Denver Broncos: 5 players with roster status soaring after Seahawks win

The Denver Broncos had another great game as a team in their preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks. Whose roster status is on the rise?

It is definitely the preseason, but it’s still exciting to see the Denver Broncos playing well. Through the team’s first two preseason games, they have outscored both the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks by a combined score of 63-9.

As of right now, it’s a little bit difficult for fans to focus on much else besides the quarterback drama. After two preseason games, it appears to still be a pretty dead heat between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater.

There are still a lot of other players on the roster to be evaluated and some guys who have really been stepping up in preseason action, particularly in this game against the Seahawks.

Which players find their roster stock soaring after the win in the Emerald City?

Let’s take a look at five.

Denver Broncos: 5 players whose roster status is soaring after Seahawks win

1. Jonathon Cooper, OLB

As Cameron Parker stated, Jonathon Cooper is seizing his opportunities so far in the preseason.

Cooper was out for blood in this game, and if you had a pre-game Jonathon Cooper stat BINGO card, he filled it out quite nicely.

He finished the game against Seattle with three total tackles, two sacks, two QB hits, a tackle for loss, and a batted pass at the line of scrimmage. He was all over the field creating pressure and using his combination of speed, effort, and hand strength to win as a rusher.

It was reminiscent of preseason performances from unheralded prospects in the past like Shaquil Barrett and Malik Reed.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1429275976945455106

Cooper’s strip-sack against the Seahawks was certainly not the final tipping point, but you can put in Sharpie this guy’s name on the final 53-man roster.

He has solidified himself among the top four at the position and considering the Denver Broncos may only keep four guys at EDGE, he has done a good job of creating a wide gap of separation in such a short amount of time.

He has also graded out as PFF’s highest-rated rookie through two preseason games. How about that?

2. DeShawn Williams, DL

The Denver Broncos seem to do a number of things well when it comes to filling out the 53-man roster.

They are among the best in the NFL at unearthing gems in the undrafted free agent player pool.

They are also great at finding guys who would undoubtedly have the “journeyman” label and turning them into key contributors.

Shelby Harris has been a prime example of that and he’s turned into one of the best defensive linemen in the league over the last four years.

DeShawn Williams could be following a similar path, and Harris may even be willing to give Williams his “best hands on the team” crown after his latest interception.

With some injuries on the defensive line last season, Williams really got the chance to showcase his talents on a consistent basis for the first time as an NFL player.

He ended up with 37 total tackles, two sacks, 6 QB hits, four tackles for loss, and an interception.

He will now be playing a pretty prominent backup role in 2021 and not only did he have the interception against Seattle, but he also proved his worth with a fumble recovery on the Jonathon Cooper sack, as well as three total tackles.

3. Rookie DBs Jamar Johnson (S) and Kary Vincent Jr. (CB)

Heading into the game against the Seattle Seahawks, there had been some valid questions about which young defensive backs should make the initial 53-man roster and which ones might have to go onto the practice squad if the Denver Broncos could even get them there.

Two of those players were day three picks Jamar Johnson (safety) and Kary Vincent Jr. (cornerback) who both played really well against Seattle.

Johnson showed some of what he can do best with a great play in coverage attacking downhill late in the fourth quarter. He drove on the ball and got to his spot in time to make an excellent play, knocking the pass away with relative ease.

Johnson was also strong in the “non-negotiable” tackling department, showing off his range and coming up for some nice hits in this game as well.

Vincent had a second strong preseason showing with a nice play on an out route in coverage against a Seahawks receiver, batting away what could have otherwise been a first-down catch.

He actually finished this game with two passes broken up, and is creeping his way into the CB6 conversation if the coaching staff doesn’t see him there already.

I think after last week, Nate Hairston may have had a lead there, but Vincent’s combination of speed and ball skills may give him an edge if age and long-term viability don’t already.

4. Royce Freeman, RB

It’s been a tough 2021 offseason for Royce Freeman in terms of what people like us content producers have been saying regarding his future.

The former third-round pick out of Oregon has basically been written off as a cut or trade candidate based on the additions the Denver Broncos have made the last two offseasons at the running back position, namely Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams, and Mike Boone.

With Boone now injured along with fellow backup options LeVante Bellamy and Adrian Killins Jr., Freeman’s roster stock has pretty rapidly ascended.

There may have been a chance Damarea Crockett could have taken Freeman’s spot if he played well enough in preseason games, but it’s been a nice couple of weeks for Freeman who once looked like he was on his way to a long-term RB1 status in Denver.

The most impressive play from Freeman came when he was out with the top offensive unit, and he caught a pass from Teddy Bridgewater in space. Freeman was able to put a Seahawks defender on skates, making a really nice open-field move and creating after the catch for the first down.

He was also very solid in pass protection in this game and proved his worth as a three-down back.

With Boone injured and the depth around Freeman not getting it done (or also hurt), there is almost no chance he’s off the 53-man roster in a couple of weeks.

5. Seth Williams, WR

The photography powers that be didn’t have an image of Seth Williams from the game against the Seattle Seahawks, so this moment before he caught a really nifty pass from Drew Lock will have to do.

Here is what I would contend was the play of the game for the Denver Broncos against Seattle.

If someone like Pat Mahomes, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Josh Allen did something like this, the internet and sports talking head world would be freaking out.

I’m not even sure it made the Sports Center top plays segment.

Drew Lock flipped the ball to Seth Williams, who did some outstanding work in the open field and after the catch to make a play.

I don’t want to do too much overreacting to this play, but Williams’ combination of size, speed, and potential as an after-the-catch threat are all impossible to ignore on this particular play.

There simply aren’t many guys on the Denver Broncos roster right now with this combination of physical gifts and athletic tools.

Williams is a very intriguing talent whose struggles last season at Auburn may have been more on the quarterback play than anything else, and I think the Broncos got him two or three rounds later than he looked at his best on tape.

Denver Broncos: Drew Lock should be the starting QB in 2021

The Denver Broncos have to make a decision on the QB1 of the team soon. That decision has been made tough by the QBs, which makes it an easy one. Drew Lock.

If wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni can get some time with Williams, I think he’s a fun future WR4 option behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler.