Some roster spots still up for grabs in finale
When the Broncos close the preseason Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams, thousands of fans will get their first in-person look at the home team since December 2019 due to attendance restrictions last year.
And those fans will get to see the home team’s starters, who will take a final spin in preparation for the Sept. 12 opener at the New York Giants.
Much is at stake after the starters depart.
“There’s always the usual number (of available roster spots) — anywhere from 5-8,” coach Vic Fangio said.
The competition is spirted throughout depth chart such as No. 6 receiver, Nos. 3-4 safeties, No. 9 offensive lineman and Nos. 5-6 cornerbacks.
“It will be difficult at the obvious positions you are seeing,” Fangio said. “Special teams may be the deciding factor there.”
Where do the Broncos stand a month into training camp and two games into the preseason? Here are five questions and attempted answers:
1. Why are the Broncos playing their starters?
Two reasons — 0-4 and 0-3. Two years ago, during the interminable five-game preseason, Fangio sat his starters in Games 1, 4 and 5 and the Broncos stumbled out of the gate, losing their first four games.
Last year, minus a preseason, the Broncos blew a fourth-quarter lead to Tennessee and then lost to Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
Maybe Fangio is opting to try something different to avoid a third consecutive 0-for-september. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the first-team offense are expected to play at least two series and same for the defense. This has less to do with momentum than it does making sure the starters don’t go three weeks between outings.
2. Among this year’s draft class, which players need to play well Saturday?
The picks who are safe: Cornerback Pat Surtain II (first round), running back Javonte Williams (second), guard/center Quinn Meinerz (third), inside linebacker Baron Browning (third), safety Caden Sterns (fifth) and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (seventh).
The Broncos should be thrilled with Browning (leg) and Cooper (heart procedure), who have adapted well after missing all of the offseason program. Trey Marshall’s ankle injury has created an opening for Sterns to win the Nos. 3 or 4 safety spot.
Safety Jamar Johnson (fifth round), receiver Seth Williams (sixth), cornerback Kary Vincent (seventh) and defensive end Marquiss Spencer (seventh) are currently on the outside.
Vincent could sneak onto the roster as the sixth cornerback, but Johnson, Williams and Spencer are likely ticketed for the practice squad.
3. Who is one bubble player worth keeping tabs on?
Rookie inside linebacker Barrington Wade was acquired via waivers from Baltimore on Aug. 7 and has played 32 defensive snaps and 12 special teams snaps in two preseason games for the Broncos.
If the Broncos keep five inside linebackers, the first four are Josey
Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Justin Strnad and Baron Browning. A fifth spot would come down to Wade and fellow undrafted rookie Curtis Robinson.
“Special teams is super important for me,” Wade said. “I feel that’s the way to make my mark and get my foot in the door. It’s something I’ve always been good at.”
Wade (6-foot-1/232 pounds) believes he would have been drafted in the sixth or seventh round had Iowa played a full season last year.
4. Which receiver has the inside edge for the No. 6 spot?
The assumption is the Broncos keep six receivers because Diontae Spencer will serve as the return specialist in addition to the No. 5 spot behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick.
The educated guess entering camp was Tyrie Cleveland had the inside track because he played 10 games as a rookie last year and showed promise as a pass-catcher (six receptions for 63 yards in 72 snaps) and special teams player (130 snaps).
But Trinity Benson and Kendall Hinton have gained momentum in camp. Benson caught two touchdown passes against Minnesota and Hinton was the first choice after the starters to play against Seattle. Cleveland has no catches in 36 offensive snaps.
If the decision is based on special teams ability, Cleveland will be the choice.
5. How does the backup offensive linemen competition shape up?
The starters: Left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Dalton Risner, center Lloyd Cushenberry, right guard Graham Glasgow and right tackle Bobby Massie.
The reserves who are safe: Meinerz, left/right tackle Calvin Anderson and guard Netane Muti.
That leaves one available spot if the Broncos keep nine linemen like they did to open last year.
Anderson’s ability to play both tackle positions takes Cam Fleming, Quinn Bailey and Drew Himmelman off the initial roster.
Austin Schlottmann has worked mostly with the third team during camp, but Meinerz’s struggles at center make it important to keep Schlottmann.