Potential roster cuts at WR for Denver Broncos to monitor

The regular season has not even started, and the Denver Broncos have already lost three wide receivers. Tim Patrick suffered a torn Achilles in training camp and is out for the second consecutive season. He had a torn ACL in 2022. KJ Hamler -- sidelined in 10 games last season -- revealed that he has a heart condition that needs a medical procedure. He was waived with a non-football injury designation. Last but not least, during the preseason week two game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos lost second-year Jalen Virgil, who was likely making the 53-man roster for back-to-back seasons, with a meniscus injury.

Despite those three injuries, obviously, the Broncos will not have them all in the final 53-man roster. I personally think that it will have six or seven, and I see the actual Broncos' wide receiver room like this:

1. Locks for the Denver Broncos 53-man roster:

• Jerry Jeudy
• Courtland Sutton
• Marvin Mims
• Brandon Johnson

2. Likely to make the 53-man roster, but I won't be surprised if released:

• Marquez Callaway

3. Roster bubble:

• Kendall Hinton
• Lil'Jordan Humphrey
• Montrell Washington
  

4. Could be called back for the practice squad:

• Michael Bandy
• Taylor Grimes

5. Likely cuts that will not come back:

• J.J. Koski
• Nick Williams
• Josh Hammond

Every NFL team must trim their roster from 90 to 53 players by August 29th, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Players who are placed on the PUP list are not included in the initial 53-man roster, but they miss the first four games of the season. Now, if a player is placed on the Injured Reserve list before the 53-man roster deadline as the Broncos did with Tim Patrick and Jalen Virgil, it means that they are out for the entire season. If a player is injured before the season and could come back at any point of the year, the teams must have them on their 53-man rosters and put them on the IR list later.

I think that the Broncos are one of the teams that could sign one or two proven veteran wide receivers who will probably be released by their actual team.

As with every team, the Broncos can take advantage of some of the players that the other teams release before the 53-man roster deadline, and sign them. With that being said, let's take a look at some of the veteran wide receivers that the Broncos could sign if they are released by their actual team ...

Receivers the Denver Broncos could monitor during roster cuts

These wide receivers are proven veterans or talented rookies that with their team's loaded receiver room, might be released, and receiver-needy teams like the Broncos, as I said before, could take advantage by signing them...

Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones - Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns traded for Elijah Moore prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, additionally, they selected former Tennessee Volunteers Cedric Tillman, with their top draft pick, and David Bell later in the third round.

Between Schwartz and Donovan Peoples-Jones, Schwartz is more likely to be released, but there has been a buzz that DPJ could be traded or even released ahead of the season.

Schwartz, the speedy wideout, a former third-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, only has three career starts in 25 games. Statistically, he has 14 receptions, 186 yards, and 1 touchdown. Additionally, he has 10 carries, 96 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Due to his speed, Schwartz has been used a couple of times as a kick returner. Giving Schwartz a fresh start would make a lot of sense, and the Broncos could be a great fit and can be a good upgrade over Montrell Washington at kick returner.

Now, regarding DPJ, he has gone up in the Browns' depth chart, after being a 6th-round pick. A solid starter, but with the additions of Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and David Bell, Cleveland could move DPJ because he is entering the final year of his contract, and they could save more money by letting him go right now.

Sterling Shepard, Jamison Crowder, Cole Beasley - Giants:

Shepard is a very consistent wide receiver, when healthy. The Giants added a couple of players to their receiving core including rookies Jalin Hyatt and Bryce Ford-Wheaton, former Colts' Parris Campbell, and veterans Jamison Crowder and Cole Beasley. Additionally, they traded for Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller.

The Giants' receiver core additionally has Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson, David Stills, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton. One or two from Shepard, Crowder, or Beasley will likely be released. New York has $3.6 million in cap space, but releasing Shepard will save them more money.

Shepard is a way better player overall compared to the guys in the Broncos roster bubble. So it would be an obvious landing spot if released. Both Crowder and Beasley could also make sense, but they are way older, so between the three, I would rather have Shepard.

An extra one ... Jason Brownlee (Jets):

This is a guy that I would definitely want in the Broncos. He went undrafted after the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the New York Jets. He has shined in training camp, but the Jets have a lot of wide receivers. After the Aaron Rodgers trade, they signed Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb. Additionally, they have 2022 Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.