Denver Broncos: Five players facing make-or-break seasons

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Menelik Watson #75 after a third-quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Menelik Watson #75 after a third-quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Menelik Watson, OL

Because Watson signed what essentially amounts to an ironclad two-year contract with the Broncos, he’s facing a make-or-break season this year as opposed to 2017.

Watson was signed by the Broncos in hopes that he would finally realize the great potential he showed coming out of Florida State in 2013 when he was a second-round pick of the Oakland Raiders.

Watson has done anything but show that promise with the Broncos, as he was among the worst offensive tackles in the NFL in 2017.

The Broncos brought in Jared Veldheer to be their new starting right tackle, so Watson is going to have to prove his worth in other ways.

Specifically, it wouldn’t be a shocker to see Watson make a full-time transition to the guard position in training camp depending on how things are going on the right side. If that’s the case, it could help revive his career.

Watson struggled badly in space against pass rushers with any kind of speed, but he was not all bad in the running game when he was able to pick a target and go bury them.

It’s possible we could see Watson get a chance to make or break his career with the Broncos as a guard.

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