4. Demaryius Thomas

success of the Broncos season

If this really is Brock Osweiler’s time, then he’s going to need all the help he can get. Because even if he does have all the natural talent in the world, he’s still a first-year starter, and defenses are going to take full advantage.

What Osweiler needs is the Demaryius Thomas that played with Tim Tebow; he needs the guy who can turn a 4-yard slant into a 80-yard touchdown, much like he did this weekend.

While Thomas has continued to be great through the Manning years, we’ve seen less and less production after the catch this season. After being in the top-three for wide receivers in YAC (yards after the catch) in each of the last three years, Thomas has fallen all the way down to 15th this season.

Even with Osweiler’s big arm, the majority of his passes are going to be fairly short, and that’s where the Broncos really need their receivers to step up and make some big-time plays.

Not to mention, he should probably stop dropping balls, too.