Once the NFL preseason is through and the tough roster cuts have been made, teams around the league can begin to form their practice squads. The limit used to be eight players on the practice squad, but the league increased the limit to 10 a few years ago.
How could the Broncos’ practice squad shake out? It’s far too early to tell, but predictions are always fun. This list will also coincide with the recent 53-man roster we put out.
Before we get into the predictions, let’s take a look at the rules of eligibility for an NFL practice squad.
- Up to four players can have two accrued seasons in the league.
- The other six slots must be filled with players who have been on an active roster for fewer than six games or were on a 46-man active roster for less than nine games.
- A player can be on a practice squad for two years. A player can earn a third year of eligibility so long as the team keeps 53 players on the roster at all times.
1. Trinity Benson, wide receiver
If you go to training camp this summer, this player is going to catch your eye. He’s similar to Isaiah McKenzie, a guy who flashed for the Broncos in camp a few summers ago. However, Benson likely offers more as a receiver than McKenzie did and he could be a real weapon as a return man.
2. Keishawn Bierria, linebacker
Bierria made the team last year as a sixth-round pick and registered five tackles on the season playing mostly on special teams.
Additional competition at inside linebacker could force the team to cut him before the season starts but he could land on the practice squad to be able to continue his career with the team.
3. Quinn Bailey, offensive lineman
An undrafted offensive lineman out of Arizona State, Bailey will be one of the odd men out when the team pares down its offensive line, but there is enough talent there to be willing to continue developing him.
4. John Leglue, offensive lineman
Another undrafted free agent, Leglue is a guy who can play multiple positions along the offensive line, having played tackle and center in college.
5. Kelvin McKnight, wide receiver
On the smaller side at 5-8 and 186 pounds, McKnight is an undrafted free agent out of Samford but don’t sell him short due to the fact he came from a small program. He plays big.
He caught 14 passes for 215 yards against Florida State last season.
6. Devontae Jackson, running back
At just 5-foot-7 and coming out of West Georgia, the odds are already stacked against undrafted rookie Devontae Jackson. But he has a teammate in Phillip Lindsay, who happens to play the same position, that overcame similar odds last season.
7. Ahmad Gooden, linebacker
One of the better looking undrafted players on the roster, Gooden could push for a roster spot but there is likely too much competition in front of him. He has the ability to get after the quarterback but if the Broncos can stash him and build upon his edge-rushing skills, he could be a factor at some point down the road.
8. Brett Rypien, quarterback
An obvious choice to go on the practice squad, Rypien does have an outside shot of making the 53-man roster depending on how many quarterbacks the Broncos decide to keep.
Since other teams can poach players off of any practice squad they like, the Broncos would have to hope no one snagged Rypien.
9. Malik Reed, linebacker
Perhaps the most intriguing competition in all of camp this summer will be the one at inside linebacker. I predicted that an undrafted rookie will make the team at this spot, with Joe Dineen edging out Reed.
Reed will land on his feet on the practice squad.
10. George Aston, fullback
Fans love Andy Janovich but should not overlook this guy. Janovich will be entering the final year of his rookie contract and Aston could be the fullback of the future in Denver.
