Nick has been putting together his series of articles previewing Denver Broncos training camp, but in the meantime, I had a few polls up on the site for people to consider regarding certain issues the Broncos may examine this year — a few that should be obvious to everyone and a few that may not have been as obvious.
The polls will remain open if anyone does want to participate, but I figured now would be a good time to examine what the readers of Thin Air think about how the Broncos roster will take shape.
Who do you believe will be named the starting quarterback?
Trevor Siemian 74% (89)
Paxton Lynch 26% (31)
Looks like many of you believe that Siemian is the favorite to win the job. An argument can be made, given that he was playing well last season before his shoulder injury. Whoever does win the job, I suspect we’ll learn by the halfway mark of the preseason.
What will Chad Kelly’s fate be after training camp?
Open season on PUP list: 34% (43)
Open season on IR: 34% (43)
The No. 3 quarterback: 19% (24)
Practice squad: 12% (15)
Waived: 2% (3)
The majority of you think either the PUP list or IR is where Kelly ends up. But Nick has pointed out that those lists may not be an option. Keep in mind that Kelly is expected to be cleared to throw by the time training camp starts, so I wouldn’t count on the PUP list or IR as being where Kelly goes entering the regular season, unless he were to get injured again.
Which running back might not make the 53-man roster?
All three will make it: 60% (75)
DeAngelo Henderson: 15% (18)
Jamaal Charles: 13% (16)
Devontae Booker: 12% (15)
Most of you have faith that all three backs listed above will make the 53-man roster. Though it might seem odd that the Broncos would keep four running backs, particularly with the next issue I’ll address, it’s not out of the question. Though I leaned toward Henderson not making it, I have reconsidered and wonder if it’s Charles, but only if his health remains an issue.
Does Andy Janovich have a future with the Broncos?
Yes: 91% (123)
No: 9% (11)
A lot of Janovich boosters here, I see.
Who will be the No. 3 wide receiver?
Carlos Henderson: 66% (84)
Jordan Taylor: 21% (27)
Cody Latimer: 8% (10)
Bennie Fowler: 5% (6)
And a lot of support for the rookie to be the No. 3 guy among wideouts — though I’m not surprised plenty of you think highly of Taylor. I still beleive the question will be answered by how much Mike McCoy wants to utilize the slot receiver in the offense.
Who will be the punt returner?
Isaiah McKenzie: 86% (99)
Kalif Raymond: 10% (11)
Brendan Langley: 1% (1)
Someone else: 3% (4)
Most of you favor McKenzie becoming the new punt returner, though a few are sticking up for underdog Kalif Raymond.
Who will be the kick returner?
Isaiah McKenzie: 72% (79)
Kalif Raymond: 8% (9)
Cody Latimer: 5% (5)
Someone else: 15% (16)
Again, McKenzie is the favorite, though some of you think another player could take it. DeAngelo Henderson’s name has come up and word is that Brock Olivo likes Carlos Henderson in the role.
Which tight end may not make the roster?
Virgil Green: 54% (61)
Jeff Heuerman: 24% (27)
A.J. Derby: 21% (24)
Most of you agreed with me that Green’s roster spot may be the most at risk, but the rest of you lean toward one of the younger guys. It’s true Heuerman and Derby may not have impressed yet, but I think it’s too soon to give up on either. Green could make the final roster, though, as the third tight end until Jake Butt is ready to play. And, no, I don’t think a potential compensatory pick down the road is a viable reason for keeping Green. If he doesn’t do enough to earn a spot, then he shouldn’t make the roster (same goes with anyone else).
What is Jake Butt’s fate after training camp?
PUP list: 50% (59)
IR: 33% (39)
Active roster: 15% (17)
Practice Squad: 2% (2)
Waived: None
As with Kelly, the PUP list and IR are the two fates that most of you favor. Because Butt is not expected to be cleared for training camp, those lists should become options.
Will Garett Boles be the starting left tackle?
Yes: 78% (91)
No: 22% (26)
The majority of you think Bolles will start, but I will grant that some of you might question if he’s ready to handle the load.
Which offensive tackle may not make the roster?
Donald Stephenson: 82% (92)
Ty Sambrailo: 18% (20)
Most of you think Stephenson will have to earn his way onto the final roster, though I’m not surprised a few of you remain skeptical or doubtful about Sambrailo’s future.
Which interior lineman may not make the roster?
Billy Turner: 84% (95)
Michael Schofield: 11% (12)
Connor McGovern: 5% (6)
Not surprising most of you believe Turner will have to earn his spot. I am surprised a few expect McGovern to be at risk, especially now that he’s listed as backup center/guard. Maybe you are Dillon Day fans?
Which player could fetch a late-round pick in a trade?
Michael Schofield: 50% (52)
Cody Latimer: 41% (43)
Ty Sambrailo: 10% (10)
Most of you believe that Schofield and Latimer could be trade bait if they impress enough in the preseason. I wouldn’t be worried about comp picks possibly lost — better to take a pick you know you will get than wait it out and risk not getting a comp pick because you have to sign someone in free agency and cancel that pick out. I wouldn’t rule out Sambrailo, but again, that all depends on what Donald Stephenson does.
Who starts at DE opposite Derek Wolfe?
Adam Gotsis: 58% (65)
DeMarcus Walker: 20% (23)
Jared Crick: 19% (22)
Billy Winn: 3% (3)
Lots of you seem to believe the reports that Gotsis has looked good in OTAs, though a good number of you believe Walker could snag the job. And there’s still plenty of Crick supporters here, too.
Who will be the No. 4 OLB?
Vontarrius Dora: 35% (36)
Kasim Edabali: 28% (29)
Both given Shaquil Barrett’s injury: 33% (34)
A rookie: 3% (3)
Here’s a question in which most of you are split between one, the other or both, though a couple think a rookie slips into that spot.
Do Corey Nelson and Zaire Anderson both make the roster?
Yes: 75 % (75)
No, Nelson is gone: 11% (11)
No, Anderson is gone: 9% (9)
No, both are gone: 5% (5)
Not much to talk about here — most of you think Nelson and Anderson stick around as the remainder of the ILB rotation.
Who will be the No. 4 cornerback?
Lorenzo Doss: 75% (79)
Brendan Langley: 25% (26)
Somebody else: None
Though the majority of you think Doss will be No. 4 on the CB depth chart, a good number of you believe Langley will lay claim to it.
Will the Broncos keep five safeties?
Yes: 50% (52)
No: 50% (51)
Technically, it’s not a 50-50 vote, but it’s clear you are divided on this subject. We’ll find out if one of those rookies makes a big enough impression to force the issue. Of course, some of you might think Will Parks will have to fight for a roster spot.
Who will be the special teams gunner?
Justin Simmons: 45% (45)
Cody Latimer: 44% (44)
Corey Nelson: 10% (10)
Kevin Snyder: None
Most of you are split between Simmons and Latimer claiming the role. If Latimer does win the role, though, that means you have to ask yourself which depth wide receiver might have to be waived to make room for Latimer, because I would be surprise if the Broncos kept more than six WRs.
Will Brandon McManus get extended?
Yes: 71% (73)
No: 29% (30)
And the majority of you believe that an extension for McManus will get done. I will say that his willingness to negotiate in good faith is a good indicator he’ll eventually get a deal.
