Denver Broncos: Rookie report card through the bye week

The Rest

Colby Wadman, P

After the Broncos opted to put Marquette King on injured reserve and later release him, they brought in rookie Colby Wadman who has been among the worst punters in the league so far. He ranks sixth-worst in net punting average and has just nine punts inside the 20 on 27 kicks compared to Marquette King’s nine inside the 20 on just 20 attempts.

Wadman has to be better.

Alexander Johnson, LB/ST

The Broncos gave Johnson the highest guarantee of any non-drafted player in the John Elway era. They believe in the former Tennessee Volunteers star, but he has yet to play any meaningful snaps this season. There’s nothing yet to grade for him.

Sam Jones, OL

The local product has finally started dressing on gamedays with the number of unfortunate injuries the Broncos have suffered on the offensive line, but he’s not yet ready for NFL action. The Broncos have had to re-shuffle their interior line with Ron Leary and Matt Paradis suffering season-ending injuries.

Jones showed well in some of his preseason work, so maybe we’ll see him late in the season.

Keishawn Bierria, LB/ST

Only Josey Jewell has more special teams snaps among Broncos rookies this season than Bierria, who has yet to get his chance defesively. Bierria was drafted to impact the special teams first, and he has one tackle in that phase so far this season. It would be awesome to see more out of him.

Nico Falah, OL

The Broncos poached Falah, the former starting center of the USC Trojans, off of the New York Jets practice squad. Falah has yet to dress for a gameday, but injuries might push him up the pecking order.

Troy Fumagalli

Fumagalli is on injured reserve right now and preparing himself for a return in 2019. The Broncos have so much talent at the tight end position but they can’t seem to get any of these guys to all stay healthy. Jeff Heuerman and Matt LaCosse have been doing a fine job in the meantime.

Niles Scott

Dominant small school player (Division III All-American) and prospective three-technique developing on the practice squad.

Trey Marshall

Marshall showed off some of his big-hit ability in the preseason. The Broncos have a lot of really talented safeties with diverse skillsets. It would surprise me if we don’t see him at some point on the active roster this season.

Jeff Holland

Perhaps the most highly touted of the Broncos’ practice squad players, Holland showed some nice pass rush skill in the preseason and will likely get a call up to the active roster before the season is over so the Broncos don’t have to worry about him signing a future deal with another team.

Austin Schlottmann

The versatile offensive lineman is developing with the Broncos on the interior, most likely as a guard. He was an undrafted free agent out of TCU.