Denver Broncos Training Camp: 3 Veterans Most Likely to Be Cut in 2012

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The Denver Broncos offseason is in full swing. As is the annual ritual on NFL football teams' rosters, the team swells to around 90 players. The active roster is cut to 53 when the season starts. That means that almost half the team that works out in early spring will likely be on the couch or another team by the end of the arduous training camp.

As a preview to some of those cuts, let's break down the top three veterans who are most likely candidates to be released by the Broncos before Week 1.

Matthew Willis, WR

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Matthew Willis has led a remarkably underwhelming NFL professional career. He has never really seen much time on the field and has been known for his drops during the game.

2012 is Willis' sixth season in the league and he has consistently been a backup, reserve or practice squad prospect. This offseason will likely spell the end of his below average NFL career.

The Broncos added Andre Caldwell and Brandon Stokley in free agency, who have both outshined Willis so far in OTAs. The Broncos also improved depth with the additions of ASU standout, Gerell Robinson, and Eric Page out of Toledo. The wide receiver position looks like a competitive group this offseason and Willis should be the odd man out.

Knowshon Moreno, RB

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Knowshon Moreno has been above average, but for a first-round draft pick he has never really lived up to the draft spot. He is a good back out of the backfield receiving the ball. He has shown some flashes rushing it as well.

Ultimately though, Moreno has never broken 1,000 yards rushing in a season and has been injured frequently as well. Probably the biggest concern in latest months was his DUI arrest after the 2011 season ended.

The Broncos drafted the speedy Ronnie Hillman out of San Diego State, who is a similar back to Moreno, but younger and doesn't have any history of off-field issues.

D.J. Williams, WLB

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D.J. Williams is another prime target for team cuts after making a bonehead blunder this past week when he tweeted a picture of the Denver Broncos' defensive playbook and telling "fans" that the coaching staff was having him learn a new position as well.

This offense goes with another impending charge for performance-enhancing drug use, which Williams is fighting. If the league's charge stands and the appeal is refused, Williams could face a six-game suspension anyway for the offense.

Wesley Woodyard is listed as the team's only other weak-side linebacker; however, the team added four rookie linebackers through the draft and free agency earlier this season. The most likely candidate to seize Williams' roster spot looks to be Danny Trevathan, a rookie out of Kentucky that the team picked up with their sixth-round draft pick. Depending how he performs during training camp, Trevathan could make Williams expendable.