The Denver Broncos are poised to be one of the highest scoring fantasy football teams this season and players like CJ Anderson, Demaryius Thomas, Peyton Manning, Emmanuel Sanders, Ronnie Hillman and Owen Daniels are some of the top draft options to pick from.
Manning is another year older and while the odds are against a 39-year-old playing in all 16 games, if anyone can be the first since Brett Favre, it's Manning. Manning comes in after another big season, but he dealt with a nagging injury down the stretch and that hurt him and the Broncos leading into the playoffs. Manning said that he feels healthy heading into the season and that the Broncos are going to find ways to give him rest when it is needed.
Emmanuel Sanders is coming back as the top receiver and while he has been banged up this summer, he is expected to be ready for Week 1 of the season. The team just let go of Montee Ball and it comes as CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman have moved ahead of the former second round pick on the depth chart. Anderson is the clear starter, but head coach Gary Kubiak said that Hillman could be the "1B running back" with Anderson "11A."
Anderson had a productive second half of the season and he will try and carry that over into this season. Having a strong running game will help Manning stay out of harm's way and that could mean a big year for Anderson. Anderson played in 15 games last season and had 849 yards and eight touchdowns and he also was a factor in the passing game with 34 catches for 324 yards. Anderson was explosive down the stretch and he basically rushed for the majority of his yards in the second half of the season.
Hillman was relegated to a backup last year, but with Ball gone, Hillman now is the primary backup for Anderson. Hillman has looked better in camp and Gary Kubiak wants him to be more active after playing in just eight games last season. Hillman put up a career best 434 yards and 21 catches for 139 yards and he could be a great handcuff option for fantasy owners.
Manning is set for another strong season as long as he can remain healthy and he has two great receivers to work with. Sanders has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but he is back and now he is expected to start in Week 1 after missing time this summer. Sanders had a career season with 101 catches for 1404 yards and nine scores last season. Thomas got a new contract this offseason and he is looking to have another great season after making 111 catches for 1619 yards and 11 scores last season. The past three years Thomas has put up 35 touchdowns for the Broncos.