The Denver Broncos kick off their preseason schedule this Saturday with a road game against the Minnesota Vikings, the team they have started joint practices with.
For many, the preseason is a long lull before the games that count start. But for other hardcore football fans, the preseason is anything but a waste of time and for several players on the roster, it’s incredibly important.
With teams only getting three preseason games this year, the evaluation period is a bit shorter and the chance to go out and show what they can do on the field is lessened. For those players fighting to stay on the roster or looking to win a job, these games are huge.
When the Broncos take on the Vikings on Saturday, a handful of players need to stand out from the rest. Each of these guys is looking to prove something to the organization, whether it be to give them a longer look in terms of a roster spot or to put their stamp on a starting job.
Parnell Motley, Cornerback
After going undrafted out of Oklahoma last year, Motley spent time with three teams. The Broncos signed him off the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers in December for added depth at defensive back.
The Broncos are deep at the cornerback position and if you figure they only keep six corners on the roster, the margin for error for guys like Motley is narrow.
Patrick Surtain, Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan and Michael Ojemudia are going to make the roster. That could leave one spot for someone like Motley, who would still have to fend off the likes of Kary Vincey Jr., Nate Hairston and Rojesterman Farris. Plus, the team still has Essang Bassey on the PUP list.
Motley will be fighting to keep his career in Denver going but realistically, he’s probably a practice squad guy at best right now. He could change that opinion with a nice showing in this game.
Tyrie Cleveland, Wide receiver
Another position where the Broncos are loaded is at wide receiver, even after the fact the team released two wide receivers last week. It is also a position in which several players are locked into roster spots, as Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick are all going to make the roster.
Tyrie Cleveland is in a tough position as he was a bubble guy to begin with, but it seems he has been completely outshined in camp this summer.
Guys like Kendall Hinton and Trinity Benson have both made a name for themselves this summer while Cleveland is still looking to gain some traction in the race.
The Broncos will probably keep six wide receivers on the 53-man roster, but the big question comes down to whether or not one of them will be a kick return specialist such as Diontae Spencer. Cleveland contributed on special teams last year so that should help his cause.
But he needs to start showing what he can do as a receiver in order to leapfrog the likes of Hinton and Benson in the pecking order. If the Broncos don’t feel Cleveland is worthy of a roster spot, they could opt to stash him on the practice squad for further development, but there’s always the risk that another team steals him.
Cleveland needs to make some plays against the Vikings.
Josh Watson, Linebacker
If there is an opportunity in Denver, it is at the inside linebacker spot. With Baron Browning missing time, someone is going to get the chance to step up.
The Broncos are excited about second-year linebacker Justin Strnad, but the next guy in line to take reps behind starters Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell is Watson, who is the veteran of the group in comparison to the guys behind him.
Watson will get the chance over the likes of Barrington Wade, Peter Kalambayi and Curtis Robinson.
Watson will be entering his third year in Denver and though he has been used minimally as a linebacker during his time with the team, he hasn’t had a better opportunity than this one.
At the very least, he could have the chance to help keep the seat warm until Browning is up to speed, which could take much of this season as he is a rookie.
If Watson can step up and make some plays on Saturday, that could go a long way toward him sticking on this roster as one of the final 53 players.
Marquiss Spencer, Defensive end
Though he is a seventh-round pick, Spencer has a shot to make the final roster as there are no clear-cut options behind starters Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones.
Guys like McTelvin Agim and Shamar Stephen should have the inside track on winning roster spots, Spencer needs to make something happen to at least make it an argument, as he is an interesting prospect.
He is currently buried on the depth chart and with only three games to work with, it will be tough for him to climb the ladder, especially as a rookie. Tough, but not impossible.
Spencer should see some work in the second half of Saturday’s game and as a bubble player, will be closely evaluated. The former Mississippi State Bulldogs star is likely a practice squad player at worst, but with the opportunity to show what he can do in real-game action, he will be a player to keep a close eye on in this one.
Drew Lock, Quarterback
Of course, it’s Drew Lock, how could it not be?
The team announced that Lock and Teddy Bridgewater will alternate starts in the preseason, so Lock is up first and this will be his best chance to start to create some separation between him and Bridgewater.
Lock needs to come out sharp and focused and treat this like a regular-season game with a lot on the line. he needs to attack the Minnesota defense in a strategic way but also show off what he has learned and the improvements he has made.
Lock should, at the very least, start to get a big leg up in this competition with this game. The longer he leaves that door open, the more doubt will creep in. If he has a poor performance, then Bridgewater goes into the second preseason game with a full head of steam ready to proclaim himself the starter.
Lock needs this. He needs to make big plays and quality throws. He needs to show command of the offense and leadership on the field. Turnovers of any kind will be crushing.
This really is his time to shine and preseason or not, this will be one of the most important games of Lock’s playing career to this point.