2015 Broncos Roster Predictions: Full 53-man roster projection

With Training Camp now over and the Broncos through two preseason games, we have an idea on who and who might not make the Broncos final 53 man roster. So let us take a look at how I believe the 53 man roster will shake out with everything we know now.

Here are my prior two roster predictions. Pre-Training Camp, and One week into Training Camp

Offense(25)

Quarterback(3): Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, and Trevor Siemian[3]

Thoughts:

Manning is your starter, and Osweiler is your backup. That's not going to change. The big question here is what to do with rookie quarterback Trevor Siemian.

Looking at Gary Kubiak's head coaching history, the last time he went with only two quarterbacks was back in 2008 when he only kept Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels. Since then he has always had three quarterbacks, so I believe he will continue that trend.

I believe they will keep three quarterbacks on the roster, and Siemian will be the emergency/third quarterback for the Broncos.

Zac Dysert is done with the Broncos.

Running backs(4): C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, Montee Ball, and Juwan Thompson[7]

Thoughts:

I still see us keeping four running backs. Anderson is still the starter, but after him is where the change is happening.

Running back Ronnie Hillman has gone from "are we going to trade him" to the 1B to C.J. Anderson in two weeks. He's is coming off two solid preseason performances, and a solid showing in Training Camp. He has earned this and figures to be an important part in the Broncos offense.

Ball is now competing for snaps with Juwan Thompson who outperformed him during their second preseason game against the Houston Texans. This will still be a fun battle to watch going forward.

Fullback(1): James Casey[8]

Thoughts:

James Casey will be your starting fullback and third tight end for the Broncos

I'm still a fan of Joe Don Duncan, but it's starting to look like he's destined to be a practice squad addition. He really hasn't been used as a tight end, and other tight ends are playing well.

The fact that Joe Don is strictly a fullback should help him stick on the Broncos practice squad.

Wide receiver(5): Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, and Andre Caldwell[13]

Thoughts:

We know Thomas, Sanders and Latimer are your top three receivers. The really questions begin after those three.

The last few weeks have been great for the young Bennie Fowler, and I believe he has earned himself a spot on the 53 man roster.

After Fowler, I had to go with Andre Caldwell. He's been getting playing time ahead of Jordan Norwood and the rest of the receivers. I still could see Norwood taking a spot for his special teams/return play, but right now I'm leaning towards Bubba.

Tight end(3): Owen Daniels, Virgil Green, and Marcel Jensen[16]

Thoughts:

Daniels and Green are locks for the Broncos, but the battle for the final tight end

I have liked what I have seen from the Marcel Jensen. He's a big target who moves well in the open field. Dominique Jones has also looked pretty good in the preseason, so as usual it will come down to special teams with these guys.

I still wouldn't rule out Kubiak moving on from both guys and adding a tight end from another team after final cuts. That man loves his tight ends.

Offensive tackles(4): Ty Sambrailo, Ryan Harris, Chris Clark, and Michael Schofield[20]

Thoughts:

Nothing has changed here. Sambrailo is your starter at left tackle, and Chris Clark is his backup. Ryan Harris is your starter at right tackle, and Schofield is your backup at right tackle.

I don't really see them only keeping 3 tackles, it just doesn't make sense. Clark is the only backup capable of playing LT, and I doubt they will move on from Schofield this early.

Guards(3): Louis Vasquez, Max Garcia, and Shelley Smith[23]

Vasquez and Garcia are your starters at guard. After that is where the fun/uncertainty begins.

I only see the Broncos keeping one reserve guard. I still believe they will lean towards keeping the veteran who can play both guard positions. I wouldn't be shocked if they kept Garland, Andre Davis, or cut all 3 and added someone after final cuts are made.

Center(2): Matt Paradis and Gino Gradkowski[25]

Thoughts:

Matt Paradis has taken the starting center job and hasn't looked back, which is promising. I still see Gino Gradkowski making the team. He would provide veteran experience behind Paradis, and he has experience in Kubiak's offense.

I would be shocked if Day made the team ahead of Gradkowski. That would give the Broncos two centers with 0 regular season experience heading into the season.

Day makes the Broncos practice squad.

Defense(25)

Defensive end(4): Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, Vance Walker, Kenny Anunike, Antonio Smith[29]

Thoughts:

I see the Broncos only keeping four defensive ends, even with Derek Wolfe serving a four-game suspension. Look for Vance Walker to step in and start for Derek Wolfe during those four games.

Antonio Smith and Kenny Anunike(should be healthy for the start of the season) will serve as depth behind Walker and Jackson.

Nose Tackle(3): Sylvester Williams, Darius Kilgo, and Sione Fua[32]

Thoughts:

After Marvin Austin Jr. was put on the season-ending Injured reserve this position became pretty easy to figure out. Sly is the starter for the Broncos, and the impressive rookie Darius Kilgo expects to see a decent amount of playing time while Wolfe is out.

Sione Fua cracks the roster until Derek Wolfe gets back I believe.

Outside Linebacker(4): Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray, and Shaq Barrett[36]

Thoughts:

The real big story here in Shaq Barrett. Heading into Training Camp it was believed that he would be on the outside looking in, but an injury to Lerentee McCray and a great summer has changed things.

Barrett has been arguably the Broncos best pass rusher throughout the preseason. Unless he suffers an injury in the next few weeks, he has a roster spot locked up for him.

Unfortunately, this means that Lerentee McCray will lose his roster spot.

Inside Linebacker(5): Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan, Todd Davis, Steven Johnson, and Zaire Anderson[41]

Thoughts:

This is probably the toughest position to figure out. Marshall, Trevathan, Davis and probably Johnson are expected to make the roster. With the injury concerns to Marshall and Trevathan, they may need depth behind him.

The big thing here will be special teams. That's why I leaned towards the UDFA rookie Zaire Anderson. He has been praised by coach Gary Kubiak a number of times during the summer and had a solid game this past weekend.

This is tough because Corey Nelson and Lamin Barrow would be on the outside looking in. Both could land on the practice squad, but would be subject to waivers first.

I believe we could potentially see a trade here. The Broncos have depth at the inside linebacker position.

Cornerback(5): Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, and Lorenzo Doss[46]

Thoughts:

This is another tough position to figure out. The top three corners are safe in my mind, and I think Webster is probably safe. After that, it's tough to predict.

I think Lorenzo Doss is safe because he's a rookie, but players like Curtis Marsh and Tony Carter could push for a roster spot. This is another spot where I could see a trade happening. A bit of depth and all 31 other teams are always looking for cornerback depth.

The final two preseason games will be key for these players.

Safety(4): T.J. Ward, Darien Stewart, David Bruton, and Omar Bolden[50]

Thoughts:

Nothing has changed here. Ward and Stewart are the Broncos starters, and Bolden and Bruton are the reserves. Rookie Josh Furman hasn't looked great, and no one else is pushing these four for their roster spots.

Probably the easiest positional group to figure out.

Special teams(3): Brandon McManus, Britton Colquitt, and Aaron Brewer[53]

Thoughts:

I hate the idea of keeping a kickoff specialist, and McManus has looked better as a kicker, so I could see them rolling with him. This battle is far from over.

It will be interesting to see what they do with Spencer Lanning. He had a couple good punts against the Texans, and he can kickoff. For now I see them going with Colquitt.