Broncos preseason finale: 5 Things to watch for

The Denver Broncos take on the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Thursday night. It’s been a long process for the Broncos, and the offseason has been full of activities only Super Bowl champions get to enjoy.

Now comes the task of finding the best players to make a run at a championship again.

The 53-man roster may almost be set, but there may be a few spots that are still up for grabs. The fourth preseason game is where final decisions can be swayed.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is focused on many things in the preseason — winning being one of them.

“There’s always emphasis on that. That’s the No. 1 thing,” Kubiak said. “We still have to look at a lot of people. We can’t lose sight of that. I have to go and get some questions answered. That’s always No. 1.”

Here are five things to watch for in tonight’s game:

5. Which linebackers stand out?

The Broncos have a talented group of linebackers — both outside and inside — and deciding on how many make the 53-man roster is going to be difficult.

One of the linebackers to watch is second-year pro Zaire Anderson. Undrafted out of Nebraska last year, Anderson has been all over the field during training camp and the preseason. He may have done enough already, but he could further cement a roster spot with a good game against the Cardinals.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips likes what he’s seen out of Anderson in the preseason.

“Zaire has continued to play like he practiced last year. He was on the practice squad and gave our offense fits. He got better and better and worked at it. It’s carried over to this year in his play,” Phillips said. “He’s not a big guy, but he’s very athletic and very instinctive player. He finds the football really well, and obviously he knocked it out twice last week. He’s had a really good fall.”

Anderson was on the practice squad last year, but I don’t think he stays there if the Broncos try to sneak him through for another season. That means he should make the final roster, and his play has earned him that spot.

He’s one of the most exciting young players on the team, and Anderson could even get a few packages put in place for him by Phillips even though he’s not a starter.

4. More Juwan Thompson, please

Every team needs a player like running back Juwan Thompson, but the Broncos roster may be so cramped that he doesn’t make it this year. Thompson is officially listed as a running back, but he can play fullback and work well as a lead blocker. In addition to his running and blocking ability, Thompson can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield.

Thompson is competing with the likes of Ronnie Hillman and Kapri Bibbs for a spot on the depth chart behind starter C.J. Anderson and primary backup Devontae Booker. Bibbs has never made the final roster and has spent two years on the practice squad. Hillman was the team’s leading rusher last year but finds himself fighting for a job in 2016.

Hillman is just rolling with the punches through training camp.

“You never know with this league and what goes on,” Hillman said. “It’s the way the cards are dealt and I have to deal with them.”

If Hillman makes the team, then there’s likely only room for Bibbs or Thompson. While both are good players, Thompson is the more versatile of the two.

It’s going to be a tough decision, but a strong performance against the Cardinals — on offense or special teams — could put Thompson over the top.

3. Returner battle

At this time, it seems like veteran wide receiver Jordan Norwood is locked onto the 53-man roster. He’s a good punt returner, but he’s not as comfortable returning kicks. This has opened the door for other wide receivers on the roster including the likes of Kalif Raymond, Mose Frazier and Jordan Taylor.

Both Raymond and Frazier were added as college free agents after the draft this year. While Raymond flashed early in camp, his star has faded over the course of the preseason. Frazier didn’t flash early like Raymond, but he’s been more consistent — and a better receiver — during training camp. A second-year pro out of Rice, Taylor spent last year on the team’s practice squad.

Taylor is making the most of his opportunity the second time around.

“It’s my second time to be here. It’s crazy that it’s already the fourth preseason game. It’s been flying by,” Taylor said. “I’m really excited. The confidence level compared to last year is a lot higher. Whether that be just knowing the offense, knowing schemes on special teams, I’m just a lot more comfortable out there and ready to get out there.”

Taylor has the speed to be a kick returner, and the team may get him some looks there. Raymond is the player to highlight in this battle, as his best way to make the final roster is standing out as a return man. Taking one to the house for six could help him secure a job with the Broncos.

2. Will Mose Frazier surprise?

The wide receiver position is pretty much set for the Broncos, but there may be a rookie who could find his way onto the roster when all is said and done.

As mentioned above, Mose Frazier has been consistent throughout camp. He’s already seasoned as a route runner, and he’s used to being a primary target from his days in college at Memphis.

Some tough decisions are ahead for Kubiak and company. It will be interesting to see if Frazier can do enough to win a spot on the roster — or if he’s destined to play his rookie season on the practice squad.

Kubiak does not like this part of the process.

“It’s not tough, it’s miserable. There you go, it’s miserable. These guys stay with you all offseason, they’re with you all training camp, and then you have to say, ‘No,’” Kubiak said. “Getting through this game, from a numbers standpoint, is very difficult. It’s a tough time, but the nice thing is we’re going to let all these young kids play, give them a chance to go out there and compete, see if they belong. It’s part of the business, but it’s not fun. I can tell you that.”

Frazier is a good route runner. He rarely tips off the direction he’s going, and the rookie has the speed to gain separation at the stem of his route. A favorite of his quarterback in college (Paxton Lynch), Frazier may be able to show off that long-established chemistry on Thursday night.

1. Action Paxton

We are going to get to see rookie first-round pick Paxton Lynch play the whole game against the Cardinals. Lynch is trying to work his way up the depth chart, and he’s flashed during his time in training camp and the preseason. Now, he’s at least got an opportunity to win the backup job behind starter Trevor Siemian.

Kubiak wants to see a lot from Lynch in this contest.

“Just to continue to improve. He’s going to play with a lot of young players. I thought he could handle his group a little better than he did last week, so he’s going to play with the same guys he did last week,” Kubiak said. “I was to see him consistently improve. It’s not going to be very complicated. He’s going to play a little faster and see if he can take another step.”

Lynch is the future of the Broncos, and he has the upside to be an elite franchise quarterback one day.
He could start for the team at some point this year, and we’ll get to see how far he has to go in his learning process with a full game of snaps against the Cardinals.