Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, player development is often talked about in offseasons or postseasons—framed as a behind-the-scenes process of weightlifting, film study, and drill work. But for the Denver Broncos in 2025, development wasn’t hidden; it was happening right in front of fans, coaches, and teammates’ eyes—on practice fields, in preseason games, and even during high-stakes regular-season moments. Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos isn’t just a description of growth; it’s a story of young players turning potential into production, veterans refining their craft, and a team evolving together week after week. From a rookie cornerback learning to shut down Pro Bowl receivers to a second-year running back mastering pass protection, the Broncos’ development was visible, tangible, and critical to their surprise playoff run.

Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos started in training camp, where rookie cornerback Tyler Hill—an undrafted free agent from Utah—began turning heads with his rapid improvement. On the first day of camp, Hill struggled to stay with veteran wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in one-on-one drills, dropping his hips too early and allowing Jeudy to beat him deep twice. But by the end of camp, just four weeks later, Hill had adjusted: he’d tightened his footwork, learned to read Jeudy’s body language, and even intercepted a pass from Russell Wilson during a scrimmage. “You could see Tyler get better every single day,” said Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker. “He’d ask questions after every drill, watch film with the veterans at night, and apply what he learned the next morning. That kind of growth doesn’t happen in the shadows—it happens right in front of you.” Hill’s camp development wasn’t just for show; it earned him a spot on the 53-man roster, and by Week 4, he was rotating in as the Broncos’ third cornerback—a leap no one saw coming in July.

Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos became even more apparent during the preseason, when second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin transformed from a raw talent into a reliable playmaker. As a rookie in 2024, Franklin had flashed speed and hands but struggled with route precision—often rounding his cuts or misreading coverages. But in the 2025 preseason, fans watched him fix those flaws in real time: against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, he ran a crisp slant route, creating just enough separation to catch a 30-yard touchdown pass. Against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, he adjusted his route mid-play to beat a zone defense, hauling in a 25-yard catch on third-and-10. “Troy’s development was like watching a movie unfold,” said Broncos wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. “Every game, you saw him correct a mistake from the week before. One week he’s rounding routes, the next he’s sharp as a tack. That’s the kind of growth you can’t hide—it’s right there on the field for everyone to see.” Franklin carried that momentum into the regular season, finishing with 65 catches for 900 yards and 7 touchdowns—more than doubling his rookie production.

Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos wasn’t limited to young skill players; it extended to the offensive line, where third-year guard Graham Wattenberg evolved into a leader and a force in both run and pass blocking. In 2024, Wattenberg had been a solid starter but struggled with consistency—sometimes dominating defensive tackles, other times getting pushed back into the pocket. But in 2025, fans watched him refine his technique: he started using his hands more effectively to shed defenders, adjusted his footwork to handle speed rushes, and even began calling out blitzes for the younger linemen. In Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he held Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones to just one pressure all game—a performance that would have been unthinkable for him in 2024. “Graham’s development was about more than just skill—it was about leadership,” said Broncos offensive line coach Butch Barry. “You could see him grow into a guy who doesn’t just play his position, but makes everyone around him better. That’s the kind of growth that changes an offensive line—and a team.” The Denver Broncos’ offensive line, once a liability, became a strength in 2025, allowing just 24 sacks all season—10 fewer than in 2024—thanks in large part to Wattenberg’s visible improvement.

Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos also included veteran players refining their roles to fit the team’s needs. Defensive end Zach Allen, a free-agent signee in 2024, had spent most of his career as a defensive tackle but switched to edge rusher in 2025. Fans watched him learn the position in real time: in Week 1, he struggled to get around Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown Jr., relying too much on power and not enough on speed. But by Week 5, he’d added a spin move to his arsenal, using it to sack Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter. By Week 10, he was mixing power and speed seamlessly, recording two sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders. “Zach’s development as an edge rusher was one of the most fun stories of the season,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “Every week, you saw him add a new move, fix a flaw, get a little better. He didn’t just switch positions—he mastered them, right in front of everyone. That’s the mark of a great player.” The Denver Broncos’ pass rush, which ranked 15th in the NFL in 2024, jumped to 5th in 2025, with Allen finishing with 8 sacks—his career high.

Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos was ultimately about more than individual growth; it was about a team coming together and getting better as a unit. By the end of the 2025 season, the Broncos had gone from a 7-10 team in 2024 to a 12-5 playoff team in 2025—a transformation that was visible in every phase of the game. Fans watched the offense go from predictable to dynamic, the defense from inconsistent to dominant, and the special teams from average to elite. “This team’s development wasn’t just about one or two players—it was about everyone getting a little better every week,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton. “You could see it in practice, in games, in the way they communicated on the field. That’s the kind of growth that builds a championship culture.” For Broncos fans, the 2025 season was more than just a winning campaign—it was a front-row seat to a team’s evolution. In the end, Developing Right in Front of Eyes for the Denver Broncos is a celebration of growth, effort, and the belief that with hard work and focus, every player—young or old—can get better. And for a franchise chasing its next Super Bowl, that’s the most valuable development of all.