Broncos Find Comfort In Depth At Certain Positions
By Cody Roark
The NFL is ruled by position groups that maintain dominant players, however teams benefit from having depth at positions. The Denver Broncos see this value.
As the Denver Broncos prepare to make decisions regarding their 53 man roster, they must analyze how depth can help them contend for a championship.
Talent and multiple positions rule the NFL. However, what makes these teams contend every year?
The answer to that question is depth. Depth is what helps teams remain competitive in the event one of their superstar players becomes injured.
The Denver Broncos have benefited from having depth at major positions, especially defensively.
We’re going to analyze where the Broncos have depth at and where they are currently struggling to seek depth at.
Offensively, the Broncos have depth at important positions. Wide Receiver, Running Back, and some options at O-line will allow the Broncos to remain competitive.
The current positional depth chart for the Denver Broncos is as follows.
Wide Receiver: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer, Kalif Raymond, Jordan Taylor, Isaiah McKenzie, and Marlon Brown.
These guys headline depth at wide-out with Thomas, Sanders, and McKenzie being considered locks to make the final roster.
Considered a potential lock due to his special team efforts is Cody Latimer. Ideally Taylor, Raymond, Brown, and Fowler are considered to be competing for a roster spot.
Head Coach Vance Joseph mentioned that the team plans on keeping 6 wide receivers. With Carlos Henderson’s injury we can assume this may make room for Jordan Taylor and Kalif Raymond.
Unfortunately the Broncos have extended depth at running back. CJ Anderson, Jamaal Charles, DeAngelo Henderson, Stevan Ridley, Devontae Booker, and Juwan Thompson currently sit on the depth chart.
CJ Anderson is a lock for the roster. DeAngelo Henderson may have claimed his stake with his performance against Chicago.
Due to that, I imagine the Broncos will keep three tailbacks on roster with one on the practice squad.
Devontae Booker’s injury may open up the door for Jamaal Charles or Stevan Ridley to make the roster as well pending injury designation.
Defensively, the Broncos benefit from their depth at major skill positions.
Cornerback features Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Lorenzo Doss, and Brendan Langley.
At Safety the Broncos have TJ Ward, Darian Stewart, Justin Simmons, Will Parks, Jamal Carter, Dante Barnett.
These are the names I believe make the Broncos roster or contend to. Jamal Carter, in my opinion, is the utility man who can play multiple positions as a Corner, Linebacker, and Safety.
Carter’s versatility among those positions make him valuable to Joe Woods defense. However, Langley and Barnett are projects in my opinion who could play, but also may develop into future impact players.
The Broncos have decent enough depth at outside linebacker that I believe they will be okay.
Most of all, Von Miller, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett (when they return from injury), Kasim Edebali, and Vontarrius Dora factor in as options.
However, Demarcus Walker is listed as an OLB, but may help on the defensive line following injuries.
Inside linebacker is where I believe Denver has some hidden gems. Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis(injured), Corey Nelson, and Zaire Anderson headline guys who provide extensive depth to their position.
Now we will analyze areas in need of depth or consistency.
Denver Broncos Desire Of Depth:
The Broncos possess depth at several important positions, but they ache for depth or consistency in certain positions.
Due to injuries to Derek Wolfe, Billy Winn, and now Jared Crick, the defensive line desires depth. Furthermore the depth chart reads as follows.
Defensive End: Derek Wolfe, Zach Kerr, Jared Crick, and Adam Gotsis.
Defensive Tackle: Domata Peko, Kyle Peko(Inj), and Tyrique Jarrett.
Wolfe, Crick, and Peko are expected to recover before the season, but Denver currently hurts with lack of depth.
Next: Jared Crick To Miss Time with Back Injury
As a result the Broncos must make a decision on whether or not to add some depth in the event any injury becomes a lingering issue.
In conclusion, it’s important depth be factored into fans minds as it is coaches and executives. The reason we emphasize value in depth is due to the fact that injuries can strike at any given moment.