4 positions Broncos could look to upgrade via the waiver wire this weekend

This Saturday, NFL teams will trim their roster to 53 players — a day often referred as the day of final cutdowns.

However, it's not always that simple. Teams sometimes make additional moves once they know about younger players who have gone through waivers and claim them the next day, then part ways with a player who survived the first day.

With veterans, there are times in which teams will sign them right away because they need to fill a position quickly. Other times, teams wait until after Week 1 of the regular season to sign veterans, so they don't have to fully guarantee their base salaries for the entire season. Either way, that means a player who survived the day of final cutdowns is out the door.

There's perhaps no better example of surviving Saturday's cutdowns not meaning much than Paxton Lynch. Broncos fans will remember that Lynch survived those cutdowns last year, but the next day, the Broncos claimed Kevin Hogan off waivers and said goodbye to Lynch.

Interestingly, Hogan could find himself in a similar situation this year. He's likely to survive Saturday's cuts, but he could find himself released if the Broncos claim another quarterback off waivers.

If not, he might not last past Week 1 should the Broncos decide to bring a veteran in to join the roster Week 2, using the trick of waiting until Week 1 is over so that veteran doesn't get his salary fully guaranteed.

So if Hogan does survive Saturday, don't read too much into it. Chances are the Broncos will be keeping an eye on other quarterbacks, whether through waivers or veteran cuts.

Hogan isn't the only player who could be at risk of being let go, even if he makes the 53-man roster on Saturday. Let's consider other examples:

The sixth WR: If the Broncos keep six wide receivers Saturday, that's no guarantee the sixth WR sticks around. It may be a sign that the Broncos are keeping an eye for other wide receivers who can return punts and kicks. Therefore, whoever is kept on the Broncos roster could be let go to make room for such a player.

The ninth OL: I believe that the Broncos keep at least nine players on the offensive line with five starters and three backups who have their spots secure. The ninth player, though, might not be around for long if the Broncos find another player through waivers who would be an upgrade. This is another position in which I could see the Broncos wait until after Week 1 to bring in a veteran, then let the ninth O-lineman go.

The fourth or fifth ILB: The Broncos have a dilemma here, because Joseph Jones won't be cleared to play for at least six weeks and Todd Davis may not be cleared for Week 1. I expect Davis to make the 53-man roster, while Jones could either be kept and made inactive until he's healthy, or placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. If Jones isn't placed on IR, a younger linebacker will certainly make the 53-man roster Saturday. However, if the Broncos can find a player who is familiar with Vic Fangio's system, that could mean that player doesn't stay on the 53-man roster for long.

The 10th DB: I expect the Broncos to keep 10 defensive backs on the active roster. It looked like Horace Richardson and Trey Marshall were going to lock up two spots behind the eight players most likely to make it. However, Richardson was placed on IR, leaving a potential spot open for a cornerback (it looks like the five safety spots are decided). That cornerback might be just a placeholder, though, if the Broncos find somebody they believe is an upgrade.

The takeaway

In summary, don't fall into the trap of believing the 53-man roster on Saturday is the final roster. Certain players will still be on the bubble and their spots might not even be safe after Week 1 of the regular season.

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