My Denver Broncos 53 - Offense - A look ahead at whats to come.................

[bronx_2003]

QB

Keenum / Lynch / Kelly

I would keep 3. Keenum is a lock, Lynch is given another season to see how he develops and his cap number is low plus he has some experience, so we wouldn't be throwing in someone who has zero nfl experience if anything happened to Keenum. Kelly needs a good camp but I like him and if he goes on the PS he will get picked up imo, so I would love him to have a good camp / preseason and stick on the final 53.

RB

Booker / Freeman / D Henderson / Williams

We could go forward with just 3 but I think the talent level warrants keeping an extra RB instead of a TE. Booker and Freeman should be locks barring a terrible camp. Henderson was barely used last year but I think he has an interesting skillset with a compact build, good speed, and decent hands... he could be lined up and used in different positions.

I like Lindsay but the amount of carries worries me, I would stash him for a year on the PS to learn more blocking and give his body some recovery time.... I think its unlikely he gets stolen.

Many did not like the David Williams pick but I think he was a great pick-up........ he is a bigger back with a good burst through the hole, I think he could surprise people and I like having a bigger and more physical back on the roster.

FB

Janovich

This depends on how Musgrave's offense will look, but I like Janovich. Turning just 25 soon he plays hard, is decent on ST's, can pass and run block, catch, and run the ball at a decent level. After investing 2 years in him I would hate for that to go to waste. Keep developing him.

WR

Thomas / Sanders / Sutton / Hamilton / C Henderson / Diarse / Bell / Cracraft / McKenzie / Patrick / Taylor

The first 4 are locks. Henderson spent the year injured but was a 3rd round pick with speed and playmaking ability, I expect him to be kept....... plus he was a very good returner in college so takes the McKenzie role. I think Jordan Leslie and Jimmy Williams are worth putting on the PS. Most would keep Taylor over Diarse but I think Taylor has had enough opportunities to impress and is coming off surgery on both hips, I would part ways and love to see a young unknown take the #6 receiver position. My personal favorite is John Diarse, he was given limited chances in college but made plays for LSU and TCU, I could see him impressing in camp.

TE

Butt / Fumagalli / Traylor / Heuerman / Parker

Heuerman has experience but failed to step up last season and I don't think his blocking or pass catching is good enough to keep on the final 53. Butt and Fumagalli have never seen an NFL snap and Traylor has hardly played but looked good at the end of last season.

This group is a gamble but I would bank on the talent of the 3 young guys and hope we see results. LaCosse was with us last season and worth stashing on the PS imo.

OT

Bolles / Veldheer / Watson / Kouandjio / Johnson / Wilkinson / Knappe

Bolles a lock and probably the LT. Hopefully Veldheer plays well at RT, Kouandjio had some good snaps last year and is still just 24.

I would love to see Watson cut but after research it looks like he can't be until next offseason, he is terrible but I guess offers versatility at tackle and guard.

Leon Johnson is my surprise to make the roster, undrafted out of temple he can play OT and OG and has great character. He battled through injuries last season but toughed it out and impressed teams in the scouting process, although went undrafted.

OG

Leary / McGovern / Jones / Garcia / Turner / Poutasi

I see the first 2 as starters. Jones needs a year in strength and conditioning but I would like to see him gaining experience around the first team, if we get a few injuries he can play guard and center.

I liked Garcia in college but he has gotten worse every year, I know he is versatile but I really don't think he is good enough to keep around.

C

Paradis / Dielman

Paradis is a keeper, recently signed to a 1 year deal. Schlottman has the size and build worth keeping around on the PS.


Practice Squad

Phillip Lindsay, RB

Jimmy Williams, WR

Jordan Leslie, WR

Matt LaCosse, TE

Austin Schlottmann, C

[15thebeast]

Heuerman Blocked well last year in my opinion and didn’t get enough chances to show his receiving ability due to the fact our line and QB play was that poor he had to stay and block all the time. Hopefully with and improved line and QB this year he’ll get to show us more and I think he’ll surprise a lot of people he will also be another year on from his injury he suffered in his rookie year so should be in a lot better shape

[dipablo]

I could be wrong but isn't Jordan Taylor ineligible for PS? Also I believe VJ has said he will be our PR so im pretty sure he makes the roster, I guess it could change over the summer but I don't think it will.

[16TheSnake]

Here is how I see it shake out:

3 - specialists
25 - defensive players
25 - offensive players

QB
Keenum - Kelly - Lynch

RB
Freeman - Booker - Henderson - Lindsay

FB
Janovich

WR
Thomas - Sanders - Sutton - Hamilton - Taylor - C. Henderson

TE
Butt - Fumagalli - Traylor

OT
Bolles - Valdheer - Watson

OG
Leary - McGovern - Jones

OC
Paradis - Schlottman

- GB2

[DENVERSB50CHAMP]

TE Traylor will be # 2 on the Depth Chart he can ball.

[jgod654]

Don’t sleep on Knappe. Mainly because he is from Denmark - but also because he is a massive huge hulk of a man that may just surprise a few people in camp...

[samparnell]

Don’t sleep on Knappe. Mainly because he is from Denmark - but also because he is a massive huge hulk of a man that may just surprise a few people in camp...

He's with his fourth NFL team in one year.

[-Rod-]

RB: I don't think David Williams will make the roster. He might be a practice-squad candidate. It is possible to carry 3 RBs and Janovich at FB, with a 4th RB on the practice squad. Perhaps Phillip Lindsay will have more value if he impresses as a returner.

WR: Jorday Taylor could start the season as the #3 WR while Sutton and Hamilton get adjusted to the NFL and all the details of the routes in what will probably be a west-coast offense. Taylor proved he can be a reliable returner in terms of catching the punts and protecting the ball, and I believe Vance Joseph would like to keep him on the roster as insurance if we see another ball-security crisis on special teams.

TE: For a team that wants to establish the running game, Jeff Heuerman is our #1 TE. He was already rotating with Virgil Green as the in-line TE, and now he will be our featured blocking TE. Heuerman is really strong physically and his work as a blocker allowed the Broncos to move on from Green. Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli played as in-line TEs in good college programs, but they are unproven in the NFL.

[broncos SB2010]

TE Traylor will be # 2 on the Depth Chart he can ball.

He may not even make the team. They will probably keep 3 TE. Butt and Fumagalli most likely will be 2 of them. That leaves 1 spot open with Heuerman in the drivers seat for the 3rd spot.

[Rich_C]

He may not even make the team. They will probably keep 3 TE. Butt and Fumagalli most likely will be 2 of them. That leaves 1 spot open with Heuerman in the drivers seat for the 3rd spot.

I disagree. Jeff was used a lot near the end last year. I also think Traylor showed he can flat out play. Depending on how these guys block etc. it is also possible we go with 4 TE's. Ultimately though I see this being a really competitive group. A LOT will depend on how Butt is doing healthwise.

RB: I don't think David Williams will make the roster. He might be a practice-squad candidate. It is possible to carry 3 RBs and Janovich at FB, with a 4th RB on the practice squad. Perhaps Phillip Lindsay will have more value if he impresses as a returner.

WR: Jorday Taylor could start the season as the #3 WR while Sutton and Hamilton get adjusted to the NFL and all the details of the routes in what will probably be a west-coast offense. Taylor proved he can be a reliable returner in terms of catching the punts and protecting the ball, and I believe Vance Joseph would like to keep him on the roster as insurance if we see another ball-security crisis on special teams.

TE: For a team that wants to establish the running game, Jeff Heuerman is our #1 TE. He was already rotating with Virgil Green as the in-line TE, and now he will be our featured blocking TE. Heuerman is really strong physically and his work as a blocker allowed the Broncos to move on from Green. Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli played as in-line TEs in good college programs, but they are unproven in the NFL.

At RB/FB I am still surprised that so many still think a FB will remain on the 53. I am thinking that this is the year we cut the FB again. Just my opinion. I agree with the assessment of Taylor. He has shown some impressive body control for his height. I think a Qb like Keenum who is capable of more accurate throws will better utilize that skill-set. I am also shocked that so many believe that Henderson will be a lock for the roster. If Elway believed in him so much then why draft two WR's in the 2018 draft. I suspect that unless Henderson blows people away he will likely end up on the PS and if someone tries to nab him Elway wont be to annoyed. In the RB room I can see us keeping 4 but I was thinking we'd likely see P.Lindsay due to his skill-sets.

[samparnell]

At RB/FB I am still surprised that so many still think a FB will remain on the 53. I am thinking that this is the year we cut the FB again. Just my opinion.

It all depends on Bill Musgraves' playbook and how many two Back formations he expects to use. Oakland carried two Fullbacks in 2015 and one in 2016. If Musgrave plans on using some angle blocked run plays, he may want to keep a FB.

[-Rod-]

At RB/FB I am still surprised that so many still think a FB will remain on the 53. I am thinking that this is the year we cut the FB again. Just my opinion.

I think Janovich will make the roster for several reasons.

Vance Joseph said at the owners meetings he wants to run the ball and the run-heavy offense that Musgrave used late last season is the kind of offense he wants this season. If you want to focus on the running game, it makes sense to have a fullback.

If Musgrave looked at some of the things the Vikings did last season to help Case Keenum, they had a fullback on the roster, CJ Ham, who was active for all 16 games.

Gary Kubiak is back with the Broncos. He was hired full-time as a personnel advisor, which means he helped the Broncos evaluate the current players, free agents and the draft. It's possible that Musgrave will use some of Kubiak's ideas in the current playbook and how to use the players on the roster. Kubiak likes having a fullback.

Musgrave usually runs a west-coast offense. The best, most updated west-coast offense out there seems to be the one designed by Kyle Shanahan. Even in today's NFL, if you want to learn how to use a fullback, you just have to look at the 49ers offense and how Shanahan uses Kyle Juszczyk, who caught 33 passes last season. I believe Janovich can be the same type of player. He might have one of the best hands on the team. If you throw him the ball 10 times, it looks like he will make the catch 10 times.

Another reason to keep Janovich is his work on special teams. He plays on all special teams units and that's valuable to the coaches. He does not need to play a bunch of snaps on offense to contribute during the game.

Finally, even after the draft, the team is not deep at RB, and that was probably on purpose. There are only 5 RBs to compete in training camp and preseason, which tells me Vance Joseph already plans to keep Janovich and then figure if we will carry 3 or 4 RBs. Teams that don't use FBs usually carry 6+ true RBs for training camp. The Broncos released a video of practice in phase two and it shows Janovich leading a toss play with Keenum and the 1st team. This is evidence that Musgrave's playbook is going to use the fullback.

[jgod654]

He's with his fourth NFL team in one year.

I will interpret that as FOUR teams who thinks he just might be a star :-)
Jokes aside. This is his first full offseason and with the depth chart we have at OT it’s not a complete long shot. If not the 53 then a PS seat.

[Rich_C]

It all depends on Bill Musgraves' playbook and how many two Back formations he expects to use. Oakland carried two Fullbacks in 2015 and one in 2016. If Musgrave plans on using some angle blocked run plays, he may want to keep a FB.

I think Janovich will make the roster for several reasons.

Vance Joseph said at the owners meetings he wants to run the ball and the run-heavy offense that Musgrave used late last season is the kind of offense he wants this season. If you want to focus on the running game, it makes sense to have a fullback.

If Musgrave looked at some of the things the Vikings did last season to help Case Keenum, they had a fullback on the roster, CJ Ham, who was active for all 16 games.

Gary Kubiak is back with the Broncos. He was hired full-time as a personnel advisor, which means he helped the Broncos evaluate the current players, free agents and the draft. It's possible that Musgrave will use some of Kubiak's ideas in the current playbook and how to use the players on the roster. Kubiak likes having a fullback.

Musgrave usually runs a west-coast offense. The best, most updated west-coast offense out there seems to be the one designed by Kyle Shanahan. Even in today's NFL, if you want to learn how to use a fullback, you just have to look at the 49ers offense and how Shanahan uses Kyle Juszczyk, who caught 33 passes last season. I believe Janovich can be the same type of player. He might have one of the best hands on the team. If you throw him the ball 10 times, it looks like he will make the catch 10 times.

Another reason to keep Janovich is his work on special teams. He plays on all special teams units and that's valuable to the coaches. He does not need to play a bunch of snaps on offense to contribute during the game.

Finally, even after the draft, the team is not deep at RB, and that was probably on purpose. There are only 5 RBs to compete in training camp and preseason, which tells me Vance Joseph already plans to keep Janovich and then figure if we will carry 3 or 4 RBs. Teams that don't use FBs usually carry 6+ true RBs for training camp. The Broncos released a video of practice in phase two and it shows Janovich leading a toss play with Keenum and the 1st team. This is evidence that Musgrave's playbook is going to use the fullback.

The two of you may well be correct. The issue I am having is that we may well need ot go defense heavy on the 53 man in order to plan and develop for our future.

On Offense I see:

Total 25

QB: (2)
Keenum & one of Lynch or Kelly

WR (5)
Thomas, Sanders, Taylor, Sutton, Hamilton (McKenzie is the wildcard here)

TE (4)
Butt, Fumagalli, Traylor, Heuerman

FB (1)
Janovich

RB (4)
Booker, Freeman, D Henderson, Lindsay

OT (3)
Bolles, Veldheer, Watson

OG (4)

Leary, McGovern, Jones, Turner

OC (2)
Paradis, Schlottmann


I can see one of the O-Line guys being cut in favor of a defensive player. I also opted for one less OT as Turner played rather well there last season for us and can provide depth at his natural position as well as OT. One of the reason why I am looking at the FB as a position which might be cut is that Janovich was used sparingly last season and if we opt to keep 4 TE's we may well decide to use an extra RB or an extra TE instead of a FB on field.

[samparnell]

OK, I'll take a stab at the Offense on the roster:

3 QBs - Case Keenum, Chad Kelly, Paxton Lynch;

4 RBs - Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, DeAngelo Henderson, Phillip Lindsay;

1 FB - Andy Janovich;

3 TEs - Jake Butt, Jeff Heuerman, Troy Fumagalli;

5 WRs - Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, Jordan Taylor, DaeSean Hamilton;

9 O-Line - Garrett Bolles, Ron Leary, Matt Paradis, Connor McGovern, Jared Veldheer, Billy Turner, Cyrus Kouandijo, Jeremiah Poutasi, J.J. Dielman;

5 O on PS - Austin Schlottmann OL, Sam Jones OL, David Williams RB, Brian Parker TE, Tim Patrick WR.

That's 25 O on the roster plus 5 O on PS.