Broncos Wire published a 53-man roster prediction for the Denver Broncos this week, and it included several tough decisions. Here’s a quick look at the 10 toughest cuts for our projected 53-man roster.
1
RB Royce Freeman
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
With Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams and Mike Boone all roster locks, there might not be any room for Freeman. Unless the team decides to carry four true running backs, Freeman will likely be the odd man out.
2
OL Austin Schlottmann
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
If Quinn Meinerz wins the starting center job, Lloyd Cushenberry will likely be the only backup center on the roster. If Cushenberry wins the center job, Meinerz and Graham Glasgow can provide emergency center depth. At guard, Meinerz and Netane Muti are excellent backups. Schlottmann might make the practice squad, but it will be tough for him to make the 53-man roster.
3
WR Tyrie Cleveland
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
If the Broncos carry six wide receivers on the active roster, the final WR spot might come down to Cleveland (a John Elway pick) vs. Seth Williams (a George Paton pick). If Paton prefers Williams — potentially for his special teams contributions — Cleveland could be in danger of getting cut. He’d be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
4
S Trey Marshall
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson are the locked-in starting safeties, and fifth-round draft picks Caden Sterns and Jamar Johnson seem likely to make the final roster. If the Broncos only carry four safeties, that would leave Marshall on the outside looking in.
5
WR Kendall Hinton
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Everyone wants to see Hinton make the 53-man roster after he demonstrated great resilience in a tough situation last year, but Denver is very deep at WR. Hinton should be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
6
OLB Derrek Tuszka
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are the obvious starters and Malik Reed is the team’s top backup at outside linebacker. If the team carries four OLBs, that would leave one more spot, and seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper seems likely to make the team. Tuszka will be a top practice squad candidate if he doesn’t make the active roster.
7
CB Kary Vincent Jr.
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
It’s never easy to cut a rookie just months after drafting him, but the Broncos are loaded with depth at cornerback. Vincent might have to compete for a spot on the practice squad in his first season.
8
DB Duke Dawson
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Dawson has been a reliable slot cornerback when healthy, but Bryce Callahan will likely play in the slot this season and Essang Bassey can provide depth behind him. Dawson could be among several tough CB cuts for Denver.
9
DL Marquiss Spencer
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Another seventh-round draft pick, Spencer might struggle to break into the Broncos’ deep defensive line rotation as a rookie.
10
RB LeVante Bellamy
(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Bellamy wasn’t a key player on offense last year but he did contribute on special teams, appearing in five games. Denver’s crowded backfield will likely push Bellamy down to practice squad competition.
