Mile High Monday: Could the Broncos trade one of their cornerbacks?

The preseason is over in the NFL. The Denver Broncos finish the 2021 exhibition season undefeated and feeling good heading into the regular season. Preseason games don’t count, but they do matter, and we learned a lot of good things about this team over the last month.

I like the calm before the regular season storm. In a matter of a couple of weeks, we’ll be watching the Broncos open on the road against the New York Giants. I can’t wait.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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When Do We See Lock Again?

Drew Lock did not win the starting job and instead will be the backup quarterback to Teddy Bridgewater. He played well throughout the preseason and most days in training camp. However, it wasn’t enough for the Broncos to give him the starting nod.

Lock had ups-and-downs during the preseason finale against the Rams, but overall played well. Now that the preseason is done, the question then becomes, “When’s the next time we see Lock?”

The answer is going to be a bit complex, but there are a couple of avenues that could bring him back. First, if Bridgewater is banged up – again. Bridgewater has battled injuries in his past Even last year with the Carolina Panthers, we saw him get hurt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – even though he played through with the injury. He did have to miss a couple of games due to the injury in 2020, and if he misses time again this year then Lock has his shot.

There’s also a chance that Bridgewater is just average, and the team needs a shot in the arm right around – or right after – their Week 11 bye. Lock and his gunslinging style could be the spark the team needs to get the offense on track.

Lock finished preseason 19 of 28, 298, 3 TDs, 0 INT, 138.7 RTG. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) August 29, 2021

I feel confident that Lock will be ready the next time his number is called. Having his job taken away by Bridgewater could be a good thing for him in the end. It could prove to be just the motivation Lock needs to be the best version of himself. Bridgewater had better hold onto the starting job tightly because a rejuvenated Lock could take the job and run with it if given the chance.

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Tough Decisions Coming

The Broncos, like the rest of the NFL, will cut down their roster to 53 players on Tuesday. That means some tough decisions are coming around the league.

This Broncos team has better depth in year’s past, and that means they’ll be even more hard pressed to come up with the right combination of the 53-man roster. Sometimes things aren’t about a lack of talent, it may just come down to a lack of space. The numbers crunch is here for every NFL team, and that means all bubble players are on edge.

Austin Fort was picked up as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming a couple of years ago. He’s never made the team due to injuries that have knocked him out of each of the last two seasons, but Fort has talent and that’s why the Broncos gave him another opportunity to prove himself in training camp and the 2021 preseason.

🙌 Touchdown, @Austin__Fort! 🙌

📺: #LARvsDEN on My20 pic.twitter.com/P8gxUMNkkG

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 29, 2021

I hope a guy like Fort can make the team, but it’s unlikely. He could – and should in my eyes – make the practice squad. This is just one of the many decisions the Broncos have to make in the next day or two. They can’t fit everyone on the practice squad, and there will be teams out there (just like them) who are circling like vultures to pluck away talent they try to hide.

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Calling for Corners

Broncos general manager George Paton revealed something very interesting during the broadcast. In an interview during the preseason finale, Paton revealed the team’s phone has been ringing off the hook with teams inquiring about their bevy of cornerbacks.

The Broncos are going to listen to these calls, even though they may not do any deal for any player – not just cornerback. However, with their depth at the position perhaps they could be tempted to move somebody if the price was right.

They have guys like Bryce Callahan on an expiring deal, and he’s one of the best slot corners in the league when healthy. His connection with Vic Fangio from their days working together with the Bears means he’s likely to stay, but everyone has a price. If a team is interested enough and will pay the price then perhaps Callahan could be dealt.

He’s not the only player they could move either. The Broncos have several backup cornerbacks who teams are getting to look at in the preseason. These players would fetch a smaller return, but at least the Broncos would get something for them instead of perhaps trying to get them on the practice squad and losing them.

#broncos GM George Paton on the game broadcast said he’s not going to lie, they are getting a lot of calls on DBs from other teams. Corners are tough to find and Denver is deep at CB.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 29, 2021

Deals get made at deadlines in the NFL. With roster cuts coming on Tuesday, teams are trying to maneuver into position to field the best players they possibly can.

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Arcade Games

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet to introduce mutants, most notably the “X-Men.” That’s likely to change in the near (but not near enough) future. According to movie scooper and YouTuber Grace Randolph, there will be a few X-Men in “Doctor Strange: The Multiverse of Madness.” The villain of the movie will be the Scarlett Witch and her story will pick up where the Disney-plus TV show “WandaVision” left off. She could bring some mutants into the timeline we know from the MCU and that’s when the “madness” can ensue.

That’s not the only X-Men news. According to Mikey Sutton from Geekosity.com the first villain for the debut X-Men movie (which is years away) is Arcade. He first appeared in comics in “Marvel Team Up” no.65 back in back in 1978. Arcade is not your typical X-Men villain and has yet to appear in any movie. According to Sutton’s report, the MCU will ramp up the X-Men franchise with more and larger villains coming as the movies progress.
I know it’s years away from happening, but this is the type of speculation that is interesting to talk about and consider what the future could bring.

#MCU Multiverse UPDATE

What’s going on with#Wanda#XMen

and how Feige is using #SpiderManNoWayHome &#DoctorStrange2

to get his rapidly expanding house in order!#Marvel https://t.co/q0cJrveRWF

— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) August 27, 2021

Are you excited to see the X-Men in the MCU? Who is your favorite mutant and why is it Wolverine? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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