5 roster implications from Broncos 20-7 victory over Cardinals in preseason finale

What did we learn from the Broncos' victory over the Cardinals, especially as it relates to the 53-man roster cuts?

The Denver Broncos had a long list of decisions to make regarding their roster coming into their fifth preseason game of 2019. Getting their depth players on the field against the Cardinals offered the Broncos a chance to solidify the vast majority of those decisions heading into the mass exodus of players losing their jobs all over the NFL landscape.

Head coach Vic Fangio divulged that there were "double-digit" roster spots still available for this Broncos team earlier this week, and several players made it hard to make those decisions following Thursday night's 20-7 preseason victory at Mile High Stadium. Several questions remain unanswered, though.

Saturday's cutdown deadline to the 53-man roster is approaching quickly. What did we learn on Thursday as it relates to the opening day roster?

Backup QB is not currently on the roster

Neither Kevin Hogan nor Brett Rypien could separate themselves in the competition to become the Broncos' backup QB against the Cardinals. While both of them had a couple of eye-opening throws, specifically Hogan's touchdown pass to Fred Brown (more on Brown later), they both showed inconsistency throughout the game.

Hogan is simply not good when pushing the ball downfield. He overshot two wide-open receivers in the first half, and failed miserably at an attempt at a Hail-Mary that fell a couple of yards short of the goal line. Rypien continues to have his rookie struggles, although he did have a solid start to the third quarter despite his early interception.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Broncos find somebody on the waiver wire or in free agency to step in as the backup QB to start the season. Rypien has a shot to land on the practice squad, but neither he nor Hogan should suit up for the Broncos in Week 1.

Khalfani Muhammad should make the roster as RB4

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Muhammad was one of my darkhorse candidates to make the roster prior to the game, and his vision was the biggest key. Having Theo Riddick out with a shoulder injury might have opened a spot in the running back room, and Muhammad has stepped up.

Denver made Muhammad a focus early in the game in both the running and passing game, seeing an end-around and deep target on a wheel route on the offense's opening possession in which Hogan overshot Muhammed by a country mile.

But Muhammad's biggest impact came in the third quarter. Muhammad ripped off 70 rushing yards over three consecutive carries, including a 49-yard scamper down the right sideline. He may have fumbled the ball on the play, but was bailed out by refs.

Muhammad has been explosive for the Broncos' offense, and despite his brief ball security issue, should have done enough to land himself on the roster.

Fred Brown fighting for WR6

The Broncos have five guys at the receiver position all but solidified to make the roster, and could be looking for a sixth guy that can make an impact as the season rolls on. Brown made his case as that guy, making a very nice catch on a Hogan pass in the corner of the endzone.

Brown had five receptions for 66 yards and the aforementioned touchdown, making his case to crack the opening day roster.

However, in keeping six wide receivers, one would expect somebody to hold a role as the punt and kick returner on special teams. Brown hasn't yet shown that ability, forfeiting those reps to guys like River Cracraft among others. 

Cracraft also had a nice night as a receiver on Thursday. Who is the more valuable asset?

Malik Reed proves himself as a trustworthy depth pass rusher

Despite dealing with an oblique injury over the last couple of weeks, Reed has all but eliminated any fear of the Broncos having a lack of depth at outside linebacker when it comes to rushing the passer after losing Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray to free agency this past spring.

Extending his preseason lead in the sack category, Reed gathered another couple of takedowns in the backfield against the Cardinals, including a runaway bull rush from the right side of the defensive line in the first quarter.

Reed showed enough prior to the Cardinals game to boot Dekoda Watson from the roster earlier this week, and doubled down on his efforts Thursday night.

Offensive line depth rocky once again

None of the projected starting five offensive lineman saw action on Thursday night, and the depth guys displayed several highs and lows once again. In the second quarter, QB Kevin Hogan was constantly under fire from the Cardinals' pass rush, bringing criticism from the booth by former Broncos QB Brian Griese.

However, there was some semblance of a running game at times, mostly due to Muhammad's vision to hit cutback lanes on the backside of the play. Elijah Wilkinson was arguably the best of the bunch playing on the right side of the offensive line, mostly in the running game.

Jake Rodgers was atrocious in pass protection. As was Austin Schlottmann, Don Barclay, and others, along the interior.

Denver could, and should, look to the waiver wire for any help on the offensive line following the roster cutdown process. The Broncos desperately need the help.

Follow Lance on Twitter @SandersonMHH.