Every year, franchises receive a huge influx of talent. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, you can expect roughly half of a NFL team’s 90-man training camp roster to be composed of new blood.
Consequently, that means there’s going to be an outflux of talent, too.
NFL rosters turn over faster than any other sport, and guys who held prominent roles the year before could suddenly be riding the pine or off the team entirely.
With the majority of free agency now over, and with all of Denver’s draft selections in the building, let’s take a look at which veterans could be in danger of losing their job. For some, that may simply mean a demotion. For others, it means turn in your iPad and call your agent.
In no particular order, here are five Broncos whose jobs could be in jeopardy.
Britton Colquitt
Experience: 6 Years Cap Hit: $4 million
2015 Season: 43.6 yards/punt; 22 inside 20; 5 touchbacks
There’s a reason Britton Colquitt is the second-highest-paid punter in the league; he’s good. And while he may have had the worst regular season of his career, he was nails in the postseason, and with a Super Bowl ring on his finger, that’s all that matters.
That said, I’d be shocked if he’s still on the team come Week 1.
The Broncos didn’t just bring in a punter to compete this offseason; they drafted a punter to compete this offseason. Not only does that mean John Elway likes the kid, but it means that he liked him so much that he wasn’t willing to risk him signing with another franchise as an undrafted free agent.
With $4 million on the books for next season, the only way Colquitt makes the final roster is if he takes a significant pay cut (not impossible) or Riley Dixon completely craps the bed in training camp.
Ronnie Hillman
Experience: 4 Years Cap Hit: $2 million
2015 Stats: 863 rushing yards; 7 rushing touchdowns; 24 receptions; 11 receiving yards
The Broncos’ backfield is quickly getting crowded, and Ronnie Hillman looks to be the odd man out.
C.J. Anderson and his contract are clearly the Broncos’ top option, and while Hillman started 11 games for Denver last year, a good offseason could catapult Devontae Booker in front of the four-year veteran.
Reports are that the Broncos considered drafting Booker as high as the first round. Whether or not that’s true, Elway clearly likes the kid, and he’ll be given every opportunity to grab ahold of that No. 2/1B spot.
Hillman may have just received a new contract, but the Broncos would only be on the hook for $500,000 if they cut him before the start of the season. It’s not no inconceivable that they cut bait and eat the sunk cost.
Ty Sambrailo
Experience: 1 Year Cap Hit: $874,000
2015 Stats: Started 3 games at LT before missing the rest of the season with injury
Sambrailo was granted an amazing opportunity last season when he was gifted the Broncos starting left tackle gig coming out of training camp, but an injury-riddled rookie campaign may have thwarted his chances of being the long-term option.
The Broncos may have invested a second-round pick in Sambrailo, and Sambrailo may be a fairly good tackle, but Denver’s offensive line seems to be moving on without him. Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson look to be locks to start at tackle, as our Max Garcia and Matt Paradis at guard and center, respectively. Some had theorized that Sambrailo might be moved inside to guard, but with the selection of Connor McGovern, that might complicate things.
Sambrailo isn’t getting cut by any means, and he’ll be one heck of a backup, but his starting gig may be lost for the foreseeable future.
DeMarcus Ware
2015 Stats: 25 total tackles; 7.5 sacks; 1 forced fumble
Again, DeMarcus Ware isn’t getting cut, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this was the year he became more of a situational pass rusher and less of an every-down monster.
Remember, he’s 33 years old and he’s had reoccurring back issues; some time off might be a good thing.
Now, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a major factor on the Broncos defense. In fact, if Shane Ray steps in as the “starter,” and Ware comes in on third downs and passing situations, he may have more in the tank to give at the game’s most-important moments.
Plus, a lighter per-game workload might actually increase his season-long productivity; he can’t produce anything if he’s injured.
Virgil Green
Experience: 5 Years Cap Hit: $2.9 million
2015 Stats: 12 receptions; 173 receiving yards; 1 touchdown
Virgil Green is about to enter his sixth season in the NFL, and we’ve yet to see anything out of him that says he’s anything but a run-of-the-mill tight end.
As a receiver, he’s never caught more than 12 receptions in a season (last year), and as a blocker, he’s solid, not spectacular.
His biggest attribute, honestly, has been the ability to play a hybrid tight-end-full-back role for the Broncos. But with the selection of Andy Janovich, an actual full back, in the draft, they no longer need Green in that role.
And in terms of pass catching tight ends, he’s likely behind Jeff Heurman and Garrett Graham, if not Richard Gordon and Manasseh Garner, too.
Simply put, there may not be a role for Virgil Green on this team anymore.