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Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction: Can’t keep everyone

By Sayre Bedinger

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Khalfani Muhammad #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball in the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 1, 2019 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Khalfani Muhammad #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball in the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 1, 2019 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CANTON, OH – AUGUST 01: Khalfani Muhammad #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball in the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 1, 2019 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Offense (25)

QB (3): Joe Flacco, Kevin Hogan, Drew Lock
RB (5): Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, Theo Riddick, Khalfani Muhammad, Andy Janovich (FB)
WR (5): Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick, Juwann Winfree
TE (3): Jeff Heuerman, Noah Fant, Troy Fumagalli
OT (3): Garett Bolles, Ja’Wuan James, Elijah Wilkinson
OG (4): Dalton Risner, Ron Leary, Sam Jones, Don Barclay
C (2): Connor McGovern, Jake Brendel

In my opinion, the Broncos have some flexibility here to do some things they want. They could end up being confident in just two quarterbacks depending on how Drew Lock progresses over the next month.

If Lock doesn’t inspire confidence, they might keep Hogan around. Another scenario would involve Brett Rypien playing his way onto the active roster. So far, it looks like he’s practice squad-bound.

I’m intrigued by the option of keeping his many backs, because all offer something different.

Phillip Lindsay is your superstar. Freeman is a bell-cow. Riddick is a pass catching and after-the-catch specialist. Muhammad is a speedy player who can return kicks/punts.

I don’t love the Broncos keeping nine offensive linemen, and never really have, but it’s hard to find good help in the NFL on the offensive line. If Denver needs to free up a spot on offense, I would think either Jones, Barclay, or Brendel would be among the first to go.

Who’s fighting for a job?

RB Devontae Booker

The Broncos’ signing of Theo Riddick puts Devontae Booker squarely on the bubble. Before, Booker was the clear-cut RB3 for the Broncos but Riddick is in town to pretty much take his role.

It would shock me if Booker was on the Broncos come September at this point.

TE Jake Butt

Butt, a fifth-round pick in 2017 with huge talent, has been unable to stay healthy. He is slowly making his way back from a knee injury suffered last year, but if he gets out and shows what he can do, he could easily replace someone on this list.

I personally hope he finds a way on the team.

WRs Kelvin McKnight, Trinity Benson

McKnight and Benson have both flashed in training camp. If they continue to make plays throughout the preseason, they could force the Broncos to keep one on the active roster.

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