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Denver Broncos: 4 Non-starters who can make an impact

By Shelby Manning

Jun 1, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos lineman Cody Conway (60) and lineman Quinn Meinerz (77) and center Lloyd Cushenberry (79) during organized team activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos lineman Cody Conway (60) and lineman Quinn Meinerz (77) and center Lloyd Cushenberry (79) during organized team activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham (89) stiff arms Denver Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia (23) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham (89) stiff arms Denver Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia (23) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Ojemudia

Though receiving much playing time in the 2020 season, expect Ojemudia’s playing time in 2021 to be cut in half with the additions of Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller to the cornerback room. Though Ojemudia was the subject of much chagrin from Broncos Country in 2020, the young cornerback really has the opportunity to redeem himself this season.

Realistically, Ojemudia’s rookie season was very successful when considering his age and experience in the NFL. However, Ojemudia’s first career interception in Week One being negated by a personal foul penalty left a sour taste in the mouths of some that led to Ojemudia being an easy target for negative feedback.

While there were times that Ojemudia was badly burned by a receiver on a route, overall, Ojemudia was pretty good in his NFL rookie campaign, and was especially strong in his availability, playing in all 16 games for the Denver Broncos and starting 11. Ojemudia also committed four forced fumbles, two coming against the Las Vegas Raiders in the regular season finale, both of which were recovered by Denver.

Two ways that Ojemudia can be a big contribution to the team in 2021 is that, for one, he can finally record his first career interception, a feat that he was close to numerous times, but either slipped through his fingers or was erased by a penalty.

However, the biggest contribution he can give to the Denver Broncos is being able to prove to the team that he has matured and is able to play disciplined football. Alongside his pivotal unnecessary roughness penalty Week One, Ojemudia was ejected for punching a player in the Buffalo Bills contest.

Obviously, actions like this are detrimental to the success of a football team, and any player who cannot abstain from that kind of activity is a liability while he is on the field.

Michael Ojemudia has the potential to be a strong presence in an already loaded secondary, and though he may not receive lots of starting snaps, expect him to be a strong defensive force in 2021.

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