Denver Broncos

Broncos land nine players on NFL.com's All-AFC West team

Published Jun. 26, 2015 12:28 a.m. ET

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Who said the Broncos were primed for a drop-off?

They boast a roster with more talent than any divisional foe, according to NFL Media's Dave Damashek. With nine nominees, more Broncos appeared on Damashek's All-AFC West team than any other AFC West rival.

The Broncos might not win their group as handily this season. But they've still got talent like quarterback Peyton Manning, receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, guard Louis Vasquez, outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, cornerback Chris Harris Jr., and safety T.J. Ward.

All of those players earned a spot on Damashek's all-star squad. Here's what he had to say about each of them and their place in the division:

On Peyton Manning: One year from now... or maybe two... Derek Carr's name will fill this space.

On Demaryius Thomas: For all the historic production that Peyton and Co. have managed over the last few years, having a healthy Thomas man the No. 1 receiver spot is now all that stands between Denver's offense and mediocrity in 2015.

On Emmanuel Sanders: The potential the Steelers saw in Sanders during his time in Pittsburgh didn't fully blossom until the former SMU burner joined The Sheriff in Denver. Of course, as good as he was in 2014 -- 101 catches for 1,404 yards and nine scores -- I couldn't see the 5-foot-11 Sanders carrying the load by himself for the Broncos.

On Louis Vasquez: With Ryan Clady already out for the year with a torn ACL and Orlando Franklin playing for the enemy in San Diego, Vasquez is now the only proven above-average talent tasked with protecting No. 18.

On DeMarcus Ware: He's found a second life since trading the star on his hat for a horse. Soon enough, he'll get a gold jacket.

On Von Miller: Remember how good he was supposed to be coming out of A&M in 2011? He's been even better. In his three healthy/suspension-free seasons, he's averaged 15 sacks.

On Brandon Marshall: Like his pal Danny Trevathan, Marshall will be crucial to the success of new Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' star-laden defense.

On Chris Harris Jr.: Harris might need to hire a publicist who specializes in promoting shutdown corners, because his work on the field stacks up with those higher-profile guys Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis.

On T.J. Ward: He's the highly paid hammer of John Elway's all-star unit. My concerns about the Denver offense are moot if the Broncos' defense reaches its potential.

(h/t NFL.com)