2. Josh Watson & Peter Kalambayi, ILB
With starters Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell not playing in this game, it was a tremendous opportunity for the reserve off-ball linebackers to make their case for the 53-man roster.
As much as the Denver Broncos plan on using the dime package this year, we could see fewer off-ball linebackers make the final roster anyway, but we’re going to need to see better efforts from the guys fighting for jobs in the near future.
Although second-year player Justin Strnad really flashed in this game and showed why he is a definite contender for playing time, Josh Watson and Peter Kalambayi showed some reasons why they are on the roster bubble.
Watson at least had a solid play in coverage in this game, but also had a massive whiff in the running game and wasn’t fitting his run lanes consistently.
Peter Kalambayi had a chance to really put himself on the map by picking off a pass that was deflected into the air by Patrick Surtain II, but the ball went right through his arms and safely hit the ground.
Those are opportunities you simply cannot miss.
As much as these guys played, it is slightly disappointing that they combined for only two tackles and zero tackles for loss. The young safeties PJ Locke and Caden Sterns looked better in run support than these two linebackers.