Ranking the Broncos' bubble players at each position with one week to cut day

 

There’s one week and one preseason game left until John Elway, Vic Fangio and Co. have to cut Denver’s roster down to the final 53 players.

With roughly 20 percent of the roster up for grabs entering the final stretch, here’s how the bubble players stack up at each position.

Quarterback: One spot max

1. Kevin Hogan
2. Brett Rypien

While Brett Rypien shows flashes, it’s clear the Broncos want to stay with the veteran Kevin Hogan.

Running back: No available spots

Theo Riddick’s injury doesn’t leave any room for an extra back outside of Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker.

Wide Receiver: One spot max

1. Kelvin McKnight Jr.
2. Trinity Benson
3. Nick Williams

The Broncos are desperately looking for a returner to emerge. Saturday night didn’t provide any clarity, so the race is still wide open.

Tight end/Fullback: One spot max

1. Jake Butt
2. Orson Charles
3. Moral Stephens

Jake Butt showed flashes of the player the Broncos thought they drafted. If he stays healthy, he’s the unquestioned leader of the pack.

Offensive Line: Up to three spots

1. Don Barclay
2. Austin Schlottman
3. Jake Brendel
4. Sam Jones
5. Jake Rodgers

Behind Elijah Wilkinson, the Broncos’ offensive line depth is a big concern.

Defensive Line: Two spots max

1. DeMarcus Walker
2. Mike Purcell
3. DeShawn Williams

DeMarcus Walker has flashed more during this preseason and training camp than he did his first two years in the league, earning him a shot at a third year with his original team.

Inside Linebacker: Two spots

1. A.J. Johnson
2. Josh Watson
3. Keishawn Bierria
4. Jamal Carter

A.J. Johnson and Josh Watson have been the clear backup front-runners the last two weeks of camp. With Todd Davis sidelined, it’s either been Johnson or Watson alongside Josey Jewell.

Outside Linebacker: No available spots

Malik “The Dream Killer” Reed and Dekoda Watson have locked up the backup spots behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Safety: Up to two spots

1. Su’a Cravens
2. Trey Marshall
3. Dymonte Thomas
4. Shamarko Thomas

The Broncos are stacked with talent at this positon and will likely have to say goodbye to a solid player or two. The one wrinkle could be Shamarko Thomas making the team as a special team’s ace.

Cornerback: One spot max

1. Alijah Holder
2. Linden Stephens

Unlike safety, the Broncos are very top-heavy at corner. Traditionally, a team would keep five cornerbacks, but Kareem Jackson’s versatility gives the Broncos flexibility in the secondary.