9 Broncos who need to step it up & free-agent options to replace them

Throughout the three preseason games the Denver Broncos have had so far, there have been a few players that have consistently struggled. Additionally, these players haven’t had the strongest of practices to make up for it.

There are two games left for the Broncos, and the team is in a prime position to churn the bottom of their roster to try and find personnel that can be a better option than these following players.

CBs Trey Johnson & Linden Stephens

These two backup cornerbacks have yet to put together a game that was close to decent. They have struggled in practice and in-game only to consistently disappoint.

Denver has a few other corners on the roster that can take over for these two in Alijah Holder, Rashard Causey and Horace Richardson. Richardson has already passed both Johnson and Stephens, while Holder has looked better in limited playing time and Causey is still unknown.

With Chris Harris, Jr., Bryce Callahan, Isaac Yiadom and De’Vante Bausby on the roster already, Denver can do with cutting some of the depth at the position and target help elsewhere. Johnson and Stephens have been beyond bad, and it is time Denver stops wasting their time on these two.

OL Chaz Green & Ryan Crozier

Next up, you have two offensive linemen. The Broncos' depth on the line has been lackluster to say the least, so churning the roster here should be a priority.

Crozier has barely played, and when he has, it has not been a good showing and that is coming against fourth-string defensive linemen. Green was brought in to help the O-line, but may have actually made it worse with other linemen trying to cover for his mistakes.

Denver needs to shore up their O-line depth, and potentially a starting spot or two. These two linemen aren’t cutting it, so time to move on and churn the roster trying to find someone else who can step in and possibly give them some help.

WRs Brendan Langley, River Cracraft, Steven Dunbar & Fred Brown

Denver currently has 12 receivers on their 90-man roster, five of them are set to make the roster. Three of the remaining seven are in a battle for the sixth spot, if the Broncos keep six wideouts.

That gives Denver four receivers that are just taking up a roster spot and cutting into potential playing time for the other receivers that are actually pushing and making an impact.

There is a clear grouping and these four are on the outside looking in. Langley is having issues being a receiver, while Cracraft has barely taken the field.

That leaves Dunbar and Brown, who would be the two I would lean at keeping of the four because they are at least getting a decent amount of time on the field. That said, they have been lackluster on the field and using all four spots to help linebacker, tight end and/or offensive line would benefit the Broncos' roster.

David Williams, RB

Another lackluster player when he is on the field, Williams has just been eating up space and reps from Khalfani Muhammad and Devontae Jackson, both of whom have looked much better than Williams when they are on the field.

Denver has a focus on getting their backs involved in the passing game and that doesn’t fit with Williams' play-style, who is a between-the-tackles runner. The scheme isn’t a good fit for him either. There are plenty of other options out there, even at running back, if the Broncos want an extra back, that would provide more for the team than Williams.

Replacement options

If Denver were to cut any of these players, the team would need to find free agents who can take over their roster spot. Don’t worry. I have you covered with options for the Broncos.

John Sullivan, C: The former Rams center fits the scheme and is a true veteran. He would upgrade the center position, and provide a reliable snapper. This would also help with the depth as Connor McGovern would then be kicked to a depth spot on the roster, and it would also cover backup center and guard. It would come down to money as the Broncos are a little strapped for cap space.

Brandon Chubb, LB: Brandon is the brother of Broncos' emerging star pass rusher Bradley Chubb. He hasn’t played a game in the NFL, and was just okay when at Wake Forest. However, there are not many available linebackers that are cheap that are available.

Those that are available are all going to be depth guys just to check out how they do. Brandon Chubb may not turn into something, but working with his brother may lead to a good discovery. For a low spot on the depth chart, it seems worth a shot. (Cap reasons are why Mason Foster is not listed here).

Garry Gilliam, OT: He isn’t much of an option, but there are not many options out there for the Broncos to look at. Gilliam has experience in the scheme, and would be cheaper than Ryan Schraeder, who also has experience and is the better player and is available. At the very least, Gilliam can’t be worse than Chaz Green. If the Broncos could afford it than Ryan Schraeder would be an even better pickup for them.

Orson Charles, TE/FB: A likely cheaper veteran option to potentially shore up the tight end spot that is hampered with injuries, but also help out at the fullback position. Charles was recently let go by the Browns, and is a versatile piece the Broncos could use. He has only played 587 snaps on offense during his career, which will help keep him cheap. There are not many options that can cover two positions with one player.

UPDATE: The Broncos signed Charles on Wednesday afternoon.

Luis Perez, QB: Perez took the NFL by storm a year ago, but finds himself a free agent. Denver doesn’t really need a quarterback, but with Drew Lock out for 5-6 weeks, the Broncos could use another body for their last two preseason games. With some experience, Perez may show enough to beat out the struggling Kevin Hogan. Is it likely? No, but Perez has shown enough to give him a look.

Fozzy Whittaker, RB/KR/PR: Denver brought in Theo Riddick to be a third-down back but he quickly got hurt. Now the Broncos have the hole that still needs to be filled. Not only that, the Broncos are missing a returner that they need to find. Whittaker brings that receiving ability the Broncos covet out of the backfield, but more importantly, he offers them a good return man.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel.

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