NFL Preseason: 5 Denver Broncos Who Can Earn a Starting Spot

Heading into the 2011 preseason, NFL teams are looking to solidify their starting lineups and rotations and determine which fringe players will make the final roster with less preparation than usual.

As coaching staffs learn the strengths and weaknesses of their newly signed free agents and draft picks, the rosters will begin to take shape.

For teams like the Denver Broncos, jobs will be up for grabs even more than usual as the EFX brain trust tries to restore a winning culture to the organization.

In that spirit, let’s take a look at a few players currently listed as reserves who have a legitimate shot at winning a starting job through stellar play in the preseason, besides Tim Tebow.

Willis McGahee as Starting Tailback

Though Willis McGahee already figures to play a significant role in the Broncos ground game in 2011, he can claim the starting job if he outperforms Knowshon Moreno enough.

Neither back is particularly adept picking up blitzes in pass protection, but Moreno is an adequate third-down back and will take the snaps on passing downs.

Both tailbacks have proven they can’t quite shoulder the load by themselves and will eat up significant carries, but with Moreno’s responsibility as the third-down back McGahee has an opportunity to win a slight majority of the carries—if not technically the starting job— in
the regular season if he runs well enough in the preseason.

On the flip side, McGahee was brought in primarily for short yardage situations and will be in the doghouse if he does not perform in these situations.

Marcus Thomas as Either Starting DT

When the Broncos didn’t draft a DT in the 2011 NFL Draft, it appeared that Marcus Thomas would be re-signed and given a prominent role alongside another free agent signee.

With the additions of both Brodrick Bunkley and Ty Warren, however, the Broncos find
themselves with two suitable starters on the inside who come with injury concerns.

As it stands, Bunkley and Warren will start while Thomas and Kevin Vickerson rotate in.
Thomas contributed 535 quality snaps on a rotational basis last year and is deserving of equal or greater playing time this year, whereas Vickerson is a decent reserve who cut significant weight in the offseason to improve penetration.

If the injury risks catch up to either Warren or Bunkley—or if Thomas has a dazzling preseason regardless—look for Thomas to eat up more snaps and/or take the starting job.

Nate Irving as Starting Middle Linebacker

If not for the shortened offseason, it is entirely possible that Nate Irving would already be the
Broncos starting MLB. He is certainly intended to take the job at some point, but Irving can claim it sooner rather than later if things fall into place for him.

By all accounts, Joe Mays has had a good start to training camp and the job is his to lose,  but if Irving settles down from some shaky practices and has a great preseason, he could end up opening the season as a starter instead.

Irving should be motivated knowing his contributions will come on special teams otherwise.

If Mays continues to overachieve, it will be hard to take the job from him no matter what Irving does. If Mays struggles and Irving doesn’t appear ready to take over, the veteran Mario Haggan may start at MIKE, where his abilities are better utilized than they were at OLB last year.

If Haggan does start, it will only be until the team feels Mays or Irving is ready to take over.

The Starting Tight End Candidates

Perhaps the Broncos most wide-open position is at tight end.  There are at least three or four tight ends currently on the roster with a real chance of starting, and each should be looking to set themselves apart from the others this preseason.

Daniel Fells was recently signed and already sits atop the depth chart so John Fox must like something he sees in Fells, but the veteran tight end has historically been a marginal player and, in 2010, struggled as a blocker while demonstrating limited receiving ability. Any of the tight ends behind Fells can overtake him and their best shot to do so will be through their blocking.

A tight end who can work out of the backfield when need be will be desired as
Spencer Larson hasn’t fully established himself at fullback yet and is somewhat of an injury risk.

Richard Quinn and Dan Gronkowski are the best fits, but both players are inconsistent.  Dante Rosario has some familiarity with Coach Fox and could also factor in.

Look for the most consistent guy to stick as the starter, along with another and Julius Thomas, and the others to be cut.

Cassius Vaughn as Starting Right Cornerback

Andre Goodman is currently penciled in for another season opposite Champ Bailey at RCB, but with all due respect to Mr. Goodman, he is nothing more than a stopgap.

If Goodman starts the season opener, it merely means the younger guys aren’t ready yet. While Goodman can play adequately, especially if he can remain healthy this year, the Broncos would surely love one of their young corners to rise to the challenge and earn their way onto the field in the preseason.

Perrish Cox’s departure is all but certain at this point, but undrafted CB/S Cassius Vaughn has impressed in practice and performed well in extremely limited snaps last year. Syd’Quan Thompson is also still in the mix, but he projects best as a slot cornerback.

Vaughn will need to really showcase himself in the preseason to earn the job, but he may be able to do so since Goodman will be waiting in the wings to take the job back if he can’t handle it.  Vaughn will have a great chance to replace the aging Goodman by the end of the season, if not the start.