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Denver Broncos: Final 53-man roster predictions

By Sayre Bedinger

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor (87) carries the ball for a 57 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor (87) carries the ball for a 57 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

(@SayreBedinger — Sayre Bedinger)

OFFENSE (25)
QB: Trevor Siemian; Paxton Lynch
RB: C.J. Anderson; Devontae Booker; Kapri Bibbs; Ronnie Hillman
FB: Andy Janovich
WR: Demaryius Thomas; Emmanuel Sanders; Bennie Fowler; Cody Latimer; Jordan Taylor; Jordan Norwood
TE: Virgil Green; Jeff Heuerman; John Phillips
OT: Russel Okung; Donald Stephenson; Michael Schofield
OG: Max Garcia; Darrion Weems; Connor McGovern; Ty Sambrailo
C: Matt Paradis; James Ferentz

DEFENSE (25)
DE: Derek Wolfe; Jared Crick; Adam Gotsis; Henry Melton; Billy Winn
DT: Sylvester Williams; Darius Kilgo
EDGE: Von Miller; DeMarcus Ware; Shane Ray; Shaquil Barrett; Dekoda Watson
ILB: Brandon Marshall; Todd Davis; Corey Nelson; Zaire Anderson
CB: Chris Harris Jr.; Aqib Talib; Bradley Roby; Kayvon Webster; Lorenzo Doss
S: T.J. Ward; Darian Stewart; Justin Simmons; Will Parks

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K/P Brandon McManus; Riley Dixon
LS Casey Kreiter

Surprise Cuts

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) runs the ball against Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) runs the ball against Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

I don’t know how this team is going to cut such a versatile player like Juwan Thompson, but it happened in this prediction. Sometimes in the fourth and final preseason game, fringe roster players will come down with an ‘injury’ but Thompson is good enough to pretty easily catch on with another roster, and I don’t know if he would agree to a year on injured reserve unless he was  truly hurt.

Obviously the cut of Mark Sanchez is not a ‘surprise’ but there’s definitely something to monitor there as far as making a trade with another team. There are multiple teams desperate right now for some help at quarterback, so the Broncos may be able to swing Sanchez and a pick for another higher pick or perhaps a player that can help this roster.

Position In Flux

I don’t think the Broncos’ TE position is settled. That could perhaps be an area they look to upgrade via trade. They are deep enough at defensive back and running back to possibly swing a trade for a tight end that can help this team. Henry Krieger-Coble certainly has potential, but I think he’s en route to the practice squad.

I also think the Broncos will continue to monitor defensive line situations across the league. Phil Taylor might not have worked out, but the Broncos had the right idea, bringing in a younger guy to work with Bill Kollar and Wade Phillips and seeing if he had anything left in him.

Perhaps the Broncos can find someone available in a trade or via the waiver wire that could help this team.

Other possibilities

Of course, the Broncos never typically settle with 53 guys that are currently on the team. There’s typically at least one name brought in from the outside but we’ll have to wait and see if that will happen this year.

There are plenty of moving parts and the Broncos’ roster is one of the best overall in the NFL. There will be teams calling about trades, and there will be demand for guys that get cut. That’s the ugly reality the Broncos are facing, but there’s no question there are multiple ways Gary Kubiak and John Elway can assemble another championship roster and it begins Friday.

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