Mike Clay predicts Broncos won't have 1,000-yard rusher or receiver in 2026

ESPN's Mike Clay has released his player projections for the 2026 NFL season, and he expects Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to have a similar season to his last campaign.

Nix threw for 3,931 yards with 25 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while taking 22 sacks in 2025. Going into the 2026 campaign, Clay now projects 3,874 yards with 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The most surprising projection is Clay has Nix taking 27 sacks, a notable increase from his first two seasons.

Elsewhere on offense, Clay projects running back J.K. Dobbins to lead the backfield with 958 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Denver does not have a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver in Clay's projections. Jaylen Waddle is the team's projected leading receiver with 77 receptions for 993 yards and six scores.

On defense, none of the team's pass rushers top double-digit sacks. Nik Bonitto (9.7) leads the way, followed by Zach Allen (5.2). Overall, the defense is projected to total 45.2 sacks, which would be a massive disappointment after the squad led the NFL in sacks in 2024 (63) and 2025 (68). Clearly, Clay doesn't expect the Broncos to break the NFL's single-season sack record this fall.

Denver's players will get their first opportunities to begin proving Clay's projections wrong when the Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1 on Sept. 14.

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