2017 Broncos Season, Roster Bubbles

The Broncos mini camp is over, and now we have a few weeks before Training Camp begins. A few weeks after that comes pre-season, and a few weeks after that comes the roster cut downs. The Broncos will trim from 90 to 75, then from 75 to 53.

That means, inevitably, some talented players won't make the final roster. Since we have little to occupy our football deprived minds between now and camp, I'm going to look at a couple roster bubble positions and make some way too early to be good predictions.

Quarterback:
On the Roster: Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Chad Kelly, and Kyle Sloter
About: The Broncos had three quarterbacks on the active roster most of the 2016 season, with Austin Davis joining Siemian and Lynch. Aside from a rare week when Siemian was too hurt to suit up, the Broncos never had Davis active. He was a practice arm. Now, I know some people are enamored of Kelly, who was Mr. Irrelevant in the draft. Still, I think the Broncos have other needs for the final 53. My prediction is Kelly makes the practice squad, but only Siemian and Lynch make the active roster to start the season.

Running Back:
On the Roster: CJ Anderson, Devontae Booker, Jamaal Charles, DeAngelo Henderson, Juwan Thompson, Andy Janovich, and Bernard Pierce
About: Last year, it was all about power running and the full back. Were that still the case, I'd say Janovich and Thompson were both locks. New year, new offense, new philosophy, so I say Janovich stays as a full back, but he's the only one. That leaves six guys for 3-4 spots. I don't buy the talk about Charles being on the roster bubble. Unless he's physically unable to perform, he's too big a name to not make the roster. There's buzz now that Henderson is a lock for the roster, but who can take June coach speak seriously. Still, I like his speed and potential to contribute on Special Teams. If pressed, I think the Broncos keep Anderson, Booker, Charles, Henderson and Janovich.

Wide Receiver:
On the Roster: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Carlos Henderson, Isaiah McKenzie, Kalif Raymond, Bennie Fowler, Jordan Taylor, Marlon Brown, and Cody Latimer.
About: Thomas, Sanders and Henderson are locks to me. So that's three. The Broncos kept seven on the roster last year, so assuming that's the ceiling, there's a lot of guys fighting for four spots. I have loved Taylor and Fowler, but neither has exactly locked up a spot with their play. Raymond's biggest asset was his skill in the return game. Since that's a specialty for McKenzie and Henderson, this year's draft choices, he could quickly be on the outside looking in. Latimer, meanwhile, is a high draft pick (second round) who has never shown me anything as a receiver. Reports are that he's been a wonder on Special Teams... If pressed, I think McKenzie, Taylor, Fowler and Latimer make the roster if we keep seven. If only six, I think Fowler is the odd man out. Sounds like Latimer will be a potential Special Teams captain.

Tight End:
On the Roster: Jake Butt, AJ Derby, Jeff Heuerman, Virgil Green, Henry Krieger-Coble, Steven Scheu, Cedrick Lang, and Austin Traylor
About: Let's be honest, the broncos will keep three, maybe four guys here and eight are on the roster. Unless something outstanding happens in camp and pre-season, I think this really comes down to five guys fighting for spots. The other unknown is injuries. Butt is on the PUP list right now, and Derby got hurt in mini-camp. Provided everyone is healthy, I think the Broncos might be inclined to run with Butt, Derby and Heuerman, and finally cut ties with Green. If Butt is still not ready, I think Green stays and we possibly carry four tight ends.