How Broncos' Big Defensive Roster Battles Have Resolved

The regular season is almost here, but the Denver Broncos have two more milestones to pass beforehand. First up is the final week of the preseason, where the Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Rams. It's the final chance for the players to make their case for the roster, practice squad, or a spot with another team before the final milestone.

That last step is the roster cut-down, where NFL teams have to be down to their 53-man roster on August 29. Even with a 16-man practice squad, that puts 21 players on the free-agent market, and for many of them, that will be all she wrote for their NFL career.

The Broncos have roster battles at every position, so let's examine how they're resolving on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Line

There were plenty of questions about the defensive line beyond D.J. Jones and Zach Allen. Mike Purcell was on the NFI list, but he passed his physical on Wednesday and also agreed to a restructured deal.

Getting Purcell healthy and lowering his cost cements him on the roster for the Broncos and ends the battle at nose tackle. This would push Tyler Lancaster and P.J. Mustipher off the roster, but they are still battling for a practice squad spot.

Matt Hennignsen had a chance, but he got passed up by Jonathan Harris, who seems set as the third starter on the unit. This battle was hurt by the suspension of Eyioma Uwazurike, who was expected to be a significant part of the competition.

As Henningsen was surpassed by Harris, he is at risk of getting passed up again. Due to roster math, there could be a situation where the Broncos only keep five interior defensive linemen, and four of the spots are filled. So if Henningsen is passed up again, it could mean practice squad.

Elijah Garcia is the threat to Henningsen. While Garcia has been rough in practices, he has stood out in a big way when it comes to game time. He has multiple sacks, plenty of pressures, and an interception in the preseason.

Garcia's interception came at a batted ball by Henningsen, but Henningsen also got dragged into the end zone on the two-point conversion to lose the Arizona Cardinals game. There is much on the line for both players regarding the preseason finale. Denver could also keep six on the defensive line, with both of them making.

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Rush Linebackers

The pecking order at the edge has been interesting in the preseason, with Randy Gregory and Jonathon Cooper being the starters and Frank Clark the top backup. Nik Bonitto has stepped up and is the fourth edge.

As for Baron Browning, he is on the PUP list and will likely remain there when the roster cut-down happens. That will mean he will miss a few weeks to start the season.

After the top four, none of the edges have stood out enough to make the roster. Thomas Incoom, Aaron Patrick, Marcus Haynes, and Chris Allen have all had some solid moments but nothing spectacular.

There are apparent weaknesses with each of them that could keep them off the roster. That could lead to only four edge rushers making it to start. If the Broncos keep a fifth, special teams will be vital.

Allen has played five snaps, and they haven't gone well. Patrick has played 10 snaps and was a core special teams player last year before he got hurt.

Patrick's special teams play has been great and has been seen in the regular season. As for Incoom and Haynes, they have played 18 and 20 snaps, respectively, and did decently. If special teams are the deciding factor, it's hard not to see Patrick as the winner.

Inside Linebacker

Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, and Drew Sanders are the top three, and Jonas Griffith was poised to round out the room. There wasn't much competition until Griffith went down with an injury. Justin Strnad has stepped up and done well enough in the preseason on defense and special teams, which makes him the favorite.

Austin Ajiake has done alright and flies around the field, but he is still clearly learning. As for Seth Benson, it has been rough for him this preseason on defense and special teams.

Strnad is the favorite now, and barring an injury, it doesn't seem like that'll change. If someone gets released elsewhere, it could bring a chance to the fourth spot.

Cornerback

Patrick Surtain II was a no-brainer top guy. He's one of the best corners in the NFL. Damarri Mathis has cemented himself as the starter next to him, with K'Waun Williams as the starter in the slot.

The depth at the position has been a hard-fought battle. Riley Moss was a favorite, but a core muscle injury and the following surgery have sidelined him in camp. He expects to be ready early in the season and will still make the roster.

Ja'Quan McMillian took advantage of Moss being out and has earned himself the primary backup boundary corner. He also has the versatility to play the slot, which could help with roster math. It will be curious to see whether he remains the fourth corner when Moss returns.

Essang Bassey has been lucky this preseason, coming away with two gimme interceptions, but he has also struggled a lot. That said, he's still the favorite to be the backup slot and has started in the slot in both preseason games with Williams out.

That would amount to six corners, and there is no way to make the math work to keep seven corners unless Moss and/or Williams miss more time than expected. Tremon Smith has been a complete disaster, and Delonte Hood hasn't been much better.

Fabian Moreau and Faion Hicks have done well and are fighting for that potential seventh or practice squad spot. This is another position the Broncos could look elsewhere to round things out as well, but again, it all depends on the health of Moss and Williams for if a spot is even open.

Safety

Justin Simmons is set as a starter. Opposite him, it seems there will be a rotation of Caden Sterns and Kareem Jackson, depending on different situations. P.J. Locke is a good special teams player and seems set to be the fourth safety if he can get healthy.

A fifth spot is up for grabs, with J.L. Skinner and Delarrin Turner-Yell battling for the job. Turner-Yell is the clear favorite for the job with his play on defense in the preseason and how well he did on special teams as a rookie, and he looked improved there this preseason.

Kicker

Brett Maher is now the lone kicker on the roster, but the Broncos have been linked to other veteran free agents while also linked to a possible trade for a kicker. Will Luntz, the New Orleans kicker, has been a popular name linked to the Broncos lately.

A lot there depends on what happens with the Saints' kicker battle.

Long Snapper

Camp didn't start with a camp battle at the long snapper spot, but the Broncos did bring in competition. That competition ended Wednesday, but they could still look elsewhere over the next few days.

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