Welcome to cut season, Broncos fans.
With four games done, the Denver Broncos are already looking to start to trim down their roster. Defensive lineman Zach Kerr and linebacker Dekoda Watson were each cut the Broncos confirmed Monday morning.
Both cuts were surprising for various reasons.
On the defensive line, Denver’s depth is suspect at best, especially on the inside. After Domata Peko left, it meant rising star Shelby Harris has to step up and step into that spot full-time. Behind him, the main backup at defensive tackle was the beefy Kerr, who stands at 6’2″ and 334 pounds. Harris is a versatile defensive tackle, able to rush the passer, stop the run and even pick off passes, but he’s a shocking 44 pounds smaller than Kerr.
Kerr’s massive size allowed him to step in as the run-stuffer, but apparently the Broncos believe in the play of Mike Purcell, who’s a 300-pounder himself.
As for Watson, the move is somewhat less surprising considering the Broncos’ incredible depth at outside linebacker. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb are holding down the first-team spots, of course, and the Broncos are happy with the play of rookie Justin Hollins as well as Malik Reed.
Reed has been one of the darlings of camp and the preseason for the Broncos, but Watson also impressed greatly, specifically in Game 2 of the preseason. In that game, he was the Broncos best defender, enjoying two tackles and a sack.
There was some hope Watson could move over to inside linebacker, where Denver is extremely thin and now looking for help due to Todd Davis’ injury, but that didn’t pan out.
The Broncos now look to sign a veteran to play ILB and it will be interesting what other position they address with the other hole open.
Kerr and Watson were likely cut at this point in the preseason to give them each a chance to make another roster. Don’t be surprised if they both do.
