Ranking Denver Broncos' top 5 needs in 2025 offseason feat. cornerback

The Denver Broncos capped a season more memorable than almost any in the past decade. However, Sunday's defeat against the Buffalo Bills proved that the team still has a long way to go. The Broncos will still be working through part of Russell Wilson's $85 million cap hit in 2025 per USA Today, so there will be limits on how much they can address outside of trades and the NFL draft.

Still, the team's problems are now clear.

Denver Broncos' top 5 needs in 2025

#1 - Cornerback

Riley Moss at Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - Source: Imagn

At this point, Patrick Surtain II is widely accepted as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. However, the roster behind him simply can't keep up. This inhibits Vance Joseph's blitz-heavy scheme against the best teams with any wide receiver depth at all.

#2 - Special teams

Marvin Mims at Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos - Source: Imagn

Kicker Wil Lutz might be safe, but everyone else in the unit should not feel safe. The special teams unit cost the Broncos the game in Arrowhead against the Chiefs and it arguably cost them the chance to lock a playoff spot three weeks early against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Specifically, the blocking unit, the gunner on punt coverage and special team coordinator Ben Kotwica need to be put under the microscope this offseason with some or all of them receiving upgrades.

#3 - Wide receiver

DeVaughn Vele at Wild Card Round-Denver at Buffalo - Source: Imagn

Courtland Sutton is a reliable receiver, but it is clear the team needs a 1000-yard compliment for him because Sutton isn't exactly on the level of Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson or others at the top of the pecking order.

In other words, keep Sutton and add another veteran 1000-yard wide receiver in the form of a top rookie or someone added from the free market.

#4 - Linebacker

Justin Strnad at Wild Card Round-Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - Source: Imagn

Time after time, the Broncos linebackers were too slow to contain the edge once the running back broke free. They need a speedy linebacker to help contain the running back and get him to cut back toward the heart of the defense.

They also need a boost to the run-stop defense if they want to beat teams like the Bills and the Baltimore Ravens in the near future.

#5 - Running back

Javonte Williams at Wild Card Round-Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - Source: Imagn

The Denver Broncos need a bellcow-quality back. The mix of Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams simply isn't cutting it. Whether that takes the form of wringing one season out of Alvin Kamara via trade or dropping a top pick on the best running back in the NFL draft, something needs to be solidified with the team.