Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction after final preseason game

Denver Broncos - Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos - Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Albert Okwuegbunam – Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction: Tight Ends and Offensive Line

Tight Ends: 4 (18/53)

  • Albert Okwuegbunam
  • Greg Dulcich
  • Eric Tomlinson
  • Andrew Beck (FB)

This would mean the Broncos would part ways with Eric Saubert, who had a tremendous start to training camp with the team. Will they do that? George Paton acknowledged during the game that one of his dilemmas when putting this roster together is whether or not to keep five tight ends, and Saubert would be included there.

If Saubert isn’t the odd-man out, I could see a situation where Albert Okwuegbunam is traded and Saubert is kept around. That might sound crazy and nothing may materialize, but it’s odd that the Broncos played him into the fourth quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Bills and then didn’t allow him to suit up against the Vikings after planning on having him play. You can’t help but wonder if they have at least one decent offer on the table there.

To be frank, I’m not overly sold on this position group at all after the preseason. I think we’ve seen more impressive preseason work at the fullback position than we saw from Andrew Beck, and I also wonder if Eric Tomlinson is the best option the team could go with despite a couple of nice plays in the passing game. Has he really proven his worth as a blocker this offseason and preseason?

Offensive Line: 9 (27/53)

  • Garett Bolles
  • Dalton Risner
  • Lloyd Cushenberry III
  • Quinn Meinerz
  • Billy Turner
  • Graham Glasgow
  • Luke Wattenberg
  • Netane Muti
  • Calvin Anderson

Things could get interesting on the offensive line in the coming days for the Broncos. I think this is what I would consider the “chalk” prediction after the preseason but Cam Fleming is a wild card. The Broncos signed Fleming after Tom Compton needed a back procedure and he was solid throughout the preseason.

Billy Turner has barely practiced, so the fact that Fleming has gotten a lot of reps could make a difference here. Graham Glasgow is the interesting one to me. The Broncos have featured him at the center position despite listing Luke Wattenberg as the backup center, and there will be demand around the league for help at the center position as rosters get assembled.

If Glasgow is traded, then I think Fleming is kept as the 9th lineman. If the Broncos can’t find a trade partner for Glasgow, then I think we’ll see Fleming as the odd-man out.