As the third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers looms, the Denver Broncos need to make some decisions on the defensive side of the ball. The hardest position to nail down will undoubtedly be the linebacking corp and its bevy of average players. In Sunday’s game you will see a lot of the first team options trying to get through the 49ers stout o-line to get to Alex Smith. The one area that Broncos fans need not worry about is the pass rush, which in my opinion is second only to the New York Giants. So here are my predictions for the final roster heading into the opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Defensive Line: Justin Bannan will be the starting nose tackle with Elvis Dumervil, Ty Warren, and Derek Wolfe, the rookie rounding out the line. The Broncos will have very good reserves though, as I see Robert Ayers, Mitch Unrein, Kevin Vickerson, Jeremy Beal, and Jason Hunter making the cut. Not many surprises here.
Cornerbacks: Here, the Broncos have committed to a complete overhaul in this position. Champ Bailey, of course, has become the leader after the retirement of Brian Dawkins, and the talent around him will make him even better. It is no secret that the addition of Tracy Porter and Drayton Florence was tremendous and I look at Omar Bolden and Chris Harris unless Tony Carter breaks out in the final two games.
Safety: The safeties are another group that should be an open-and-shut slot to fill. Mike Adams was a great acquisition and Rahim Moore has been playing extremely well all preseason. The Broncos will definitely keep David Bruton because of his special teams ability as a playmaker and Quinton Carter is a sure bet to make the cut. The biggest question here is whether they decide to keep Jim Leonhard at the last open spot or go with Rafael Bush. Leonhard has the biggest upside because of his proven veteran capabilities and the option of being a return man. It all comes down to health with Leonhard, and I expect the Broncos to keep him around.
Linebackers: I saved this mediocre bunch of players for last. Once again, this unit may very well, outside of Von Miller, be the Achilles heel for what should be a quick, tenacious defense. Alongside Miller, I expect Joe Mays to handle the middle and Wesley Woodyard to start in place of suspended veteran D.J. Williams. This is where it gets tricky. Nate Irving will make the team and Danny Trevathan has been playing very well and is liked by Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio. Do the Broncos keep a spot open for Williams, which I expect they will, or take a gamble on veteran Keith Brooking to replace him? The Broncos will most likely let Brooking go to sign on somewhere else and use Williams for the remainder of the year after his return and possibly the playoffs.
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Buy Denver Broncos Tickets | Buy Denver Broncos Apparel[...] Denver Broncos Final Defensive Roster Predictions As the third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers looms, the Denver Broncos need to make some decisions on the defensive side of the ball. The hardest position to nail down will undoubtedly be the linebacking corp and its bevy of average … Read more on Rant Sports [...]
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