Denver Broncos: 4 veterans who will enter training camp squarely on roster bubble

Josey Jewell

Josey Jewell has been placed on the back burner in Denver with the emergence of Alexander Johnson. Clearly no longer part of the equation in terms of a starter, Jewell will have to prove he belongs on the team as a reserve linebacker.

As a rookie, Jewell was on the field for 42.6 of the team’s defensive snaps. That number dropped down to 20.3 percent last season. With the addition of fifth-round pick Justin Strnad, Jewell could be looking at the prospect of seeing even fewer snaps in 2020.

The Broncos will keep Johnson and Todd Davis as the starters. Joseph Jones will likely make the squad for his special teams play and many expect Strnad to emerge quickly as a young star. Where does that leave Jewell?

If the Broncos keep five inside linebackers, that likely leaves him in a battle with Josh Watson for a roster spot. Watson was undrafted out of Colorado State last year but saw action on the active roster toward the end of the season.

Jewell would be favored to beat Watson out, but it certainly would not be a guarantee. Even if Jewell were to retain a spot on the roster, he would be a role player used primarily on special teams and certain situations.

That would leave him susceptible to be cut during the season if the team needed to open a roster spot. A fourth-round pick just two years ago, more was certainly expected out of Jewell to this point.