top five most valuable people for the Denver Broncos in 2024

The Denver Broncos are entering rebuilding mode this season, and expectations for the club are low.

As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Broncos' over/under total at 5.5 wins and gives them the worst odds (+2000) to win the AFC West.

Here are the franchise's most valuable people for 2024.

5. Right guard Quinn Meinerz

In July, the Broncos signed Meinerz to a four-year, $72M extension to reward him for one of the best years of his career.

In 2023, Pro Football Focus gave 25-year-old Meinerz a career-high 83.7 grade, the third best at his position behind the Rams' Kevin Dotson and Atlanta's Chris Lindstrom. He also allowed a career-low two sacks in 17 games last season, via PFF. 

Entering his fourth season, the Broncos need Meinerz to stay on an upward trajectory. If he does, Denver's O-line should remain strong, which would make life easier for the organization.

4. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II

Since being drafted No. 9 overall in 2021, Surtain has established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league. Through his first three seasons with the club, the 24-year-old has made two Pro Bowls and earned one first-team All-Pro nod. In a recent poll from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, more than 50% of league insiders ranked Surtain the No. 1 corner in the NFL.

"Complete corner that can play in any coverage and has size, instincts, ball skills and will tackle," an NFL personnel director told Fowler. "I like the corners that can do it all."  

The Broncos exercised the fifth-year option on Surtain's rookie contract in April. Expect him to eventually sign an extension, as it's a no-brainer for Denver.

3. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton

Per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Broncos signed Sutton to a revised two-year contract in late July. The deal could pay him up to $15.2M this season, including $1.5M in incentives.

Revising Sutton's deal seems wise, considering Denver is thin at WR. Last season, the Broncos finished 24th in the league in receiving yards per game (209.8). In March, they dealt WR Jerry Jeudy — who finished second on the team in receiving yards (758 in 16 games) last season — to the Cleveland Browns.

In 2023, Sutton tied for fourth in the league in touchdown catches (10 in 16 games) and had 59 receptions for 772 yards. Assuming the one-time Pro Bowler stays healthy, he should continue to serve as Denver's top target.

2. Head coach Sean Payton

When the Broncos hired Payton in 2023, they clearly expected him to reinvigorate a downtrodden franchise. He fell short of expectations last season as Denver went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for an eighth consecutive year.

Payton, a supposed offensive wizard, also failed to spark Denver's attack last season. The Broncos finished 19th in the league in points scored per game (21 PPG) and 26th in yards per game (298.4).

Payton pinned the blame on QB Russell Wilson, whom Denver released in March. However, if the Broncos don't show signs of improvement in 2024, some may start pointing fingers at him.

1. Quarterback Bo Nix

Denver has spiraled downward in recent years due to a lack of stability at the most important position. Since Hall of Famer Peyton Manning retired in 2016, the Broncos have started 13 offensive signal-callers. 

Will Nix end the dysfunction?

It looked like a potential reach when the Broncos took Nix with the 12th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But the 24-year-old flashed promise in his preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts. In a 34-30 victory on Sunday, he completed 15-of-21 passes for 125 yards and one TD, posting a solid 102.3 passer rating.