After a late kickoff in the Pacific Northwest, there has been a little time to digest the Denver Broncos’ 22-14 loss in the preseason to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
This game featured Broncos fans being subjected to watching Paxton Lynch, the same guy who looked like he didn’t belong in the league during his time with the Broncos, look like a star.
The man tabbed as the future of the franchise, much as Lynch once was, Drew Lock will not appear on either list here after a mixed bag in this game. He had some poor throws and an interception, but he did finally lead the team on a touchdown drive.
It is refreshing to see the team giving him so much work. There is no reason not to. However, he’s a long-term project, and it shows.
Winner: Malik Reed
Reed’s young career is off to a terrific start, regardless of the level of competition he is up against. The undrafted linebacker out of Nevada is making plays all over the field and seems to have gained the respect of his teammates.
Taking advantage of the fact that Todd Davis and Josey Jewell were both out of the lineup, Reed made an early impact. He had a sack in this game, but the plays he made that won’t show up on the stat sheet were just as impressive.
He got pressure on the quarterback several times and was able to stick with that quarterback when he tried to shake him. Reed is a highly athletic player who is starting to carve out on a spot on the 53-man roster.
If I were a betting man, I’d say he’ll be on it.
Loser: Devontae Booker
Booker needed to step up and have a good game against the Seahawks, and he was just too quiet. Playing for his professional livelihood at this point, Booker almost looks like a guy who knows his fate is sealed.
Though he got the ball back, he fumbled the opening kickoff and carried the ball just two times for seven yards after that.
Winner: Josh Watson
Like Reed, Watson is having a strong summer while trying to earn a roster spot. He led the way for the Broncos in this game with 10 tackles and could be a key reserve and special teams player.
At worst, he will be one of the top players on the team’s practice squad this year. The former Colorado State player has 15 tackles and one hit on the quarterback in limited snaps during two preseason games.
Loser: Austin Fort
This was so unfortunate.
Fort, who had turned heads during the summer as an undrafted tight end out of Wyoming, was carted off with a torn ACL.
The injury will end his season and it gives the Broncos, a team already thin at tight end, more issues. It’s time for Jake Butt (if he can ever get back on the field) or Troy Fumagalli to step up.
Winner: Su’a Cravens
Cravens didn’t light up the stat sheet, and though he shouldn’t be considered a major “winner” following this game, there should be some optimism because it looks like he could be a good fit for this defense.
Cravens has looked good in both preseason games and led the Broncos with four solo tackles on Thursday night. Desire and motivation have always seemed to be the biggest questions surrounding him, and he played with motivation on Thursday night.
Winner: Devontae Jackson
Last week it was Khalfani Muhammad, this week it was Jackson. While Muhammad was held to negative yardage rushing, Jackson carried three times for 18 yards and caught two passes for another 18 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown.
While Booker is struggling, there is a chance the Broncos will still keep a fourth running back in addition to Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman and Theo Riddick.
That competition could be between Jackson and Muhammad.
