2020 Broncos' Season, Final Roster and Practice Squad
On Thursday I gave my final fearless predictions for the final 53 for the Broncos. That of course didn't line up with the final roster exactly, because it never does. But below are some thoughts on the Broncos' final roster and Practice Squad.
Notable Changes:
* The Broncos made a trade that altered the linebacker landscape. The team acquired Austin Calitro, and that soon led to the release of long-time veteran starter Todd Davis. It was a big move. In his place the Broncos figure to use Josey Jewell on early downs and Mark Barron in the passing game, while Alexander Johnson becomes the rock in the middle. It was a shakeup for the group and an interesting one. The Broncos also moved on from Justin Hollins, who failed to make the final cut as Calitro came in to play the middle and Special Teams. I thought the Broncos would keep 10 linebackers, but they only kept nine. So it became a numbers game. Hollins was signed to the Practice Squad for the Rams, so now he's out of the picture.
* The Broncos made a trade that altered the linebacker landscape. The team acquired Austin Calitro, and that soon led to the release of long-time veteran starter Todd Davis. It was a big move. In his place the Broncos figure to use Josey Jewell on early downs and Mark Barron in the passing game, while Alexander Johnson becomes the rock in the middle. It was a shakeup for the group and an interesting one. The Broncos also moved on from Justin Hollins, who failed to make the final cut as Calitro came in to play the middle and Special Teams. I thought the Broncos would keep 10 linebackers, but they only kept nine. So it became a numbers game. Hollins was signed to the Practice Squad for the Rams, so now he's out of the picture.
* The Broncos only kept three safeties, as was suspected near the end of camp, and went with nine total defensive backs. Trey Marshall was the only reserve safety, but the Broncos have Barron with safety experience and elected to keep Duke Dawson at corner, another player that could swing to safety. The Broncos also kept undrafted free agent Essang Bassey, continuing a streak in the department. But one of the more surprising cuts, with keeping Dawson, was De'Vante Bausby. However, he'll be in the fold still as a member of the Practice Squad.
* One position where the Broncos kept more than expected was receiver, where the team kept seven. I nailed the top six, but the team also kept rookie Tyrie Cleveland. One who is seemingly done with the Broncos is Juwann Winfree, who didn't make the active roster and isn't on the Practice Squad. It was an interesting turn of events for the once promising receiver prospect.
* Finally, offensive line was a place where I missed. I suspected the team would keep nine, and they did, but I missed on the swing tackle. I thought Jake Rodgers would get the call, but the team ended up going with Calvin Anderson. He's got a great chance staying on the active roster as a crucial position.
Practice Squad:
* This will be a year like no other. The Broncos, like all NFL Teams, will get to keep 16 players on the Practice Squad this year. The team quickly moved to retain a number of players who've been in camp with the team, including QB Brett Rypien, RB LeVante Bellamy, RB Jeremy Cox, WR Fred Brown, WR Trinity Benson, T Quinn Bailey, T Jake Rodgers, T Darrin Paulo, C Patrick Morris, DL DeShawn Williams, OLB Derrick Tuszka, LB Josh Watson, CB De'Vante Bausby, Safety P.J. Locke, and Safety Alijah Holder.
* The team has one more slot, which it plans to fill from outside the organization. The Broncos are bringing in cornerback Kevin Tolliver, who worked with Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell with the Bears.
The first game is one week from tonight against the Tennessee Titans.
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