The Denver Broncos are gearing up for an eventful offseason, with an eye toward bolstering their offensive arsenal for franchise quarterback Bo Nix. In a strategic move, they recognize the need to add depth and playmaking ability, especially following a season where their wide receiver core saw Courtland Sutton eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, but left much to be desired beyond that. Marvin Mims, in a supporting role, managed just 503 yards, highlighting the necessity for more explosive options in the passing game.
The tight end position also underwhelmed last year, with Adam Trautman leading the group with a modest 188 receiving yards. Typically, in a Sean Payton system, we expect tight ends to be highly productive targets. Clearly, the Broncos will be looking to make substantial upgrades as they prepare for the upcoming season.
With free agency looming in March, one name that stands out for the Broncos is Taysom Hill—an intriguing prospect given his multifaceted skill set and deep ties to Payton, who drafted and developed him during his time with the New Orleans Saints. Hill’s unique “Swiss Army Knife” role transformed him into a valuable asset for the Saints, where he showcased his versatility as a quarterback, runner, and receiver.
Currently, Hill is wrapping up a four-year, $40 million contract, and with the Saints facing nearly $50 million in salary cap issues, the possibility of his departure from New Orleans is very real. Cutting Hill would provide the Saints with substantial salary cap relief, allowing them to navigate their financial challenges while freeing one of the league’s most dynamic players.
Injuries hampered Hill last season, limiting him to just eight games after a torn ACL injury. When healthy, he highlighted his explosiveness, finishing the year with 278 rushing yards at an impressive 7.1 yards per carry along with six rushing touchdowns. Hill also contributed in the passing game, catching 23 passes for 187 yards. His diverse skill set saw him line up in various positions—24 snaps as a running back, 91 as a wide receiver, and 43 at tight end, plus another 41 as a fullback, showcasing his adaptability to different roles on the field.
The buzz surrounding Hill isn’t limited to Denver, either. Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard mentioned that both the Seahawks and Broncos would likely express interest in Hill should he become available. With Payton’s history with Hill, it’s easy to see why the Broncos might aggressively pursue him.
Looking at Hill’s past contributions under Payton, one can be captivated by his production: He accumulated 1,183 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in a single season, complemented by 34 receptions for 388 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Additionally, he showed he could handle quarterback duties efficiently, throwing for 2,025 yards and eight touchdowns with a 64.2% completion rate.
As the Broncos consider enhancing their roster, adding versatile talents like Hill could provide Nix with additional opportunities to shine. In a league where offensive firepower can often determine a team’s trajectory, the right strategy this offseason could set Denver up for one of the most potent offensive seasons in franchise history, reminiscent of the heyday when Peyton Manning was at the helm. The potential for a transformative offseason is palpable, and it will be fascinating to see how the pieces fall into place in the quest for a more explosive Denver offense.
