2024 Broncos' Season, Pre-Season Week 2

 

Pre-Season, Week 2: Denver Broncos 27, Green Bay Packers 2
Pre-Season Record: 2-0 (1-0 Home)
Key Play: In the first half, with the Broncos leading 10-0 and the Packers driving, safety Keidron Smith picked off a pass from Sean Clifford. The Broncos turned it into a touchdown, increasing the lead to 17-0 to end the half.

Recap: This was the first start for Bo Nix, and the first home game of the season. It was a success on both accounts. The Broncos have scored 61 points in two games, which is a good sign, and seem to have found their quarterback of the future. I'd suspect Nix earns the Week 1 start sooner rather than later. That means with the eight days and one pre-season game left, the team will focus on the bubble players and finding the right 53 to start the season. It's always a tough time but I'm excited to see how this roster comes together and to see the Broncos actually hit the field for real on September 8!

Game Balls:
* Bo Nix. Nix went 8-for-9 for 90 yards and a touchdown. He looks good.
* Tim Patrick. It's good to have Patrick back. He caught four passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.
* Keidron Smith. He still might be a bubble guy, but interceptions in each of the first two games is a good sign.

Roster Projections:
This is where I think the Broncos' roster stands after two pre-season games!

QBs: 3
On the Roster: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
About: Could one get cut? Certainly possible, but how do you choose? Given the state of the league, I think Denver keeps all three.

RBs: 4
On the Roster: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Michael Burton
Practice Squad: Tyler Badie, Blake Watson
Cut: Samaje Perine
About: Unfortunately for Perine I think it's a numbers game. There isn't space on the active roster, so I suspect he's looking for work in eight days. The Broncos will keep a good young core with some potential on the Practice Squad.

WRs: 6:
On the Roster: Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele
Practice Squad: Jalen Vigil, Brandon Johnson, Lil' Jordan Humphrey
Cut: Michael Bandy, Phillip Dorsett, David Sills V
About: The Broncos have a lot of talent in this group. I think the top four are set and tend toward the team adding the two rookies to the active roster. I like keeping a few around on the Practice Squad, too, especially since Johnson and Humphrey have been good in the past.

TEs: 4
On the Roster: Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins
Cut: Hunter Kampmoyer, Thomas Yassmin
About: The Broncos have a tight roster when it comes to making the final 53. This is a spot where I could see the team going down to three, in which case I think Adkins misses the cut. The top three should stay, but I'm projecting four because of the injury history here.

Offensive Line: 8
On the Roster: Luke Wattenburg, Garrett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers, Quinn Meinerz, Sam Mustipher, Alex Palczewski, Calvin Throckmorton
Practice Squad: Alex Forsyth, Will Sherman, Nick Gargulio
Cut: Matt Peart, Oliver Jervis, Frank Crum, Demontrey Jacobs
IR: Quinn Bailey
About: Could the Broncos keep nine? It's possible. If so, I think that Peart is the likely candidate. It's also possible Forsyth gets the nod over Mustipher, but it feels like Mustipher has played better and been the second up in games. So, for now, I'm going with eight and this combination of players.

Defensive Line: 6
On the Roster: Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Matt Henningsen
Practice Squad: Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia
Cut: Angelo Blackson, Jordan Miler
About: The Broncos have worked hard to fix the defensive line. Those new additions combined with the return of Uwazurike figure to make the competition tight. Some think Blackson, the veteran, has an edge. I went with Henningsen, with a couple young guys on the Practice Squad. Next week's game will be worth watching here.

Linebackers: 9
On the Roster: Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Justin Strnad, Jonas Griffith
Practice Squad: Drew Sanders, Levelle Bailey, Durell Nchami
Cut: Thomas Incoom, Alex Mock, Andre Smith, Ronnie Perkins
About: This is a loaded group so the cuts will be painful and the competition for roster spots and Practice Squad spots will be fierce. I think we'll see a few added to the Practice Squad ot remain in the system. This is a talented group and I like the potential for the Broncos.

Cornerbacks: 6
On the Roster: Pat Surtain, Levi Wallace, Damarri Mathis, Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Tremon Smith
Practice Squad: Kris Abrams-Draine, Art Green
Cut: Kaleb Hayes, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome
About: The Broncos have some tough choices here. I really like Abrams-Draine and wouldn't be shocked if he made the team. If not, I think he's a top candidate for the Practice Squad. The biggest question is Smith, who I have making it here thanks to his Special Teams prowess. I think that's how it will go but it's not a lock. Wallace, too, is a veteran that should make it but he hasn't shown much this pre-season due to injury.

Safeties: 4
On the Roster: P.J. Locke, Brandon Jones, J.L. Skinner, Keidron Smith
Practice Squad: Devon Key
Cut: Omar Brown, Tanner McCalister, Delarrin Turner-Yell
About: The Broncos have made this group over a lot since last year. That leaves them with a lot of new faces. Locke is the only lock to me. Jones should be the other starter, but injuries have kept him off the field. Among the others, I like Skinner and I went with Smith thanks to his strong performance this pre-season. Key is also in the mix and whether it's active roster or Practice Squad, I think those are the five the Broncos want to keep.

Special Teams: 3
On the Roster: Will Lutz, Riley Dixon, Mitchell Fraboni
Cut: Trenton Gill
About: I think the Broncos stand pat here, still. Gill could shake it up but I haven't seen enough to predict it.