Projecting the Denver Broncos 53-man roster: Part 1

If I were in charge

The first decision to make is to break down the roster into numbers.  I want an even split on offense and defense giving us 25 players on each squad.  That leaves three spots open for the specialists (punter, kicker, long snapper).  For right now assume the return man will come from the offensive side of the ball.

Offense

2 QB: There is nothing worse than wasting a roster spot on someone who will be inactive each and every week.  Two is all you need and on my team Zac Dysert is the odd man out.

4 HB: I kept four and Hillman makes the cut because every other back on the roster seems to be from a similar mold.  You want "change of pace" and Hillman gives that to you albeit in somewhat disappointing fashion.  Bibbs is a reliable work horse that shows good vision and patience and should stick as a good rotational back competing for reps with CJ Anderson behind Montee Ball.

6 WR: First big surprise as I opted to take 6 to the active roster.  Burse will fill in as the return man.  I could have opted to keep 5 and send Andre Caldwell packing, but I think his familiarity in the system and his ability to play all three spots provides the Broncos with valuable insurance against injury to one of their big three.

4 TE: Since we have a plethora of pass catchers that cut into Jacob Tamme's skillset, I decide to save the Broncos 3 million in cap space to be rolled over to 2015 by making this cut.  While I expect this to be an unpopular decision, Dreessen when healthy is a far better all around TE.  This also allows me to bump a cheaper Robinson into the roll.  I could just as easily see Tamme stick if Dreessen fails to shake the injury bug.

9 OL: I've long contended that a rookie would have to win their role on the interior of the line in order to be a starter in 2014.  I do not think Mike Schofield has the experience yet to supplant either Franklin or Clark at right tackle.  As it stands, I project what I view as the best starting five into the lineup with both rookies at reserve spots.  I think Painter makes enough strides to stick.  Free agent Will Montgomery gives the Broncos a very versatile and talented lineup of reserves.

Defense

8 DL:  The only surprise here is that Marvin Austin supplants Mitch Unrein as the sub-package UT in the rotation.  Unrein is tough and works hard but to this point has notched zero sacks in his specialized role.  Marvin Austin is more talented and can be a better player if Del Rio can motivate him to play to his potential.

7 LB: This group will see an influx of talent, speed, and inexperience.  I could very easily see both Shaq Barrett and Lerentee McCray making the cut.  Both can be disruptive forces and should see extensive time on special teams.  As far as the Mike position, Irving gets 1st and 2nd down while 5th round draft pick gets 3rd.  From what I heard from minicamps, Barrow is very athletic and should be able to win the nickel role.  As far as Nelson beating out Brandon Marshall, he plays faster with more range.

10 DB: This was one of the most difficult position groups to project once we got to the last couple of spots.  In the end, I think Tony Carter is just good enough to win the last spot at corner.  He has a leg up on the competition with game experience and familiarity in Jack Del Rio's defense.  At safety, I don't think Quinton Carter will be able to come back from micro-fracture surgery and perform at the level he did in 2011.  Erig Hagg gives the Broncos some flexibility as he's played both free and strong safety.  He is a capable coverage man and would do a decent job in 3-4 safety subpackages matched up against a TE.  Odd man out is Omar Bolden.

It is very encouraging when the toughest decisions you have to make are at the 8th defensive line spot as well as the 5th S and 5th CB spot.

Special Teams

P Britton "easy money" Colquitt

K Matt "OMG I make how much?" Prater

LS Aaron "You wish you had my job" Brewer

What do you think Broncos Country?  Would you have done anything differently?

Tomorrow I'll bring you part 2 in which I project what the Denver Broncos will do.

GO BRONCOS!!!