2022 Broncos' Season, Roster Bubble Players

 

Training Camp is quickly approaching, and with it will come the 2022 NFL Season. I spent the last few months looking at the position groups and depth as we head into Camp, and today I'm looking at five players who could find themselves squarely on the roster bubble and fighting for a job.

Brett Rypien, QB: Rypien has been with the team for years, even starting a game in 2020. But there's a new coaching staff in town and a new approach. The Broncos traded for star Russell Wilson, and he's the starter. The team also signed veteran Josh Johnson to the roster. While it's not unheard of for teams to carry three quarterbacks, it's also often a place where teams cut a player to free up a spot. I think Wilson and Johnson are locks, which likely means Rypien will be the odd man out. He could end up on the Practice Squad again, or he could be looking at a new team.

Kendall Hinton, WR: Hinton has been the ultimate team player for the Broncos. He's done everything asked, including playing quarterback during one game in 2020. He's become something of a fan favorite, too. But at receiver, it's a numbers game. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler are locks. The team might keep seven at receiver, but more likely will be looking at six receivers. That means a lot of players competing for just one or two spots. Travis Fulgham has some good experience and production at times, and Montrell Washington could get a spot because of his skills as a returner. Either way, it feels like a big hill to climb for Hinton, who will need to flash in camp and pre-season.

Mike Purcell, DL: The Broncos went and signed D.J. Jones to serve as the run stuffer in the middle. The team also has McTelvin Agim and Dre'Mont Jones on the line, likely on the outsides, as well as a number of younger players in the mix. In the 3-4 scheme, the team will likely keep only six defensive lineman. That could very well leave Purcell as a veteran on the chopping block.

Michael Ojemudia, CB: Ojemudia was once a Third Round pick who, as a rookie, saw a lot of playing time. He seemed to fall off a bit in year two. With a new coaching staff, that could be problematic. The Broncos have Patrick Surtain II and Ronald Darby, adding K'Wuan Williams this off-season. Former UDFA Essang Bassey seems to have jumped Ojemudia on the depth chart, too. While the team has a number of younger players and draft picks that this staff may want to prioritize. Corner is an important position but depth on an NFL roster can sometimes be a luxury. That could leave Ojemudia as an odd man out in 2022.

P.J. Locke, S: Safety is another crowded position, especially after the Broncos brought back veteran Kareem Jackson. The team also has Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns, who feel like locks on the roster. The team could keep five but more likely will keep four at safety. The Broncos signed J.R. Reed this off-season and also drafted Dellarin Turner-Yell. That in addition to last year's pick, Jamar Johnson, makes it feel like an extreme long shot that Locke makes the final group.