Broncos rookies can increase chances of making roster by playing on special teams

The Broncos’ late-round draft picks will increase their chances of making the roster if they play well on special teams.

Broncos seventh-round draft pick Tyrie Cleveland will be joining an extremely crowded wide receiver room in Denver, so he will have long odds to make the team’s 53-man roster.

To improve his chances of making the team, Cleveland could excel on special teams as a gunner during the preseason.

“I played special teams over at Florida,” Cleveland said during a conference call with reporters on April 25. “I’m just going to come in and just whatever the coach wants me to do, whatever they have me at.

“I’m going to come in and work hard and try to do my best to go out there and just make plays and just continue to fight and continue to get better and continue to work on my craft and [help] bring the Super Bowl back to Denver.”

That kind of willing-to-do-anything mentality will certainly be appreciated by the Broncos’ coaching staff. Fifth-round draft pick Justin Strnad also expressed a willingness to contribute on special teams.

“I played all special teams my first two years of college, so I think I’m going to be able to come in right away and help in any special teams they need me to,” Strand said on April 25.

Later this year, Denver will have to make some tough cuts to trim the roster from 90 players down to 53. Players like Cleveland and Strand will help their chances of making the final roster if they make an impact on special teams.

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