The Denver Broncos closed out their preseason against the Minnesota Vikings with a much better performance this time around than we saw last week against Buffalo. With the final preseason game in the books, the attention now turns to the final 53-man roster where the Broncos have difficult moves to make on both sides of the ball.
General manager George Paton stated during the broadcast of the preseason game that most of the 53-man roster spots have been decided at this point, so it’s not likely that this one game would tip the scales a ton one way or another. But you never know. The players went out and did their best to make a final impression on the front office and coaching staff, and now we have a pretty good idea of where things stand for the majority of position groups.
Paton also stated that he expects the Broncos will have to cut some good players that will get claimed by other teams. It’s a good problem to have, but it certainly makes projecting the final roster a little bit tougher. I’ll do my best here to read some of the tea leaves throughout the offseason along with providing some other nuggets at certain position groups that could alter the projection in the coming days.
Denver Broncos final roster prediction: Quarterbacks
QBs: 2 (2/53)
- Russell Wilson
- Brett Rypien
Ultimately, I think this numbers game really just comes down to whether or not the Broncos feel like they can sneak Brett Rypien onto the practice squad. They wouldn’t have to subject Josh Johnson to waivers and could probably get him back on the practice squad rather easily.
Over the course of three preseason games, I can’t say that either of these quarterbacks showed so much that you would say definitively one way or the other that someone “won” the backup job. Rypien may have been more consistent overall but Johnson had arguably the bigger “splash” throws.
Special Teams: 3 (5/53)
- Brandon McManus (K)
- Corliss Waitman (P)
- Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
Normally there are no real questions here, but the Broncos have had a punting competition going on all offseason and veteran Sam Martin is the only player among the specialists to really have any competition this offseason. Now, why is that?
Well, the Broncos could save over $2 million if they cut or trade Sam Martin and they have been highlighting Waitman throughout the preseason. That’s not to say Martin can’t make the roster, but it feels like Waitman has been impressive enough to earn the regular season opportunity, and there also just so happens to be a number of teams out there that could use help in the punting game, so Martin could have some trade value.
Denver Broncos final roster predictions: Running back and receiver
Running back: 3 (8/53)
- Javonte Williams
- Melvin Gordon
- Mike Boone
There should not be any surprises here for the Broncos. The top three backs are set and I don’t think the Broncos are keeping four, although the recently acquired Devine Ozigbo had the best run of the team’s entire preseason against the Vikings and is likely the team’s preferred practice squad running back option.
Not much to really see here at running back for the Broncos but they could add another back to the practice squad besides just Ozigbo when the dust all settles from roster moves around the league.
Wide receiver: 6 (14/53)
- Courtland Sutton
- Jerry Jeudy
- KJ Hamler
- Montrell Washington
- Kendall Hinton
- Tyrie Cleveland
At this point, I think the top four positions here are set. As a matter of fact, I might get so bold and say that I think Kendall Hinton’s spot is safe as well, even after a drop in the final preseason game against the Vikings. Hinton has been impressive this offseason and has continually taken strides forward. The big question marks here come with those final two spots, though.
If Hinton’s spot isn’t in jeopardy, then it’s the WR6 spot up for grabs. You could argue the Broncos need to keep seven receivers with the injury to Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler coming back from injury as well, but typically you just can’t justify that on an initial 53-man roster. The favorite for the WR6 spot in Denver has been undrafted star Brandon Johnson, but Johnson went down with an ankle injury against the Vikings and his status is unknown.
If Johnson isn’t fully healthy, his roster situation is in jeopardy and it opens up a whole different can of worms at this position. Has Seth Williams shown enough to make the roster thus far? Undrafted rookie Jalen Virgil? Consistency is the key issue for both of those guys. They have both made some spectacular plays, but are they regular-season ready?
If Johnson is hurt, I think the Broncos could re-open that WR6 spot to someone from the outside right now and potentially try to sneak the other guys onto the practice squad. I don’t think you could definitively pick another receiver behind Johnson at this point to make the roster if he’s not healthy, but if you listened to the preseason broadcast, the Broncos remain very high on Tyrie Cleveland for his ability to contribute on special teams.
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.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction: Defensive Line, Edge
Defensive Line: 5, 32/53
- Dre’Mont Jones
- DJ Jones
- DeShawn Williams
- Mike Purcell
- Eyioma Uwazurike
Although former third-round pick McTelvin Agim had a strong performance in the team’s preseason finale against the Vikings, it might be too little too late for him. The Broncos’ defensive line was absolutely destroyed for the majority of the preseason and I think you have a solidified top four here with Eyioma Uwazurike getting the fifth spot based on his fourth-round draft status.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see the Broncos pursue some depth here in free agency or as roster cuts happen around the league.
Edge Rushers: 6, 38/53
- Bradley Chubb
- Randy Gregory
- Baron Browning
- Nik Bonitto
- Jonathon Cooper
- Aaron Patrick
The biggest name left off this list is Malik Reed. Reed is one of the most obvious trade candidates on the Denver Broncos’ roster right now. Given the health status of Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb over the last year, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Broncos keep Reed and give one of Jonathon Cooper or Aaron Patrick the boot, but I’m not sure that would be the wisest move.
Cooper showed some great things as a rookie, and both he and Patrick can be key special teams players throughout the season. I am projecting Reed gets traded in the next couple of days and I do think the Broncos will keep six edge players based on the overload of talent at that position.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster predictions: Linebackers & Defensive Backs
Linebackers: 4, 42/53
- Jonas Griffith
- Josey Jewell
- Alex Singleton
- Justin Strnad
I think the Broncos will keep four guys here for special teams purposes, but other than that, I would not be opposed to seeing them go with three off-ball linebackers and using that extra roster spot elsewhere. For now, I’m going to play it “safe” and predict the team keeps four guys here. I don’t think either Singleton or Strnad should be considered a true “lock” for the roster if the Broncos can find upgrades for a similar price. We’ll see. Maybe that’s just me.
The team simply could not find any sort of footing at linebacker in the preseason and that position group was dreadful for the majority of it. It would not be shocking in the least to see them pursuing upgrades.
Cornerbacks: 5, 47/53
- Pat Surtain II
- Ronald Darby
- K’Waun Williams
- Damarri Mathis
- Michael Ojemudia
After the preseason, it’s become abundantly clear that the Broncos need additional help at the cornerback position. I think they will initially keep these five on the active roster and then we’ll see Michael Ojemudia go to injured reserve. How will the Broncos replace him after that point? That remains to be seen. There are veterans available now and even more will become available after final cuts around the league.
Safeties: 6, 53/53
- Justin Simmons
- Kareem Jackson
- PJ Locke
- Caden Sterns
- JR Reed
- Delarrin Turner-Yell
It might seem a little surprising to see the Broncos potentially keeping six safeties and only five corners, but the safeties have simply been better in the preseason. Not to mention, we’ll see this team utilizing players like PJ Locke and Caden Sterns in versatile roles this season as we have throughout the preseason.
5 trades the Denver Broncos could make before the roster is set
The Denver Broncos will undoubtedly be making some deals before final rosters are set next week. Who could be on the move, and who could be coming in?
Because of their ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, I think the Broncos will gladly keep six guys here, especially because of the upside to contribute on special teams from guys like Reed and Turner-Yell. Turner-Yell, in particular, had an impressive preseason finale against the Vikings and may have made the final impression he needed to in order to solidify his roster status.