Can Sean Payton turn around fortunes of Russell Wilson & Co.?

First-year head coach Sean Payton wants to take the offense’s 2022 performance, lock it in a box and toss it into the ocean. Denver averaged a league-worst 16.9 points per game in a profoundly disappointing one-and-done season under head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Now it’s up to Payton to turn things around, and there’s reason to believe he can. Quarterback Russell Wilson rededicated himself to getting in the best shape of his career. Running back Javonte Williams miraculously returned to the field in the preseason despite tearing his ACL less than a year ago. And the Broncos’ revamped offensive line is primed for improvement after allowing 55 sacks last year. Here’s a look at the team’s projected two-deep on offense:

Russell Wilson | 3

5-11, 215, 34, 12th season, Wisconsin/N.C. State

Wilson’s dreadful 2022 season was a fluke. Or at least that’s what head coach Sean Payton believes. Entering his second year in Denver and perhaps the most important one of his career, Wilson is lean, mean and ready to prove his best days are still ahead.

Jarrett Stidham | 4

6-3, 215, 26, 5th season, Auburn

Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Denver in the offseason after playing for the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots. He started in the final two games of the 2022 season for the Raiders, throwing for 584 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Javonte Williams | 33

5-10, 220, 23, 3rd season, North Carolina

Williams tore his ACL last fall, but that didn’t stop him from returning to the field at the start of OTAs. The former North Carolina standout conquered the recovery process with the goal of playing in Week 1. But will he be 100%? If he is, Denver’s offense looks a lot better.

Samaje Perine | 25

5-11, 235, 27, 7th season, Oklahoma

Perine signed with the Broncos after playing the last three seasons in Cincinnati. Payton is known for using multiple running backs in his offense. Perine will surely be used in third-down situations and the passing game.

Michael Burton | 20

5-11, 242, 31, 9th season, Rutgers

In an era when fullbacks are becoming obsolete, Burton is among a few still proving the position has value. Burton, who played under Payton in New Orleans in 2020, spent the past two seasons with Kansas City, helping it win Super Bowl LVII.

Jerry Jeudy | 10

6-1, 193, 24, 4th season, Alabama

Jeudy ended the last season on a high note, totaling 37 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns in the final six games. Denver hopes Jeudy, who had his fifth-year option picked up in the spring, can build on that stellar run.

Marvin Mims Jr. | 83

5-11, 184, 21, Rookie, Oklahoma

There’s a lot to like about Mims, whom the Broncos drafted in the second round. He has tremendous speed and can be a deep-ball threat for Wilson. With Tim Patrick out for the season and KJ Hamler waived on a non-football illness designation, Mims has a chance to make an impact in Year 1.

Courtland Sutton | 14

6-4, 216, 27, 6th season, Southern Methodist

Sutton spent the offseason dodging trade rumors and transforming his body to return to its 2019 version, which recorded 1,112 receiving yards and was selected to a Pro Bowl. If Sutton is back to his old self, expect big things.

Brandon Johnson | 89

6-2, 195, 25, 2nd season, Central Florida

Johnson has impressed the coaching staff throughout the offseason. Denver’s wide receivers room needs guys to step up now more than ever, and Johnson has a chance to prove he can play in the NFL.

Greg Dulcich | 80

6-4, 245, 23, 2nd season, UCLA

Payton expects big things from Dulcich in Year 2. During mini camp, he referred to the UCLA product as “The Joker” of Denver’s offense because of his versatility and pass-catching ability.

Adam Trautman | 82

6-5, 253, 26, 4th season, Dayton

Trautman was reunited with his former Saints head coach after Denver traded for him during the NFL draft. He expects to have a meaningful role and fills a need as a receiver and blocker.

Chris Manhertz | 84

6-6, 260, 31, 8th season, Canisius

A basketball-player-turned-blocking-specialist, Manhertz was brought to Denver to provide support in the run game. Manhertz spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers and the last two in Jacksonville.

Garett Bolles | 72

6-5, 300, 31, 7th season, Utah

Bolles’ 2022 season was cut short due to a fractured leg. His return should help the Broncos’ offensive line improve after it struggled last year. He’s also approaching a career crossroads, with two years left on his deal but no guaranteed money left after 2023.

Cam Fleming | 73

6-5, 320, 30, 10th season, Stanford

After leading Denver’s offensive line in snaps played, Fleming returned to be a swing tackle who can provide depth up front. Fleming started 15 of 17 games for the Broncos in 2022 and only missed two contests in the middle of the season due to a quad issue.

Ben Powers | 74

6-4, 338, 26, 5th season, Oklahoma

Denver made Powers a primary target in free agency, signing him to a four-year, $52 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed. Powers turned into a productive guard with Baltimore, and he’s expected to play a major role in Denver’s revamped offensive line.

Lloyd Cushenberry

6-4, 315, 25, 4th season, LSU

Cushenberry is living a childhood dream: playing under Payton, who guided his hometown team, the Saints, to a Super Bowl in 2010. At the same time, he is out to prove that he can continue to be Denver’s starting center in the final year of his rookie contract.

Luke Wattenberg

6-5, 300, 25, 2nd season, Washington

Wattenberg played in only seven games (one start) as a rookie, but he’s another player who provides versatility in the trenches, as he can play both guard spots.

Quinn Meinerz

6-3, 320, 24, 3rd season, Wisconsin-Whitewater

Meinerz enters his third season in the league and wants to be known for more than the enormous belly that he flashes during practices. He has started in 22 of 28 career games. Meinerz should benefit from playing alongside Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey this season.

Mike McGlinchey

6-8, 310, 28, 6th season, Notre Dame

The Broncos invested heavily in the offensive line, especially McGlinchey, who signed a five-year contract worth up to $87.5 million that comes with $50 million guaranteed. McGlinchey, the No. 9 pick in the 2018 draft, has a chance to end Denver’s decade-long revolving door at right tackle. The Broncos have started the season with a different starter at the position each year since 2013.

Wil Lutz

5-11, 184, 29, 7th season, Georgia State

Lutz has played in 97 career games, posting a career field goal percentage of 84.6%. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2019 but sidelined for the entire 2021 season due to a core muscle injury. Lutz returned in 2022, converting a career-low 74.2% of his field goal attempts.

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