Denver Broncos roster locks ahead of the 2022 season
Which Denver Broncos defenders are locks to make the team?
Defensive Line: Dre’Mont Jones, D.J. Jones, Eyioma Uwazurike, Matt Henningsen, McTelvin Agim
In this scenario, I think the Broncos will keep both of their rookie defensive linemen. They need some depth there. We’re unsure what the plan is with Mike Purcell.
They could very well decide against trading him, which means that the competition between him and the others at the position is legitimate. Uwazurike and Henningsen were both draft picks in 2022. It will be interesting to see where they play along the defensive line.
Linebackers: Josey Jewell, Jonas Griffith, Baron Browning, Randy Gregory, Nik Bonitto, Bradley Chubb, Malik Reed
Josey Jewell is the obvious starter at one of the inside linebacker positions. Jonas Griffith figures to be the other one, but things could change in camp. It feels like Griffith will end up being that guy though. He would be replacing Alexander Johnson.
Two names I left off this list could be highly questioned. I would not blame anyone for that: Jonathon Cooper and Aaron Patrick.
Sayre Bedinger did bring up an interesting thing. I know we’re not in the meetings or on the field. We don’t know everything that goes into these decisions. That being said, should we be hearing more about Cooper in training camp? It does feel like that isn’t happening.
Maybe he ends up being a surprise cut.
Justin Strnad is another player left off this because of his down year in 2021.
Safeties: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke
The safety position locks are thin here, with just Simmons, Jackson, and Sterns. I loved how Sterns played in limited action as a rookie and there’s no way he’s being released.
I’m not so sure about the other safeties such as Jamar Johnson and J.R. Reed. Reed signed just a one-year contract with the Broncos this offseason and it would not cost them anything to release him, according to Spotrac.
P.J. Locke did get a little bit banged up on the last play of practice on Thursday but it appears it is nothing serious. From what I have read on Twitter, it seems like Locke is practicing his butt off and is doing a really good job in training camp.
Cornerbacks: Patrick Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Michael Ojemudia, K’Waun Williams
With Surtain and Darby on the outside, I’d imagine K’Waun Williams will start at slot corner.
Michael Ojemudia showed some nice things as a rookie and I feel like people may have forgotten about him due to the last coaching staff ultimately putting him in the doghouse for whatever reason.
I think this should be a pretty solid year for Ojemudia, who finished his rookie season with four forced fumbles along with 62 tackles.
Competitions continue between undrafted rookie Ja’Quan McMillian (who I really liked coming out of the draft), Bless Austin, Essang Bassey, and rookies Faion Hicks and Damarri Mathis.
One name to keep your eye on is Bless Austin, who the Broncos signed this offseason.
Specialists
Brandon McManus and Sam Martin figure to be locks as the specialists, though the Broncos did sign a punter in the offseason. I still think Martin takes the job.
As for long snapper, there isn’t really a reason to move on from Jacob Bobenmoyer.