2016 NFL Power Rankings: Preseason Edition

8. Denver Broncos, 3.88 nERD

After winning a Super Bowl and losing a legendary quarterback in Peyton Manning, there are actually plenty of reasons to believe in this Broncos team in 2016.

Last year, Manning owned a Passing NEP per drop back (-0.02) that was marginally worse than Johnny Manziel's, so even the messy situation that features Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian, and Paxton Lynch can't be considered an obvious step back. They did lose Brock Osweiler, who played close to, but below, league-average on a per-drop back basis, though.

Still, the pass defense denied nearly 65 points through the air after adjusting for schedule, more than twice as many as the second-ranked Panthers' pass defense eliminated. With the top overall defense, they can withstand another stagnant offense.

It's important to note that the duo of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders each ranked in the top 20 in Reception NEP despite terrible quarterback play in 2015. Any improvement could make them Super Bowl contenders again now that Von Miller is on board.