4. Omar Bolden
Omar Bolden isn’t exactly a nationally-known player, but his health and availability could prove integral to the AFC playoff picture.
With David Bruton already on the shelf for the rest of the season and Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward fighting to get healthy, the Broncos are desperate for help at the safety position; they need Bolden back out on the field.
Now, Bolden isn’t a great player, but he’s a body, and the Broncos need bodies; they’re giving heavy minutes to Shilo Keo, a guy who was signed to the squad after begging Wade Phillips for a job on Twitter. If Stewart can’t go, having Bolden, who’s spent parts of his career as a cornerback, will be crucial in coverage.
Plus, Bolden is far and away the Broncos best return man. There may very well come a time this postseason where the Broncos need a spark on special teams, and Bolden is the guy to do it.
Amazing punt return TD By Omar Bolden #31/SS @Os_Island #Broncos pic.twitter.com/bMpdkff1B9
— Ryuya Urayama(竜弥) (@RYUYA06) November 9, 2015
More importantly, having Bolden back returning punts means that Emmanuel Sanders no longer has to. And while Sanders is as explosive as anyone on the team, I’d much rather see Bolden back there returning kicks than have to worry about somebody handing Sanders a concussion.
