The Denver Broncos have a loaded roster heading into the 2022 NFL season. Which players could be on the outside looking in?
After making a blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson back in March, the Denver Broncos have got to be feeling absolutely giddy about their roster heading into the truly “off” portion of the offseason.
General manager George Paton will have his work cut out for him cutting from a 90-player roster all the way down to 53, and some difficult decisions will have to be made.
The Broncos are very deep and talented. Teams will likely be lining up to snag some of these roster cuts off of waivers. Who are three Denver Broncos players that could be let go before Week 1 of the 2022 season?
Let’s take a look at a handful of names that may surprise.
Denver Broncos potential cut no. 3: Seth Williams, WR
As of right now, the Denver Broncos are absolutely loaded at the wide receiver position.
A lot of people really liked Seth Williams as a prospect throughout his years with the Auburn Tigers, but he was only a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft when all was said and done.
Despite having some day two potential, Williams’ inconsistencies dropped him to day three and the Denver Broncos brought him in.
He was on the team’s practice squad most of last year and could be practice squad-bound yet again in 2022.
With that said, the Broncos started protecting Williams late last season and ultimately called him up to the active roster.
They like his potential, but it’s a very crowded room.
He’s going to have to beat out guys like Kendall Hinton, Tyrie Cleveland, and Travis Fulgham if he’s going to make the roster in Denver this season.
Injuries happen and could pave the way for a role in Denver for Williams, but he’s certainly a cut or trade candidate at this point given how well some of the other guys have played during offseason activities for the Broncos, namely Kendall Hinton and Travis Fulgham.
Denver Broncos cut candidate no. 2: Malik Reed, EDGE
Since going undrafted in 2019, Malik Reed has really made a name for himself with the Denver Broncos.
He’s filled in as a starter in 2019 for an injured Bradley Chubb, in 2020 for an injured Von Miller, and again in 2021 for the injured Chubb and departed Miller.
Reed hasn’t really had the benefit of going into an offseason knowing he’ll be a starter, but he’s played relatively well when called upon even if he’s not an overly dynamic presence off the edge.
Still, after all that transpired in the 2022 offseason, it’s hard to determine where Reed fits on this roster among the edge group.
- Bradley Chubb
- Randy Gregory
- Nik Bonitto
- Baron Browning
- Jonathan Cooper
The Broncos have a plethora of young edge players right now and after prioritizing Nik Bonitto in the NFL Draft, Randy Gregory in free agency, and moving Baron Browning to the edge position, you can’t help but wonder what the future might hold for Malik Reed.
Now, I think he’s much more likely to be traded rather than be cut, but both possibilities are on the table at this point.
Reed would certainly be coveted by a variety of teams if the Denver Broncos would just cut him outright.
Denver Broncos cut candidate no. 1: Dalton Risner, LG
One of the strangest position groups on this Denver Broncos roster heading into training camp will be along the offensive line.
For the majority of OTAs, it sounds like the top offensive line — from left to right — was as follows:
- Garett Bolles, LT
- Dalton Risner, LG
- Lloyd Cushenberry III, C
- Quinn Meinerz, RG
- Calvin Anderson, RT
Although Risner is currently penciled into the starting lineup, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him as a cut or trade candidate entering a contract year.
The Broncos’ depth on the offensive line is intriguing because so many of the “backups” right now have starting experience or long-term starting potential.
Netane Muti, a sixth-round pick in 2020, has apparently been impressive this offseason and can work at either guard spot.
The Broncos restructured the contract of Graham Glasgow, who can play anywhere on the interior offensive line, to bring him back for another year.
Tom Compton and Billy Turner were signed in free agency and can give you starts at either tackle or guard.
There are just so many players right now on the offensive front and Risner has struggled some over the last two years.
He should be a better fit for the offense new head coach Nathaniel Hackett is installing, but you can’t help but wonder if a trade or some type of movement could be on the horizon for him with all of the additions the team has made in 2022.