The Denver Broncos have again dealt with injuries at the wide receiver position this offseason. Could Sean Payton be eyeing players from other rosters as cuts loom closer? We’ll look at this and much more in our Broncos Mailbag.
Denver Broncos Mailbag to kick off the season
This is the first installment of our Denver Broncos Mailbag at Mile High Sports. If you have any Broncos-related questions and would like to be featured in our next mailbag installment, feel free to email [email protected] or send in your tweet @CodyRoarkNFL.
Are there any positions on special teams to look out for in terms of trades or the waiver wire period? – @newtype_jk47
I don’t anticipate seeing the Broncos make any trades at this point before the season. With this being the first year of roster cuts happening after the third and final preseason game, Denver’s waiver wire order should be beneficial toward putting claims in.
Sean Payton has hinted that he and the personnel department are monitoring 31 other team’s rosters as cuts approach. In terms of Denver’s gunners, I think they are in a good spot for now. Keep an eye on Fabian Moreau, who may make the roster for cornerback depth but mainly for special teams contribution.
Denver still has Essang Bassey and Ja’Quan McMillian at those positions, who seem like roster locks.
I’m nervous about the Denver Broncos wide receiver depth. What happens if they encounter more injuries? – @Football_BoyMom
Injuries at this position are always a concern. I came away nervous after Jalen Virgil’s injury because Denver’s second and third groups of wide receivers had little impact against the San Francisco 49ers.
The fact that Marquez Callaway only saw one target was surprising to me. With Virgil’s injury, I think it does open up the door for KJ Hamler to return soon. My understanding is that the team’s original plan was for Hamler to continue to get into football shape with the opportunity for them to bring him back.
Brandon Johnson returned to practice on Tuesday after an ankle injury held him out for two weeks. Marvin Mims is heading in the right direction as he continues establishing a role for himself inside the offense.
It won’t shock me if Denver adds one or two wide receivers after roster cuts from other teams.
If you could undo the Mike McGlinchey contract and spend the money elsewhere knowing what we know now, would you? – @SuperrNova38
This is a tough question. McGlinchey’s injury was unfortunate, but his recent return to practice is a good sign. I’m not sure there’s another position out there except for receiver where I would have invested money, but that’s only in hindsight with the knowledge of Tim Patrick’s injury.
Denver has felt the void of not having a solidified right tackle for over a decade. I have confidence McGlinchey can be an answer for them.
With the loss of Jalen Virgil, we might have a depth problem at WR. If you were the GM, what’s the first move you make for that room? – @GlixiiR6 and @JuniorGeee_
Right now, I’d stand pat until I see what’s available after roster cuts happen. The problem you run into during the preseason is bringing in a guy who doesn’t have chemistry or experience inside the scheme.
Some veteran free-agent wide receivers are on the open market, like Kenny Golladay, Julio Jones, and Jarvis Landry.
Denver’s best bet is to see Marvin Mims excel in a bigger role because of his draft status and hopefully find a filler player following roster cuts.
In your opinion, where is the Denver Broncos special teams unit at? Everybody loves to pile on Russell Wilson, but special teams alone cost Denver two or three games last season.
I’ve loved the progress the special teams side of the ball has made this offseason under new coordinator Ben Kotwica and assistant head coach Mike Westhoff.
Broncos fans are anxious about the kicking game after the team departed from Brandon McManus, but I encourage them to give Brett Maher a chance. Overall, he’s been consistent all throughout training camp and more recently against the San Francisco 49ers.
If Maher isn’t the guy, Sean Payton will move quickly to find his kicker that will get the job done.
Punter Riley Dixon has been fantastic so far, and his more recent game, averaging 60.0 yards per punt, is something Denver hasn’t had in a while.
Everything is still a work in progress, as the 53-man roster formulates, but I’d be shocked if that side of the ball isn’t drastically better than last year.
Through two preseason games, what has been your impression about the Denver Broncos coaching staff’s impact on game preparedness and execution. Also, since we don’t get the Bud Light Cam questions this year, does a straw have one or two holes, Cody? – @orange_Crush512
Overall, I’ve been thoroughly pleased with how Sean Payton and the Broncos coaching staff have looked in that department. That was a noticeable difference so far through two preseason games compared to what we saw last year.
Payton’s competitive ticker is something Denver hasn’t had from a head coach since Gary Kubiak. He hates losing, but he is big on preparation and focus. Players seem to be more locked in with Payton and the environment he has created.
I’ve also liked that he’s unafraid to challenge plays or call out officials. If coaching was the big issue last year for Denver, I don’t think they’ll be bad in that department this year.
Regarding the straw, I think the right answer would be one hole because it’s all linear as part of the apparatus. We need more of these types of questions in the mailbag to sprinkle in some fun.
Now, I’ll ask the reader: does a straw have one or two holes?
