Broncos jump one spot in “most improved” offseason teams

The Denver Broncos have made a lot of offseason moves, but that hasn’t helped the team much in ESPN’s latest power rankings.

A look at where the AFC North teams rank in ESPN's post-draft NFL Power Rankings:

6⃣Ravens
7⃣Browns
1⃣5⃣Steelers
2⃣9⃣Bengalshttps://t.co/8NXLXYfU7v

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 18, 2021

The Broncos rose from the No. 27 spot to No. 26, leapfrogging the Philadelphia Eagles who dropped one spot.

ESPN asked NFL Nation writers to pick players already on the roster of the teams they cover who benefited most from the draft.

Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold wrote that Bradley Chubb and Von Miller benefitted most from the 2021 draft.

“It’s a tie because life could be far better for the Broncos’ two most prominent pass-rushers given all of the team’s offseason work on the secondary,” Legwold wrote. “Not only did they sign cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, re-sign safety Justin Simmons to a megadeal and bring back safety Kareem Jackson on a one-year deal, the Broncos also selected Alabama CB Pat Surtain II with their first-round pick. Surtain will be in the mix for significant playing time from the moment the equipment staff hands him his helmet. It all points to improved coverage and more sack opportunities for Denver’s pass-rushers.”

Out of the six teams ranked higher than Denver, five are on the Broncos schedule during the upcoming season.

That’s a big bonus.

The Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans are all ranked below the Broncos.

Of all those teams the Texans are the only ones not on the Broncos schedule in 2021.