Denver Broncos: Who made the best case for the roster vs. Cardinals?

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 29: Linebacker Malik Reed #59 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 29: Linebacker Malik Reed #59 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 24: Darrell Henderson #27 of the Los Angeles Rams is stopped for a loss by Mike Purcell #98 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 24: Darrell Henderson #27 of the Los Angeles Rams is stopped for a loss by Mike Purcell #98 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Defensive line

Mike Purcell

Mike Purcell, the Colorado native and former undrafted free agent whose first experience in the NFL came in Vic Fangio’s defense back in San Francisco, had another strong performance against the Cardinals.

To open up the second half, Purcell imposed his will and destroyed two running plays.

The Broncos also utilized him a little bit at the DE position in this game.

Purcell has made a very compelling case to be the Broncos’ sixth defensive lineman and he’s currently the only lineman on defense over 300 pounds.

DeShawn Williams

Williams has been in a battle with Mike Purcell and that battle ramped up when the team released Zach Kerr, freeing up that final defensive line spot.

Williams is much more in the mold of DeMarcus Walker and Shelby Harris size-wise, but he plays the same position as Walker and Purcell plays the same position as Harris.

From what I could tell, Purcell made more of the splash plays in this game an has over the past couple of weeks.

Schedule