Denver Broncos RosterBroncos 2019 Roster Review

Wilkinson brings versatility Juwann Winfree Denver Broncos Jersey , and is in a great position to grow and learn from Mike Munchak this season." Offensive lineman Elijah WilkinsonNew,20commentsWilkinson brings versatility, and is in a great position to grow and learn from Mike Munchak this season.MDTElijah Wilkinson is yet another undrafted guy who could carve out a role on this Broncos team, who has a history of finding hidden gems from the college free agent ranks.Wilkinson was signed as an UDFA out of UMass in 2017, where he spent the majority of his career playing right tackle.ProfileBrought into camp in 2017 as a long shot, Wilkinson brought value with his versatility as he showed ability at both guard and tackle. He missed the 53-man roster, but was brought onto the practice squad in 2017, and eventually was promoted to the active roster after injuries to Donald Stephenson and Menelik Watson.In 2018, he continued to showcase his versatility and made the 53-man roster seeing time at both guard and tackle in camp. That versatility would be called upon mid-way through the season as Wilkinson was thrown into the starting lineup at right guard after Matt Paradis went down with an injury in Houston. As a result, Wilkinson played almost 50 percent of the offensive snaps in 2018 and started the final seven regular season games at right guard.It was an up and down season, as a you might imagine for Wilkinson, but he certainly got valuable in-game experience during his trial by fire.The GoodWhile he struggled in pass protection early on, giving up three sacks in his first three games, he was solid in the run game, and got into a bit more of a rhythm later into the season.The BadHis tape overall from 2018 is about what you would expect from an undrafted/practice squad guy making his first entrance into the starting lineup, but there’s flashes, and he performed admirably for the situation he was put in. Wilkinson is still a young player with a lot of growth ahead of him.QuotableRich Scangarello on whether there are any players who have surprised him so far (in camp)Wilkinson during OTAsRoster StatusThe fact that he earned an unsolicited shout-out from Rich Scangarello is a great sign, and I’m excited about Wilkinson’s growth potential under Mike Munchak. He is still just 24 years old and entering his third year, so he should continue to improve. I expect him to easily make the roster as the swing tackle/sixth man on the offensive line as his versatility is a huge asset to the team.I’m glad Denver drafted Risner and have Leary starting at the opposite guard spot as it gives Wilkinson another season to sit and develop, hopefully honing his skills to be able to step into a starting role next year for Leary, if he continues his current trajectory.Broncos’ ideal defensive identity: stopping the run to set up the pass rush Good morning, Broncos Country!The old mantra, “establish the run to set up the pass” is finding some new life with the Broncos defense this season - albeit with a slight modification:Establish the run defense to set up the pass rush.That’s the identity coach Vance Joseph would like his Broncos defense to have.“Stopping the run, that’s the key. Stopping the run and putting the offense in a one-dimensional phase - making them be a passing team so we can rush the passer,” Joseph said. “And, playing with a lead. That’s important also for our defense. We do have great pass rushers, but if you don’t have a lead, you won’t ever see them come out. ...If we play with a lead, we can get after the quarterback pretty good.”And although Joseph believes that philosophy is the approach of most teams in the NFL, he sees the Broncos with an advantage thanks to its secondary.“Our mindset on defense is still to be aggressive early on first down, to close the middle, to play press coverage, to stop the running game and to put them in a 2nd-and-10, 2nd-and-long, and then get them to third down and rush the passer. That hasn’t changed,” he said. “And I believe in our corners. We can play press-man on first and second down. That’s important.”Depth remains a concern in the secondary where Will Parks, Tramaine Brock, Marcus Rios and Su’a Cravens are all banged up heading into the third week of preseason. Parks suffered a knee contusion last Saturday against the Bears but has been practicing this week and should be fine for Friday night’s matchup in the nation’s capital. But Rios and Cravens have been ruled out while Brock is still questionable.“We’re working [Brock] back in there slowly. But I thought he played very well,” defensive coordinator Joe Woods said of Brock’s game against the Bears. “The biggest thing with Tramaine is that he’s a proven starter in this league. Things don’t rattle him. He plays with poise. He’s doing well.”Although Cravens is unlikely to play on Friday against his former team, Woods is confident the safety will be able to fit in to the system as soon as he’s healthy - regardless of preseason playing time.“It’s not the football part of it. He’s played at a high level. He’s been a starter,” Woods said. “It’s more just getting familiar with the defense in a game-like situation. But in terms of him going out there and playing Juwann Winfree Jersey 2019 , we’re not concerned about that. We just need to get him healthy.”So that No Fly Zone could be leaving several planes in some wide open airspace if the traffic controllers don’t get healthy quick.But even while rookie corner Isaac Yiadom has been a favorite target of opposing quarterbacks the past two games, his coaches are not worried about his ability. If anything, they see great potential for Yiadom this season as he aims to transform his “good instincts” into good protection on the field.“The first thing when you get out there is they’re going to go after you. The thing about Isaac is that he’s a very technical player. When you watch him, he’s always on the body. You don’t see him where there’s a guy that’s beating him and he’s five or six yards away. He just has to learn how to finish at the top of routes, and that will come with experience.”A position that has been relatively overlooked in the Broncos D - inside linebacker -is also gaining some momentum as a couple more new guys are making a big impact early.Josey Jewell has gotten the praise of both teammates and coaches.“For him, you can tell that he’s an instinctive player. He gets it, he’s picking up the defense fast,” Woods said. “So, if something were to happen, if he were to go in as a starter, I think he would play very well.”A.J. Johnson - the newest player to the team - hasn’t played on a football team for nearly four years, but the former University of Tennessee inside linebacker is trying to make the most of his second chance in the NFL.And so far, so good.“He was like a ‘see ball, get ball’ guy. He’s basically been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Woods said, adding that while Johnson “made a few mistakes” in his NFL debut last weekend, he was still learning the defense. “The one thing we know is that he’s big, he’s strong and he’s a physical player. He’ll just keep getting better.”Although last week’s defensive performance was a major improvement over the week before, Woods still wants to see more out of his defenders against the Redskins.“We added a little bit more to the defense this week. We want to make sure guys go out and execute the defense and that they understand it,” Woods said.“As long as we keep taking steps and we get better in all of the areas in terms of first down, third down, red zone, things of that nature, that’s more important right now than worrying about Seattle at this point.”Horse Tracks - docllv’s pick of the dayHow hard is it to change positions or be a swing player on the O-line? Harder than most think. – The AthleticReserve NFL linemen are typically asked to play multiple spots because teams can only dress so many on game days. Versatility is a necessity, not a luxury. But it doesn’t mean the job is easy.Horse TracksFantasy football 2018: The do-not-draft list - The Washington PostSeven players whose average draft positions are just a teensy bit out of control.Broncos wrap up practice preparation for third preseason gameThe Broncos took to the field on Wednesday to finish up their week of practice in preparation for their third preseason game against Washington on Friday.Looking back at this year's Broncos camp standoutsRookie WR Courtland Sutton was among the players who made a big impression in recent weeks.Player Q&A: Garett BollesTackle Garett Bolles discusses the changes to the offensive line, what it's like working with Case Keenum and how comfortable he feels in his second season.Su'a Cravens among six Broncos ruled out for Friday's game vs. WashingtonGuard Ron Leary will be a game-time decision.Denver Broncos Von Miller grows up - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPNThe Broncos superstar might never give up his big-smiling, fan-friendly, dancing ways, but now he is ready to be Denver's veteran, vocal leader.Denver Broncos tailback Devontae Booker confident in explosionDevontae Booker took the handoff right and into the heart of the opposing defensive line. He appeared stuck between pulling guards and their blocking assignments. Jammed up with no place to go.Podcast: Scout's Eye Preview Broncos-Redskins preseason Game 3Here's what to watch for in Denver's first road trip of the season vs. Washington.3 players the Broncos need to move on from as soon as possibleThe Broncos are staring down the barrel of some sunk costs, but sometimes it's better to get out from under the albatross weighing your team down.Phillip Lindsay has all but locked up Broncos roster spotAn undrafted free agent, Lindsay overcame the odds to find a permanent home with the Broncos.Top Colorado high school teams learn the ropes at the Pat Bowlen FieldhouseTwenty teams from around the state learned social media practices, toured the facility and more.Teddy Bridgewater’s ‘horribly grotesque’ knee injury even freaked out his surgeon - The Washington PostIt left him with a 'toothpick of a leg,' but he's since made a remarkable comeback.Patriots cut Kenny Britt, not interested in Dez Bryant - NFL.comThe New England Patriots are parting ways with wide receiver Kenny Britt. The veteran has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and he didn't play in the team's first two preseason games.Raiders to sign CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - NFL.comThe Raiders are reaching out to a 11-year veteran for help in their secondary. Oakland will sign former Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie after the defensive back worked out Wednesday.What to watch for in Week 3 of the NFL preseason - NFL.comIt's dress rehearsal week in the NFL as teams get ready for the start of the NFL season. Who will take center stage? Here's what to watch for in Week 3 of the preseason.Travis Frederick diagnosed with autoimmune disease - NFL.comDallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick announces he has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's nervous system.Teddy Bridgewater’s ‘horribly grotesque’ knee injury even freaked out his surgeon - The Washington PostIt left him with a 'toothpick of a leg,' but he's since made a remarkable comeback.