Denver Broncos DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime is an intriguing prospect in this April's draft class, but his 4.71 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine was a concerning sign for his stock. However, NFL scouts clocked him between a 4.56 and 4.59 40-time at the school's Pro Day. While most NFL teams might rely on the laser time at the combine, his improved run can only help his status and draft value. Estime rushed 210 times for 1,341 yards and caught 17 passes for 142 yards in 2023 to go along with 18 total touchdowns in his final season with the Irish. The 221-pounder is a physical runner with burst and strength, but his speed concerns could make him fall into the late rounds next month. He will likely be a second or third-round selection in upcoming rookie dynasty drafts.

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.79 million with former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Trent Sherfield on Thursday. Sherfield will receive a $400,000 signing bonus. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt spent the first three years of his career playing for the Arizona Cardinals before one-year stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Bills in 2023. He caught 11 of his 22 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown in 17 regular season games (one start) in Buffalo last year. Sherfield has a grand total of 78 receptions for 930 yards and five touchdowns on 141 targets in his six years in the NFL and won't be on the fantasy radar in 2024 as he competes with Brandon Powell for a reserve role in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman is sticking around with the organization for a little longer. The 27-year-old agreed to a two-year deal with the organization on Tuesday. Trautman is back after seeing plenty of playing time during his first season in Denver. He finished with 22 receptions, 204 yards, and three touchdowns in 17 games (12 starts) with the Broncos in 2023. Fellow tight end Greg Dulcich missed most of the season due to injury which led to increased playing time for Trautman. The expectation is that Trautman will take a backseat to Dulcich next season. This is a solid move to add depth for Denver, but Trautman probably won't be on the fantasy radar.

Despite a previous report saying that he was signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, kicker Wil Lutz re-signed with the Denver Broncos on an undisclosed two-year deal, according to his agent, John Perla. Lutz will continue to kick for head coach Sean Payton, although moving to Jacksonville would have likely been much more lucrative for his 2024 fantasy value. The Broncos are in rebuilding mode and have moved on from quarterback Russell Wilson, which means their offense could struggle to get into field-goal range more often under Jarrett Stidham or another signal-caller. Lutz finished as the No. 18 fantasy kicker in 2023 by making 30 of his 34 field-goal tries and 29 of his 31 extra points. With Wilson now gone and an offense in flux, Lutz's fantasy ceiling and floor are likely going to be lower in his second year with the team.

The Denver Broncos are going to evaluate all of the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft class, but if they do not trade up (they currently hold the 12th overall pick) within the first round of April's draft to take a QB, Jarrett Stidham would get the first shot to be their starter under center for the 2024 season. There are some in the Broncos building that are intrigued by what Stidham has to offer at the position, but it's clear that he isn't considered the long-term answer at QB. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wouldn't be surprised if Denver signed another veteran in free agency to compete with Stidham this summer. Because of the salary cap predicament the Broncos are in in 2024, they don't really have the funds necessary to go after Kirk Cousins, for instance. Stidham threw for 496 yards, two TDs and a pick in the final two games of the 2023 season and would come with little fantasy upside if he's their starter in 2024.