Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos: Analyzing the 53-man roster and needs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos made the required number of roster moves to get to the limit of 53. Find out who made the team, why, and where Denver goes from here…

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What an exhilarating day for football and the Denver Broncos. It’s a very sad day for some players whose careers have come to a close, but a fresh start for others.

The Broncos didn’t announce any moves until right up before the deadline, so the fan base was sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to see if certain players like Ronnie Hillman or Mark Sanchez would be cut or traded, and what 53 players would occupy the roster of the defending Super Bowl champions.

John Elway and Gary Kubiak had to make some really difficult decisions, but that’s truly a luxury for this brain trust. There are plenty of teams scouring the waiver wire and the scrap heap, looking for any way possible to upgrade their roster.

The Broncos, on the other hand, are looking to supplement what they already have and are cutting players that would easily make it in other NFL cities.

Let’s take a look at the Broncos’ roster by position, and see where this team has to go from here…

QUARTERBACK

Aug 12, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Austin Davis (7) warms up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Austin Davis

The top two spots were no surprise here for the Broncos, but there was a lot of question whether or not the team would keep, trade, or cut veteran Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, who was dubbed the starter early on this offseason, lost the job to Trevor Siemian, and the Broncos have Paxton Lynch on the fast track.

Even for just a seventh round pick, there was no way to justify keeping Sanchez around at a $4.5 million cap figure.

So, the Broncos tried their best to deal Sanchez, but couldn’t do it. He was released, and immediately (almost too immediately…) signed with the Dallas Cowboys. The Broncos had Austin Davis in the building today as they put together a contingency for letting go of Sanchez, and I think they made a really good decision.

Davis has 10 career starts and some upside to him, where we all know what Sanchez brings to the table. He signed a one-year deal with the Broncos and just turned 27 this Summer. I like the move for the Broncos getting a little younger, and getting a guy that has a bit more upside.

RUNNING BACK

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Kapri Bibbs (35) runs the ball in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker, Kapri Bibbs, Andy Janovich (FB)

John Elway made the decision to release last year’s leading rusher — Ronnie Hillman — in favor of Kapri Bibbs, the former Colorado State star who has been on and off the team’s preseason since 2014. He put the decision to release Hillman better than I can:

“At running back, obviously Ronnie was a guy that did a lot of good things for us. We just thought that with [RB] Kapri [Bibbs] we were probably in better shape with what he can do on special teams. It’s always tough. They’re all close. That one was really close. Kapri has worked very hard and deserved a shot. We’re going to give Kapri that shot.”

This is particularly interesting as Hillman was part of the Broncos’ 2012 draft class that included some really good players. He was a third round pick that Elway traded up for, and he wound up playing a pretty major role on this team over the last two seasons.

That being said, Hillman had a habit of making major errors in games at the worst possible moments, most notably his lack of effort on a backward pass in the AFC Championship game that was picked up by the New England Patriots. He was benched much of the Super Bowl, and the Broncos deemed him expendable after the best regular season of his career.

This is as much about Bibbs winning a spot as it is Hillman losing one, and like Elway said, it came down to special teams. Bibbs has proven his worth there and could be a valuable reserve back for this squad.

WIDE RECEIVER

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor (87) carries the ball for a 57 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer, Jordan Taylor, Jordan Norwood

The Broncos have a really interesting, dynamic group of receivers here, and a couple of great success stories.

You obviously have the stud duo of Thomas and Sanders, the up-and-coming backup duo of Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer, and a pair of Jordans.

Jordan Norwood has managed to make this team for three straight seasons, though 2014 was cut short due to an ACL injury. He was the team’s primary slot receiver and punt returner last season, making his mark in the Super Bowl with the longest punt return in the history of the game.

Jordan Taylor was a tough cut last offseason after he showed some big play potential, but the Broncos were able to sneak him on the practice squad and stash him for a year. He had a big preseason performance in the finale against Arizona, cementing what most people already knew — he has a place on this roster.

There’s plenty of size and speed in this group for the Broncos, and we’re likely to see at least another one or two players added to the practice squad, likely Mose Frazier and Kalif Raymond.

The Broncos also reportedly worked out WR/KR Brandon Tate.

TIGHT END

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green (85) reacts to his touchdown reception during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Virgil Green, Jeff Heuerman, John Phillips

The Broncos made the decision to waive UDFA stud Henry Krieger-Coble, who will likely be a primary practice squad target, but I don’t know that they are finished adding to this position.

Jeff Heuerman — a former third round pick — has been unable to consistently stay on the field. He’s apparently close to coming back, but it’s been frustrating waiting for him to get out there and show how he can be a significant contributor to this group.

Virgil Green had a phenomenal preseason, and looks to be more than ready to take the primary pass catching role in this offense from the TE position. John Phillips is a decent all-around player and veteran that the Broncos picked up at the outset of training camp.

I think this is a position that the Broncos could scour the waiver wire for. A couple of interesting names popped up on Saturday in Jets TE Jace Amaro and Redskins TE Logan Paulsen, the upside pick there obviously being Amaro.

If the Broncos could somehow find a way to bring him in, it would add a dynamic pass catching element to the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive guard Connor McGovern (60) and quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) at the line of scrimmage during the second half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Russell Okung, Max Garcia, Matt Paradis, Darrion Weems, Donald Stephenson, Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield, Connor McGovern, James Ferentz

The Broncos kept nine offensive linemen, though some thought they might keep 10 with Dillon Day among the final cuts.

This is a unit whose third group was absolutely atrocious for the Broncos throughout the preseason, which isn’t a surprise, but it’s a disappointment in terms of not really getting a clear picture of what other players on the offense can do.

The Broncos’ starting five — including Darrion Weems — was pretty well set prior to the end of the preseason, but Ty Sambrailo’s elbow injury sort of leaves things in limbo. With offensive guard Josh Sitton being released by the Green Bay Packers, the Broncos have the open funds to make a move there and upgrade the RG spot for a few years at least.

If the Broncos don’t go after Sitton, I would be surprised. We saw them make a late run last offseason at Evan Mathis, who wound up being a pretty good player for this football team when healthy. Sitton is a veteran at 30 years of age that could come in and start for this team and be an asset right away.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Billy Winn (97) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, Jared Crick, Adam Gotsis, Darius Kilgo, Billy Winn, Kyle Peko

The Broncos had brought in Henry Melton for a ‘tryout’ this preseason and over the course of the last two weeks, he was unable to prove himself worthy of a spot on this roster. Another camp pickup, veteran Billy Winn, showed coaches enough to stick on this year’s roster after the injury of Vance Walker put the Broncos in a bit of a bind.

The signing of Jared Crick looms large after Walker’s injury, and while rookie Adam Gotsis struggled at times this preseason, there’s plenty of upside there for him to make an impact as a rookie.

The inclusion of nose tackle Kyle Peko is an interesting one. The Broncos had told him he was not going to make the roster, but they changed their mind and brought him back in, including him in the original final 53. That upholds the almost annual tradition of keeping at least one undrafted rookie.

Peko impressed the Broncos enough prior to the draft for them to give him the highest signing bonus of any udrafted player, and that vote of confidence paid off.

EDGE DEFENDER

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Dekoda Watson (57) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray, Shaquil Barrett, Dekoda Watson

This is one of the coolest developments of the offseason. The Broncos let Dekoda Watson have a shot at a backup inside linebacker spot, and he ended up running away with a roster position as an edge defender.

The veteran journeyman ended the 2015-16 season walking off the field disappointed as a member of the New England Patriots, dropping a hard-fought battle to the Broncos. He will run out of the tunnel on that same field this Thursday as a member of the defending champions.

We know all about the Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, the legendary DeMarcus Ware, and the best backup edge defender duo in the NFL of Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett. This was a four-man position and nobody figured to have a good enough chance of either beating someone for a spot or forcing the Broncos to keep five.

That gives you an idea of how well Watson played this preseason, and why he deserves a spot on this team.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Zaire Anderson (50) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquis Bundy in the second quarter during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, Zaire Anderson, Corey Nelson

A former practice squad cast-off of the Jacksonville Jaguars. An undrafted standout poached from the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. An undrafted free agent. A former seventh round pick.

Those are the men occupying the inside linebacker position on the Broncos’ depth chart, and all of them bring the wood. Brandon Marshall received a nice contract extension this offseason, while Todd Davis and the rest of the backups earned a significant vote of confidence as the Broncos didn’t really make an effort to upgrade this spot in the offseason.

The good news? Zaire Anderson looks phenomenal, and this is a unit that can be an area of strength after Danny Trevathan signed a nice new deal in Chicago with the Bears.

All of these guys do a number of things really well, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see all of them have a big role this season.

CORNERBACK

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) celebrates a play with cornerback Kayvon Webster (36) against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s stadium…

Made Roster: Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, Lorenzo Doss

The Broncos battled rumors on Saturday that Aqib Talib was on the trade block, rumors that John Elway squashed…

“False. His name was never brought up anywhere.”

Elway also expressed displeasure at the thought of Talib being suspended to start the season, another false rumor…

“We’ve heard nothing. We’re full speed ahead. It would be very disappointing if we heard something at this point in time.”

Distractions aside, this is the most solid group of players the Broncos have on the roster from top to bottom. Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib are a phenomenal duo, but the inclusion of Bradley Roby as the team’s third corner make this group absolutely unfair.

Kayvon Webster has come into his own as a special teams ace, and feels like he has what it takes to be a starter in this league. Lorenzo Doss had an incredible training camp and then laid an egg in the team’s preseason finale against Arizona.

This is a group that the Broncos have to be incredibly confident about.

SAFETY

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) celebrates after a play in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Made Roster: T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, Justin Simmons, Will Parks

The rest of the ‘No Fly Zone’ for the Broncos is nearly as strong as the cornerback group. T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart are an enviable safety duo that provide the Broncos the kind of physicality on the back end that gives this unit a real edge.

Justin Simmons is a third round pick out of Boston College who has a chance to be a very impactful player this year as the team’s primary backup safety. That role was last occupied by David Bruton and he was probably the team’s best in coverage. That distinction should now belong to Simmons, who is joined at the safety spot by fellow rookie Will Parks.

Parks is a hard hitter who can also play special teams and the nickel cornerback position. Those two rookies will provide a spark off the bench.

SPECIALISTS

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi

Made Roster: Brandon McManus, Riley Dixon, Casey Kreiter

The Broncos made the tough decision to let go of veteran punter Britton Colquitt, a decision that boiled down to finances. Colquitt was also the 24th and 28th ranked punter in the NFL over the last two seasons.

His lack of steady play outside of last postseason gave the Broncos more than enough reason to seek an upgrade, and they’re hoping for that from rookie Riley Dixon.

Casey Kreiter takes the long snapper job from Aaron Brewer, who was released earlier this offseason. The Broncos’ surprise decision to release Brewer paved the way for the former Iowa Hawkeyes long snapper to make his way to an NFL roster.