Will crop of Broncos rookie RBs put Devontae Booker’s job in jeopardy?
May 7, 2018, 6:27 PM
By many accounts, rookie running back Royce Freeman has a compelling case to become the Denver Broncos starter come Sept. 9.
Couple that with strong buzz about 2017 rookie De’Angelo Anderson and undrafted college free agent Phillip Lindsay, and Brandon Stokley said he believe Devontae Booker could be on the outside looking in when all is said and done.
On Monday, the “Stokley and Zach” co-host said if the Broncos are “being honest,” Booker — a 2016 fourth-round pick by Denver — won’t make the final 53-man roster.
“I think Royce Freeman, his play, makes Devontae Booker expendable, and so does De’Angelo Henderson’s play,” Stokley said. “Both of those guys are doing such a great job that there are no more carries for Devontae Booker.”
And with Lindsay being a “different type of back” than Freeman and Henderson, Stokley said, he becomes the team’s third back, with fullback Andy Janovich rounding out the group.
And according to “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Cecil Lammey, the upcoming Broncos rookie minicamp could become the “Phillip Lindsay show,” meaning the former CU Buffaloes talent could prove himself worthy of a roster spot early on.
“It’s a little bit too much to say it, but I’ll say it anyway. Phillip Lindsay could almost cement his spot on this team with a great performance in Broncos rookie minicamp,” Lammey said.
If Lindsay shows well, Lammey said, the Broncos could be looking to “find a way” to keep him on the roster.
In the end, however, Stokley said how Booker performs in OTAs, minicamp and training camp that will ultimately decide his fate in Denver.
“If he doesn’t go out there and perform and perform well, there are no more free passes,” Stokley said. “If he gets injured again, bye.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
