Denver Broncos potential surprise cuts at every position group in 2022

Denver Broncos potential surprise cuts at EDGE: Jonathon Cooper

Do I think this one is going to happen?

Absolutely not, but that’s what would make it a surprise.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone would be surprised if Jonathon Cooper did not make the Denver Broncos’ 53-man roster in 2022, but let’s explore a scenario together.

The Broncos brought back Malik Reed, who is expected to fill in as the “starter” while Randy Gregory recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

They are having Baron Browning transition to the edge this offseason, and regardless of whether or not that will be a part-time transition, they clearly want to get him more snaps there.

The team’s top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was edge rusher Nik Bonitto.

Another young player — Aaron Patrick — has already been dubbed a core special teams player by new coordinator Dwayne Stukes.

If you start doing the roster math, someone at this position group is going to get cut or traded that we don’t expect or don’t want to see getting cut or traded.

As of right now, I think most people think Malik Reed would be the guy to be traded, which would make Jonathon Cooper the biggest surprise.

As promising as he was last year as a rookie, Cooper is still going to have to come out and prove himself in 2022. He was a seventh-round pick last year, and if his productivity as a pass rusher is volatile, it could be the Broncos end up choosing five, maybe six other edge guys instead of him.