We're now through a pair of preseason games, and things are starting to take shape for the final roster. There are a lot of guys like Von Miller, Case Keenum, Chris Harris Jr and all that we know are locks currently to remain on the roster. Lets break it down by group though for those who might make the team and those who might have to really impress to keep a spot.
QB
Denver I think keeps two QBs this year. There is so much talent at so many other positions, and what we've seen so far from Chad Kelley leads me to believe he has a shot at being at least serviceable starter in his NFL career. This, combined with Paxton Lynch looking possibly worse this past week going against lesser competition. I don't see any way that Lynch can make the team at this point.
Denver I think keeps two QBs this year. There is so much talent at so many other positions, and what we've seen so far from Chad Kelley leads me to believe he has a shot at being at least serviceable starter in his NFL career. This, combined with Paxton Lynch looking possibly worse this past week going against lesser competition. I don't see any way that Lynch can make the team at this point.
WR
This might be the deepest the Broncos have been at wideout in my lifetime. DT and Emmanuel Sanders are locks. So are Hamilton and Sutton who have been very solid so far. The question from there now is the last two spots. Denver has a logjam with two spots, and a lot of talented guys. Tim Patrick had several nice catches, and River Cracraft has been good in camp. Jon Diarse has also seen plenty of playing time, while Isaiah Mckenzie is still penciled in as the starting punt returner. To add to it, Carlos Henderson returned to Dove Valley today to try and get back into the good graces. I think Mckenzie makes the squad thanks to his return ability and that chance that he can turn it up. So there is one spot left. I honestly think it goes to Tim Patrick, who has looked very good in games and has been on kick coverage teams.
This might be the deepest the Broncos have been at wideout in my lifetime. DT and Emmanuel Sanders are locks. So are Hamilton and Sutton who have been very solid so far. The question from there now is the last two spots. Denver has a logjam with two spots, and a lot of talented guys. Tim Patrick had several nice catches, and River Cracraft has been good in camp. Jon Diarse has also seen plenty of playing time, while Isaiah Mckenzie is still penciled in as the starting punt returner. To add to it, Carlos Henderson returned to Dove Valley today to try and get back into the good graces. I think Mckenzie makes the squad thanks to his return ability and that chance that he can turn it up. So there is one spot left. I honestly think it goes to Tim Patrick, who has looked very good in games and has been on kick coverage teams.
OL
The starting group here is pretty well set, and I'm excited for the left side of the line with Bolles and Leary locking it down. This leaves 3 spots if last season's roster tells us anything. Max Garcia is locked in I think with a solid enough camp, and the versatility to play anywhere on the interior. Billy Turner looks to be the swing tackle. So it comes down to whether Denver keeps Sam Jones or Andreas Knappe or Cyrus Kouandijo. Jones was a pick this year, but he's been super raw. Knappe is a bit higher on the depth chart, but Kounadijo has been around a bit. This week Knappe is unlikely to play, giving Kounadijo the edge.
The starting group here is pretty well set, and I'm excited for the left side of the line with Bolles and Leary locking it down. This leaves 3 spots if last season's roster tells us anything. Max Garcia is locked in I think with a solid enough camp, and the versatility to play anywhere on the interior. Billy Turner looks to be the swing tackle. So it comes down to whether Denver keeps Sam Jones or Andreas Knappe or Cyrus Kouandijo. Jones was a pick this year, but he's been super raw. Knappe is a bit higher on the depth chart, but Kounadijo has been around a bit. This week Knappe is unlikely to play, giving Kounadijo the edge.
TE
This could be a big year for this position. Jeff Heuerman looks to be healthy, and Jake Butt will be making his debut. Troy Fumagalli is working back from an injury which I think puts him at risk. Austin Traylor I liked a lot last year, and Matt Lacosse has been featured. Id prefer Traylor for his blocking.
This could be a big year for this position. Jeff Heuerman looks to be healthy, and Jake Butt will be making his debut. Troy Fumagalli is working back from an injury which I think puts him at risk. Austin Traylor I liked a lot last year, and Matt Lacosse has been featured. Id prefer Traylor for his blocking.
RB
Another position of depth, and a lot of youth here. Booker and Freeman are going to do a lot of time sharing this season while Andy Janovich is versatile and gives the offense another option. I think Denver keeps 5 backs, as they did last year. Phillip Lindsay has been impressive (Go Buffs!) and is safe. I think David Williams is the last man on, edging out Henderson to give the backs a bit of size that they would lack otherwise.
Another position of depth, and a lot of youth here. Booker and Freeman are going to do a lot of time sharing this season while Andy Janovich is versatile and gives the offense another option. I think Denver keeps 5 backs, as they did last year. Phillip Lindsay has been impressive (Go Buffs!) and is safe. I think David Williams is the last man on, edging out Henderson to give the backs a bit of size that they would lack otherwise.
DL
This unit is going to give other teams nightmares. Derek Wolfe, Domato Peko and Adam Gotsis provide a solid core of starters. Add in Shelby Harris and Demarcus Walker to the rotation and it will be solid. Denver carried 7 lineman last year. Zack Kerr played solid rotational minutes last year and likely sticks. The handful of others left for the last spot has some vets in Paul Boyette and Clint McDonald. But I think Kyle Peko ends up with the last spot there thanks to his ability to play nose and a 5 technique in a pinch
This unit is going to give other teams nightmares. Derek Wolfe, Domato Peko and Adam Gotsis provide a solid core of starters. Add in Shelby Harris and Demarcus Walker to the rotation and it will be solid. Denver carried 7 lineman last year. Zack Kerr played solid rotational minutes last year and likely sticks. The handful of others left for the last spot has some vets in Paul Boyette and Clint McDonald. But I think Kyle Peko ends up with the last spot there thanks to his ability to play nose and a 5 technique in a pinch
OLB
There was some thought Shane Ray might have been traded or released this year after the team declined his 5th year option. But he's had a solid camp coming back from a wrist injury and looks to be the third backer behind Von and Chubb. The Broncos only carried 4 Outside Backers last year, meaning Shaq Barrett rounds out the group. There is an outside chance Denver carries 5, which I think has Jeff Holland making the team as a developmental guy.
There was some thought Shane Ray might have been traded or released this year after the team declined his 5th year option. But he's had a solid camp coming back from a wrist injury and looks to be the third backer behind Von and Chubb. The Broncos only carried 4 Outside Backers last year, meaning Shaq Barrett rounds out the group. There is an outside chance Denver carries 5, which I think has Jeff Holland making the team as a developmental guy.
ILB
The Broncos addressed this position in the draft to help shore up the reserves here. Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis are the starters, but Josey Jewell I think earns a lot of playing time. For the last reserve spot Zaire Anderson has the inside track, but he hasn't looked super sharp in the preseason so far. Keishawn Bierria had a solid career at Washington and has been a solid player so far. I still think its Anderson buts its closer than it was a couple weeks ago.
CB
Denver needs 5 for the roster, and its pretty well set right now. Chris Harris, Bradley Roby and Tramaine Brock are the starters. Isaiah Yiadom has looked raw so far, but provides some real upside. Brendan Langley likely pulls out the last spot, but there is a very good chance Denver tries to get another veteran player to round out the group.
S
Justin Simmons is a rising star, and Darien Stewart should return to form as he's now experienced in his shift to Strong Safety. Will Parks has looked very good and he's been an excellent special teamer. The 4th spot now is a little more unclear that Jamal Carter is missing the season with his a torn hamstring. Su'a Cravens is likely the man there, but he hasn't played a down yet this preseason and might not play before the 4th game.
With 3 specialists, this brings us up to 51 players so far. I think the last spots come down to Holland, Dymonte Thomas, Alexander Johnson and Troy Fumigali. Deciding between Holland and Johnson is a tough call. Johnson just got a pretty lucrative deal but is a complete unknown. If the team is happy with Shane Rays health Johnson makes the cut there . If Su'a Cravens ends up healthy these next two weeks, Fumagali likely makes the team. But if Cravens is slow, Thomas gets it to shore up that secondary.
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