The Denver Broncos have three guys entering training camp in 2023 with something to prove.



For Denver, this is one of their more important seasons in a very long time. They last made the playoffs seven years ago and had a winning season in 2016. This is a franchise that demands excellence because of how historic it is.



2023 doesn't have to have the Broncos competing for a Super Bowl, but they do need to show some major improvements. To do that, some guys have to have big seasons outside of the star players.

Three guys on the defensive side of the ball need to have big seasons. These three have something to prove heading into training camp.

Damarri Mathis, CB

Mathis is entering his second season after an up-and-down rookie year. He showed so many good moments last season, but he also had a lot of bad moments that rookies make. He made some undisciplined plays by getting penalties, and often ties would look lost.

But the talent and skill level is there. The only thing that was keeping Mathis from being a good cornerback was having that experience. He has something to prove going into this training camp.

Not only does he have to prove that he has what it takes to be a full-time starter, as Mathis started only 11 of the 16 games he played, but he has to prove that he can be a cornerstone for years to come. Not to mention, the Broncos just drafted Riley Moss. While everyone will want each other to succeed, Mathis can't let Moss overtake him as the starter.

Drew Sanders, LB

To me, and likely to Sanders as well, he was the best linebacker in the draft, yet, he wasn’t the first linebacker taken. If there is anything we do know, it’s that he is super athletic and the best inside linebacker on the roster. He is super versatile, too, meaning he can rush the passer as an outside linebacker or stop the run and cover as an inside linebacker.

But here is what he must prove: He can be a starter in his rookie year. He is already one of the best linebackers on the roster. I believe he can do enough in training camp to become the eventual starter over Josey Jewell.

Matt Henningsen, DE

Most Broncos depth chart projections have Henningsen as either a starter in 2023 or a second-stringer. Henningsen has yet to do much of anything in his career, so it’s a pretty obvious pick for guys who have something to prove.

Henningsen is a big dude with a lot of power, but he has to work on his pass-rush moves. That is where training camp comes in. The right defensive end spot is one with a lot of questions, so anyone could take the starting role. He has to prove he is deserving of it.

If these guys can prove they are worthy of these things, the Broncos will have a fine year at those positions. This year won't be easy, and neither will training camp, which is just another reason of why they have something to prove.

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