The 2019 Broncos training camp kicked off on Thursday. So how does the team look and should fans start booking plans for the Super Bowl already? Calm down — the regular season doesn’t start for weeks. But that doesn’t stop folks from trying to gauge how this team looks.

Here’s a look at how various national media compared the Broncos to the rest of the NFL:

USA Today’s Steven Ruiz lists the Broncos as a “playoff sleeper” at No. 21:

“The Broncos have all the ingredients of a playoff team. The defense will be better under Vic Fangio, Mike Munchak is an offensive line whisperer, the receiving corps is better than it gets credit for and you saw what Phillip Lindsay did last season as a rookie. There’s just the whole quarterback problem. It’s like Denver is baking a cake and it has everything but the sugar.”

Pro Football Focus gives the Broncos the 22nd-best roster in the NFL, crediting Von Miller as the team’s biggest strength and the quarterback position as its biggest weakness:

“Time will tell if Flacco can finally solve the Broncos’ quarterback problems or if it’s on to rookie Drew Lock, who led the 2019 quarterback draft class in big-time throws in college last season.”

In ESPN’s future power ranking projection for the next three years, Denver came in at 22nd:

“The Broncos have not been able to find a quarterback of the future during John Elway’s reign as GM. Second-round selection Drew Lock has a chance to change that, and some wonder whether he could upend Flacco as soon as this season. That would give Denver a chance at a more favorable future outcome.”

How about head coaches? NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison placed a “not rated” score for first-year head coach Vic Fangio:

“Fangio inherits a fantastic pair of pass rushers in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, a young stud at RB in Phillip Lindsay, and a future WR1 in Courtland Sutton. What his staff can coax out of Joe Flacco will be the key to the head coach’s success in ’19.”

Electronic Arts chimed in with its team ratings for Madden NFL 20. Denver had an 81 overall team rating, tied for 19th with the Titans, Seahawks and Ravens. The defense earned an 84, tying them for sixth best in the game. The offense had a 75, placing them 24th among NFL teams.

And finally, online oddsmaker Bovada has the Broncos as the 21st favorite to win the Super Bowl at 60-to-1 odds — tied with their AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders.

— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post

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What’s on tap?

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Must-Read

The Broncos opened their 16th consecutive training camp at their Englewood headquarters Wednesday. Here is a primer for the next seven weeks. Read more…

Before the Broncos even don the pads, there’s already a controversy at training camp. Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr., the two best players on the team, are bickering like brothers. Read more…

Quarterback Drew Lock returned the Broncos’ practice field Thursday for the start of training camp after contract negotiations had put his participation in question. Read more…

Quick Hits

+ As Broncos training camp begins, Elway talks offseason, Fangio and second-year players.

+ For Vic Fangio, journey to Broncos’ head coach nearly 40 years in the making.

+ Broncos Roundtable: What is Vic Fangio’s biggest training camp challenge?

+ With eyes on Week 1, Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders wants to “gradually progress” early in training camp.

+ “I’m ready 100 percent.” Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay eager for training camp, won’t pinpoint return date.

+ O’Halloran: Exit of Shaq Barrett, Shane Ray provide Broncos training camp chance for undrafted rookie Ahmed Gooden.

+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran here.

+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.

By The Numbers

97

Von Miller’s overall rating in Madden NFL 20, down from 99 in last year’s edition. See the rest of the team’s ratings here…

Parting Shot

Legions of fans decked out in orange and blue joined the happy couple Thursday morning in Englewood to watch the Broncos open training camp for the 2019 season. After three straight seasons missing the playoffs, fans eagerly watched their new quarterback, Joe Flacco, throw his first passes as a Bronco, hoping — praying — that this is the year Denver returns to playoff glory. Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.