Defense (25)
DL (6): Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris, Adam Gotsis, DeMarcus Walker, Zach Kerr, Dre’Mont Jones
EDGE (5): Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Justin Hollins, Dekoda Watson, Malik Reed
ILB (4): Todd Davis, Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Joe Jones
CB (5): Chris Harris Jr., Bryce Callahan, Isaac Yiadom, De’Vante Bausby, Horace Richardson
FS (3): Justin Simmons, Will Parks, Dymonte Thomas
SS (2): Kareem Jackson, Su’a Cravens
Special Teams (3)
K: Brandon McManus
P: Colby Wadman
LS: Casey Kreiter
The pressure is on for certain players in the Broncos’ defense to either start making plays or keep making plays.
I think the defensive line and top six players there are solidified.
The edge players could end up including Dekoda Watson and Malik Reed, or just one of those two guys. The inside linebacker position had six players last year, which seemed like a poor use of roster spaces. The Broncos have had some injury issues there, so perhaps they go with five.
As much as the Broncos’ starting secondary has dominated headlines, one of the more interesting battles — for the CB5 spot — has gone under the radar.
I think the top four safeties (Simmons, Jackson, Parks, Cravens) are all but assured of making the roster. The Broncos have a number of intriguing candidates to take a fifth safety spot.
Who’s fighting for a job?
LB Josh Watson
The undrafted rookie out of Colorado State has been working a ton with the first-team defense. With injuries to Todd Davis and now Joe Jones, he could sneak up on everyone and claim one of the 53.
CB Trey Johnson
Johnson had the first interception of the preseason for the Broncos and has quietly been making plays throughout training camp. Keep your eye on this guy.
S Trey Marshall, Jamal Carter, Shamarko Thomas
It doesn’t seem like anyone has made many splash plays for the Broncos at safety so far this offseason. We’ve seen some good work from Dymonte Thomas in the past, and the team once had very high hopes for Jamal Carter.
Marshall is a downhill athlete who plays with physicality, and Shamarko Thomas is a possible ace special teamer.