As much as people hate to admit it, roster cuts are part of every sports team. None more so than in the NFL. With every NFL team allowed to carry only 53 players on the roster, this annually leaves some players on the outside looking in. It’s never easy to see a veteran and your favorite team go their separate way, but that is the nature of the game. Whether it’s a failure to play up to draft potential or a burdensome contract, teams are forced to cut veterans every year.
Last year Kevin Vickerson was the surprise veteran cut. Who will it be this year?
After a rather successful college career, 30-year-old Andre Caldwell has failed to make a big enough jump in the NFL. Coming over to the Broncos from the Bengals in 2012, Caldwell was expected to be a quality third receiver, but this never materialized. He was used as a kick returner to not much success and his overall play was pedestrian. Last season, Caldwell was targeted 15 times and had 5 receptions for an average of 9.4 yards per catch. That is simply not going to cut it for a guy with a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing him the ball. Career totals of 9 touchdowns and 146 receptions make Caldwell a player that the Broncos may need to cut to offer fresh chances to younger receivers Cody Latimer and/or Jordan Norwood. And with Caldwell due $1.35 million for the upcoming year, is it time Denver goes in another direction?
Cornerback Tony Carter has never been able to take his game to the next level as hoped. The 29-year-old is mostly remembered for his costly error in the Broncos-Patriots game back in 2013 in which the Patriots would recover a fumble in OT off a punt and then kick the winning field goal. Carter was undrafted out of Florida State in 2009 and was picked up by the Broncos before having short stints with the Vikings and Patriots. Carter returned to the Broncos in 2011. Career totals of 44 tackles and three interceptions are not thoroughly impressive, but Carter has held on as a special teamer. However, when he has been called upon, Carter has occasionally done an admirable job and his on-field awareness is excellent – he already has two touchdowns from turnovers. All in all, Carter is a veteran guy who knows the NFL and could be helpful to young guys. With a team-friendly contract, would the Broncos really let Carter go?
23-year-old Ronnie Hillman is a very mysterious case. Drafted in 2012 by the Broncos, Hillman looked to be a swing-for-the-fences running back with breakout speed once in the open field. Unfortunately for Hillman, this never materialized and the following season Montee Ball was drafted. Last season Ball and Hillman both suffered injuries and C.J. Anderson took the whole NFL by storm. With the starting running back position firmly in Anderson’s hands, it will be a struggle for Hillman to get onto the field. Career totals for Hillman have him at 982 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Not great for a running back coming into his third full year. With Kapri Bibbs back with team for training camp, that gives Denver four running backs with three of them having been a starter at some point. Will the Broncos try and trade Hillman? Odds are that there will not be much value for Hillman because he has not impressed enough, but keeping a young guy who has had a taste of being a starter will only keep Hillman hungry for success. If he does stay in Denver, expect Hillman to be running with a point to prove when his opportunity comes.
Michael Schofield, an offensive tackle drafted by the Broncos in 2014 out of Michigan has not played a single down for the Broncos. The 24-year-old signed a four-year $2.75 million contract last June. With the offensive line issues that hampered Denver all last season, and now with Ryan Clady suffering an ACL injury during OTAs, the offensive line will need to be as good as it can be this season. This bodes well for the 6-foot-6 Schofield staying on the team because depth at the offensive line is something the Broncos severely lack. The more bodies the better when it comes the offensive line and protecting Peyton Manning, more importantly. Schofield needs to prove during training camp that he can play at an NFL level.
No one likes to see a guy get cut but that’s just like any job; you have to perform. The only difference is being cut in the NFL, everyone will hear about it. In the end, there is a case that can be made for each of these players to stay on the 53-team roster for the upcoming NFL season, as well as a case to send them on their way.
Head coach Gary Kubiak and his staff will take these decisions seriously, which adds to the intensity of training camp. Everyone should go in there with the mentality that their position on the team is not secure, this will bring out the best in the team.
Broncos fans want the best 53-man roster that will lead the team to Super Bowl 50.
So, which of these veterans will be cut before the season starts?
