Horse Tracks: Predicting the 53 man roster

Things could change before this article is published Saturday morning, but as of Friday night the Denver Broncos have yet to make any cuts to their roster. They currently stand at 75 players.

There have been some not so surprising rumors about running back Montee Ball being traded. I would expect him to be moved or cut sometime today.

Outside of that, who stays and who goes is unknown. So with that said, let me take one final shot at prediciting the Broncos 53 man roster.

Offense(25)

Position	Starters	Backups
Quarterback(3)	Peyton Manning	Brock Osweiler and Trevor Siemian
Running back(3)	C.J. Anderson	Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson
Fullback(1)	James Casey	N/A
Wide receiver(6)	Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders	Cody Latimer, Andre Caldwell, Jordon Norwood, and Bennie Fowler
Tight end(3)	Owen Daniels	Virgil Green and someone added via trade or waivers
Left tackle(2)	Ty Sambrailo	Another tackle added via trade or waivers
Left Guard(2)	Evan Mathis	Max Garcia
Center(2)	Matt Paradis	Gino Gradkowski
Right guard(1)	Louis Vasquez	N/A
Right tackle(2)	Ryan Harris	Michael Schofield

Thoughts:

• I have the Broncos trading or cutting Montee Ball. He just doesn't seem like the same back he was his rookie season.
• I have the Broncos only keep three running backs, for now. The talent at wide receiver is too deep and I think they will go with Fowler over Bibbs.
• I also see the Broncos adding one more tight end. They don't see too impressed with what they have after Daniels and Green. Look for the Broncos to add at least one more tight end this weekend.
• With Schofield struggling at left tackle I expect the Broncos to add a capable backup to the rookie Sambrailo.

Defense(27)

Position	Starter	Backup
Left defensive end(3)	Derek Wolfe	Vance Walker, and a player added via waivers/trade
Nose Tackle(3)	Slyvester Williams	Darius Kilgo, and Sione Fua
Right defensive end(3)	Malik Jackson	Antonio Smith, and Kenny Anunike
Strong side linebacker(2)	Von Miller	Shaq Barrett
Inside linebacker(5)	Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan	Todd Davis, Corey Nelson, and Zaire Anderson
Weak side linebacker(2)	DeMarcus Ware	Shane Ray
Cornerback(5)	Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib	Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, and Lorenzo Doss
Free Safety(2)	Darian Stewart	Omar Bolden
Strong Safety(2)	T.J. Ward	David Bruton

Thoughts:

• I have the Broncos trading Steven Johnson. Elway has said he was looking to move a linebacker, and I could see Elway moving him. This would allow the Broncos to keep two youngsters. Those two being Corey Nelson and Zaire Anderson.
• I have 27 players making it on defense because Derek Wolfe and T.J. Ward are serving suspensions.

Special Teams(3)

Position	Starter	Backup
Kicker	Brandon McManus	N/A
Punter	Britton Colquitt	N/A
Long snapper	Aaron Brewer	N/A

Horse Tracks:

Darnell Dockett released by San Francisco 49ers - NFL.com
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Tom Brady issues statement, is grateful to be playing - NFL.com
A day after his four-game NFL suspension was nullified by a judge, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady issued a statement, saying the controversy has not been good for the sport.

Matt Barkley traded to Arizona Cardinals - NFL.com
Matt Barkley is headed to the desert. The Arizona Cardinals have traded for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, according to Ian Rapoport. Will the move open up a roster spot for Tim Tebow?

Tim Tebow finishes preseason with solid effort - NFL.com
Tim Tebow finished his preseason in typical Tebowian fashion. He made some exciting plays and also produced some confounding ones. Will he earn a roster spot in Philadelphia?

Sio Moore traded by Raiders to Colts for draft pick - NFL.com
The Oakland Raiders traded Sio Moore to the Indianapolis Colts on Friday in exchange for a late-round draft pick. Will he be a better fit in the Colts' defensive scheme?

Christian Ponder set to be cut or traded by Raiders - NFL.com
Christian Ponder won't find a home in Oakland this season. The Raiders are planning to cut or trade the fifth-year quarterback on Saturday, according to Ian Rapoport.

Cassel: Bills indicate they'll keep three quarterbacks - NFL.com
Amid whispers that Buffalo could release Matt Cassel, the veteran passer hinted otherwise, saying that "every indication was made that we're probably gonna keep three quarterbacks."

Bills cut IK Enemkpali, known for punching Geno Smith - NFL.com
The Bills have released outside linebacker IK Enemkpali, who's best known for being cut by the Jets following his locker-room punching of Geno Smith.

Titans trade Andy Levitre to Atlanta Falcons - NFL.com
Andy Levitre is heading south. The Tennessee Titans guard was traded to the Atlanta Falcons on Friday. Will this move pay off for Kyle Shanahan's offense?

Atlanta Falcons season preview: Quinn takes the reins - NFL.com
Dan Quinn's hiring in the offseason has turned around the fate of the Falcons franchise. Can the young coach inspire a resurgent season out of Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense?

Dolphins cut veteran QB Josh Freeman - NFL.com
This could be it for Josh Freeman. The Miami Dolphins on Friday released the veteran quarterback who was fighting for one more shot at an NFL career, per NFL Media Insider's Ian Rapoport.

Steelers were hoping for Tom Brady in season opener - NFL.com
Pittsburgh didn't want to face off against Jimmy Garoppolo. It didn't want any excuses for a season-opening victory. Will the Steelers regret wishing Tom Brady's return into fruition?

Giants trade for Brad Wing, cut Steve Weatherford - NFL.com
Giants coach Tom Coughlin is going into the season without a lot of help at safety. He's also heading into this weekend without a proven punter, following the release of Steve Weatherford.

Buccaneers send Da'Quan Bowers packing - NFL.com
The Da'Quan Bowers experiment is over in Tampa Bay. The defensive lineman confirmed Friday that he's been released by the team after four underwhelming seasons with the Bucs.

Super Bowl 50 predictions: Packers, Colts among picks - NFL.com
Will a rising young star in the Colts' Andrew Luck knock off a quarterback at the height of his powers in the Packers' Aaron Rodgers? Our analysts pick the winners of Super Bowl 50.

Seattle Seahawks, Fred Jackson agree to one-year deal
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with free-agent running back Fred Jackson on a one-year deal, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

NFL owners to discuss Roger Goodell's role in player discipline
NFL owners plan to talk about possibly changing commissioner Roger Goodell's role in the disciplining of players, the Washington Post is reporting.

Fan who named brain tumor 'Aaron Rodgers' will be Chicago Bears' guest at season opener
A young Chicago Bears fan who named his brain tumor after Aaron Rodgers will get to attend the season opener against the Packers on Sept. 13 at Soldier Field, courtesy of his favorite team.

McDaniels says Brady suspension never affected preparation | ProFootballTalk
Shortly after Tom Brady was suspended, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels vowed that any looming suspension wouldn't affect how the offense prepared. Now that Brady has had his suspension rescinded, McDaniels says the Patriots never allowed it to become an issue.

Reports: Seahawks trying to trade Christine Michael; Robert Turbin to be waived/injured | ProFootballTalk
The running back group for the Seattle Seahawks  appears to be undergoing a serious overhaul. Marshawn Lynch is firmly set as the team's starter, but the players behind him on the depth chart seem to be changing.

Patriots work out DE Lawrence Okoye | ProFootballTalk
The Patriots worked out nine players Friday, per a league source, including defensive end Lawrence Okoye. Cut by the 49ers earlier this week, Okoye is a former Olympic discus thrower and rugby player from England.