Saturday’s preseason finale will feature the Denver Broncos playing their starters somewhat in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints starters. While the starters’ focus will be on looking efficient in the limited sample size they’ll play, we’ll have our eyes on three specific players throughout the course of the game.
Denver Broncos players to watch vs. New Orleans Saints
With kickoff slated for 11:00 a.m. MT on KTVD-20, here are three names to watch for the Denver Broncos. Two defensive players will come under the microscope, while one offensive player could be the name to watch at wide receiver if Denver keeps six players on the 53-man roster next week.
Jordan Miller, Nose Tackle
The Broncos might have a developmental gem on their hands with nose tackle Jordan Miller. After spending 2024 on the Broncos’ practice squad, Miller has been one of the standouts in training camp and in the preseason, but hasn’t gotten enough recognition.
Statistically, nose tackles aren’t going to have big, eye-popping numbers, and their impact is often not recognized in the stat sheet. Miller has played the A-gap, 1-technique role stoutly this offseason and was someone who stood out in last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Look for him to command some double teams, which will hopefully allow Denver’s linebackers to fill gaps and shoot into the backfield for some TFL opportunities, as well as the Broncos’ combination of outside linebackers containing the edge.
Joaquin Davis, Wide Receiver
After the Denver Broncos made the decision to trade Devaughn Vele to the Saints, Joaquin Davis has a chance to secure a potential sixth spot at wide receiver on the 53-man roster.
Sean Payton alluded to the idea of carrying a sixth receiver after Thursday’s practice, and ultimately, the numbers game at other positions will determine whether or not the Broncos can bring him up.
Davis’s size, elite-level speed, strong hands, and physicality have been fun traits to watch all throughout training camp, and while we haven’t seen him catch a ton of passes in the preseason, he’s a standout for a handful of scouts who have watched the Broncos over the last two weeks.
He’s got a stronger case right now than Courtney Jackson, because of his size capability and fitting the mold for what Payton typically prefers with his wideouts with his size factor.
Jordan Turner, Inside Linebacker
Jordan Turner is our final player to watch for the Denver Broncos on Saturday. Coming off of an impressive 1.5 sack game against the Cardinals, Turner has seemingly picked up the defensive scheme quickly, dating back to his initial tryout at rookie minicamp.
He’s also an explosive, downhill blitzer and could be the perfect security blanket at the inside linebacker position considering the recent injuries to Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw, but more importantly, a depth add with Drew Sanders out for the foreseeable future.
I’d expect Vance Joseph to send Turner quite a bit when he looks to blitz Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, or Jake Haener. He could make a case to be the fifth linebacker at ILB, or Denver could try and sneak him through the waiver wire.