5 Under-the-Radar Players Broncos Country Shouldn't Sleep On

The Denver Broncos roster features plenty of talent, and the stars naturally take the spotlight. That tends to push some players under the radar, but these guys have a sneaky chance to find themselves on the roster when the time comes.

Some Broncos sleepers have a better chance than others, due to how strong the competition of their position is, but they all have something to bring to the team. It's on these players to take advantage of their opportunities to either make the 53-man roster or land themselves on the practice squad.

Here are five under-the-radar Broncos fans shouldn't sleep on.

Tyler Badie | RB

When it comes to running backs, the attention is on Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin. The first two are understandable, but McLaughlin is an undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State, who's making a huge leap to the NFL, and while he is explosive as a runner, it's still a big step up to overcome.

Badie is entering his second year in the NFL and has seen some snaps at the pro level. While he hasn't done much, with one rush for no yards and a catch for 24 yards, he's had time to adjust to the NFL.

Also, unlike McLaughlin, Badie wasn't making as big of a leap from college, having played in the SEC at Missouri. Badie was a Baltimore sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, though most draft analysts had him projected as a fourth-round prospect at the latest.

Badie is explosive with the ball in his hands, which he flashed on his one catch last year, and has plenty of speed that the Broncos' offense could use. Despite being a smaller back, his ball security has always been excellent, with only two fumbles in college.

In his final two years, Badie racked up 18 touchdowns and ran for an average north of 5.0 yards per carry. He isn't a short-yardage back, but that isn't what he needs to be for the Broncos.

Badie's role will be the change-of-pace back behind the power guys in Williams and Perine. So while McLaughlin is getting the attention among the depth running backs, Badie is the one to watch out for.

Matt Henningsen | DL

First, it's important to understand that Henningsen will make the roster barring some drastic shift like an injury. He is entering his second year and had plenty of flashes as a sixth-round rookie to entice the Broncos coaching staff, especially with his position coach Marcus Dixon returning. So, why is Henningsen flying under the radar if he is expected to make the roster?

The Broncos are looking for a third starter on their defensive line, and the current projection is D.J. Jones, Mike Purcell, and Zach Allen. This would put Jones and Allen as 4i/5-techniques and Purcell as the nose tackle.

Last year, Jones showed he was most effective farther inside, working from a 0-tech out to a 2-technique. With Henningsen's skill set, he can work outside opposite Allen and allow Jones to line up where he is better suited.

Of course, the Broncos' defense likely won't play a lot of pure three-down fronts and see more movement, which is fine with Henningsen, as he can work from multiple spots. You also have Purcell waiting in the wings and 2022 fourth-rounder Eyioma Uwazurike as well.

The Broncos have to replace DeShawn Williams, who played 598 snaps last year, which was the second most on the defensive line. Henningsen can work in that role with his strong run defense and effort as a pass rusher.

Does he end up the starter? That would take a huge showing during training camp and preseason, but Henningsen won't back down from the fight, and until he doesn't win, he's very much in it.

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Thomas Incoom | OLB

Having Incoom here is a different change from the situation with Badie and McLaughlin. The Broncos have depth rush linebackers who have some experience in the NFL in Aaron Patrick and Christopher Allen.

Although Allen hasn't played an NFL snap yet, he has been part of Broncos practices. However, Incoom still is one to watch and could even have the edge over Patrick and Allen.

Allen has dealt with injuries, so he is nothing but a question mark, and while Patrick is a solid special teams player, he hasn't shown enough development as a defender, plus he's coming off a torn ACL. In college, Incoom was a strong special teams player who could stay on the field.

The best thing, though, is Incoom's run defense, which is a relative weakness in the Broncos' edge room, especially among its depth. Incoom brings the most bang for the buck as he can improve the Broncos 'run defense when on the field, replace Patrick on special teams, and has shown the reliability to stay on the field.

There is promise and tools to work with Incoom as a pass rusher, but Allen is better at this stage. However, it goes back to run defense, especially with 2022 second-rounder Nik Bonitto.

Bonitto and Allen are quite similar with their run defense, and it isn't great. Instead of pairing two bad run defenders as part of your depth, the Broncos would be wise to roll with capable, available players, especially with how many injury concerns there are at the top of this group (Randy Gregory and Baron Browning).

Incoom is flying under the radar, but he shouldn't be and very likely has the advantage over the Broncos' other depth edge defenders fighting for the final spot.

Ja'Quan McMillian | CB

There is a question about the backup slot corner, which is currently being handed to Essang Bassey. However, McMillian shouldn't be the forgotten man as part of that battle.

McMillian started the final game of the 2022 season and played quite well in a tough matchup, and with Christian Parker still coaching the secondary, McMillian shouldn't be overlooked.

The Los Angeles Chargers tried to pick on McMillian in that game, targeting him 11 times, but he allowed five catches for 70 yards. He didn't register any pass breakups and missed a tackle, so it wasn't an excellent performance, but as a rookie from East Carolina who was at the bottom of the depth chart and had never played until that game, it was a promising start.

McMillian limited the Chargers' offense while facing Justin Herbert most of the time, with Chase Daniel coming in late and throwing only seven passes. McMillian got pressure on the quarterback while covering Keenan Allen and Mike Williams each for two routes and the underrated Josh Palmer for five routes. That isn't an easy task for almost any corner, let alone one in McMillian's circumstances.

Other corners are competing for the backup job behind K'Waun Williams, with Bassey being the favorite. Faion Hicks, Art Green, and Tremon Smith are also all part of that battle.

McMillian may not win it, but he shouldn't be written off. There is a good chance he can find a spot on the practice squad, but it all comes down to showing growth from that season finale.

Marquez Callaway | WR

Callaway should make the roster as the fourth or fifth guy, largely due to what he brings on special teams. However, his familiarity with Sean Payton could help him with a bigger role on offense than many expect.

Callaway did well in 2021 as the third option in the New Orleans Saints' offense. He showed his reliability as a receiver, and quite frankly, the Broncos' top receivers are anything but reliable.

With injury and consistency questions among the three, Callaway could see himself with a larger role. Now, he won't be the third receiver, and rookie second-rounder Marvin Mims, Jr. is also there fighting for a role in the offense.

The main point is, with how the receiver room is, don't sleep on Callaway. His familiarity and reliability can help him a lot regarding the offense. Payton could turn to that if the offense gets into a rut during a game or over a series of games to try and jump-start the offense or help get Russell Wilson going if he is struggling.

The Takeaway

The Broncos have some potential hidden gems, even among those projected to make the roster. If these five sleepers don't all manage to make a roster, it wouldn't be surprising if each ends up sticking with the Broncos in some capacity for the 2023 season.

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