Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Broncos had little trouble moving the ball last year, but scoring points was another matter entirely. Despite finishing 11th in the league in yards, they were only 21st in the league in points.

Denver is trying to rectify this problem this year by adding a trio of veteran receivers who had flamed out elsewhere. But big question marks still abound:

Can Selvin Young carry the load at running back?

Will Jay Cutler’s diabetes diagnosis be a problem?

And will off-the-field nonsense derail the promising career of Brandon Marshall?

QUARTERBACKS: Cutler’s numbers in his first full year starting were nothing to be ashamed of: 3,497 yards and 20 TDs. But he dropped some 35 pounds during the season, and fatigue during an offseason workout led to the diabetes diagnosis. This could actually be a good thing; with proper treatment and diet, Cutler should feel stronger all season long. He could be a real sleeper this year, although it would be wise to have a solid back-up if you choose Cutler as your main fantasy starter.

Patrick Ramsey is the fall-back plan, and might be worth a play in certain match-ups if he’s on the field.

RUNNING BACKS: All fantasy players know that Mike Shanahan can’t be reiled upon to stick with one back throughout the course of the season. That’s why it’s hard to get too excited about the prospects of Selvin Young, who assumes the starting role in his second season after being an undrafted free agent. Still, there isn’t a lot of competition for the job, assuming no free agent is signed from now ’til training camp. Young showed explosive play-making ability last year (5.2 yards per carry) but had trouble finding the end zone. Try to get him as a second back with potential to put up No.1-type numbers.

Michael Pittman is second on the depth chart, but it’s likely Andre Hall, who had a couple of big games last year, is more of a threat to challenge Young for the job. Pittman is 32 and will likely serve as a third-down option. Hall has a chance to provide big numbers if things fall his way, which is what you want at the end of the draft. And, knowing Shanahan, you can’t entirely discount Mike Bell, a forgotten man last season, or Ryan Torain, a rookie with potential if he can stay healthy.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Coming off a year in which he was 5th in the league in catches and 6th in yards, we should be talking about Brandon Marshall’s ascendancy to the fantasy elite. Instead he endured an offseason in which he severely lacerated his arm horsing around at his home and was publicly called out by Cutler to grow up, all while a DUI arrest is hanging over his head. It’s not unusual for a star receiver to be less than a choir boy, but this is still distressing to prospective owners. Marshall is a go-to fantasy receiver if he gets to camp healthy (which reports say should happen), but if you draft him, you’ll have to hold your breath all season waiting for the other shoe to drop.

After that, it’s a who’s-who of veteran receivers vying for spots in the lineup. Brandon Stokley was a starter last year, but he’ll be challenged by Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert, and Samie Parker. Jackson has the best track record by far and is just two years removed from a 10-TD season, but he looked like a shell of himself last year in San Fran. I’d still take him over Parker or Colbert, who each had plenty of chances in their previous homes as high draft picks and couldn’t hold down a job. Rookie Eddie Royal looks like more of a return guy at this point.

Considering he didn’t play until Week 5, tight end Tony Scheffler’s 549 yards and 5 TDs are numbers that make him a candidate to be a fantasy starter this year. He has a great rapport with Cutler, and you might be able to get him cheap if less-alert owners are fooled by his mediocre ‘07 totals.