Denver Broncos roster moves: What’s up next?

Wide Receiver

The Broncos are keeping at least five wide receivers. Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, and Tim Patrick.

The team has not officially confirmed that Patrick will make the roster, but he’s been such a weapon on offense and on special teams, there is no justification for cutting him. He has to be on the team.

The Broncos are debating whether or not to keep six receivers on the active roster as this position group is set to really make an impact on the overall numbers game.

The spot — if it goes to anyone — is going to go to either River Cracraft or Isaiah McKenzie.

Cracraft has shown more in practices as a receiver in the offense, primarily out of the slot (from what I saw and according to people on the ground in Denver). McKenzie is an explosive return specialist whose major concern was muffing punts.

He didn’t drop a single one in four preseason games, but did fumble the ball against Chicago when working with the offense.

The Broncos have already let go of Bryce Bobo, John Diarse, Mark Chapman, and Jordan Leslie. They are not likely to keep DeAndrew White, either.

The question here might be which player is more likely to make it to the practice squad between Cracraft or McKenzie.

Based on athletic traits alone, McKenzie would not clear waivers. There’s no way. Cracraft has worked well in the Broncos’ system and every team has a player like that on their roster.

The easy decision here is to put Cracraft on the practice squad and continue to develop him.

The Broncos do not have to make a decision on Carlos Henderson until the third week of September because he will go on the reserve/suspended list.