ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — With the preseason nearing its close and the deadline for final 53-man roster cuts approaching next week, the Broncos continue to weigh several tightly contested position battles.
"There are some really good battles going on," Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Darren Rizzi said after Wednesday's practice. "I think going into this last game, that's one of the best things about this team is that that 53-man [roster] really hasn't been decided yet."
While much of the focus has centered on the running back room and the depth at wide receiver, every rep still matters as roster evaluations enter their final stage. Rizzi said he believes performing in the third phase of the game may prove to be the deciding factor in determining some of the final spots.
"Those are the conversations that are going to happen here in these next few days," Rizzi said. "And then after the game, it's when you're looking at the bottom half of the roster. [Head] Coach [Sean Payton], [General Manager] George [Paton], they're going to ask me on my opinions on the roles those guys can play. There are some really good battles going on. … I've said this before, I think we have some really good depth on this team, this roster. It's going to come down to those roles that guys can play [on special teams]. What's our forecast for the starting punt team; who the returners are going to be? Those things are going to factor into the decisions here with the 53-man. Obviously, I'll give Coach and George and everybody my opinion on the vision of the player."
As the Broncos prepare to make tough roster choices, contributions on special teams will be a critical part of the evaluation process. Rizzi emphasized the importance of finding players who can add value in multiple phases of the game, not just on offense or defense.
SINGLETON IS A 'TACKLING MACHINE' HEADING INTO 2025
While many Broncos are fighting to earn a roster spot, others are focusing on reestablishing their veteran dominance.
Inside linebacker Alex Singleton missed a majority of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL, and he dealt with a thumb injury during the early stages of this year's training camp. Despite the setbacks, the tackling machine has quickly reminded coaches why he has been one of the team's most reliable leaders.
"Alex, obviously he's experienced," Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph said after practice. "I mean he can call [the defense] for me. He is my eyes and ears on the field. I mean, he can make adjustments on the field very quickly with his experience, but he's a tackling machine. He had 170-plus tackles when he was healthy for us for the whole season, so we missed that last year. He's a [heck] of a blitzer, also he can cover back. So obviously, having him back this year is going to help our defense go to the next level."
Singleton is listed as a starter alongside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who signed with Denver as a free agent in March. Both players have battled injuries but are in the midst of preparing for Week 1 and could see game reps on Saturday vs. New Orleans.
"It's always good to get game reps together," Joseph said. "Games are different than practice — you're tackling, you're communicating, things are moving faster, you have game plans. But both guys are veteran players. If we don't get that, I'm fine with that, but it's good to get that if we can."
ENGRAM'S IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Another Broncos offseason addition, ninth-year tight end Evan Engram, earned his praise in last week's preseason matchup with the Cardinals. While most starters sat out for the entirety of the game, Engram played nine snaps and took full advantage of the limited play.
On the team's first offensive drive of the evening, quarterback Jarett Stidham found Engram in stride, who took off downfield for a 58-yard catch-and-run. His athleticism was on display as he managed to break a tackle on the way.
"He's an elite receiver, and I'm not even going to say for a tight end," Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi said Wednesday. "His movement skills are fantastic. He can jump — jump up in the red zone and grab those high balls. He can separate, and [he is] a smart player. … The things you don't know when you're watching film on a guy that you're not familiar with is just how serious he takes it, how hard he works and so he's been all positives."
Engram, alongside the rest of the starters, will look to set the tone for the season on Saturday, when the first-team unit is expected to take the first few snaps against the New Orleans Saints.
