The Denver Broncos will open up training camp later this month, their first camp under new head coach Sean Payton. The team will then play three preseason games to help determine the best 53-man roster to begin the season with.
That is going to be an interesting process this year as Payton is going to have a much different perspective on things than Nathaniel Hackett did. Only the top players on the team are going to be guaranteed roster spots as Payton is not going to be afraid to move on from very many of these guys.
With that said, a few veterans on the roster who could easily be considered "fringe" or "bubble" players won't be able to coast in practices and exhibition games. Though preseason games don't "count" in the standings, to say that they don't matter is completely inaccurate.
For these four players — and perhaps others — this is going to be an important summer in their careers and their time with the Broncos.
Broncos veteran who can't afford to have a subpar preseason: Mike Purcell
The Broncos are not particularly deep on the defensive line and aside from D.J. Jones and free-agent signing Zach Allen, the rest is pretty much wide open. One would think that the veteran Mike Purcell could slide into a roster spot quite comfortably, but that will be far from the case.
The Broncos have two intriguing second-year players in Eyioma Uwazurike and Matt Henningsen. PJ Mustipher is an undrafted player to keep tabs on and Tyler Lancaster, who came over in free agency, could easily be preferred by Payton over Purcell.
Purcell is a guy who former head coach Vic Fangio really liked but he is certainly going to have to prove himself to a completely different staff now.
Broncos veterans who can't afford to have a subpar preseason: Jonas Griffith
Remember all of the hype surrounding this guy last year about this time? Jonas Griffith was in prime position to move into a starting role but he got hurt in the team's first preseason game last year, dislocating his elbow.
That cost Griffith the start of the season and Alex Singleton, in his first year with the Broncos, slid into that spot and became one of the best players on defense.
Singleton was a tackling machine, easily leading the Broncos in that category and Josey Jewell is a solid option next to him. In addition, the Broncos used a third-round pick to select Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders.
That leaves Griffith fighting for a roster spot and likely spending most of his time on special teams. That was originally why the Broncos traded for him, for his special teams play, but what if a guy like undrafted free agent Seth Benson outplays him?
That is a distinct possibility and if it were to happen, Griffith could be on waivers before the season kicks off. Justin Strnad and Ray Wilborn are also on the depth chart, so Griffith is far from a lock to make this team.
Broncos veterans who can't afford to have a subpar preseason: Essang Bassey
The Broncos have Patrick Surtain, easily one of the league's best cornerbacks, but things get shaky right after that.
Damarri Mathis and K'Waun Williams will likely be the other starters, but third-round pick Riley Moss should get his chances too. After that, several guys will be looking to make the roster as depth pieces, depending on how many cornerbacks the team chooses to keep.
In that group of players will be Essang Bassey, who will be entering his fourth season with the Broncos. In his career, he has 39 total tackles and one interception, but he has some good experience behind him now and he has the kind of skills, particularly as a slot corner, that could keep him around for a long time.
Remember, once upon a time, Chris Harris was undrafted and became one of the best corners in team history. That's not to say that Bassey will turn into Harris, but he is developing into a player who can contribute every week on defense and special teams.
But he will need to show up this summer and prove that he belongs over guys like Ja'Quan McMillian, Faion Hicks, Tremon Smith (who may be more of a kick returner than anything) and undrafted free agent Art Green.
Bassey should be viewed as a player on the right side of the bubble, at least for right now, but guys like Smith and Green could easily overtake him for a roster spot.
Broncos veterans who can't afford to have a subpar preseason: Elliott Fry
I have been clear in my recent opinion that Elliott Fry is not going to open as the Broncos' placekicker in Week 1. There could be a host of better options available before the season kicks off.
But he could certainly help his case this summer by being accurate. After all, he is the only guy there after the team chose to part ways with Brandon McManus and if he proves to make clutch kicks and doesn't do things like blow a bunch of extra points, he might prove people like me wrong.
But if he is shaky and misses kicks, the team is absolutely going to be looking at all options. The rope shouldn't be long for Fry. He is the guy who the team brought in following the release of McManus, the team's No. 2 all-time leading scorer.
But there is a reason that he has played for 10 other teams and only has six career field-goal attempts in the regular season.