Broncos CB Tony Carter Prepping for Biggest Competition Yet

Denver Broncos cornerback Tony Carter is at a big juncture in his career with the team.

For three years in a row now, Carter has been sort of a ‘glue’ guy in the Broncos’ secondary, a player that plays just good enough that the coaching staff wants him around, and just makes enough mistakes to have fans wondering whether or not he should be on the 53-man roster.

In 2012, he played perhaps his most prominent role ever for the Broncos in relief of Champ Bailey, starting a few games and actually leading the NFL in pass breakups at one point. His play sputtered that year, but he still managed a solid year as a backup until the playoff game against Baltimore.

We’ll not be mentioning that any further.

Carter’s 2013 and 2014 seasons were primarily spent as a backup and special teams player, but he always seemed to find a way to make one or two big plays in each season he’s been with the Broncos.

In 2012, he scored a pair of touchdowns. In 2013, he got in the way of a punt in overtime against the New England Patriots that set up an easy game-winning field goal for the home team in Foxboro.

2014, he scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery, once again proving he’s able to be in the right place at the right time, but the Broncos have had to take the good with the bad when it comes to Carter.

For instance, he might be the fastest player on the roster, but he also has had his share of mental mistakes that greatly cost the team. But isn’t that true for every player?

Carter is fighting for a roster spot this offseason after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal, and it could be his stiffest competition yet. In fact, the competition at cornerback is going to be so strong, the Broncos decided to move Omar Bolden there to ‘save’ a roster spot for another player at the position.

Carter is competing primarily with Kayvon Webster — a former third round pick — 2015 fifth round pick Lorenzo Doss and seventh rounder Taurean Nixon, nickel corner prospect Tevrin Brandon, and former Eagles draft pick Curtis Marsh. Factor in the fact that the Broncos are likely to spend a roster spot on Omar Bolden again this year, and things aren’t getting any easier for Carter to hold down his spot.

To this point, however, he’s given us no reason to doubt.

With the top three (or four) spots likely locked in by Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, and Kayvon Webster, the reason Carter sticks out is because he’s a very inexpensive veteran that has started meaningful games, and has played at every stage of the playoffs. He’s also valuable on special teams, despite some of his previous gaffes.

The odds are in Carter’s favor of making the roster yet again, but he’s going to have to make sure this year he really steps up his game and stands out among the crowd.

The crowd has gotten a lot more talented.

Next: Will Josh Bush Factor Into Safety Position Competition?