ESPN ranks Broncos among NFL’s elite for the future

The Broncos aren’t just built to compete in 2026 — ESPN’s annual Future Power Rankings say Denver is positioned to be among the NFL’s best teams for the coming three years.

In the outlet’s comprehensive ranking of all 32 franchises from 2027 through 2029, the Broncos checked in at No. 4 overall with an 85.6 composite score, placing them behind only the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks (88.7), the Philadelphia Eagles (88.1), and the Detroit Lions (86.2). The Los Angeles Rams (85.3) round out the top five just behind Denver.

The ranking is determined by a panel of four ESPN analysts — Louis Riddick, Aaron Schatz, Ben Solak, and Seth Walder — who grade every team across four weighted categories: quarterback (20%), overall roster excluding QB (30%), front office (25%), and coaching (25%).

Denver’s roster score (91.25) tied for second in the NFL. “Across the 53-man roster, there is perhaps no team deeper than Denver,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote, crediting the Sean Payton–Vance Joseph coaching tandem as “two of the league’s preeminent schemers over the past decade.” Solak added that the continued growth of Nix and the addition of Jaylen Waddle “could push this team into one of the three Super Bowl matchups in question.” On the ground, Riddick noted that last year’s concern about the running back room has been answered — the pairing of fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman alongside RJ Harvey gives Denver what he called “the perfect 1-2 punch over the next few years.”

The Broncos should have maybe fared better if you’re a boliever. Nix scored 17th among quarterbacks — in line with where other outlets have ranked him coming into the season. He’s carrying just a $5.1 million cap hit in Year 3 of his rookie deal, with a fifth-year option and extension talk looming. The expectation in Broncos Country is that Waddle’s arrival unlocks something in this offense the same way a true offensive weapon tends to elevate a young quarterback’s trajectory.

New offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who turned down head coaching opportunities to stay, was highlighted as a variable: can Webb “create a balanced offense to go along with their lights-out defense”? If the answer is yes — and Nix takes the step Denver believes he will — that 17th-ranked quarterback score is going to look way too low.

ESPN’s bold prediction: McMillian becomes the NFL’s highest-paid nickel back in 2027. He’s playing on a $5.8 million tender after a breakout 2025 that included four sacks, two picks, and a game-sealing interception in the overtime Divisional Round win over Buffalo.

Locking McMillian up long-term is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The Broncos will have to juggle his extension alongside a possible deal for Riley Moss, all while Jahdae Barron is expected to make a year-two leap — opposite Pat Surtain II, one of the best defenders in the league. It’s a lot of secondary capital to manage, but it’s also a good problem since it’s about the team having a lot of talent.

O-line age is the red flag from ESPN. Starters range from Quinn Meinerz (28) to Garett Bolles (34) and fourth-rounder Kage Casey is the only lineman Denver has drafted in two years. Finding Bolles’ successor is the front office’s most pressing long-term task.

A year after going 14-3 and reaching the AFC Championship, the Broncos aren’t being treated as a one-year wonder. Whether Nix takes the Year 3 leap and Webb’s play-calling clicks will determine if Denver can capture a fourth Lombardi Trophy.

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