Broncos' 2023 Season, Pre-Season Week 3

 


Pre-Season Week 3: Denver Broncos 41, Los Angeles Rams 0
Pre-Season Record: 1-2 (1-0 Home)
Key Play: In the first quarter, Jarrett Stidham connected with Lil Jordan Humphrey on a 47-yard strike that set up the team's first touchdown. The Broncos never looked back.

Recap: After two games that had some good moments but an unfortunate ending, the Broncos were dominant from start to finish Saturday. Naturally no starters played for either team, really, but it was still nice to see. The final week of the pre-season is about securing a place on the roster and finding the right 53 people to go to battle with each week this season. It's also about the 16 that will be on the Practice Squad. This is where you find your team. And from that standpoint, the game was an incredible success. By Tuesday, we'll know who makes it and who doesn't. Below I have my game balls and my final predictions for the 53-man roster.

Game Balls:
* Jarrett Stidham. He went 17-for-28 for 236 yards and a touchdown in the first half laying to rest any doubts about who should be QB2.
* Jaleel McLaughlin, Marvin Mims, Brandon Johnson, Lil Jordan Humphrey and Albert Okwuegbunam. These Broncos showed out offensively and proved why they should make the final roster.
* Essang Bassey. Three interceptions in three games, he should make the final roster.

Roster Prediction:

QB (2)
* Russell Wilson
* Jarrett Stidham

About: I think the Broncos will keep two here, and this feels like the right group. I like Ben DiNucci for the Practice Squad.

RB (4)
* Javonte Williams
* Samaje Perine
* Jaleel McLaughlin
* Michael Burton

About: The Broncos have some good options, but with Williams healthy and other needs, I think the team keeps three backs and a fullback. That leaves Tyler Badie and/or Tony Jones for the Practice Squad.

WR (6)
* Courtland Sutton
* Jerry Jeudy
* Marvin Mims
* Brandon Johnson
* Marquez Callaway
* Lil Jordan Humphrey

About: This is a tough group. Jeudy will likely miss a week or two, which will leave Denver thin. But I liked what I saw from Mims, Johnson and Humphrey in Saturday's game.

TE (4)
* Greg Dulcich
* Adam Trautman
* Chris Manhertz
* Albert Okwuegbunam

About: Albert O. has been on the bubble. I think he performance Saturday combined with the thinness in the receiving corps means the Broncos will need him and Dulcich to catch passes.

Offensive Line (9)
* Garrett Bolles
* Mike McGlinchey
* Quinn Meinerz
* Ben Powers
* Lloyd Cushenberry
* Cam Fleming
* Alex Palczewski
* Alex Forsyth
* Kyle Fuller

About: Depth is key here, especially with some returning from injuries. Palczewski seems to have worked his way into a spot and I think he's part of the nine the Broncos will keep. That leaves some good options for the Practice Squad, too.

Defensive Line (6)
* Zach Allen
* D.J. Jones
* Jonathan Harris
* Mike Purcell
* Matt Henningsen
* Elijah Garcia

About: Purcell's contract renegotiation seems to have secured his spot, while I like Garcia to have earned his way onto the roster. Otherwise, this seems pretty well set.

Linebackers (9)
* Randy Gregory
* Jonathan Cooper
* Frank Clark
* Nik Bonitto
* Aaron Patrick
* Josey Jewell
* Alex Singleton
* Drew Sanders
* Justin Strnad

About: Baron Browning is stuck on the PUP List, so that creates some openings. I think it benefits Patrick and Strnad, bubble players who I think will both make the roster. Strnad also strengthens the Special Teams unit.

Cornerbacks (6)
* Patrick Surtain II
* Damarri Mathis
* K'Waun Williams
* Essang Bassey
* Riley Moss
* JaQuan McMillan

About: Tremon Smith could make this group, or could be picked up if Williams is put on short-term IR following the cutdown to the final 53. Moss will likely be unavailable early, too, but should make the team. I like McMillan and Bassey to have earned the other spots.

Safeties (4)
* Justin Simmons
* Kareem Jackson
* Caden Sterns
* Dellarin Turner-Yell

About: I like P.J. Locke, but he's ailing. I think the team will go with Turner-Yell as the fourth. Because of other needs, I think they can only keep four to start.

Special Teams (3)
* Brett Maher
* Riley Dixon
* Mitchell Fraboni

About: Maher has been solid the last two weeks, so I think he's locked up his spot.

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