When you look at the Denver Broncos' current roster, you could compile quite a list of players who will have their hands full in terms of making this year's team. It is a young, inexperienced roster, something one would expect during a rebuild.
But the Broncos are also a team that needs new direction, one that takes them from the depths of the AFC West back into contention for the playoffs and more. So, the team could certainly be looking to evaluate talent in a much different way this season, which could mean that very few players are safe.
The release of Justin Simmons already showed that.
These four players could easily be left off of the 53-man roster to start the 2024 season as well.
4 Broncos veterans who could surprisingly not make the 53-man roster
Luke Wattenberg, Offensive Lineman
This wouldn't be a massive surprise, but the Broncos do need a new center after allowing Lloyd Cushenberry to leave in free agency. Luke Wattenberg figured to compete for that job, but there might be too much competition for him now.
Wattenberg will be entering his third year in the league. A fifth-round pick out of Washington in 2022, he has played in 23 games but made just one start thus far in his career. He can play the center position and did so in college. He was expected to be the competition for second-year player Alex Forsyth to replace Cushenberry.
But earlier in the week, the Broncos added to that position, signing veteran Sam Mustipher. Wattenberg is likely the No. 3 guy in that race right now and could easily be the odd man out.
Delarrin Turner-Yell, Safety
The Broncos are not deep at safety so in order for this to happen, the team would likely need to add to the position through the draft or undrafted free-agent process.
The Broncos moved on from both Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson this offseason. They signed Brandon Jones in free agency and would need to have a healthy Caden Sterns back and ready to resume his role. P.J. Locke will be back as well.
The Broncos also have an intriguing second-year safety in JL Skinner, so moving on from Delarrin Turner-Yell is certainly possible. A fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Oklahoma, Turner-Yell has been used primarily on special teams during his young career but he was forced into action last season with the injury to Sterns and multiple suspensions of Jackson. And he did not play that well.
The Broncos can do better at this spot as Turner-Yell is really nothing more than a special teams guy. Locke has already shown he can go from special teams ace to a productive defensive safety. If a guy like Skinner can show what many feel he is capable of, Turner-Yell could be looking for another team to play for.
D.J. Jones, Defensive Lineman
This is another spot where the Broncos are very thin and D.J. Jones is one of the most experienced defensive linemen on the roster. Many fans were surprised to see him stick around once free agency started as cutting him could have created a good deal ($9.9 million) in cap space.
But even after we get well into the summer, the Broncos can still save that money against the cap by moving on from Jones. That money could come in handy next season when the team will likely be much more active in free agency.
Jones will be entering his third year with the Broncos where he has collected 80 tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries. He has not been bad, but the idea of saving that money is enticing. The Broncos would have to have a good backup plan if they made this move.
Zach Allen will be one of the team's top defensive lineman entering 2024 and free-agent signing Malcolm Roach has plenty to offer. But beyond that, the Broncos would need at least one more solid option, but probably more.
The team has Matt Henningsen, Rashard Lawrence, Elijah Garcia and Jordan Jackson on the roster. They also still have Eyioma Uwazurike waiting in the wings, but he is currently suspended. So getting rid of Jones, while it would save money, could also be a big risk considering what is behind him.
The Broncos need to give serious consideration to using a premium pick on a defensive lineman in the upcoming draft. If they land the right guy, he could take Jones' spot.
Justin Strnad, Linebacker
The Broncos re-signed Justin Strnad a couple of weeks ago just as he was about to sign a deal with the Carolina Panthers. But that doesn't guarantee him a roster spot.
Strnad is a player similar to Turner-Yell, used mostly for special teams and has not looked great when pressed into defensive action. The Broncos also re-signed Jonas Griffith this offseason before giving a free-agent deal to Cody Barton.
Depending on what the Broncos do with second-year player Drew Sanders, the team could have a solid group at the inside linebacker spot.
Strnad could easily become expendable under the scenario, particularly if the team finds a serviceable option through the undrafted route.
Strnad will be playing in his fifth season with the Broncos. He has just 46 career tackles.