10 takeaways from GM John Elway's roster cut-down presser

What did we learn from the GM's time at the podium on Saturday?

Following the 2pm deadline to have rosters cut down to 53 players (or less), Denver Broncos’ GM John Elway held court at the podium at Dove Valley.

When it comes to formulating a 53-man roster out of training camp, this was Elway’s ninth swing at the plate. As an executive and personnel czar, he’s learned and improved along the way.

Every year is challenging for NFL GMs when it comes to making these roster decisions but this one was particularly complex. We’ll get to that in a moment.

When it comes to the Broncos’ thought processes and logic behind the roster moves and personnel decisions the team made, we learned a lot from Elway’s Saturday remarks. Here are 10 key takeaways.

This year’s 53 formula has been uniquely challenging

The injury bug made what is always a tricky situation that much more complex for Elway and Vic Fangio. The Broncos were hit pretty hard this summer, likely a result of starting camp a week earlier than the team traditionally does, due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game.

Elway acknowledged that this weekend is always tough but also what made this year’s decisions perhaps a little more unique.

“It is always until you get through the whole process and the wire comes out and you see what’s there,” Elway said. “So, we’re going to continue to try to get better when we see the wire and what’s in the wire. If there’s someone on there that can make us better, then we’ll take advantage of it. You’ve always got to have slots for that. You can’t use the IR slots for those guys either, so you’ve got to make sure that if there are opportunities on the wire that you have different things that you can do—different moves you can make to build and take advantage of it.”

Like A Beautiful Mind, Elway is working on football equations that escape even the most savvy NFL analysts. The Broncos still have many moves to make.

Lock going on IR about utilizing roster spot

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I’ve questioned Elway’s decision to place Drew Lock on injured reserve, only because it takes away from his ability to practice, and thus could curb his development some. However, Elway considered his decision for a couple of weeks and revealed what really drove his ultimate conclusion to place Lock on short-term IR.

“I think the most important is getting the best 53,” Elway said. “With where Drew is—obviously, we’d like to have him on the practice field, but he’s got that thumb [injury] that’s going to be six to eight weeks. So, it’s going to be longer with a quarterback with a thumb [injury]. We needed that spot. So, my discussion with [Drew] today was it’s not a year off for him. He’s going to be able to everything other than being on the football field. And he’ll be able to work on his own and do some different things there, too. I expect him to continue to work hard and get a good feel with everything and keep learning with the offense, understand what he’s doing there and be right in the middle of everything.”

Elway is prioritizing what he can do with Lock’s roster spot while he heals up over any possible benefit the rookie will lose out on by not being able to practice for two months. Right now, he can’t practice with that thumb, so it’s not an issue. Hopefully, the decision has no lasting effect on Lock’s development.

Broncos will add an outside vet QB

Joe Flacco is the only healthy QB currently on the Broncos’ roster, after the team cut Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien. With that in mind, the Broncos will pursue an outside veteran signal-caller.

The Broncos hope to be able to land someone who has some experience in the system OC Rich Scangarello is running.

“The good thing is that we have an extra day or two—an extra day—but it is important to have that guy to have at least a feel of the offense,” Elway said.

The Broncos don’t play until Monday night, September 9. Whomever the team adds, even if they’re not experienced in Scangarello’s scheme, they’ll get one extra day to cram the playbook.

That’s why I’m looking at either Brian Hoyer, or one of the Niners’ two backup QBs. Elway said the Broncos are exploring ‘their options’ and that could include a trade.

UPDATE: The Broncos claimed former Rams QB Brandon Allen off waivers. Allen had a very strong performance against the Broncos in preseason Game 4. However, he has zero NFL starts. 

Broncos liked Dawson coming out of 2018 draft

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On Friday, the Broncos acquired defensive back Duke Dawson from New England in exchange for swapping their 2020 sixth-round pick for New Engand’s seventh-rounder. As a 2018 second-round pick, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move.

Elway explained why the Broncos were drawn to Dawson.

“He’s a guy that we liked coming out last year,” Elway said. “He adds some depth to corner and he’s played a little bit of safety, too, so he’s got that flex. We’ll have to see what we have when he gets here. He didn’t play much last year. I think he was hurt most of the year last year. He played a little bit this preseason. We liked him coming out [of the 2018 NFL Draft], so we’re excited about the possibility of getting him here and see what we have in him.”

Dawson did not appear in a regular season game for the Patriots. The Broncos like his ability in zone coverage and believe he’ll be a good fit in Fangio’s scheme.

Walker impressed the team this camp

DeMarcus Walker was a player many bold predictions around the blogosphere had ending up on the cutting room floor but that’s not how it played out. The Broncos 2017 second-round pick had a very strong preseason and training camp.

That was the outside perception, anyway, which it turns out matched the internal opinion.

“He’s bigger, he is 300 pounds now,” Elway said. “He’s moving well inside there. He’s really had a really great camp also.”

Here’s to hoping Walker can finally make an impact as a rotational piece on Fangio’s D-line.

Broncos plan to add another ILB

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At the moment, the Broncos are carrying five inside linebackers. However, Joe Jones is injured and won’t be available for some time yet.

Elway confirmed that the Broncos are planning on adding another ILB.

“We have plans on one there,” Elway said. “We just can’t announce it yet. We’re talking right now, so we’ve got plans for that spot. We’ve got one coming in.”

Little did Elway know, a report had surfaced tying Corey Nelson to Denver. Elway confirmed that the Broncos will meet with their former 2014 seventh-round pick. Expect a deal to be consummated posthaste. 

Broncos still looking at upgrading punt returner

For now, wideout River Cracraft is the Broncos’ punt returner. But Elway confirmed that the Broncos are going to scan the waiver wire for a potential upgrade.

“We’re still looking,” Elway said. “That’s the outlook. We continue to look and try to get better there. Right now it’s River, but we’ll continue to try to get better there if we can. If there’s someone better than River, then we’ll see what we can do.”

Sorry, River. That’s the NFL for you. Cracraft is a solid backup slot receiver but an average punt returner. He made the squad as the sixth receiver because he can competently secure the punt return. Picking up plus-yardage on the return? That’s where Denver is looking to upgrade.

UPDATE: Denver indeed upgraded the punt returner spot by claiming Diontae Spencer off waivers. River Cracraft was subsequently waived. 

Injuries made Booker ‘more valuable’

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When the Broncos originally signed Theo Riddick, it didn’t portend well for Devontae Booker. However, Booker has one thing Riddick does not — availability. Riddick is headed for IR with a shoulder injury, while Booker just made his fourth Broncos roster out of camp.

After Khalfani Muhammad had a strong preseason, Booker’s place on the roster continued to be questioned. But the Broncos waived Muhammad, putting their chips in on Booker. Elway explained why.

“He’s done a nice job,” Elway said. “He does a good job on third down. I think with the injuries we had back there with Riddick, as well as Janovich too—that’s what made him more valuable, because of the fact that we’re down to three backs now with ‘Book’. But he did a nice job and he knows what we’re doing, he can do a lot of things for us. He’s very versatile.”

Two undrafted rookies ‘impressed’ him

At least one undrafted rookie has made the Broncos’ roster out of camp in 15 of the last 16 years. It’s an impressive distinction.

The Broncos have built a reputation among NFL player agents for giving college free agents a real opportunity to make the roster. This year, OLB Malik Reed and ILB Josh Watson made the cut.

Elway explained why.

“They both play very good football,” Elway said. “Malik really had a good preseason. I think he had to sacks last week, and obviously he’s a guy that cares about football and it means a lot to him. He earned the spot. When we have 90 guys, you come in and try to figure out how to find the best 53 and Malik did hell of a job, as did Josh. I’m happy for those two young guys.”

UPDATE: Josh Watson was waived on Sunday, likely to make room for Corey Nelson. The Broncos hope to re-sign Watson to the practice squad. 

Outside pro leagues can benefit players

The Broncos had two players who spent time in outside pro football leagues make the roster this year — DL Mike Purcell and CB De’Vante Bausby. Both played in the now-defunct AAF and from the sounds of it, Elway was disappointed to see that league go belly-up and is hopeful that the burgeoning XFL might be a proving ground for players that ultimately benefits NFL teams.

“A lot of guys mature later,” Elway said. “Mike has been to a lot of different places and done a nice job, as well as Bausby. He came in and had a good camp. Vic…knows better than I do…how much he improved from last year to this year. Obviously, the AAF helped him a lot in that and getting the chance to play is how they get better. Those types of leagues are always good for the players and give them a chance to mature.”

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