5 Broncos Position Battles Still Up for Grabs vs. Packers

Denver Broncos training camp is in the books.

The Broncos wrapped up their 14th practice of camp on Wednesday, with an eye toward hosting the Green Bay Packers on Friday night in the club's second preseason game. What's left on the docket before the final roster cutdowns arrive?

Friday night's game vs. the Packers, a few more practices next week, and the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on August 28. The NFL deadline to cut rosters down to the final 53 players is two days later, on August 30.

When it comes to the position battles, there aren't many bites at the apple left for those involved in them. These last two preseason games suddenly become everything for the players trying to win their position battles and earn a spot on the 53-man roster or the 16-player practice squad.

With an eye on Friday night's game against the Packers, let's analzye the ongoing position battles that still matter.

Quarterback

Jarrett Stidham has the clear lead, but there's time yet for Sam Ehlinger to orchestrate a fourth-quarter comeback of sorts. Ehlinger looked good for most of camp, although it didn't translate perfectly to the first preseason game.

For his part, Stidham didn't look all that great in camp, but he stepped up in the preseason opener. This week, Bo Nix will start and play maybe 14 snaps.

After that, it will be interesting to see whether Ehlinger will be given a shot to run with the second-teamers. If he is given that opportunity, it's a clear sign that, indeed, there's a competition still brewing for the No. 2 quarterback job, despite Sean Payton's recent comments to the contrary.

Running Back

Denver Broncos running back Cody Schrader (25) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If the Broncos want to leave a roster spot open for another position, they could choose to carry just three running backs and a fullback out of camp. However, Payton's Broncos have always kept four running backs and sometimes a fullback on the initial 53-man roster, though the fullback is always kept close on the practice squad, and eventually finds his way to the active roster.

If the best predictor of future outcomes is past outcomes, then we should plan on the Broncos keeping four true running backs. Beyond J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and Jonah Coleman, that would leave one spot up for grabs.

Jaleel McLaughlin is the likely leader in the clubhouse for that spot, but Tyler Badie took precedence over him for half of last season. And don't sleep on Cody Schrader, who looked quite good in the preseason opener. Suffice it to say, no mistakes, and certainly no giveaways, can be tolerated on Friday night vs. Green Bay.

Tight End

Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are roster locks, but the Broncos usually keep four tight ends out of camp, leaving veterans Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, and rookies Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley vying for two spots.

Neither Joly nor Bentley has distinguished themselves yet, but the former is a fifth-round pick who'd be unlikely to make it through the waiver wire without being claimed by another team. That could save him come cut-down time.

Adkins is the best blocker. Joly has the draft investment and the upside. Consider them the favorites for the last two tight end spots, but these preseason games could alter that arithmetic, if Krull or Bentley can force the issue.

Inside Linebacker

Red Murdock eyes Jack Strand. — Red Murdock eyes Jack Strand in Atlanta. | David J. Griffin / IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

In the wake of Levelle Bailey's injury, the Broncos are down to four depth linebackers behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Karene Reid and rookie seventh-rounder Red Murdock are the favorites, but don't sleep on Jordan Turner and Taurean York.

Turner is a true stack linebacker with prototypical size and he plays well on special teams. York is an undersized undrafted rookie with a big heart and a motor that doesn't stop.

To fend off Turner and York, Reid and Murdock have to turn in another excellent performance, as they did last week in Atlanta.

Safety

The Broncos have carried five safeties out of camp in each of the past two seasons, and with Thursday's signing of veteran Taylor Rapp, that could leave one roster spot open. Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones are the starters, while Devon Key is a first-team All-Pro special teams ace. Rapp joins them, ostensibly, as the fourth safety.

Who wins the fifth spot? It'll come down to veterans JL Skinner and Tycen Anderson and rookies Miles Scott and Parker Robertson. I would say that Skinner is the favorite, but the Broncos made Anderson their only outside free-agent signing back in March.

Scott is a seventh-round pick, while Robertson is a feisty undrafted rookie with a penchant for exceeding expectations and upsetting apple carts. Honestly, it's up in the air, but I'd have to put my money on Skinner because of his experience and draft pedigree, but a former sixth-round pick gets very little benefit of the doubt, regardless of whether he was part of Payton's maiden draft class as Broncos head coach.

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