Getting snaps and earning roles is tough given the Denver Broncos roster, but these four rookies could step up.
Making the roster of any NFL team is tough, but that’s especially true with the Denver Broncos right now. The Broncos have a stacked roster after focusing on retaining key players during the offseason, so both roles and playing time are especially hard to come by.
So which rookies could break through and crack the lineup? Jeff Legwold of ESPN took a run at that question in a piece that broke today, and he came up with some thoughts and comments that are well worth reviewing.
DT Tyler Onyedim (third round)
There are snaps to be had given that the Broncos let John Franklin-Myers go in free agent, and Onyedim makes sense to pick some of them up, especially since GM George Paton addressed this possibility schematically in his post-draft comments.
"At Iowa State they were playing him at a different [position]. It was a 3-3-5 scheme (so) he was two-gapping, playing blocks, he wasn't penetrating, he wasn't rushing as much," Paton said. "He got to see and do more at A&M, which he'll be doing here. The tape was good at Iowa State, but we really liked it at A&M."
LB Red Murdock (seventh round)
Seventh-round picks don’t usually turn up on lists like this, but Murdock could be the exception. The Broncos have two returning off-ball linebackers in Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, and both are either approaching 30 or over it.
Murdock was one of the most productive off-ball linebackers in FBS at Buffalo, and his 17 forced fumbles definitely sticks out given how much coach Sean Payton wants to generate more turnovers. The Broncos will be trying Jonah Elliss inside, but if Murdock can overcome his small-school background he could get playing time.
RB Jonah Coleman (fourth round)
This one’s obvious. Huge need, big hole, and Coleman has the size and receiving skills to step in and fill it. Coach Sean Payton knows it, and he’s already thrown down the gauntlet for Coleman to step up, which is why the Broncos have focused on his pass protection skills.
"[Coleman is] a physical runner,” Payton said. “He can play on third down. Normally you have to project that. A lot of these guys in college, maybe the protection plan's different or limited. So, you have to develop that. But his frame is such when you see him, that he does a really good job in blocking pressure looks."
TE Justin Joly (fifth round)
This is another variation on the huge need, big hole theme. The Broncos do have plenty of receivers, but they don’t have a reliable tight end who can make plays in space. Joly will compete with Dallen Bentley for playing time, but there’s a void here that needs to be filled.