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Denver Broncos: 5 players who must improve for week four

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall #15 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a touchdown pass under coverage by defensive back Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall #15 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a touchdown pass under coverage by defensive back Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Bradley Roby, CB

Through the first three games of the season, no defender has been worse on the Broncos than Bradley Roby, according to Pro Football Focus.

Roby’s overall grade of 49.6 is, so far, the worst on the entire team in a three-game sample, and he showed against Baltimore that he has a lot of room to grow.

Roby appeared to be on his way to becoming one of the NFL’s next best young cornerbacks last season, but how much of his success was the result of quarterbacks having to force the ball into his coverage with Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib taking care of their assignments so well?

There’s no denying the importance of this year for Roby, who is in a contract year with the Broncos and the fifth year of his rookie contract. The Broncos put a lot of faith in Roby’s ability to become a top cornerback by picking up his fifth-year rookie option and so far, he has not held up his end of the bargain.

The numbers back up PFF’s grades in this case, which is important to note because their grades are not always the end-all.

Roby has been targeted 18 times in coverage and has allowed 15 receptions for 164 yards (10.9 average) and a touchdown. He also has a penalty to his credit.

Quarterbacks have nearly a perfect rating against Roby’s coverage, and he simply has to be better. Chris Harris Jr. can’t do everything on his own, and so far, he’s the only Broncos defensive back playing football worth writing home about.

Roby has to go out and earn his contract ASAP.

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