ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The draft remains the lifeline. Teams can sign marquee free agents, but without the right selections of college players, it is difficult to maintain success.
The Broncos missed on their 2017 class, save for left tackle Garett Bolles and the to-be-determined contributions from tight end Jake Butt and defensive tackle DeMarcus Walker. They feel like they hit the Powerball with the 2018 group, reflected in my projected 53-man roster with cuts official soon.
Broncos 53-man roster:
Offense (24)
Quarterbacks (3)
Case Keenum, Chad Kelly, Paxton Lynch.
Comment: Keenum is the key. Can he duplicate last year's lightning strike? Kelly's ascension saved Lynch. The Broncos trust him at No.2. They had no plans to bring in a veteran No. 3. So for now Lynch, much to the dismay of a large throng of Broncos' fans, stays.
Runningbacks/Fullback (4)
Devontae Booker, Royce Freeman, Phillip Lindsay, Andy Janovich.
Comment: Booker, too, polarizes fans. He has 253 carries, but only a 3.6 yards per attempt average. He knows the offense. But it shouldn't be long before Freeman receives the bulk of the work, perhaps even in the opener against Seattle. Lindsay electrified with his speed in space, and versatility. He should be a mismatch on wheel routes against linebackers.
Offensive linemen (9)
Garett Bolles, Ron Leary, Matt Paradis, Connor McGovern, Jared Veldheer, Max Garcia, Elijah Wilkinson, Sam Jones, Billy Turner.
Comment: Uncertainty surrounds the group. The Broncos need Leary's knee to cooperate. Veldheer settled right tackle. Can he remain consistent? Local high school star Jones sticks because of his ability to play multiple positions.
Receivers (5)
Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick.
Comment: One of the team's weakest groups last season, the Broncos upgraded significantly. Sutton and Hamilton remain critical to caffeinating the offense. Patrick made the team because of gutsy special teams work. Jordan Taylor will start the season on the PUP list.
Tight ends (3)
Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt, Matt LaCoss.
Comment: This position has been a sinkhole. Broncos desperately need production. Could it be from one, two, or all three? LaCoss beat out Austin Traylor and Brian Paker for the final spot. Troy Fumagalli is expected to go on injured reserve.
Defense (26)
Defensive line (6)
Derek Wolfe, Domata Peko, Shelby Harris, Zach Kerr, Adam Gotis, DeMarcus Walker.
Comment: Deep, talented bunch capable of causing frequent disruptions. Wolfe hasn't looked this healthy since the Super Bowl season. Veteran Clinton McDonald couldn't beat out Walker.
Linebackers (6)
Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, Josey Jewell, Joe Jones, Keishawn Bierria, A.J. Johnson.
Comment: Group boasts athleticism and infusion of youth with rookies Jewell, Bierria and Johnson. Jewell projects as a future starter.
Outside Linebackers (4)
Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Shane Ray, Shaquil Barrett.
Comment: Anything less than weekly "wow" moments will be a disappointment. The team's revival centers around a dynamic pass rush.
Cornerbacks (5)
Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Tramaine Brock, Adam Jones, Isaac Yiadom.
Comment: This is the New Fly Zone. And it added gray to the beard overnight with the addition of Adam Jones. Roby playing well remains central to the group maintaining its standard of excellence.
Safeties (5)
Justin Simmons, Darian Stewart, Su’a Cravens, Will Parks, Dymonte Thomas.
Comment: Simmons is a rising star, and Cravens, if healthy, is a bruiser. If he can cover tight ends, the group will improve significantly. Jamal Carter is on season-ending injured reserve.
Specialists (3)
Kicker Brandon McManus
Punter Marquette King
Long Snapper Casey Kreiter
Comment: McManus is solid. King needs to show more than did in the preseason.
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
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