Roster spots are usually hard to come by on a team coming off a Super Bowl win. The 2016 Denver Broncos only have a handful of slots on the final 53 up for grabs after two weeks of preseason football. They may have no idea who is going to start at quarterback, but through two exhibition games it’s becoming clear at several positions who will still be on the roster come Sept. 8.
In a 31-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night in Denver, the Broncos saw good things from Zaire Anderson, Britton Colquitt and Jordan Taylor. It was a rough night for Kalif Raymond and Bralon Addison, among others.
Here’s a quick look at several (but not all) guys on the bubble, how they performed on Saturday vs. San Fran, and what folks were saying about them on Twitter as a result.
Bralon Addison
The undrafted rookie receiver/returner from Oregon needs to make a big preseason play in order to make the roster. He tried on Saturday, but came up empty. He was two for four in hauling in targets from Paxton Lynch with a long of nine yards. He dropped one catchable pass and was the intended receiver on the game-ending interception. On punt return duty he was clearly trying to be a spark. He made a questionable return attempt and ended up muffing the punt.
Addison is trying to make this team, but that's not an excuse to be stupid. Coaches would rather see a safe return than that nonsense.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) August 21, 2016
Wasn't perfect, but Bralon Addison has to catch that ball if he wants to make the team.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2016
Zaire Anderson
Anderson spent all of last season on Denver’s practice squad. He’s listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Todd Davis at ILB and he all but locked up that spot with his performance Saturday. He registered two tackles and two forced fumbles.
Zaire Anderson's second forced fumble of the game. #Broncos
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) August 21, 2016
Kapri Bibbs
Bibbs is hoping to make a permanent move from the practice squad to the active roster. (He was back-and-forth last year – his second year in the league). He was listed fourth on the depth chart with no one ahead of him at No. 3, but after last night it looked like he and Ronnie Hillman are neck-and-neck for that third spot.
Devontae Booker was elevated into #Broncos No. 2 back role last night. Ronnie Hillman now trying to hold off Kapri Bibbs for No. 3 job.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) August 21, 2016
Kapri Bibbs hit the right corner for 16 yards. Good run. Next play, Paxton Lynch throws his first NFL (preseason) TD to John Phillips.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2016
FWIW, on that last @broncos TD drive, Kapri Bibbs w/nice pass protection that allowed Lynch to break free for long gain. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016
Britton Colquitt
The eighth-year punter is the longest-tenured Bronco and the fifth-highest-paid punter in the league. Denver drafted rookie Riley Dixon in the seventh round hoping he’d beat out Colquitt, who seemed inconsistent at times last season, although not in the playoffs. Two of his three kicks on Saturday were impressive; the third left something to be desired.
Britton Colquitt's first punt is a 47-yarder with no return from #49ers thanks to Kayvon Webster & Will Parks #broncos
— Mic DePinto (@c_rasta5) August 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/767176945087815681
Riley Dixon
The aforementioned Dixon went the opposite direction as Colquitt, struggling in his first two attempts but getting redemption in his third. His first two kicks went for less than 40 yards, but a 51-yard boomer on his last try helped level out his average. Only one punt was downed inside the 20 though. Dixon was also the holder for all four kick attempts. Last week Brandon McManus struggled; this week he was successful on one field goal and three PATs.
Riley Dixon having a rough night punting for @Broncos—2 shorties for 35 yd avg. While BColquitt has been stellar—2 inside 20 #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016
Ronnie Hillman
Hillman signed a one-year, $2 million contract this offseason, but the fifth-year running back is by no means a lock to make this roster. He’s listed on the depth chart in a tie with rookie Devontae Booker at No. 2, but played with the threes Saturday and didn’t do too much to separate himself from Bibbs.
Ronnie Hillman returning kicks? Well, well. And, by the way, he looked better doing it than either KRaymond or Baddison tonight. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016
Henry Krieger-Coble
The undrafted rookie is buried deep behind two other tight ends, but a strong week of practice led to increased chances in the game. He had three receptions for 30 yards, turning at least one head in the process. John Phillips, who had two catches, and Garrett Graham, who didn’t play in the game, might be at risk of being leap-frogged.
What a catch by Henry Krieger-Coble!
— Predominantly Orange (@PredomOrange) August 21, 2016
Cody Latimer
Latimer had a strong showing against the Bears in Preseason Week 1, but took a bit of a step back against the 49ers. He caught just two of his targets and dropped back-to-back passes from Trevor Siemian. He took a questionable pass interference penalty in the end zone, but had a nice 24-yard catch and run from Mark Sanchez – Denver’s longest (non-penalty assisted) play of the day. With Bennie Fowler out with injury, Latimer has a new cushion, but he didn’t wow in this one like he did last week.
Siemian follows pick six drive with two incompletions. Latimer should have caught last pass.. #Broncos. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 21, 2016
Kalif Raymond
Much like Addison, Raymond needed to make big plays to make the roster. The pint-sized speedster from Holy Cross had every opportunity, being allowed to take kicks and punts for returns that ordinarily would / should have been downed. His two punt returns netted -2 yards and his 24-yard average kick returns are deceptive because they mostly came from deep in his own end zone. On offense he had one catch for zero yards
Not a good change of direction by Raymond … engulfed at the DEN 10.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Kalif Raymond is another guy the media has raved about during camp. He's been a disaster returning kicks tonight. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) August 21, 2016
Jordan Taylor
Taylor had three catches for 36 yards on the night, the highest total among true wide receivers. (Tight end Virgil Green led all receivers with 57 yards.) Taylor showed off the athleticism that’s made him very popular at training camp, seemingly all but locking up the sixth and final wide receiver spot.
Love me some JordanTaylor. That play made because Taylor has the size and athletic ability to shield the defender & go up & get it. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016
Dekoda Watson
Watson is currently behind Von Miller and Shaq Barrett on the depth chart and probably won’t be jumping either of them any time soon, but with DeMarcus Ware’s health still a big question mark, there’s a good chance they’ll stack depth at OLB. Watson had a forced fumble Saturday night and heard his name called several times on special teams.
Talked to Dekoda Watson earlier this week. He said the key to him making the roster would be "consistency." He's getting exactly thatZ
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) August 21, 2016
Dekoda Watson and Justin Simmons, two guys who just keep making plays, were there at the goal line. Watson credited with the FF.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016