The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster about two hours ahead of Saturday’s 2 p.m. deadline and it includes 19 players not with the organization last year, a turnover of 35.8%.
Twenty-two players were waived, tight end Troy Fumagalli was waived/injured, cornerback DeVante Bausby was released and tight end Austin Fort (knee) was placed on injured reserve.
“We had a pretty good idea going in of what we had and we saw a lot in practice and we ended up in a good spot,” general manager John Elway said.
A good enough spot that Elway doesn’t expect to be active Sunday morning when teams can claim players off waivers.
“Obviously, we’ll look at everything and all possibilities, but we’re excited about the football team we have,” he said.
Elway and coach Vic Fangio held video conferences after the roster moves were announced and covered several topics:
Butt’s triumph
What’s the story: When Jake Butt has been healthy dating back to college, he’s been a weapon in the passing game. The problem has been staying healthy — he has played only four games in three years with the Broncos. But he parlayed a great camp into being one of four true tight ends on the roster.
Fangio said: “I’ll tell you what, it’s been (a heckuva) year for Jake. I haven’t seen him limp once. He’s had a terrific camp, not just playing-wise, but he’s actually 100% healthy and moving around good and you would never know he’d been through the injuries he’s had with his knees. He looks as good as new to me.”
Comment: Butt had done enough to make the roster even before Fumagalli was sidelined with an abdominal procedure last week that kept him out of the final six practices. If the Broncos play a lot of two-tight end personnel, there will be a role for Butt.
Prioritizing versatility
What’s the story: The most noteworthy surprise was the Broncos releasing Bausby and keeping Duke Dawson and rookie Essang Bassey. Midway through last week, Bassey was getting first-team work, which cemented his status, but Dawson made the team instead of a fourth safety.
Fangio said: “Well, versatility is part of the equation. (Dawson and Bassey) both can play the nickel position, which is important and they’re both good contributors in the special teams area, which is important.”
Comment: The Broncos are on point in making sure they have reinforcements at the nickel spot (covering the slot receiver) because Bryce Callahan has never played a full season.
Keeping seven receivers
What’s the story: The Broncos elected to keep seven receivers, good news for Diontae Spencer (who will handle returns), but particularly seventh-round rookie Tyrie Cleveland. Obviously underused at Florida, Cleveland made plays from the first day of camp.
Elway said: “Tyrie is a big guy that can really run. His willingness and toughness to put his nose into the run game (showed as a blocker) and he knew to make this football team, he had to show a lot on special teams and he did that. And he also showed he’s a capable wideout.”
Comment: Outside of Bassey, Cleveland was the big winner of camp in terms of emerging from the pack of bubble players to earn a spot.
Inside linebacker additions
What’s the story: The Broncos signed Mark Barron last week and acquired Austin Calitro in a trade from Cincinnati on Friday, making starting inside linebacker Todd Davis and backup Josh Watson expendable. Against Tennessee, the expectation is that Josey Jewell will start alongside Alexander Johnson, and Barron will play a sub-package role.
Elway said: “We re-organized that room a little bit, but actually feel pretty good about where we are. Mark has a lot of experience and is a guy who can move around and help us and Calitro coming in, he can play the game and is a great special teamer, but he’ll have to get caught up with what we’re doing.”
Comment: How good would Patrick Queen look on the Broncos’ defense right now? Had Jerry Jeudy not been on the board at No. 15, Elway may have moved down in the first round to select Queen, who went to the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson is a dependable player, but the other spot could be a revolving door if Jewell doesn’t start fast.
Broncos Roster
The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Saturday:
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (2): Drew Lock and Jeff Driskel.
Running backs (3): Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Tight ends (5): Noah Fant, Nick Vannett, Andrew Beck (FB/TE), Albert Okwuegbunam and Jake Butt.
Receivers (7): Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick and Tyrie Cleveland.
Offensive line (9):
Graham Glasgow (RG), Dalton Risner (LG), Elijah Wilkinson (RT), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Austin Schlottmann (G/C), Netane Muti (G), Calvin Anderson (T) and Demar Dotson (T).
Defense (24)
Defensive line (6): Jurrell Casey (DE), Shelby Harris (DE), Mike Purcell (NT), Dre’Mont Jones (DE), DeMarcus Walker (DE) and McTelvin Agim (DE/NT).
Inside linebackers (5): Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, Mark Barron, Joe Jones and Austin Calitro.
Outside linebackers (4): Bradley Chubb, Von Miller, Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu.
Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Bouye, Bryce Callahan, Michael Ojemudia, Davontae Harris, Essang Bassey and Duke Dawson.
Safeties (3): Kareem Jackson, Justin Simmons and Trey Marshall.
Specialists (3)
Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P) and Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS).
Roster moves
Waived (23): OT Quinn Bailey, RB Le’Vante Bellamy, WR Trinity Benson, WR Fred Brown, OLB Malik Carney, S Douglas Coleman, RB Jeremy Cox, WR Kendall Hinton, S Alijah Holder, OLB Justin Hollins, OL Tyler Jones, S P.J. Locke, G/C Patrick Morris, OT Darrin Paulo, OT Jake Rodgers, QB Brett Rypien, OLB Derrek Tuszka, ILB Josh Watson, OT Hunter Watts, WR Cody White, DL DeShawn Williams and WR Juwann Winfree.
Waived/injured (1): TE Troy Fumagalli.
Released (1): CB DeVante Bausby.
Injured reserve (1): TE Austin Fort.
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September 06, 2020 at 05:16AM
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Broncos cut roster to 53 players, don’t expect to be active on waiver wire - The Denver Post
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