4 breakout candidates for Denver Broncos in 2025

The Denver Broncos are coming off a successful season and though it ended with a thud in the postseason, the future is quite bright. 

Like most teams each season, the Broncos will likely see plenty of turnover and several changes this offseason, but the team's nucleus is solid. Sean Payton has had two seasons to adjust to Denver and in year three, could be ready to get this team toward the top of the league. 

In order for that to happen, the Broncos will need some players to step into larger roles next season. Bo Nix, Riley Moss and Marvin Mims Jr. were some of the players who did that this season and all three were instrumental in helping the team claim its first playoff berth in nine years. 

These four players could help the Broncos go from playoff contender to Super Bowl contender in 2025. 

Denver Broncos 2025 breakout candidates

Troy Franklin, WR

Many expected Troy Franklin to have a better rookie season than he did but the hope will be that the experience he gained this season helps shape him into a more complete receiver next year. 

Franklin only caught 28 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns this season but in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, he and Bo Nix finally connected on the deep ball, something fans had been waiting for all season. 

Hopefully, the way the former college teammates finished this season is the way they start next season. 

Jonah Elliss, OLB

The Broncos' third-round pick had a productive season despite having limited opportunities. 

With Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto providing a tremendous combination on the outside, Elliss was only called upon so often. He played on just 37.5 percent of the team's defensive snaps, but still managed to rack up five sacks on the season. 

Bonitto and Cooper will still be in front of him next season but the team, having seen how well he played in a limited role, will likely increase his usage in 2025. 

Dondrea Tillman, OLB

The Broncos signed Dondrea Tillman as a free agent after his run with the Birmingham Stallions in the spring league. He was considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster and even with a strong preseason, was part of the team's final cuts. 

He was brought back to the practice squad and was elevated to the main roster shortly into the season. He ended up playing in 12 games. Just like Elliss, he recorded five sacks on the season but did that with even less of an opportunity, playing on just 20.9 percent of the team's defensive snaps. 

Tillman will likely be a fringe roster player again next summer but the Broncos have seen him in action and know that he can produce. He should not only make next year's team but be a solid rotational piece on defense as well. 

Drew Sanders, LB

The 2024 season was pretty much a lost one for Drew Sanders, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the team's offseason program. He was able to return before the end of the year, but he didn't have a chance to make an impact. 

Sanders has always been considered a bit of a 'tweener' between inside linebacker and outside linebacker, but the team has enough help on the outside. However, he could become a force on the inside and an opportunity will exist for him to do so. 

That is because both Cody Barton and Justin Strnad — the two players who started the majority of the season at inside linebacker — will be unrestricted free agents. 

The Broncos will get Alex Singleton back after he missed most of this season with a torn ACL, but if the team loses Barton and/or Strnad or simply chooses not to bring either of them back, could Sanders be the other guy with Singleton on the inside in 2025?

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