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Denver Broncos roster moves: What’s up next?

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 30: Offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson #68 of the Denver Broncos on the bench during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Broncos defeated the Cardinals 21-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 30: Offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson #68 of the Denver Broncos on the bench during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Broncos defeated the Cardinals 21-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins is blocked by offensive tackle Jared Veldheer #66 of the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins is blocked by offensive tackle Jared Veldheer #66 of the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

The Broncos are keeping Garett Bolles, Ron Leary, Matt Paradis, Connor McGovern, and Jared Veldheer.

Beyond the starting five, it would appear as though the team’s top interior backup lineman is Max  Garcia. While Garcia may have been a trade candidate earlier on this offseason, he’s performed well enough that the Broncos can’t afford to let him go given Leary’s injury history and the fact that he’s coming off of IR.

Garcia is a lock in my opinion.

Beyond Garcia, there’s some confusion.

The broadcast crew in the final preseason game had spoken with the coaches and John Elway. They stated on the air that Billy Turner, a backup tackle and guard, was the team’s sixth offensive lineman, meaning he’s the top backup.

You would have to assume based on that intel that he’s safe, meaning Turner and Garcia are the top two backup linemen.

Beyond them, the Broncos have room for one or two more guys depending what they want to do with the rest of the roster.

Elijah Wilkinson is a player they took off of the practice squad very early last year and didn’t use much in the regular season but obviously wanted to prevent other teams from trying to sign him.

Meanwhile, Cyrus Kouandjio has played some of the best football of his NFL career in a small sample size with Denver.

It would be unwise to cut Kouandjio, but the Broncos can’t keep everyone.

With rookie Sam Jones figuring into the mix as a possible backup center or guard, the Broncos have some tough decisions ahead here, and this might be the position group with the least clarity at the backup positions if you’re asking me.

I don’t think the Broncos need to necessarily pursue an upgrade here, as Kouandjio has proven capable of playing left or right tackle, and Turner capable of playing right tackle or right guard.

With Garcia’s flexibility at center and left guard, my guess is the Broncos try and stash Elijah Wilkinson and Sam Jones on the practice squad, giving them 10 offensive linemen total between the active roster and practice squad.

The big surprise here would be if the team cuts Kouandjio and keeps Wilkinson on the active roster.

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