With the Broncos investment in the offensive line this season it looks extremely likely that 6 players are locks for the current roster. Lloyd Cushenberry and Graham Glasgow will don orange and blue for the first time this season while Dalton Risner and Jawuan James were brought in during Mike Munchak’s first offseason. While both Garett Bolles are and Elijah Wilkson have plenty to prove, both are too experienced on the edge to let loose now.

Even with a pretty clear picture for the Gameday roster, chances are the Broncos will carry between 8 to 10 players on the roster, which means there’s room to compete.

Could Tyler Jones emerge from the fire?

Tyler Jones’ profile

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 306 lbs
Age: 24 years old
Experience: 1

Jones entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets. He was cut before the 2019 season. The Broncos signed him to their practice squad in August of last year.

The Good

Versatility is the name of the game for backup line spots. Limited roster spots generally means a team needs two or maybe three players who can log snaps at five positions in a pinch.

With longer arms than his height suggests, Jones could feasibly earn a couple looks along the edge as well as the interior. He has the kind of athletic tools to work on the lead pulls Munchak asks from his guards.

The Bad

The Broncos decision to spend a lot of resources along the interior line and the return of James, Wilkinson, and Bolles means Jones is in a rather crowded room. If Netane Muti is healthy there will be close to no extra reps because of the shortened preseason. That increases the pressure Jones has to come off of Zoom meetings ready to handle the mental burden of a new coordinators system. Additionally, he needed to get stronger from a year ago and didn’t have access to team facilities during the height of the reaction to COVID-19.

Tyler Jones’ roster status with the Broncos

It’s going to be tight because the Broncos have a lot of questions at tackle. Bolles had his fifth year option turned down. Elijah Wilkinson is playing out a restricted tender. JaWuan James most of last year and there’s a potential out in 2021 if he doesn’t deliver. All the uncertainty means finding a potential developmental player outside is a priority. If so, Jones will need to prove he’s a better option than Jake Rodgers, Hunter Watts, Calvin Anderson, and Quinn Bailey or so good inside they can’t risk losing him.