Tag: Roster Series

Broncos roster series: No. 35, CB Ja’Quan McMillian

Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian impressed in Week 18 last season. Now he’s carrying that positive momentum into 2023.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, No. 35. 

Before the Broncos: McMillian (5-10, 183 pounds) played at Eastern Carolina during his college days, starting 22 of 39 games as a Pirate. In 2021, McMillian had his best collegiate year, recording 56 total tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also broke up 11 passes and recovered two fumbles and forced one fumble. This productive year was rewarded with a semifinalist nomination for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the top college defensive back.

Broncos tenure: McMillian saw only one game’s worth of action in 2022 for the Broncos, where he was first signed as an undrafted free agent. That game came against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. In his NFL debut, McMillian recorded seven tackles, six of them being solo tackles. McMillian also had an interception taken away by replay.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: The Broncos cornerback room is arguably one of the best in the NFL, but McMillian has a chance to make the team as a backup. His teammates sang his praises after his performance against the Chargers, and he looks ready to have an even bigger impact in Year 2.

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Broncos roster series: No. 36, RB Tyler Badie

Could second-year running back Tyler Badie make the roster as a utility running back?

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year running back Tyler Badie, No. 36.

Before the Broncos: Badie, (5-8, 197 pounds) was a four-year player at the University of Missouri. In four years, Badie rushed for 2,740 yards on 513 carries in 46 games. Badie rushed for 23 touchdowns while also being a prolific pass-catcher. He caught 126 passes for 1,149 yards and 11 touchdowns. Badie was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Broncos tenure: Badie was on the Ravens’ practice squad before being signed by the Denver Broncos last December. Badie appeared in one game in 2022, making an instant impact. In the 2022 season finale versus the Los Angeles Chargers, Badie’s first NFL touch was a 24-yard touchdown reception. On the catch, Badie eluded several Charger players, tiptoeing the sideline en route to a go-ahead score in the third quarter.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: 50-50. Badie survived the offseason, where the Broncos signed veteran running back Samaje Perine and have a recovering Javonte Williams in the backfield to begin training camp. Head coach Sean Payton has expressed confidence in the running back room and the talent that is there. Badie could become a situational back or a pass-catching outlet for quarterback Russell Wilson as a third-string RB in 2023.

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Broncos roster series: No. 37, CB Riley Moss

With 4.45 speed and 11 college interceptions on his resume, Riley Moss will be an exciting player to watch for at Broncos training camp.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie cornerback Riley Moss, No. 37.

Before the Broncos: Moss (6-0, 193 pounds) played college football at Iowa, earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition as a fifth-year senior in 2022. As a team captain last fall, Moss totaled 47 tackles, 11 pass breakups and one interception in 13 games.

In five years (43 games) at Iowa, Moss totaled 158 tackles, 26 pass breakups and 11 interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns). At the NFL combine earlier this year, Moss ran a 40-yard dash in 4.45 and a 10-yard split in 1.48 seconds.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Moss in the third round of the NFL draft in April. He will make his Bronco debut during preseason this summer.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Moss is a lock to make the team. The question is, will he win a starting job? Right now, Damarri Mathis is projected to start across from Pat Surtain at cornerback. Unless the Broncos plan to have one of Moss or Mathis play in the slot, they will be in direct competition for the CB2 job this summer.

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Broncos roster series: No. 38, DB Devon Key

Devon Key spent the last two years on the practice squads of the Chiefs, Falcons and Broncos. Now he’ll try to win an active roster spot.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at first-year defensive back Devon Key, No. 38. (During the offseason, players can share a jersey number if they play on different sides of the ball. McLaughlin will wear No. 38 on offense this summer.)

Before the Broncos: Key (6-0, 208 pounds) played college football at Western Kentucky, earning All-Conference USA honors as a senior in 2020. He started 49 of a possible 50 games in four seasons with the Hilltoppers, totaling 350 tackles, a school record in their FBS era. The safety went undrafted in 2021 and joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a college free agent.

After spending his rookie season on KC’s practice squad, Key spent part of the 2022 season on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Key to its own practice squad last December. He is yet to appear in any regular-season games and is considered a “first-year” player because he does not have an accrued season.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: The Broncos have a lot of talented options at cornerback and a deep safety room, so it will be difficult for Key to make the active roster as a defensive back. He might be a top choice for the practice squad, though.

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Broncos roster series: No. 38, RB Jaleel McLaughlin

Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for 8,155 yards in college, setting an NCAA record.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin, No. 38. (During the offseason, players can share a jersey number if they play on different sides of the ball. McLaughlin will wear No. 38 on offense this summer.)

Before the Broncos: McLaughlin (5-7, 187 pounds) started his college career at Ohio’s Notre Dame College (DII) and he dominated at that level, rushing for more than 2,400 in each of his two seasons. McLaughlin then transferred to Youngstown State (FCS) and rushed for 3,418 yards in three years, finishing his college career with 8,155 rushing yards, an NCAA record. That impressive production combined with his 4.42 speed caught the attention of NFL teams this offseason.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed McLaughlin as an undrafted free agent in May. He will make his Bronco debut during preseason this summer.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Denver will likely have an open competition for the RB3 job this summer behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, but McLaughlin won’t be a favorite to make the team. McLaughlin’s size might hold him back at the NFL level, but he if impresses during preseason, the RB could stick around with the Broncos.

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Broncos roster series: No. 39, K Elliott Fry

Elliott Fry spent time with ten NFL teams before landing with the Broncos. He’ll now hope to make Denver home in 2023.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at first-year kicker Elliott Fry, No. 39.

Before the Broncos: Fry (6-0, 170 pounds) played college football at South Carolina and went undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft. He got his first pro football opportunity with the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019 and he was a perfect 14-of-14 on field goal attempts before that league went under.

Fry went on to have brief stints with 10 NFL teams from 2019-2023. He has spent time with the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals.

Fry has appeared in three regular-season games — one each with the Falcons, Bengals and Chiefs. In those three games he went 5-of-6 on field goal attempts with a long of 44 yards and 5-of-7 on extra point attempts.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Fry after they released Brandon McManus earlier this year. Fry will make his Bronco debut during preseason this summer.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: 50-50. Right now, Fry is the only kicker on Denver’s 90-man offseason roster, but that doesn’t guarantee he will be the team’s kicker in Week 1. The Broncos will continue monitoring the kicker market as other teams make roster cuts this summer.

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Broncos roster series: No. 40, ILB Justin Strnad

After playing 405 snaps on special teams last season, Justin Strnad will aim to impress the Broncos’ new coaching staff this summer.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year inside linebacker Justin Strnad, No. 40.

Before the Broncos: Strnad (6-3, 235 pounds) played college football at Wake Forest, earning honorable mention All-ACC recognition in 2018 and 2019. As a team captain in 2019, Strnad totaled 69 tackles, four pass breakups, two sacks and one interception in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. He later ran a 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds and a 20-yard shuttle in 4.49 seconds at the NFL combine.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. After missing his rookie season with a wrist injury, Strnad played in 16 games in 2021, earning five starts. He dressed for all 17 games last year but played exclusively on special teams, earning 405 snaps in that role.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Unless the Broncos decide to carry five inside linebackers on the active roster, Strnad will likely be the odd man out at the position. Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders and Jonas Griffith all seem to be locks at ILB, which might knock Strnad down to the practice squad in 2023.

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Broncos roster series: No. 41, ILB Drew Sanders

After a breakout season at Arkansas in 2022, Drew Sanders was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the NFL draft.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie inside linebacker Drew Sanders, No. 41.

Before the Broncos: Sanders (6-5, 233 pounds) started his college career at Alabama, serving mostly as a rotational player from 2020-2021. He then transferred to Arkansas ahead of the 2022 season and had a breakout year. Sanders totaled 103 tackles (13.5 behind the line), 9.5 sacks, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception in 12 games last fall. He received unanimous All-American recognition after his breakout year at Arkansas.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Sanders in the third round of this year’s NFL draft. He will make his Broncos debut during preseason this summer.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Sanders will be a lock to make the roster, but he probably won’t start right away. The Broncos already have Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton as their projected starters so Sanders will be joining Jonas Griffith as a top backup ILB in 2023. Sanders will likely get rotational snaps at ILB and play on special teams as a rookie, but he projects as a future starter in Denver.

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Broncos roster series: No. 42, OLB Nik Bonitto

After an underwhelming rookie season, Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto will aim to take a big step forward in 2023.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, No. 42.

Before the Broncos: Bonitto (6-3, 240 pounds) played college football at Oklahoma, earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2021 and second-team All-American honors in 2020. In four seasons (46 games) with the Sooners, Bontto totaled 118 tackles (33 behind the line), 19.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and one interception. Bonitto ran a 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.61 seconds at the NFL combine in 2022.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Bonitto in the second round of last year’s NFL draft. He had an underwhelming first season with the Broncos, totaling 1.5 sacks in 15 appearances (one start). Fans in Denver will hope to see the edge defender take a big step forward in his second season.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Even after an underwhelming rookie year, Bonitto is likely a lock to make the team this summer. Bonitto is not expected to start in Week 1, but he could serve as a key rotational pass rusher in 2023.

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Broncos roster series: No. 43, LB Ray Wilborn

After appearing in two games last season, Ray Wilborn will hope to win a bigger role with the Broncos this summer.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at first-year linebacker Ray Wilborn, No. 43.

Before the Broncos: Wilborn (6-4, 224 pounds) started his college career at Garden City Community College before transferring to Ball State. After playing as an outside linebacker as a junior in 2018, Wilborn transitioned to safety ahead of his senior season in 2019. In two seasons (24 games) with the Cardinals, Wilborn totaled 166 tackles, 12 pass breakups, four interceptions and three sacks.

After going undrafted in 2020, Wilborn had brief stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers before landing with the Green Bay Packers in 2021. After spending the 2021 season on Green Bay’s practice squad, Wilborn failed to make the Packers’ 53-man roster in 2022.

Broncos tenure: Wilborn signed with Denver’s practice squad midway through the 2022 season after trying out for the team. He was elevated to the active roster for the Broncos’ final two games of the 2022 season and played on special teams. Although he has been in the NFL since 2020, Wilborn is listed as a “first-year” player because of the league’s accrued season rules (at least six regular-season games in the same year).

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Wilborn won’t be a favorite to make the active roster, but he could prove to be a valuable member of the practice squad as a versatile defender who can fill in at multiple positions.

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