Broncos Training Camp 2015: Pre-Training Camp depth chart prediction

With the Denver Broncos only a day away from reporting for Training Camp, I decided to take a shot at predicting the Denver Broncos final 53-man roster.

This pre-training camp edition is my current perception for how things will go, but it could change drastically over the next couple of weeks based on reports from training camp and performances in the preseason games.

Offense: 25

Quarterback(2):

Who makes it: Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler

Who gets cut: Zac Dysert and Trevor Siemian

Depth Chart: 1. Peyton Manning 2. Brock Osweiler

Thoughts:

Obviously Peyton Manning is your starter, and Brock Osweiler is your backup/quarterback of the future. That's the easy part. The real competition comes down to the third quarterback spot.

I see the Broncos only keeping two on the 53 man roster, but the third one will have a spot on the 10-man Practice Squad. That spot will go to either Zac Dysert or rookie Trevor Siemian.

Running backs(4):

Who makes it: C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball, Juwan Thompson, and Ronnie Hillman

Who gets cut: Kapri Bibbs and Jeremy Stewart

Depth Chart: 1. C.J. Anderson 2. Montee Ball 3. Juwan Thompson 4. Ronnie Hillman

Thoughts:

This was a stuff one for me. I could see them going with three running backs, but I had no idea who to cut so I stuck with four. Those four being Anderson, Ball, Thompson and Hillman.

I could see Bibbs taking that fourth spot if there's an injury and they keep four backs.

Somewhat of a bold prediction here. If the Broncos running backs stay healthy through camp and the preseason, I could see one(possibly Ronnie Hillman) be traded.

Fullback:(1)

Who makes it: James Casey

Who gets cut: Joe Don Duncan

Depth Chart: 1. James Casey

Thoughts:

Pretty simple here. Casey is a lock to make the team.

I am interested to see what Joe Don can do. I think he has an outside shot at taking fourth tight end spot but will need to perform well during the summer.

Duncan probably ends up on the Practice Squad.

Wide receiver(5):

Who makes it: Demaryius Thomas, Cody Latimer, Emmanuel Sanders, Jordan Norwood, and Jordan Taylor

Who gets cut: Andre Caldwell, Isaiah Burse, Bennie Fowler, Nathan Palmer, Solomon Patton, and Kyle Williams

Depth Chart: 1. Demaryius Thomas 2. Emmanuel Sanders 3. Cody Latimer 4. Jordan Norwood, 5. Jordan Taylor

Thoughts:

Thomas, Sanders, and Latimer are locks to make the team, and that's not a surprise. The real competition begins at the 4th and 5th receiver spot.

Norwood was on his way to making the team last year before suffering an ACL injury. If he can stay healthy I think he can do it again. His role on special teams will give him the edge other his competition as well.

For the fifth spot, I went with the rookie Jordan Taylor. I like his and ability. Look for him to have a good camp and preseason.

Look for Andre Cadwell, Bennie Fowler, Nathan Palmer, and Isaiah Burse to push for a roster spot as well.

Tight end(3):

Who makes it: Virgil Green, Owen Daniels, and Marcel Jensen

Who gets cut: Dominique Jones and Jeff Heuerman(IR'd)

Depth Chart: 1. Virgil Green 2. Owen Daniels 3. James Casey 4. Marcel Jensen

Thoughts:

I see Virgil Green taking the starting tight end position over veteran Owen Daniels. His blocking skills will always help him see playing time in this offense, but I think we'll see him step up in the passing game.

Daniels will take over as the number two tight end in this offense who will see plenty of playing time. I think he will become Peyton Manning's safety blanket this season.

James Casey will serve as the Broncos fullback and third tight end/blocking specialist and Marcel Jensen's size and blocking ability should give him the upper hand over Jones. That will be a fun battle to watch during camp.

Offensive tackle(4):

Who makes it: Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield, Chris Clark and Ryan Harris

Who gets cut: Kyle Roberts and Connor Rains

Depth Chart: LT: 1. Ty Sambrailo 2. Chris Clark RT: 1. Ryan Harris 2. Michael Schofield

Thoughts:

This battle will be biggest and most important one to watch during camp. Right now Sambrailo is the starting left tackle, but any rookie struggles could make Chris Clark the left tackle. If both struggle? Who knows.

As for right tackle I think Ryan Harris is the guy. He had a decent season for the Chiefs last season and should give the Broncos some stability at right tackle. The intriguing name here is Schofield.

Kyle Roberts or Connor Rains could push for a roster spot, but as of now they're on the outside looking in.

Guards(4):

Who makes it: Louis Vasquez, Ben Garland, Shelley Smith and Max Garcia

Who gets cut: Andre Davis

Depth Chart: LG: 1. Ben Garland 2. Shelley RG: 1. Louis Vasquez 2. Max Garcia

Thoughts:

The easy part here will be Vasquez. He's the right guard. Left guard will be a fun battle to watch. The favorite for that job appears to be Ben Garland, but that could change in the coming weeks.

Garcia will be Vasquez's backup at right guard, and look for Shelley to backup Ben Garland at left guard.

I'd expect Andre Davis to find a spot on the Practice Squad.

Center(2):

Who makes it: Gino Gradkowski and Matt Paradis

Who gets cut: Dillon Day

Depth Chart: 1. Gino Gradkowski 2. Matt Paradis

Thoughts:

This position could and probably change drastically in the coming weeks. All three centers have a shot to start, be cut, or be the backup. There's also the possibility that the Broncos decide to sign veteran Chris Myers to be their center.

So take your pick, the guy who was graded to be the worse starting center in the league, a guy who was on the practice squad last year, or an undrafted rookie?

I really hope someone steps up here.

(Defense 26)

Defensive end(5)

Who makes it: Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, Vance Walker, Antonio Smith, and Kenny Anunike

Who gets cut: Josh Watson

Depth Chart: LDE: 1. Derek Wolfe 2. Vance Walker 3. Kenny Anunike RDE: 1. Malik Jackson 2. Antonio Smith 3. Kenny Anunike

Thoughts:

No surprises here.

The only surprise I could project here is Kenny Anunike passing Vance Walker or Antonio Smith on the Depth Chart. He will be a fun guy to watch in the coming weeks.

Right now It looks like Vance Walker will replace Wolfe in the starting lineup

I'd expect Watson to possibly land on the team's Practice Squad

Nose Tackle(3):

Who makes it: Sylvester Williams, Marvin Austin, and Darius Kilgo

Who gets cut: Chuka Ndulue

Depth Chart: 1. Sylvester Williams 2. Marvin Austin 3. Darius Kilgo

Thoughts:

Again, nothing surprising here. Williams and Austin will be fighting for the starting spot, and I'd expect Williams to win it.

Kilgo gets the roster spot because of Wolfe's suspension. He needs to have a strong summer.

Outside Linebacker(4)

Who makes it: Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray, and Lerentee McCray

Who gets cut: Shaq Barrett, Danny Mason, Chase Vaughn and Gerald Rivers

Depth Chart: ROLB: 1. DeMarcus Ware 2. Shane Ray LOLB: 1. Von Miller 2. Lerentee McCray 3

Thoughts:

Once again, no big surprises here. Miller and Ware are your starters, and Ray and McCray are your backups.

It was tough keeping Barrett off the roster, but he will have a spot on the practice squad.

Inside Linebacker(5):

Who makes it: Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan, Todd Davis, Steven Johnson and Lamin Barrow

Who gets cut: Corey Nelson, Zaire Anderson, and Reggie Walker

Depth Chart: RILB: 1. Brandon Marshall 2. Lamin Barrow LILB: 1. Danny Trevathan 2. Todd Davis 3. Steven Johnson

Thoughts

With both Marshall and Trevathan's health up in the air right now, I decided to keep five linebackers. I think Lamin Barrow could step up his game this year, and Todd Davis will pushing for a starting job.

Corey Nelson and Steven Johnson will be fighting for that final spot

Cornerback(5)

Who makes it: Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, and Lorenzo Doss

Who gets cut: Tony Carter, Curtis Marsh, Tevrin Brandon, and Taurean Nixon,

Depth Chart 1. Chris Harris Jr. 2. Aqib Talib 3. Bradley Roby 4. Kayvon Webster 5. Lorenzo Doss

Thoughts:

I'd don't see a ton of competition going on here. The top three are locked in, and I'd be surprised if Webster or Doss didn't make the roster.

Safety(4):

Who makes it: T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, David Bruton, and Omar Bolden

Who gets cut: Ross Madison, Josh Bush, and Josh Furman

Depth Chart: FS: 1. Darian Stewart 2. Omar Bolden SS. 1. T.J. Ward 2. David Bruton

Special Teams(3):

Who makes it: Connor Barth(K), Britton Colquitt(P), and Aaron Brewer(LS)

Who gets cut: Brandon McManus and Karl Schmitz

Thoughts:

Lots of competition here. Right now I'm playing it safe and going with the veterans Barth and Colquitt over the new guys.