The Broncos won their preseason opener last weekend, but a slow start by the offense had Broncos Country hitting the panic button throughout the week. Thankfully, Bo Nix and the Broncos offense bounced back in a big way during their joint practice with the Cardinals on Thursday, which eased some concerns. However, we also learned that both coaches agreed to sit the vast majority of their starters for this game, which changes the storylines heading into this game.
We’ll see a select few starters play along with the 2nd and 3rd team offense and defense throughout this game, and see a lot of players fighting for a role and/or a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad. The Broncos showcased their depth last weekend, and they’ll look to do the same once again tonight.
So, with all that said, here are five things I want to see from the Broncos during their week two preseason matchup vs. the Cardinals.
1. More Tyler Badie and Blake Watson
We may see a little bit of rookie R.J. Harvey early on, but the two backs I am most intrigued by are Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. Just from the eye test (unreliable at best), Badie and Watson looked like the Broncos’ best backs last weekend. Both looked explosive, were able to make defenders miss, and frankly, outplayed their competition.
Veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie R.J. Harvey are your starters, but the competition behind these two backs is fierce. Jaleel McLaughlin seems like the favorite to be the RB3, but Badie, Watson, and Audric Estime will be pushing for a roster spot.
My current guess is that Badie makes the 53-man roster and Blake Watson lands on the practice squad. I am not sure where Estime will factor in, but he seems like the odd man out right now. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, and I hope these two backs have strong nights and make the decision difficult for Sean Payton and the other Broncos decision makers.
With the starters sitting, we will not see Courtland Sutton, and I’d assume Marvin Mims Jr. would get the night off as well. That means Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, Pat Bryant, Trent Sherfield, and the rest of the Broncos’ talented and deep wide receiver room will see significant snaps in this one.
As I mentioned, this is a deep group at wide receiver for the Broncos, and they will have some tough decisions to make during final cuts. Sean Payton told reporters the other day that there’s a chance that someone playing for them now will be on a 53-man roster elsewhere because they cannot keep them all.
“There’ll be some tough decisions. There’s a chance a receiver that might be out here today might be on a 53 [-man roster] somewhere else. So it’s a good thing.”
We know Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant are not going anywhere. It would be a surprise if Devaughn Vele ended up being the odd man out, and Trent Sherfield seems like a lock to make the team. That means players like Courtney Jackson, Joaquin Davis, Kyrese Rowan, Jerjuan Newton, Michael Bandy, and A.T. Perry (if he plays) have to continue to make this decision tough for the Broncos’ decision makers. A strong preseason showing a week or so before final cuts would be a great way to do that.
Like the running back position, I am very interested to see how this all plays out.
3. Big opportunity for TE Lucas Krull
With TE Nate Adkins undergoing ankle surgery and potentially starting the year on the injured reserve list, tight end Lucas Krull has new hope to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. He has been getting more work lately with the first-team offense and caught several passes from QB Bo Nix recently. However, he is still far from a lock to make the 53-man roster.
He did catch a touchdown pass in the preseason opener, but he was wide open due to a missed assignment, so it wasn’t the most impressive play. He still made the play, so that’s a plus, but I believe he still needs to show more if he wants to make the 53-man roster.
Can he block consistently? Adkins played ahead of him due to his blocking, so if he wants to replace him, he will need to prove he can hold his own as a blocker. Sure, having a big game as a receiver would be helpful, but special teams and blocking likely will be more important when it comes to this decision. I say this because Krull is competing with all the other tight ends who will be cut or traded as rosters are trimmed down to 53. It would not shock me at all if Payton and the Broncos signed or traded for a player to deepen their tight end room before the start of the season.
So, I would like to see Krull have a big game as a receiver, blocker, and on special teams to make this decision easier for the team.
4. More sacks and turnovers
Last week, we saw the Broncos’ 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd team defense come up with multiple sacks, pressures, big hits, forced fumbles, and interceptions. They completely dominated the 49ers after their opening drive touchdown, and I would like to see more of that tonight.
In fairness, the 49ers quarterback play was subpar at best, so the Broncos defense feasted on it, but it was still nice to see. This time, they’ll see veteran Jacoby Brissett and third-string quarterback Clayton Tune.
I’d like to see more good plays from rookies Jahdae Barron, Que Robinson, and Sai’vion Jones. The battle between Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson will be interesting to watch, along with the rest of the depth pushing for a final roster spot or two and spots on the Broncos’ practice squad.
5. Punt the ball better, Jeremy Crawshaw
The Broncos selected Florida punter Jeremy Crawshaw in the sixth round of the draft, and anytime you spend a draft pick on a punter, they better hit. Well, he did not make a very good first impression last week vs. the 49ers. His first punt was not bad, but the rest were not great, which had many fans worrying about the punting game.
Now, he has a second chance. He will be at home, in the Mile High air, and has a second chance at a first impression with Broncos Country. If he booms a few punts and shows off the big leg, all will be forgotten. However, if he struggles, the Broncos may have a punting problem on their hands.
Hopefully, the rookie bounces back, and we can go back to not worrying about the Broncos’ punting woes again.
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