You never know when someone is going to find a way to steal a roster spot, even on potentially the best and deepest roster in the NFL. The Denver Broncos have a number of intriguing roster hopefuls heading into their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, but one player stands out as truly being on the cusp of taking a roster spot.
And it's a player nobody saw coming...
Enough of the theatrics -- the player we're talking about is cornerback/return specialist Sean Fresch Jr., whose playmaking ability as both a defensive back and return man has been on display throughout the preseason.
Fresch signed with the Broncos this offseason after an impressive showing in the UFL where he was named 1st-team All UFL as a returner. It wasn't until special teams coordinator/assistant head coach Darren Rizzi made a comment at the podium about the depth in the return game that it truly all started to click: This guy could end up making the team...
Sean Fresch Jr. might be close to stealing a roster spot with the Denver Broncos
Rizzi said after the Falcons' preseason game that the young return specialists "all showed a little bit of something" when they got their opportunities, and he even made note of the fact that the team really recruited Cameron Ross after the NFL Draft.
The other player he went out of his way to talk about a little bit was fellow UDFA wide receiver Kolbe Katsis, who has had a couple of really nice returns in the preseason as well.
The one player who hasn't gotten much hype from the coaching staff up to this point is Sean Fresch Jr. Isn't that interesting? Even without the hype from the coaches, actions speak louder than words. Fresch was the first one out for punt return against the Green Bay Packers, and he was the first one out for punt return against the Atlanta Falcons.
One of the key areas of the roster that needed to be addressed by the Broncos this offseason was the return game. Once Rizzi pointed that out ahead of the game against Minnesota, the dots all started to connect.
"I think it's one thing, you know, we lacked a little bit last year was just some depth in that area. So whether it's on the team, or on the practice squad, or what have you, I think that we have some options there. Maybe some more options than we had last year."
- Broncos STC Darren Rizzi
Even though Rizzi covers his bases here, you can only play your cards so close to the vest. When the Broncos had to turn to someone else last year after Marvin Mims Jr. suffered a concussion, they turned to practice squad receiver Michael Bandy, who almost too predictably muffed his first punt return attempt against the Houston Texans in a pivotal game.
Considering how much time Mims has now missed during the preseason and training camp, the Broncos might feel like they have to account for his absence by prioritizing depth in the return game.
And to be fair, both Cameron Ross and Kolbe Katsis should be considered as possibilities here, but Fresch has also shown some ability defensively with a big pass breakup against Atlanta and a number of standout plays during training camp.
The Broncos already have better depth at receiver right now than they know what to do with, and the cornerback position really has five solidified guys. The defensive backfield is lacking a little bit of depth, generally speaking, and Fresch could add to that.
Don't be surprised if Fresch is one of the players the Broncos keep on the 53-man roster for his skills on special teams and in the return game. He might be one of the types to fly under the radar all offseason, then pop up as someone the team has quietly been very excited about all along.
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