The preseason is finally done! Next up, Kansas City.
After a disappointing showing last week, the Broncos ended the preseason with a dominating 34-6 victory over the Vikings. It was a typical third preseason game that saw the vast majority of the starters sit out the game and the backups get some playing time in ahead of cut day.
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As for the winners and losers, this game is a tough one to navigate. Most roster decisions are likely already decided, and players in a good spot either do not play or don’t play much at all. We all witnessed tight end Albert O. have a big game in the preseason finale, only to be cut a few days later and not make the practice squad.
With that said, here are my winners and losers from the Denver Broncos’ 34-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings
WINNER – RB Cody Schrader
Schrader isn’t making the 53-man roster, and honestly, wasn’t on many people’s radar for a spot on the practice squad, but that all likely changes after tonight.
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The reserve running back had the game of his career tonight, where he totaled 132 total yards from scrimmage (42 yards rushing and 90 receiving yards) and 1 touchdown.
This was the Cody Schrader game.
He looked elusive, had good vision, ran hard, and made plays in the passing game. The highlight of his night was getting open on a broken play and catching a wide-open touchdown from quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
Coming into the night, he was a borderline practice squad player, and it’s unclear if this performance changes that, but he certainly made the decision tougher for the Broncos coaches. As Sean Payton said at halftime and after the game, this game is like The Voice.
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“Make us spin the chair”.
Cody Schrader may have done that tonight.
WINNER – WR Pat Bryant and RB Jonah Coleman
I’ll keep this short and sweet, but neither player played tonight, which is great news for both players. A clear sign that Bryant locked down the WR3 job and that rookie running back Jonah Coleman will have a role in this offense.
WINNER – QB Sam Ehlinger
Veteran Jarrett Stidham started the game and looked decent. He improved on his disappointing performance vs. the Packers, but only played a handful of drives before handing things off to Sam Ehlinger for the rest of the game.
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Well, it didn’t start off great for the Broncos’ third-string quarterback. He threw an ugly interception on his first pass of the game. Not what you want to see from a player fighting for a spot on this roster.
However, Ehlinger didn’t let that mistake keep him down, and he had a pretty good game overall. He finished the game going 15 of 20 for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns.
When asked after the game if they will keep three quarterbacks, Payton told reporters, “We’ll see.” Ultimately, I believe they should keep two on the 53 and do what they did last season with Ehlinger as the third quarterback who will bounce on and off the practice squad.
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As for the backup competition, I don’t think he did enough, and Stidham played ahead of him throughout the preseason. I believe it’s more about whether or not they will keep 2 or 3 quarterbacks, and Ehlinger made a strong case tonight.
LOSER – RB Jaleel McLaughlin
This isn’t a performance-related loser. It’s the fact that the Broncos sat three running backs, and Tyler Badie, who was active ahead of him for most of the season last year, got the start ahead of McLaughlin and left the game while Jaleel played into the 4th quarter.
The writing just seems to be on the wall for the former undrafted free agent. I don’t think he makes the 53-man roster and honestly, it seems like Badie has a better shot at the practice squad spot right now. Then you have Cody Schrader having an insane game, and it gets tough for McLaughlin.
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He did have a nice catch-and-run touchdown tonight and showed off his speed. I just think he’ll be playing elsewhere this season.
WINNER – TE Justin Joly
Disclaimer: I could have caught and run this in for a touchdown(maybe), but still. Rookie tight end Justin Joly was about as wide open as you can get and hauled in a Sam Ehlinger pass and ran it in for a walk-in 88-yard touchdown.
It has been a tough summer for the Broncos ‘ 5th-round pick, but he finished the preseason on a high note with this. Again, it was about as easy as you can get, but hey, at least he didn’t drop it.
LOSER – Jonathon Cooper
While every Broncos starter on offense and defense did not dress for this game, edge rusher Jonathon Cooper did, which isn’t a great sign about his availability moving forward.
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There is a lot of talk that he will land on the Commissioner’s Exempt list as his legal process moves forward. This will remove him from the 53-man roster and place him on paid leave while his legal matter moves forward. The fact that he played tonight suggests the Broncos do not plan to have him available moving forward.
Other Winners and Losers
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WINNER – S JL Skinner: He got the start and appears to have locked up a spot on the 53-man roster
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WINNER – LB Karene Reid: It sounds like he will be the Broncos LB3 and has locked up a roster spot
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WINNER – LB Red Murdock: He unsurprisingly forced a fumble, but does he make the 53-man roster?
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WINNER – FB Adam Prentice: The preseason MVP scored another touchdown
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WINNER – TE Nate Adkins: Made some plays in the opening few drives and seems like a player who locked up a roster spot
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WINNER – WR/KR Kolbe Katsis: Had some good returns and showed off his speed and playmaking ability – Does he make the practice squad?
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LOSER – WR/KR Cameron Ross: Muffed a punt – Does he make the practice squad?
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WINNER – Broncos fans: The preseason is FINALLY over, and we’re on to Kansas City
