Broncos roster 2015: Josh Bush

A day-by-day Broncos player breakdown is something we've been doing since our days at BroncoTalk nearly a decade ago. This year the tradition continues as we look at the Denver Broncos roster heading into the 2015 season in our 90-in-90 series.

Name: Josh Bush
Position: Safety
Height: 5'11    Weight: 205
Age: 26    Experience: 4
College: Wake Forest

Josh Bush isn't a familiar name to many in Broncos country, but he has had his fair share of battles on the NFL gridiron since coming into the league in 2012. He was picked up early in the season by Denver after being released from the New York Jets.

His journey with the Broncos began on the practice squad before seeing regular season action late in the year in two games with the team. Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Bush has more experience than a majority of the youngsters in the Broncos defensive back field, but faces a similar situation to Ross Madison (whom I had covered earlier in our 90-in-90 segments) and is a long shot to make the final roster. Nevertheless, he does deserves an analysis from us at Mile High Report.

The good: Bush is a gifted athlete who also flourished in his youth on the baseball diamond.  He has above-average size for the position and timed in the low 4.5's, demonstrating good speed for a safety. Had three years of starting experience for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and earned All-ACC honors as a senior registering 59 tackles, 6 interceptions and 5 pass break-ups. A prospect of progression and improved every year in college.

Additionally, Bush possesses sound fundamentals and instincts and always seemed to come up with a big play in coverage in college when it mattered the most. He offers positional flexibility and was converted from corner to safety in the latter stages of his collegiate career and excelled in slot coverage assignments during his time at Wake Forest.

The bad: Was drafted in the sixth-round by the New York Jets in 2012 and played 35 games for them before losing his roster spot and subsequently being released from the team. A classic case of a productive college player who has failed to impress or earn a role in the NFL, whether it be a mainstay on special teams or a sub-package defender.  Has a tendency to over pursue responsibilities on the field and isn't the most fluid in his backpedal. Faces stiff competition at the safety spot and is not eligible for the practice squad. Will likely never amount to more than a journeyman in the NFL and has yet to earn a start four years into his career.

Quotable: An in-depth interview with Bush from the Denver Post can be found here.

Status: Bush has the experience rookies and second year players on the Broncos roster lack, but undoubtedly has the deck stacked against him and will be fighting for position against players who were hand-picked draft selections of Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway. His versatility as a corner and safety will help his cause, but the Broncos will likely look to fourth year player Omar Bolden to fit that role in their defensive backfield. Alas, the NFL is full of surprises and there is no question that Bush will give it his all in order to keep his dream of playing in the NFL alive.