Denver Broncos: 7 Players Who Must Shine Against the Cardinals

The Denver Broncos are going to be a very different team after the game against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.

Of course that means that there will be players cut, but it also means that there might be players added to the roster as well. There is going to be a flood of released players on the market and the Broncos will be looking to add depth at a few positions.

Some of the players on this list are competing against others to not be the odd man out. There are others who are trying to prove that the Broncos don't need to release them in order to upgrade. 

Brandon Minor

It seems likely that the Broncos will go into the season with four running backs on the roster.

There is no doubt on Moreno and McGahee and even Lance Ball has been a familiar and steadying presence in the backfield. That leaves a competition with Jeremiah Johnson and Brandon Minor.

Johnson has already made a splash in Week 1 of the preseason and Minor has yet to make any kind of play that stands out.

If it isn’t too late already, Minor will need to break out off a big run, or score a touchdown or two to keep the competition alive.

Dan Gronkowski

Neither Dan Gronkowski, nor Dante Rosario has been terribly impressive in the preseason. However, Rosario does not need to be because the head coach knows what he can do from his days in Carolina.

Gronkowski may have to do more in this one game yardage-wise, than he has in his whole career to turn enough heads. For those wondering, Gronkowski has a total of 69 yards receiving in 14 games in his career.

The Broncos are not parting with new draft picks Virgil Green and Julius Thomas, just like they will be keeping Daniel Fells.

The race is between Rosario and Gronkowski, with Gronkowski way behind.

David Anderson

The Broncos really want this signing to work out and to have Anderson be a solid member of this team.

It would be nice for Anderson to have an impressive game and remind all the Colorado fans of the promise he showed at CSU.

In truth, there will probably be one extra wide receiver make the roster now and then be let go once Demaryius Thomas is healthy. So, being impressive now at this position only guarantees a player the chance to try and do it again when Thomas comes back.

Russ Hochstein

Russ Hochstein has been filling in for Chris Kuper this week which could be a test run to see if Hochstein still has the ability to contribute.

With the emergence of Manny Ramirez as a utility guard and center, a role once filled by Hochstein, the team might not have room for two similar players.

Hochstein has earned the chance to prove that he can still play, and play for the Broncos. However, if other positions are begging for more depth to be kept it could cause Hochstein a spot on the roster.

Jeremy Beal

Being the last pick of the draft for a team is tantamount to being that team's Mr. Irrelevant.

That might be harsh but basically it equates to being much easier to part with than higher draft picks. For whatever reason Beal has yet to flash in a preseason game.

Jeremy Jarmon moving inside could create more space, or at least less competition on the ends, and that might help Beal.

Still, Beal will have to help himself with a few good plays.

Darcel McBath

Could another member of the ill-fated 2009 draft be on their way off the Broncos roster?

McBath has been outplayed thoroughly by Kyle McCarthy and Quinton Carter has gotten better with each game.

McBath has always been a solid special teams tackler but that talent alone may no longer be enough to keep him on the roster anymore.

Perrish Cox

There is really no doubt that the talent still exists in Perrish Cox. However, when all of the other NFL teams make their cuts there are going to be veteran cornerbacks ready for pick up.

What this means is that Cox needs to be very impressive in the game against Arizona to show the Broncos that his talent is worth keeping. Sadly, his off the field business may have created so much baggage that there is nothing he can do to remain a Bronco.