Denver Broncos' Biggest Preseason Disappointments So Far

The Denver Broncos are now two games into the 2015 preseason. The games don’t count, but they do matter as the team looks to find the best 53 players possible.

We’ve seen players come out of nowhere to make an impact for the team. We’ve seen rookies make impact plays on both sides of the ball. We’ve also seen reliable veterans continue to show well as we get a glimpse of the 2015 version of the Broncos.

However, with the good must also come the bad.

During the preseason, there have been multiple players who have not played up to their potential. These players need to do a better job during the preseason if they want to earn a spot on the roster—or climb the depth chart at their respective position. Some of these disappointing players will only be reserves this year, some will be placed on the practice squad to further develop and some may not even make the team.

Here are the five biggest preseason disappointments so far.

Kapri Bibbs

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

There is no question that Bibbs can be an effective runner in the NFL. However, in today’s NFL, running backs need to do much more than simply run the football. Bibbs has struggled in pass protection during camp, and that has kept him off the field (as a running back) during the preseason.

Bibbs came out of Colorado State last year, and the Broncos added him as a college free agent. In one year with the Rams, Bibbs became one of just three running backs (Barry Sanders, Montee Ball) in FBS history to rush for over 30 touchdowns in a single season. His nose for the end zone was proven, and Bibbs looked fantastic in the Rams’ zone-blocking system as he rushed for over 1,700 yards.

He only had eight receptions during his lone year with the Rams, so Bibbs was unproven as a receiver out of the backfield coming into his Broncos career. He quickly showed that he could be a reliable receiver in Broncos camp during his rookie year. In fact, Bibbs looked swift, agile and dangerous as a receiver in the open field.

At Broncos camp this year, Bibbs has looked natural running in a zone-blocking system. He’ll patiently wait for holes to develop, and he’s decisive when getting to a cutback lane. Bibbs isn’t the biggest or strongest guy—nor is he the fastest—but he helps himself by being an efficient and determined runner.

His all-around skill set is good, but if he can’t be trusted to protect the quarterback, then he’s not going to make the 53-man roster. With so many running back-needy teams out there, the Broncos may not be able to sneak Bibbs through to the practice squad this year.

Zac Dysert

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

There's a reason they say the NFL stands for “Not For Long.” We may be seeing the last of quarterback Zac Dysert with the Denver Broncos.

A seventh-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Dysert was able to make the 53-man roster as a rookie. He developed as the third-string quarterback that season, and some felt he would get a chance to one day challenge Brock Osweiler to be the team’s quarterback of the future.

That idea was cooled when Dysert failed to make the final roster in 2014. The team did think enough of him to keep him around on the practice squad, but his spot as the team’s third quarterback was put in jeopardy this offseason.

In the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos added Trevor Siemian from Northwestern. While his college tape left a lot to be desired, Siemian has looked comfortable and confident as a passer during Broncos training camp—and that has carried over into the preseason.

Siemian has incredible arm talent. He has the zip to throw into tight windows, and he throws with more touch than he showed on film in college.

Dysert still has a rocket arm, but his accuracy and touch are inconsistent. These are problems that plagued him during his college career at Miami (OH) and even during the week of practice for the 2013 Senior Bowl.

If Dysert can’t be consistent and accurate as a passer, then he’s likely to be looking for another team later this month.

Nathan Palmer

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

Guys on the roster bubble need to make impact plays whenever given the opportunity in the preseason. Wide receiver Nathan Palmer has not made the most of his chances.

Make no mistake about it, Palmer has received plenty of looks in training camp. He is a frequent deep target for Brock Osweiler on the second-team offense.

Palmer will sometimes haul in a deep pass over his shoulder. However, he too often loses the ball in the air when he turns his head to find it. Palmer will slow down because of this, and too many deep targets merely hit the ground uncaught.

He has good speed on deep targets, but Palmer is not refined as a route-runner. He’ll struggle to get separation on underneath routes, and this lack of ability makes him a one-trick player.

Palmer has been targeted three times in two games, and he’s only come down with one catch for a mere eight yards. Just like in training camp, Palmer has been struggling to get open.

The Broncos have a jam-packed group of wide receiver talent already on the roster. At this time, Palmer is likely on the outside looking in. If he doesn’t improve his play in the preseason, then perhaps Palmer doesn’t even get a spot on the practice squad this year.

Lorenzo Doss

George Bridges/Associated Press

In the 2015 NFL draft, the Broncos selected two cornerbacks from Tulane on the final day of the selection process. The Broncos selected Lorenzo Doss with their fifth-round pick, and in the seventh round they chose his college teammate, Taurean Nixon.

So far in the preseason, Nixon is outshining Doss. Over two games, Doss only has two tackles. In that same span, Nixon has eight tackles and one pass defensed. Doss is smaller than Nixon, and he’s not quite as fast. He’s playing small on the field, while Nixon is flying all over the gridiron and making plays.

It’s not just Nixon that is looking better than Doss. Every other rookie picked after Doss—nose tackle Darius Kilgo, quarterback Trevor Siemian and strong safety Josh Furman—have made more plays of note in the preseason.

Doss has the athleticism and nose for the ball to make it in the NFL. While he’s been somewhat disappointing this preseason, I expect the Broncos to at least keep him around on the practice squad as a developmental prospect.

Montee Ball

George Bridges/Associated Press

Perhaps no there’s no greater disappointment in the preseason than Montee Ball. A starter for the team last year, Ball had an injury-plagued 2014 season and began training camp as the second back on the depth chart behind C.J. Anderson.

Now, Ball is likely third on that list behind Ronnie Hillman.

The most successful running back of the preseason has been Hillman. In two games, Hillman has rushed 16 times for 120 yards. That’s good for an incredibly healthy 7.5 yards per carry.

During that same time, Ball has 12 carries for 30 yards. That puts his yards-per-carry average at a pathetic 2.5 yards. Ball has looked hesitant behind the offensive line, and he hasn’t been able to take advantage of rushing lanes in the same way that Hillman has.

This is not the Ball that we’ve seen in training camp. Ball has looked natural running behind the line in camp, and many expected that comfort level to carry over to the preseason. That hasn’t happened yet as Ball looks like a player who is thinking too much instead of just reading and reacting quickly to get to—and through—the hole.

Bottom line—Ball is better than this, but we’ll have to be patient in order to see him get his chance to prove himself.

All quotes and injury/practice observations were obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information was provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats were via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information was provided by Spotrac. Transaction history was provided by Pro Sports Transactions.