The Denver Broncos have only played two preseason games, but the 53-man roster is coming into focus.
The team is already making some tough, yet necessary, decisions on how to proceed with keeping the most talented 53 players they have.
Which players will ultimately make up the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster?
Here’s our latest prediction.
Quarterback (2, 2/53)
Case Keenum, Chad Kelly
Cut: Paxton Lynch
The Broncos are obviously going to have to make the very difficult decision of cutting Paxton Lynch, a first-round pick in 2016.
They would not be the only team giving up on a 2016 first-rounder already, as the Cleveland Browns traded wide receiver Corey Coleman — a higher pick than Lynch — after the start of training camp.
There are others around the league faltering, but Lynch needs a fresh start, and the Broncos need to move on.
Whether Lynch is cut or traded remains to be seen. The Broncos are on the hook for the majority of his money so perhaps a team further down the waiver priority order will send Denver a draft pick in exchange for Lynch if even just a conditional late-round pick.
It’s clear at this point that Lynch has been outplayed by Chad Kelly, and the Broncos have to be encouraged by what they’ve seen from Kelly as far as his ability to come in and provide solid play.
Kelly has shown incredible improvement over the first two weeks of the preseason and could save the Broncos the trouble of bringing in a veteran altogether.