The Denver Broncos are halfway through their preseason schedule and the regular season is just right around the corner. Here are five players who have found themselves on the roster bubble through this point during the preseason:
QB Paxton Lynch
Lynch was selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to be the successor to Peyton Manning, and suffice it to say that it has not worked out for Lynch and Broncos. Lynch has only started in five games for the Broncos, throwing for 792 YDS, 4 TD, 4 INT and has failed to beat out a seventh-round pick three times in Trevor Siemian (twice) and Chad Kelly, who was recently promoted to be the second-string quarterback over Lynch. On Saturday, Broncos’ fans booed Lynch when he entered the game against the Bears in the third quarter, and a separation between Lynch and the Broncos could be nearing.
WR Carlos Henderson
Henderson was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft and has yet to see the field for Denver. Henderson missed all of last season for the Broncos after being placed on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his left thumb, and has yet to report to training camp in 2018 due to a “personal matter”. The wide receiver room for the Broncos is crowded and head coach Vance Joseph made it known during OTAs earlier in the year that Henderson is on the roster bubble, saying, “He’s got to get back on the field if he wants to make this team.”
WR Isaiah McKenzie
McKenzie was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft and has had a nasty habit of fumbling the football ever since he entered the league. McKenzie fumbled six times returning punts last year and recently fumbled again late in the fourth quarter Saturday against the Bears. McKenzie’s quickness has certainly kept him on the roster to this point but with the ability of undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay to return punts, McKenzie may be on his way out of Denver.
CB Brendan Langley
Langley was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft and failed to make an impact for the team in his rookie year (3 TCKL, 0 PDef, 0 INT). Langley was only active in 11 games for the Broncos last year, and has looked lost in coverage. Langley is currently listed as the fifth-string cornerback for Denver on their depth chart and his time may be running out with the Broncos.
RB De’Angelo Henderson
Henderson was selected by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft and was mostly inactive for the Broncos all of last season. Henderson was only active for five games last year and is competing for a roster spot among a young and talented running back group. Henderson showed flashes in Week 17 last year against the Chiefs, but has failed to do anything significant during the preseason (7 ATT, 18 YDS). With the emergence of Lindsay, Henderson may be buried on the depth chart – or the Broncos may decide to part ways with him.