Waiver Wire: Top 5 Pickups the Denver Broncos Need to Improve Depth in 2011

The Denver Broncos recently released/waived 27 players to get down to the 53-man roster for the regular season. So did the rest of NFL teams. With all of the roster moves that went on yesterday, there are now over 850 available young, talented football players searching for a new team.

The Broncos dismal season in 2010, second-worst in the league, has given them a prime position to pick up available young talent to increase depth and bolster their backups and reserve players to endure the bruising 16-game regular season schedule.

I have sorted through what is available and have come up with the top 10 waiver wire pickups the Broncos need to act on now.

Crezdon Butler, Cornerback

Crezdon Butler is a rising star who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is a second-year cornerback out of Clemson who received little action in his rookie season in Pittsburgh.

This offseason, his best game came in the Week 3 preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He made nine tackles and had a pick-six that he returned for 95 yards.

He is a speedy defensive back with a knack for the ball who could bolster a Denver Broncos team thin at the cornerback position.

Gartrell Johnson, Running Back

Gartrell Johnson is a bruising running back recently released by the Atlanta Falcons.

Johnson is a third-year running back out of Colorado State University. He saw playing time in each of the last two seasons in a limited role.

It was evident this offseason that the Falcons were headed in another direction when he received limited carries in preseason games.

He looks like the type of bruising back Fox's offense could add to contribute for the Broncos this season. He would complement the Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee tandem and be a change of pace back.

Marcus Harrison, Defensive Tackle

Marcus Harrison is huge defensive tackle released by the Chicago Bears.

Harrison is a fourth-year defensive lineman out of the University of Arkansas.

He has seen significant playing time in each of the past three seasons but only limited playing time this preseason. The defensive line is an area that still needs major work and a huge lineman like Harrison would add some depth.

Terrence Wheatley, Cornerback

Terrence Wheatley, a standout star for the Colorado Buffaloes during college, the four-year cornerback was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In his four seasons spread throughout the league, Wheatley hasn't really stuck on any specific team. He is now on the waiver wire and a stop back in Colorado might be just what he needs to rejuvenate his career.

Coming out of college, Wheatley was hoped to be a shutdown corner who could make big plays on defense. Wheatley is still trying to find his place in football. The Broncos might be just what he needs.

Branndon Braxton, Offensive Tackle

Branndon Braxton is a rookie offensive tackle with quickness who was released by the Cleveland Browns.

Braxton, a player out of Oklahoma, showed flashes of greatness during the preseason and would be a big addition for the Broncos to backup Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin. The Broncos are in need of depth to help out Clady and Franklin in case either befall injuries this season.

Braxton has good size and decent feet. He has a lot of raw talent which has yet to honed, the Broncos could train him up to do big things in 2011.

Braxton played the past two season with the Las Vegas Locomotives.