After suffering a season-ending ACL injury in training camp last year, the Denver Broncos have released running back Damarea Crockett and signed former CSU-Pueblo WR and Cherry Creek high school standout Nick Williams to their 90-man roster.
Denver Broncos make roster move on Monday
The Broncos announced the transaction on Monday afternoon, but here is a further look into the decision.
As it currently stands, the Broncos have six running backs on their current roster as the team continues to progress through organized team activities. Crockett would have been the seventh on the roster but with Javonte Williams continuing to ramp things up in his return following an ACL injury, Sean Payton and running backs coach Lou Ayeni are proceeding forward.
Crockett isn’t the only running back who the team moved on from in the last week as Denver released Tyreik McAllister to make room for new kicker Elliott Fry. Prior to his injury in training camp, Crockett was putting together an impressive campaign that had created some momentum for him to make the roster as the team’s third rusher behind Williams and former Bronco Melvin Gordon.
In 2021 he appeared in 12 games for the Broncos, contributing mainly on special teams, but saw limited action on offense — having three rushing attempts for seven yards. There is still a chance Crockett returns if he clears waivers and the team looks to make another corresponding roster move.
Former Cherry Creek, CSU-Pueblo standout gets chance with the Broncos
Several weeks ago the Denver Broncos held their rookie minicamp that granted draft picks, one-year accrual players, and undrafted rookie free agents the opportunity to compete and try out for the team.
A former Cherry Creek High School product, wide receiver Nick Williams will get the chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp and the NFL Preseason. He was one of the many players in attendance for rookie minicamp and made a solid enough impression to sign onto the roster.
Williams played for Broncos play-by-play voice Dave Logan during his high school days. He spent five years at CSU-Pueblo where he redshirted in his first season. As a red-shirt freshman, he played in 12 games during 2018 and caught his first career touchdown in Week 7 against Colorado Mesa University where he also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play.
As a sophomore, he led CSU-Pueblo in receiving touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. The team did not play the following season due to the COVID pandemic, but he returned in 2021 where he finished with 48 catches for 599 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
In 2022, Williams transferred to UNLV where he finished his collegiate career. As a Rebel, he hauled in 28 receptions for 435 yards and two touchdowns. At 6’4 220lbs, his overall size adds some more depth to the Broncos wide receiver room that currently features 12 other players including star wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick.
He joins new wide receivers coach Keary Colbert in the room and will have every opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster throughout training camp and the NFL preseason where he’ll get the chance to showcase what he can do. Could he be the next hometown story to make the Broncos?
Williams will need to make a significant impression in order to make the active roster, but head coach Sean Payton has emphasized that it’s not about the path they took to get to the roster, it’s about what they do with the opportunity now that they made it. With a position room so deep heading into camp, every rep and opportunity will be imperative for Williams to stand out and make a name for himself.
Other receivers who have similar size as Williams on the roster feature Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Tim Patrick, and Courtland Sutton. It will be interesting to see what role he plays at the position whether it’s specifically at X or if he plays in the slot or at Z.
