2019 Broncos' Season, Skill Positions

With the Broncos scrimmaging this week and not playing until Monday night, there's not a lot of movement in the discussion of rosters just yet. So today, as we get closer to the Monday Night Football clash, I'm looking at where we are with the skill positions and what needs to be seen to move closer to picking the final 53.

Running Backs:
On the Roster: Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, Theo Riddick, Khalfani Muhammad, David Williams, Devontae Jackson, Andy Janovich, George Aston
About: This is going to be an interesting group to watch and think about the next few weeks. The signing of Riddick seemed like a sign that the Broncos might be ready to move on from Booker, but then Riddick broke his shoulder. There's a chance Riddick will end up on PUP or IR designated to return. And I think that puts the Broncos in need of another back. But Riddick isn't the only injury in the group, with Janovich also suffering an injury. While the loss of Janovich might move the needle with TEs more, it could create an opening. Lindsay and Freeman are roster locks, but then it's a question Will the Broncos keep the veteran Booker and call it a day? Will Booker get traded? Will one of the younger backs, perhaps Muhammad, make a move. The next two weeks, especially this Week 2 game, will be crucial for those players looking to make a move.

Wide Receiver:
On the Roster: Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick, River Cracraft, Juwann Winfree, Nick Williams, Trinity Benson, Brendan Langley, Fred Brown, Kelvin McKnight, Steve Dunbar, Jr.
About: Another tough group to crack. Sanders, Sutton, Hamilton and Patrick are locks. That means four spots are claimed, and the Broncos only kept five in 2018. I think they'll keep six this year, so that means potentially two openings. Cracraft was close to cracking the group last year, and has seemed to have an edge as a returner. That's what also helps Booker. And Winfree was a sixth round pick the Broncos like, one who made a splash with a game-winning 15-yard TD reception in the Hall of Fame Game. But that's been his only reception of the pre-season, so it's hardly definitive. Benson and McKnight were hailed early in camp, and Williams has experience with Rich Scangarello and has looked decent at times in pre-season. Langley is a former high draft pick at corner trying to establish himself, too. While the Hall of Fame Game gave some of these guys a chance to shine, the game with Seattle was kind of a bust on that account. This week's game, at home, against the 49ers in Denver is a big one, as is next week with the Rams. With potentially two roster spots, it's a chance for someone to flash and make the team, and this is a unit where I'm curious to see some of these folks make a statement.

Tight End:
On the Roster: Noah Fant, Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt, Troy Fumagali, Moral Stephens, Bug Howard
About: This is another group where an injury sort of shaped the trajectory. Actually a pair of injuries, with Austin Fort going on IR and Janovich struggling with a chest injury. What does a fullback have to do with tight end? Well, put simply, a two TE formation could well become more common. Fant and Heuerman feel like locks for the roster. The Broncos want to be able to get some offense from the TE position, and I think they'd like to see Butt develop into something. Fumagali is also a draft pick the Broncos have invested in. I think with the other injuries, the Broncos will lean toward keeping four players here. I think the four are likely to be Fant, Heuerman, Butt and Fumagali. But it will be interesting to see if Stephens or Howard can make an impression in one of these next two games, especially with the injuries at this position.