The Denver Broncos sit at 6-6 and are still firmly in the AFC playoff race. Because of how things are currently playing out around the league, the team will likely still be mathematically alive, at least, toward the end of the season.
But should the team slip up and fall out of contention completely, then the eyes need to start looking toward the 2024 calendar. That always begins, or at least it should, with what you already have in place.
The Broncos have many players on their roster who have not been a big part of the 2023 team, but could have big or even huge roles as early as next year. It wouldn't hurt to give these players a look in regular-season action if a playoff spot is not in the cards.
Here are four players the team needs to get a more focused look at in games that matter.
Art Green, Cornerback
Art Green went undrafted despite a good career in college at Houston and he played for the Broncos during the season, pushing for a spot on the roster. But he was waived before the season started and then re-signed to the team's practice squad.
He has been there ever since, but that's not a bad thing. The practice squad is like a developmental system, allowing the players to practice with the main roster while learning from the coaches and the veterans around them.
The Broncos have Patrick Surtain and have gotten an encouraging season from Ja'Quan McMillian, but the cornerback position still has many questions, including K'Waun Williams, who has been on injured reserve the entire season.
Fabian Moreau stepped in for a struggling Damarri Mathis and that has been a move that has paid off for the team, but there could still be a future spot for Green, a speedy corner with good size at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds.
Thomas Incoom, EDGE
Undrafted out of Central Michigan, Thomas Incoom was able to make this year's 53-man roster but he has played in just one game so far this season.
The Broncos have gotten solid contributions from Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper from an outside rushing perspective, but there is certainly room for another player (or two) to step up and make some plays against the quarterback.
After transferring from Valdosta State, Incoom showed that he can get to the quarterback with an 11.5-sack senior season in 2022. How will that translate to the NFL? That remains to be seen, but the Broncos should give him a chance to do that if they fall out of contention late in the season.
JL Skinner, Safety
The Broncos drafted JL Skinner, a safety who once was considered a third-round draft pick, in the sixth round of this year's draft. They have protected him from the practice squad, knowing that has raw skills will catch the eye of another team.
He has been inactive for all but one game this season, so we have seen little of what he can do on the field. The Broncos have been an absolute mess at safety this year aside from Justin Simmons, so elevating Skinner for a game or two if the playoffs are out of reach should be an easy decision.
Kareem Jackson has faced multiple fines and suspensions and Delarrin Turner-Yell has struggled in spots. The team has gotten a surprisingly good contribution from P.J. Locke, who has filled in nicely while Jackson has been out. Caden Sterns was also lost to a season-ending injury in Week 1.
Long-term, there are still some major questions at this position. Skinner should be part of the long-term plans.
Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos
If this season gets lost, the Broncos are going to want to explore all future options at quarterback. I am not currently in favor of replacing Russell Wilson, but whether he is the team's starter in 2024 is going to be quite debatable, and it will come down to a lot of different factors.
If he is not, the first guy who stands to get a look is Jarrett Stidham. Can the former fourth-round pick be a bridge quarterback for the team, someone to pave the way for an eventual franchise quarterback? That is something the team would need to find out.
Stidham had a chance to play in the preseason and he showed moments where he looked quite good as well as moments where he looked absolutely terrible. So, it's hard to say what the team has in him, but he has been a career backup since coming out of Auburn in 2019.
However, if the Broncos are eliminated from playoff contention, it would not be at all surprising to see Stidham start the season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.