Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster: The Final Cuts

We’re back!

This week we’re finalizing the Broncos roster. The real Broncos roster has 91 players at the moment, and they’ll ned to cut that down to 53 before the season starts. After our first rounds of cuts, we’re at 68, so 15 more players need to go.

If you haven’t followed along, click here for part one. Or click here for part two.

The Broncos have tweaked their roster since we last cut down the team, which makes the roster a little bigger. Everybody they cut, we’d already cut. Here’s what the current group looks like after our cuts (marked in red).

Let’s finalize the roster…

15. WR Nick Williams

The case for Williams: At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Williams is the type of big-bodied receiver who thrives under Sean Payton. His experience playing in the slot means he could earn a role on the inside or the outside, which helps his chances.

The bottom line: Williams is a late addition to the roster, and he’s probably the 90th man at the moment. Making the practice squad would be a great result. The 53-man roster is very unlikely, especially considering the depth the Broncos already have.

14. DT Tyler Lancaster

The case for Lancaster: With 21 starts under his belt, Lancaster could provide significant experience to a defensive line that could be one of the weaker points of the Broncos’ defense. He’s a safe option to fit into the end of the rotation.

The bottom line: Lancaster’s role slowly dwindled in Green Bay before he signed with the Raiders last offseason. He was hurt during camp, placed on injured reserve, and cut before the season began. Given some of the more exciting and younger options in the room, Lancaster is facing an uphill battle.

13. DL P.J. Mustipher

The case for Mustipher: PJ. Mustipher was the darling of rookie minicamp. If the Broncos wanted to bet on the 320-pound undrafted free agent, they could save about $2.8 million by giving him Mike Purcell’s roster spot.

The bottom line: Purcell played great ball last season, setting a career-high with 10 pressures. The savings could be tempting at a position of need, but the Broncos would have to expect a significant downgrade in production if they pulled the trigger. Maybe they can find a way to justify holding onto Mustipher, but trying to slip him onto the practice squad is probably the best bet at this point.

12. DL Jordan Jackson

The case for Jackson: Jackson was an explosive defensive lineman at Air Force, where he picked up 7.5 sacks in his senior season. He was a sixth-round pick for the Saints last year but spent the entire season on the practice squad. Now a Bronco, Jackson may be ready to show that his explosiveness can translate to the NFL. Denver desperately needs pass-rush help, which opens the door for the 25-year-old.

The bottom line: Somebody has to go, and between the big-money vets, rotation players and former draft picks, the Broncos have enough bodies to fill out the room. Jackson is a bit of a luxury, and the luxury is probably better saved for another position. I’m not counting Jackson out, but I do think he’ll start camp on the outside looking in.

11. WR Jalen Virgil

The case for Virgil: A receiver at the back of the roster should be able to play special teams, right? Well, Virgil is the best man for that job. Throw in his freaky athleticism and the potential that gives him to develop into a valuable receiver, and Virgil has a strong case to make the team.

The bottom line: The Broncos are loaded at receiver and they aren’t going to keep eight, which is how many are currently left on the roster. Somebody has to go, and Virgil is by far the least proven of the group. Given the depth at receiver around the league, the Broncos should have no trouble moving Virgil onto the practice squad, where he can make a couple of appearances on game days.

10. S Delarrin Turner-Yell

The case for Turner-Yell: A fifth-round pick just a year ago, Turner-Yell could blossom into a solid rotational safety for the Broncos. He was a playmaker in college and the Broncos’ defense could certainly use some turnovers. Turner-Yell would be a less expensive option than Kareem Jackson and he’d be capable of playing special teams.

The bottom line: It’s tough to imagine the Broncos holding onto six safeties and it’s tough to bet on them releasing Jackson. That leaves Turner-Yell in a tough place.

9. WR Kendall Hinton

The case for Hinton: The versatile 26-year-old has stepped up whenever called upon and his special teams acumen speaks for itself. Hinton will never be a team’s top option, but he can rotate into some slot reps and is capable of playing the boundary as well.

The bottom line: The battle between Hinton, Marquez Callaway and others will be hard-fought and I think Callaway is more likely to make the team. It’s a close call, but previous success under Sean Payton is the tiebreaker.

8. C Kyle Fuller

The case for Fuller: The 29-year-old can play any of the interior line positions, which could come in handy in a pinch. He could also push Lloyd Cushenberry for the starting job, although he would be a heavy long shot to win that competition.

The bottom line: Holding onto three centers just isn’t feasible. Cushenberry should win the starting job, but even if he doesn’t it’s tough to imagine the Broncos cutting the player with the most football experience by a landslide, even if they could clear a couple million dollars in salary-cap space. And seventh-rounder Alex Forsyth is just too exciting of a prospect to move on from, especially considering his three years of starting experience at Oregon, which should help him if he needs to make an appearance early in the season.

7. OT Isaiah Prince

The case for Prince: Experienced tackles can be tough to come by. Prince has 10 starts under this belt, including four in the Bengals’ Super Bowl run. Still only 25 years old, the best could still be on the way.

The bottom line: The Broncos brought back Cam Fleming to be their swing tackle and he figures to be one of the best backups in the league. Beating him out won’t be easy, and I don’t expect the Broncos to keep a spare tackle behind him.

6. RB Tony Jones Jr.

The case for Jones: Behind Javonte Williams, Semaje Perine and Jones, the rest of the Broncos’ running backs have combined for seven total touches. Jones brings experience to the room, and previous work under Sean Payton will help his case.

The bottom line: Jones is a nice insurance piece in case none of the younger backs pop in camp, but beating him out should be possible. He’s only produced 238 yards in three seasons and he averages 2.7 yards per carry.

5. OT Alex Palcewski

The case for Palcewski: This one is easy; he’s a six-year starter at the Power 5 level and he earned All-America honors last season while playing left tackle. He didn’t give up a single sack in 2022. The upside is obvious. He should have been drafted. Slipping him onto the practice squad might not be easy.

The bottom line: Bringing in Cam Fleming is bad news for Palcewski. The Broncos could choose to keep two backup tackles, but I think that’s unlikely.

4. CB Art Green

The case for Green: He’s a big, fast cornerback who ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. The upside is obvious. And the couple of highlights he put on tape at Houston are easy to fall in love with. Green has the tools to be a starting cornerback in the NFL.

The bottom line: Green is just a little bit too raw, and the Broncos are already young at cornerback. Essang Bassey gets the edge on the final roster spot because of his versatility and experience. The margin is narrow, though.

3. OLB Thomas Incoom

The case for Incoom: The Broncos’ highest-paid undrafted free agent should have a great shot to make the roster, right? Incoom dominated the Division II ranks before making the leap to Central Michigan and finishing seventh in the country in tackles for loss last season. His style of bully ball might not work in the NFL… but it worked out just fine for Shaq Barrett.

The bottom line: The Broncos have too many options at outside linebacker to fall in love with Incoom’s chances of making the team. A productive camp will give him a real shot to make the team, but even climbing into the top five at the position will be an uphill battle.

2. OLB Chris Allen

The case for Allen: Allen entered the 2021 season as the SEC’s reigning tackle-for-loss leader. A foot injury in Week 1 ended his final season at Bama early and knocked him out of the draft, allowing the Broncos to make him their highest-paid undrafted free agent of last year’s class. The same foot injury held him out of his rookie season, too. Allen has all the tools, and the background, to be a productive NFL player.

The bottom line: At this point, there’s no getting around the fact that exciting players have to go. Allen is competing with players like Albert Okwuegbunam, tools rookie cornerback Art Green, and the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher, Jaleel McLaughlin. Allen could win one of the final jobs, but I have him missing out.

1. OLB Aaron Patrick

The case for Patrick: A dominant player at the FCS level, Patrick now has two years of experience on the 53-man roster, though he missed much of last season with a torn ACL. He’s a freak athlete and could be one of the Broncos’ most important special teams players.

The bottom line: As the final cut, it’s tough to see Patrick go. But that’s just the nature of the game at this point. He’d be a great practice squad option, who could suit up the first two weeks and jump onto the active roster quickly in case of injury.

The Final Roster

Here’s who’s left on the final roster…

(Today’s cuts are in orange.)