Predicting the Last 5 In, Last 5 out for Denver Broncos' Final 53-Man Roster
The Denver Broncos have some tough decisions coming up in the month of August. The rigors of training camp will forge this team into what Broncos fans hope is a Super Bowl champion.
They’ve done a fine job of assembling quality talent this offseason. The Broncos have used free agency, trades and the 2015 NFL draft to find the best possible players.
Not everyone is going to make the team, and guys on the roster bubble must do whatever they can to stand out.
In this article, let’s predict the last five in and the last five out for the Broncos' 53-man roster.
In: Karl Schmitz
1 of 10
There might be more than one specialist who is put out of a job by kicker/punter Karl Schmitz. In addition to punting, Schmitz can also be asked to kick field goals or work as a kickoff specialist.
Connor Barth is the guy who boots the field goals, while Brandon McManus works best on kickoffs. We could see Schmitz at least replace McManus if he impresses in camp.
He’s going to push Britton Colquitt for the starting punter position. Schmitz has a cannon for a leg, and his hangtime is so long it creates feelings of wonderment when watching him punt at Dove Valley.
It may not be the “sexiest” position battle to watch in training camp, but Schmitz is certainly talented enough to make this team.
Out: Britton Colquitt
2 of 10
The Broncos need the best bang for their buck—and they’re just not getting that from Britton Colquitt. Heading into the 2015 season, Colquitt will be the fourth-highest-paid punter in the NFL. That price may be deemed too high for a player who is not performing up to that price tag.
Colquitt is set to count $3.75 million against the cap in 2015. There’s $1.5 million in dead money if Colquitt doesn’t make the team, but the Broncos may believe that’s their best move.
In 2014, Colquitt’s net punt yardage of 3,048 (24th), long punt of 65 yards (21st), number of punt touchbacks (22nd) and yards per punt of 44.17 (26th) all rank near the bottom of the league. Simply put, these numbers are too low for a player with such a large cap hit.
It’s a performance-based business, and Colquitt just isn’t cutting it. Unless the Broncos really believe he can turn it around, we could see Colquitt cut before the start of the regular season.
In: Trevor Siemian
3 of 10
The Broncos were impressed with Trevor Siemian enough in the predraft process to add him as a seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Brock Osweiler is entering the final year of his contract, and at this time there seems to be no sign of him signing an extension with the team. This leaves the Broncos backup quarterback job wide open for 2016 and beyond.
Siemian may go from improbable draft pick to backup/developmental quarterback—and potential quarterback of the future—in one year.
When under pressure, Siemian has escapability in the pocket. He’ll duck under or around pass-rushers to find breathing room. When scrambling, Siemian is thinking pass first and will exhaust all options before taking off to run.
His footwork needs work, as too many of his passes in a clean pocket are far off the mark. He doesn’t have a rocket arm, but Siemian can make every throw required in the NFL. Most importantly, he can throw with deft touch on short and intermediate throws.
The chances of Siemian ever amounting to much in the NFL are slim, but perhaps the Broncos see him as a developmental backup worth keeping around. They could also decide to put him on season-ending injured reserve if Siemian’s knee injury he suffered last year at Northwestern isn’t quite healed enough.
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Out: Zac Dysert
4 of 10
If the Broncos carry only three quarterbacks then Zac Dysert might not be on the final roster. After making the 53-man roster as a rookie in 2013, Dysert was cut, then placed on the practice squad after training camp last year.
Dysert has a rocket arm, and he’s got the athleticism to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. In this Gary Kubiak system, Dysert (on paper) looks like a good fit.
He falls out of favor because of his lack of touch or accuracy. Dysert can make one amazing throw (usually deep), then he’ll make five or more throws without any guidance whatsoever.
Dysert can throw with heat—and lots of it. The problem is Dysert doesn’t have the control when more touch is needed. This leads to passes that bounce off shoulder pads or hands and into the waiting arms of a defender.
We’ve seen what Dysert is at the pro level, and in two offseasons of work there’s been little development. It may be time for the team to move on.
In: Lorenzo Doss
5 of 10
The Broncos wanted upgrades to their secondary, and that’s why they drafted Lorenzo Doss in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Doss is a playmaker with the size, speed and instincts to work well as a sub-package player.
He went to Tulane as a wide receiver, but Doss was moved to the defensive side of the ball during his freshman year. He uses the skill set of a wide receiver to play cornerback, and that’s why he always seems to be around the football. Doss will locate the ball quickly in the air and has the natural timing to break up several passes thrown his way.
Doss can flip the field quickly after an interception, and he’s a threat to score anytime the ball is in his hands. He may also be able to compete for a job as a return man for the Broncos. Doss never returned kicks at Tulane, but he’s got the natural athleticism and speed to do so if needed.
His playmaking ability and versatility could land Doss a job on the 53-man roster in 2015.
Out: Tony Carter
6 of 10
It seems like every season, Tony Carter is on the roster bubble for the Broncos. Undrafted out of Florida State in 2009, Carter has had to fight and claw each year to make the team.
He may be running out of time in Denver.
Carter has speed, and he can close on an incoming pass quickly. However, he’s a gambler who will naturally take chances on the football field. This style helps him make plays once in a while, but it also gets him burned far too often.
Simply put, Carter is a target for opposing quarterbacks to dupe—and pick on—anytime he’s out on the field. The Broncos have added more talent to the secondary via the draft, so going with a younger option might be their best bet.
In: Bennie Fowler
7 of 10
The Broncos have a potential star in second-year pro Bennie Fowler. As an undrafted free agent in 2014, Fowler impressed as a rookie in training camp and the preseason last year. Fowler didn’t make the final roster, but the team decided to keep him around as a developmental talent on the practice squad.
This year, Fowler picked up where he left off. He’s been impressive in minicamp and OTAs this offseason as he looks to make the team in 2015.
Fowler has the size to box out smaller defenders, and he’s fearless when running routes over the middle. He can make difficult catches seem routine, and Fowler has become a favorite target for Brock Osweiler in practice. There’s a good chance he’ll wind up on the team, as the Broncos may not be able to sneak him through to the practice squad if he continues to shine in the preseason.
Out: Andre "Bubba" Caldwell
8 of 10
It might be time for Andre “Bubba” Caldwell to move on. He’s made little impact on the field when given a chance, and the Broncos have quality—and younger—talent behind him on the depth chart.
Yes, Caldwell is fast, but he only has straight-line speed. He struggles to impress as a return man because he takes too long to change direction when running fast. Caldwell lacks a “wow” factor as a receiving option as well.
Set to count almost $1.6 million against the cap in 2015, Caldwell has only $200,000 remaining in dead money on his contract. The Broncos could save almost $1.4 million if Caldwell is shown the door. They might choose a more inexperienced option—not only because of Caldwell’s limited skill set but also because of his inflated price tag.
In: Kapri Bibbs
9 of 10
Kapri Bibbs put up a great fight last year in training camp and the preseason. As an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2014, Bibbs had to impress if he wanted to stay in the NFL. He did just that, but the Broncos chose to keep him on the team’s practice squad for extra development.
This offseason, Bibbs looks better than ever.
Bibbs runs with natural balance. This makes him incredibly difficult to bring down with merely arm tackles. He runs low and keeps his legs driving for extra yards after contact.
Last year, Bibbs proved in camp that he could be a reliable receiver out of the backfield. His hands and quickness after the catch have been on display in minicamp and OTAs this offseason.
Bibbs could be a starter in this league, and that talent is going to be difficult to “hide” in the preseason. The chances of Denver sneaking Bibbs through to the practice squad are thin. He looks comfortable in the zone-blocking system, and Bibbs could easily make the final roster.
Out: Ronnie Hillman
10 of 10
If Kapri Bibbs makes the team, it’s likely at the expense of Ronnie Hillman. The team’s most expensive running back, Hillman is in the final year of his rookie contract, and there may not be a future for him in Denver.
Hillman was highly touted coming out of San Diego State in 2012. The Broncos moved up in the third round to draft him in the 2012 NFL draft with the idea that he could perhaps be a quality starter in the NFL. Hillman has flashed rushing ability here and there, but he’s mostly been a career disappointment. Fumbling, injuries and general ineffectiveness have held him back as a pro.
The Broncos have implemented a zone-blocking system in 2015. This blocking scheme requires the running backs to be decisive when following blocks or looking for a cutback lane. It’s early, but Hillman has looked unnatural in this system during OTAs and minicamp.
Instead of being decisive, Hillman will too often dance in the backfield waiting for a hole to develop. He’s not being patient enough, and his hesitation will lead to carries for a loss when tackling is allowed. This just might not be the right fit, and we could see Hillman be a surprise cut (to some) in training camp.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.
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