Broncos set 53-man roster by re-signing Keishawn Bierria, per report

When the Denver Broncos initially made their roster cuts on Saturday, perhaps one of the more surprising casualties was second-year linebacker Keishawn Bierria.

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The surprise wasn't necessarily due to Bierria's play, as his preseason performance was as non-descript as it gets for a linebacker, but rather, the fact that he was a 2018 sixth-round draft pick. However, if the last two preseasons have taught us anything, it's that draft pedigree is no longer the be-all, end-all for the Broncos' roster decisions.

This year alone, the Broncos waived four former draft picks, including Bierria. Last year, too, Elway sent a clear message to the locker room by cutting several recent draft picks, including 2016 first-rounder Paxton Lynch.

However, the Broncos appear to still have a soft spot for the LB known as 'KB'. With the roster sitting at 52 players currently, the Broncos have reportedly decided to re-sign Bierria to the active roster, rounding out the 53.

With the addition of Bierria, the Broncos once again will carry a whopping six inside linebackers on the opening week roster. To wit: Todd Davis, Josey Jewell, Joe Jones, Alexander Johnson, Corey Nelson and Bierria.

It's a little unorthodox to carry that many ILBs, especially when you consider that rookie fifth-rounder Justin Hollins distinguished himself well off-the-ball this past preseason. Likely, carrying six ILBs again comes down to two considerations.

One, Joe Jones' timetable is still somewhat up in the air as he recovers from a triceps injury.

Two, the Broncos need as many able-bodied, competent special teams contributors as they can get.

Bierria will get one more opportunity to prove himself to the Broncos. But as that 53rd guy, he probably shouldn't get too comfortable or rest on his laurels, because if the Broncos see an opportunity to upgrade the roster at any position, he's likely to be the first player cut.

Since the final cut-downs, the Broncos have added a whopping seven players who did not spend a second with the team during training camp or preseason. That's got to be a modern record, at least during the Elway front-office era, and speaks to the depth concerns the team has struggled with.

The most recent additions since the last preseason game was played include CB Duke Dawson, QB Brandon Allen, TE Andrew Beck, OL Corey Levin, WR Diontae Spencer, CB Davontae Harris and LB Corey Nelson. That equals 13.2% of the roster. Such is the state of affairs for a Broncos squad willing itself out of back-to-back losing seasons.

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