Lowell Lotulelei let go from Denver Broncos after one minicamp
The Denver Broncos experiment with defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei didn’t last very long. He was waived on Monday, per Nicki Jhabvala…
The Denver Broncos’ roster is now at 89 players officially after the team waived undrafted free agent defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei out of Utah.
Lotulelei, the brother of former Carolina Panthers first-round pick Star Lotulelei, was one of eight undrafted free agent signings by the Broncos and a player the Broncos apparently had a ‘draftable’ grade on.
Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic had the initial report:
Broncos have waived undrafted NT Lowell Lotulelei, per source.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 14, 2018
Sounds like this was Lotulelei’s decision. Wouldn’t be surprised if he opted to walk away from the game. https://t.co/FkYFVPTeGU
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 14, 2018
Lotulelei was one of three players given $15,000 bonuses by the Broncos after the draft. That kind of signing bonus has translated into an instant ‘in’ to the 53-man roster in John Elway’s tenure.
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It’s possible Lotulelei continued to show lack of inspiration on the field.
Two years ago, he flashed the potential of a top 50 player at the nose tackle position. This past season, he played uninspired and overweight.
The thought was that the Broncos would be able to get him in with defensive line coach Bill Kollar, as well as with a great mentor in Domata Peko, and he would be able to turn his football career back around.
Apparently, that was not the case.
With such a relaxed approach to the initial rookie minicamp (especially after Jeff Heuerman’s ACL injury a few years ago), it seems like it would be impossible for a player to be cut this quickly.
But, if you don’t show the coaches something, no one is immune.
Lotulelei’s absence from the roster doesn’t really do much to hurt the Broncos’ depth on the defensive line, but that roster spot could go to someone like Johnathan Hankins, who would be a really good long-term investment for the team as a run-stuffing nose tackle.
There have been no links to the Broncos and Hankins to my knowledge, but that would be a move I would fully support.