What to expect from Denver's sophomore class in 2019

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos’ 2018 rookie class made John Elway look great last year.

Minutes after the draft, Elway drew praise from every corner of the country on the type of players, and people, Denver selected. Then, as a group, they shined on the field during the season, blowing expectations out of the water.

Now, with an offseason under their belt, the expectations are sky-high as the players gladly shed their rookie title for 2019.

Here’s how the 2018 class—and of course Phillip Lindsay—projects to perform in their second year in the league.

Bradley Chubb

2018 stats: 12 sacks; 2 forced fumbles; 1 fumble recovery; 60 tackles; 14 tackles for a loss; 21 quarterback hits; 16 starts

The No. 5 overall pick absolutely shredded the league in an eight-game stretch, from Week 6 to Week 13, as a rookie, compiling 10.5 sacks.

If he had that same production across an entire season, Chubb wouldn’t just have smashed the rookie sack record, he would have flirted with breaking Michael Strahan’s all-time sack record at 22.5.

In 2019, not only does Chubb have a full year of experience under his belt—which he told BSN Denver can’t be emphasized enough—he’s “tailor-made” for Vic Fangio’s defense.

Chubb should realistically push Von Miller for the team lead in sacks, and he shouldn’t be counted out for leading the league.

Production projection for 2019: 14.5 sacks; 65 tackles; 18 tackles for a loss; 25 quarterback hits

Courtland Sutton

2018 stats: 704 receiving yards; 42 receptions; 4 touchdowns; 50 percent catch rate; 9 starts

From the numbers, the talented second-round pick had an impressive rookie season. But when he was called on to be the No. 1 receiver at the end of the season he disappeared, averaging just 36.5 yards per game in the final four games.

In 2019, if Sutton is called upon to be the No. 1 receiver, whether or not Emmanuel Sanders is on the field, he cannot be shut down like that.

Fortunately, with another year under his belt, a more competent quarterback and an offensive coordinator that will find ways for him to get open, Sutton should not only flirt with 1,000 yards but should be a serious weapon in the red zone.

Production projection for 2019: 950 receiving yards; 75 receptions; 8 touchdowns; 16 starts

Royce Freeman

2018 stats: 521 rushing yards; 5 touchdowns; 4.0 yards per carry; 72 receiving yards; 8 starts

Don’t forget about Royce! After the magical year by Phillip Lindsay, it seems many have forgotten about Denver’s third-round pick from just a year ago.

But the coaching staff won’t.

While Freeman won’t be a bell-cow, he will share a significant portion of the rushing attempts with Lindsay to take the burden off the 1,000-yard rusher.

Freeman isn’t the hot name in the running back room, but he’ll be consistently called upon. To the dismay of the fans, it wouldn’t be a complete shock if he leads the team in rushing attempts.

Production projection for 2019: 700 rushing yards; 8 touchdowns; 4.4 yards per carry

Isaac Yiadom

2018 stats: 1 interception; 3 pass deflections; 20 tackles; 1 start

Due to a divesting number of injuries to cornerbacks, Yiadom was thrown in the fire his rookie year. There were highs, lows and an injury that has kept him on the sideline for part of this offseason.

Entering camp, Yiadom is battling De’Vante Bausby for the third cornerback spot, which will be used less than a traditional third cornerback because Kareem Jackson will fill that role often.

If the defensive back room stays healthy, it will be difficult for the former third-round pick to consistently see a significant amount of playing time. But he can have a major role on special teams as he continues to develop and await Chris Harris Jr.’s potential departure after this season.

Production projection for 2019: Special-teams stud; 15 percent of the defensive snaps

Josey Jewell

2018 stats: 58 tackles; 4 tackles for a loss; 3 passes defended; 9 starts

Despite all of the offseason noise, Elway and Fangio showed the utmost confidence in Jewell by not adding a single linebacker in the offseason, outside of undrafted rookie Joe Dineen.

Jewell’s instincts and Fangio’s defense should bode well for the former fourth-round pick. He won’t be a flashy player, but he’ll get the job done when on the field.

Expect him to be the starter alongside Todd Davis, but a heavy dose of sub packages will knock Jewell off the field in favor of another defensive back.

Production projection for 2019: 75 tackles; 16 starts

DaeSean Hamilton

2018 stats: 243 receiving yards; 30 receptions; 2 touchdowns; 66.7 percent catch rate; 5 starts

Hamilton nearly had the complete opposite year of his counterpart Sutton. On the surface, his stats were very underwhelming in 2018. But that’s because he only had seven targets entering the final four weeks.

But in those four weeks, he was incredibly impressive. Despite playing with a struggling Case Keenum 0n a dreadful offense, he put up 25 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Over a 16-game season, those numbers would have translated to 100 receptions for 728 yards and eight touchdowns.

If Sanders is healthy, Hamilton will take a lesser role. However, that smaller role will still be significant as he’s entering camp as the team’s third receiver.

Production projection for 2019: 700 receiving yards; 65 receptions; 5 touchdowns

Troy Fumagalli

2018 stats: Injured reserve

Fumagalli was the forgotten tight end this offseason. That was until he took off in OTAs, becoming a frequent target of Flacco, specifically in the red zone.

With Noah Fant and Jeff Heuerman in the mix—and Jake Butt still rehabbing—the tight end position for 2019 is not only a huge mystery in terms of how Rich Scangarello will divvy up playing time, but how the production will unfold.

Whoever plays will benefit from an offense and quarterback that loves the tight end. But the most important question, who will play, remains a mystery. Entering camp, it’s hard to discount Fant and the impact he will have, but Fumagalli could be the sleeper for the No. 2 spot.

Production projection for 2019: 20 receptions; 200 yards

Sam Jones

2018 stats: 0 starts; 5 games played

Entering training camp, the Colorado Native is slated for a similar role he had last year as a backup interior offensive lineman and special teamer.

Production projection for 2019: Special teamer and backup interior offensive lineman

Keishawn Bierria

2018 stats: 5 tackles; 0 starts; 16 games played

Similar to Jones, Bierria projects to have a similar role as his rookie year where he was a backup inside linebacker and special teamer.

Currently, Bierria is battling Joe Jones for the backup linebacker job, but Joe Dineen and Alexander Johnson are also fighting for that job.

The former sixth-round pick projects to be a good fit in Fangio’s defense as he has speed, but he hasn’t showed that he can dethrone either Jewell or Davis.

Production projection for 2019: Special teamer and backup inside linebacker

Phillip Lindsay

2018 stats: 1,037 rushing yards; 5.4 yards per carry; 9 rushing touchdowns; 241 receiving yards; 35 receptions; 1 receiving touchdown; 8 starts; 15 games played

Last but certainly, certainly not least is the homegrown No. 30.

Words simply can’t do justice on how fantastic of a season Lindsay had last year, especially considering he was the starter for only half of the season.

It’s hard to imagine Lindsay taking a step back, especially with the praise he’s received from his coaches and teammates while rehabbing, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be a 1,000-yard rusher again.

If Lindsay averages 5.4 yards per carry for a second-straight year, it’ll be hard to give the rock to anyone else. But it’s very possible Scangarello uses Freeman to keep Lindsay fresh. Additionally, the home-run threat will likely be heavily utilized in the passing game and all over the field.

Production projection for 2019: 950 rushing yards; 10 total touchdowns; 50 receptions; 500 receiving yards