2016 Broncos Season - Roster Projections


We're through three pre-season games, and the Broncos are still at 90 men on the roster. The first cut down day (to get to 75) is tomorrow, with the Broncos cutting to 53 by Saturday. Here's my latest projection for the final 53, which includes some big changes.

QB: (2)
* Trevor Siemian
* Paxton Lynch
Mark Sanchez didn't play in the third pre-season game, and he looked poor in the second game. The Broncos save $3.5 million, a draft pick, and a roster spot letting him go. If he's not going to be the starter, I think that's the way they go.

RB: (3)
* CJ Anderson
* Devontae Booker
* Ronnie Hillman
Many believe Hillman is on the block, and it wouldn't shock me if he was cut in favor of Kapri Bibbs. But Booker has been uneven, and Hillman is a proven commodity. I think Hillman makes the final cut.

FB: (2)
* Andy Janovich
* Juwan Thompson
Janovich is a lock for the roster, but the question has been Thompson. I have been on the fence, but I think the Broncos like the depth and Thompson is a Special Teams ace.

WR: (6)
* Demaryius Thomas
* Emmanuel Sanders
* Jordan Norwood
* Bennie Fowler
* Jordan Taylor
* Cody Latimer
At various points in the pre-season I've predicted different combinations here, but I think this is the group that makes it. Norwood will resume the return duties, and I could see any of the other three making contributions to the passing game. Of course, Fowler and Latimer have to get healthy first.

TE: (3)
* Virgil Green
* Jeff Heuerman
* John Phillips
This groups seems set. Garrett Graham's injury keeps him off the list, while Phillips has played well and Heuerman is the future at the position, if he could get healthy.

OL: (9)
* Russell Okung
* Donald Stephenson
* Ty Sambraillo
* Max Garcia
* Matt Paradis
* Darrion Weems
* Connor McGovern
* Michael Schofield
* Robert Myers, Jr.
I am set that the Broncos keep nine here, and eight of the nine are easy calls, but the final slot is tougher to predict. I could see Myers, Dillon Day, or James Ferentz being kept. The two not on the active roster will likely be on the Practice Squad.

DL: (6)
* Derek Wolfe
* Sylvester Williams
* Jared Crick
* Adam Gotsis
* Darius Kilgo
* Henry Melton
This is a weak spot for Denver, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a hard look at linemen who get cut elsewhere. The top five are easy calls here, but the sixth linemen is a question. I think Melton stays because of his experience, but they could easily go with a younger lineman.

LB: (9)
* Von Miller
* Demarcus Ware
* Brandon Marshall
* Todd Davis
* Shaq Barrett
* Shane Ray
* Corey Nelson
* Zaire Anderson
* Dekoda Watson
This is the Broncos' best, and possibly deepest, position. The starters are set, the depth is great, and Watson has played his way onto the team. With the lack of depth on the defensive line, this group could help pick up the slack.

DB: (10)
* Chris Harris, Jr.
* Aqib Talib
* Darian Stewart
* TJ Ward
* Bradley Roby
* Kayvon Webster
* Lorenzo Doss
* Taurean Nixon
* Justin Simmons
* Will Parks
 The Broncos have kept 10 here the past few years, and I think they do it again. And it's going to be mostly made up of players drafted by Elway the past few years. The top six for the Broncos is set, and is among the best in the NFL. The rest of the depth will be a pair of corners taken last year and a pair of safties taken this year. This became an easy decision when Shiloh Keo was suspended for two games earlier this off-season.

Special Teams: (3)
* Brandon McManus K
* Riley Dixon P
* Casey Krieter LS
The fact that the Broncos are likely to release Britton Colquitt has been no surprise. But on Sunday, when the Broncos looked to trade him after having Dixon handle all the punting and holding duties on Saturday, it was pretty well confirmed. Dixon was a seventh round draft choice, has played well, and is substantially cheaper.

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