Team Talk: Denver Broncos

By Adam Filadelfo (@Frostt24)

Let's take a look at the team that may have given fantasy owners the most fantasy relevant players in 2013, the defending AFC champions Denver Broncos. After giving fantasy owners six key contributors last season, 2014 could see that many players drafted yet again. There are a few departures and a few new faces but the Denver Broncos seem poised to deliver fantasy gold to owners once again.

Peyton Manning- There isn't much to be said that hasn't already been told in regards to Peyton Manning. He had a historic 2013 and there's no reason to think this season can't provide more of the same. While 56 touchdowns (one rushing) seems a bit far-fetched to repeat, most fantasy owners believe Peyton could once again lead the NFL and fantasy players in touchdowns and fantasy points. After all, 2013 saw Peyton throw for over 5,000 yards and 55 touchdowns finishing his historic season with 432 fantasy points and the top quarterback in fantasy football.

Montee Ball- With Knowshon Moreno in Miami, most fantasy owners are expecting Montee Ball to be the lead back in Denver this upcoming season. 2013 started off rough for Ball but he seemed to find his footing late in the season and is expected to be the primary ball handler in 2014. Ball finished with 560 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns and added 20 receptions for another 145 yards through the air. With an expanded role expected, Ball could find himself a top running back by seasons end.

Julius Thomas- Raise your hand if you saw Julius Thomas having a breakout 2013. (My hand isn't up.)  Most fantasy owners probably didn't see this coming but Julius Thomas was a hot waiver wire add after week one. Thomas finished as a top fantasy tight end with 150 fantasy points and even missed two games along the way. With the Broncos offense still in tact in 2014, Julius Thomas will undoubtedly be one of the top fantasy tight ends yet again.

Demaryius Thomas- 92 receptions for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. Just another season for Demaryius Thomas. A sure fire top five receiver in 2014 fantasy drafts, Thomas will produce for his owners again. It's scary to think Demaryius Thomas could only get better with Peyton throwing to him.

Wes Welker- Welker missed three games during the regular season and still managed to produce 137 fantasy points for his owners. His receptions dropped off a bit from his usual 100 catches but there were a lot of mouths to feed in 2013 in Denver. Welker still managed double digit touchdowns and will still be PPR gold this season.

Emmanuel Sanders-  A new face in Denver in 2014, Sanders comes over from Pittsburgh and playing with Big Ben to catching passes from Peyton. With the Steelers, Sanders managed 67 catches for 732 yards and six scores. Fantasy owners could see those numbers increase dramatically in the Broncos offense in 2014.

D/ST- The Broncos defense was fantasy relevant for the first couple of weeks in 2013 and then the Broncos decided a good defense was to score 40+ points per game and the Broncos defense became a liability instead of an asset. 2014 will feature a different look Broncos defense with all the new faces brought in. With DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller playing together on the defensive line and adding T.J Ward and Aqib Talib in the secondary, it stands to reason there should be a "D" in defense in Denver in 2014