The Denver Broncos officially announced their 53-man roster on Saturday and though things could change by adding players off the waiver wire, the roster currently looks like this.
Many of the roster cuts were easy to predict, but as with any 53-man roster, there were some surprises. Here are four players that were a bit of a surprise to make this year’s team.
1. Devontae Booker
It’s not a major surprise to see Booker make the team. The Broncos have given some of their recent draft picks chance after chance after chance. However, Khalfani Muhammad had a much better preseason and might have made a better member of the roster.
One thing is just about for sure: this will be Booker’s last chance to show what he can do.
2. Trey Marshall
Marshall makes the team but Jamal Carter doesn’t? To me, that’s a strange decision. Carter had the chance to offer the Broncos help at two different positions and is just an overall better football player than Marshall, but it’s the former Florida State product that gets the nod.
Marshall was an undrafted free agent last season and spent time on the team’s practice squad after not making the 53-man roster. He was called up to the active roster later in the season and should be able to give the team some help on special teams.
3. Jake Butt
Butt makes the team again despite the fact that he’s been injured for nearly his entire professional career. He has talent when he’s healthy and it’s a nice feel-good story when he’s on the field, but what does he really have to offer?
The Broncos apparently feel his injury woes will just become a thing of the past at some point. For his and the team’s sake, hopefully that is the case.
4. Jake Rodgers
Rodgers will be a swing lineman for the team but after watching him get dominated by third and fourth-string players in the team’s final preseason game, it’s hard to imagine having to turn to him in the regular season.
John Leglue was more versatile and seemed like the better option for depth. Good luck to Rodgers, though. Hopefully he learned from the preseason and will become a reliable backup for the Broncos.
