3 players the Denver Broncos absolutely can't give up on in 2023

If you're a team that has struggled to win games in recent years like the Denver Broncos, the last thing you can afford to do when it comes time to assemble the 53-man roster is give up on talented players too early. There are plenty of players right now on the Denver Broncos roster facing make-or-break offseasons.

The team is about to break for the Summer after mandatory minicamp, and players have had the chance to make an impression on the new coaching staff, as much of an impression as you can make without the pads on, anyway. Obviously, players can only be given so many chances in the NFL, but which players have been written off maybe prematurely?

Which players could take the next step under a much better, much more seasoned coaching staff? Let's look at three players the Denver Broncos might regret letting go of too soon.

3 players the Denver Broncos might regret letting go of in 2023

1. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE

To say 2022 was a wasted year for Albert Okwuegbunam might be an understatement. The Denver Broncos coaching staff, led by Nathaniel Hackett, had a golden opportunity to utilize two extremely athletic tight ends and they seemed hellbent on making an example of Albert Okwuegbunam, for whatever reason. When interim head coach Jerry Rosburg took over late in the 2022 season, one of the first things he did was re-insert Okwuegbunam into the lineup.

Albert O. responded with three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. What Rosburg had to say after the game was pretty telling of the way he thought Okwuegbunam was handled by Nathaniel Hackett, in particular.

"“I have been in Albert O’s ear all week long because I think he is a highly talented individual. I haven’t seen him much on the field this year. I am just curious as to why that was because he is a good-looking athlete. You may have seen me in the tight end drills earlier in the week. It was for a reason. I was happy he turned it about. Whatever jitters he might have had, it seemed to me like he settled down because he is a big, talented guy, and he needs to play and play well.”"

Jerry Rosburg (via Broncos PR)

Sean Payton gave Okwuegbunam some kudos after the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, stating:

"“He can run. He’s athletic. I think consistency. He’s made progress. He’s at that stage where this is the time. He did make a few plays. I was encouraged with that. I think that as a teacher, our job is to hit the ceiling with these guys. He’s been very attentive. We’re not in pads yet, so that tight end position is interesting. Some of them are better run blockers, some are better receivers. He’s certainly athletic. I’ve said this a million times. Confidence is born out of demonstrated ability. We can wish for confidence, and you can say, ‘I’m confident.’ We’ve all seen moments where players do something in a game and all of a sudden—so it has to be born out of demonstrated abilities. There’s a catch he makes today that gives that young man confidence that he can do it again. That’s the growth spurt. It just can’t be wished for. Ultimately, you hit a clutch shot, or you make a pass and there’s incremental growths. We’ve all seen—all of you who have covered sports have seen people develop right in front of our eyes. Shoot, the rookie from Kansas (Nuggets G Christian Braun) a few games back. I don’t know if that was his normal performance, but he gained confidence that night. We’ll never forget that night. That is how it’s born. That’s confidence. It’s born out of demonstrated ability. As a coach, it’s exciting to see.”"

Sean Payton

It's important to remember what Okwuegbunam brings to the table athletically and physically. Payton is right -- there's only so long that potential in players can be "wished" for. At some point, you need to see the "demonstrated ability" he's referring to, and that's exactly what Jerry Rosburg meant when he said that Albert "needs to play and play well".

Albert O. brings so much to the table physically. He's incredibly gifted. We've seen some of the best of what we can do and we've seen some major areas of struggle. Ultimately, if this coaching staff can get him to his ceiling, he has the chance to be a tremendous weapon in the passing game.

3 players the Denver Broncos can't give up on in 2023

2. KJ Hamler, WR

The Denver Broncos simply cannot give up on KJ Hamler. As a matter of fact, while it would be presumptuous to say they should be planning on him being on the roster in 2024, I think there's a better chance he sticks around beyond this year than a lot of the other guys at the receiver position.

KJ Hamler was a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2020. He came into the league with extremely exciting speed, physicality (especially for his size), and the ability to create offense seemingly out of nothing. KJ Hamler has rare playing speed, which means he doesn't just time well in the 40-yard dash -- he's able to play the game at full speed.

Unfortunately, injuries have defined his NFL career thus far. And if Hamler had any control over that, I am certain that wouldn't be the narrative. No player wants to be injured. Hamler has been through a lot. He's been through some grueling rehab and he's undoubtedly been through a lot mentally and emotionally, having to deal with one injury after the next.

Hamstring issues, major knee surgery, major hip surgery, now a pectoral injury that's keeping him out of offseason work...Injuries have been brutal for Hamler but he's in a contract year and he can help the Denver Broncos. If he can get to full strength, it would be a tremendous asset for the Broncos offense to have his speed out there along with 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims.

The Broncos simply do not have that kind of speed offensively in spades. They have just a couple of guys with that true sub-4.4 speed and Hamler is one of them. Heck, he might be one of the only sub-4.3 guys on the roster. At some point, Hamler is finally going to be able to stay healthy, and everyone in Broncos Country should be hoping that happens in Denver. When he's healthy, he's been highly effective.

Maybe not relying on him as the second or third option in the offense, but certainly as a secondary option in the passing game and potentially a returner, or whatever else is asked of him. Hamler can still be an asset both in 2023 and down the line further.

3 players the Denver Broncos can't give up on in 2023

3. Montrell Washington, WR/KR

The excitement level for young wide receiver Montrell Washington as of the 2022 NFL preseason was pretty much through the roof. There were people talking like he might end up being the most impactful rookie from the Denver Broncos' class last year.

Washington lit it up in training camp. He lit it up in the preseason. It looked like he was well on his way to absolutely balling out after being picked in the fifth round out of Samford.

It felt like every single day at Denver Broncos training camp last year, someone was talking about a big play Montrell Washington made. It was a diving catch here, a touchdown there, and chemistry with Russell Wilson was the center of all that talk. So what in the world happened?

Washington went from training camp/preseason superstar to being benched by Jerry Rosburg at the end of last season. He finished the year with 32 punt returns and an average of 8.5 yards per return. He had five total fumbles, one of which cost the Denver Broncos on Monday night in overtime against the Chargers. He had many questionable decisions in the return game, just in general.

It wasn't all bad in Montrell's rookie season, but it was mostly bad. So why shouldn't the Broncos give up on him? Well, it's hard to ignore what he was able to do last offseason. Washington was seemingly playing with house money and he made a ton of plays day after day. If he is able to progress in year two, this is a guy with good speed who is very creative in space. He can be an asset to your offense and return game if used properly.

The Broncos can't be having another Isaiah McKenzie situation on their hands.