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The Denver Broncos returned nearly every player from a team that was minutes away from making a trip to the Super Bowl last year. For a team with little roster turnover, the final 53-man roster should be fairly predictable.
But every training camp and preseason produces at least one surprise, and the team is bound to have a few. That leads us into a discussion about wild card players on the roster. First, let's define what a wild card player even is.
These are players who are flying under the radar and aren't being discussed on a large scale. Generally, young players who have come to the league as undrafted free agents, these are players who can steal a spot on the roster.
The Broncos have a rich history of undrafted players, as it seems at least one of them makes the team every year. Looking at the entire 91-man roster as it currently sits, who are some players that could come out of nowhere and steal a job?
Hakeem Butler's chance to make this team has been discussed as a distinct possibility. The Broncos have five wide receivers (Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant) who are going to make the team, but if a sixth is kept, Butler might be at the top of the mix.
A stud on the field year in and year out in the UFL, Butler has been given chances with multiple NFL teams, he just hasn't been able to break through. This could finally be the time that he does, and his size (6-5, 240 pounds) could be greatly beneficial to the offense.
Tyler Miller came to the Broncos as an undrafted free agent, but he earned great experience in college as a Big 12 offensive tackle. He's a mammoth of a man at 6-8, 320 pounds, and he is stout in pass protection.
The Broncos have a deep and talented offensive line that includes incredible depth, so it may be tough for Miller to crack into the 53-man roster, but he projects as a solid rotational tackle who could have a long professional career.
It seems that a lot of the buzz surrounding the former basketball player Caleb Lohner has slowed down, but he is still perhaps the ultimate wild card on the entire roster.
Coach Sean Payton turned a former basketball player in Jimmy Graham into one of the best tight ends in the NFL at one time, and Lohner has the skills to be a red-zone monster in the league, if he can get healthy. The Broncos have Evan Engram and Adam Trautman as their top two tight ends, but beyond them, the position is wide open.
Brent Austin was one of the more intriguing names for the Broncos in this year's undrafted free-agent class, and he has had a strong showing in camp so far.
The Broncos have a tremendous cornerback group with Pat Surtain, Riley Moss, Ja'Quan McMillian, Jahdad Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine, but don't be surprised if Austin gets one of this year's last roster spots.
A seventh-round pick, Miles Scott, should be on the right side of any 53-man prediction currently. The Broncos have a great starting duo in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, but Scott could easily take a primary backup job away from the likes of Tycen Anderson or JL Skinner.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 5 biggest wild card players at Broncos training camp
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But every training camp and preseason produces at least one surprise, and the team is bound to have a few. That leads us into a discussion about wild card players on the roster. First, let's define what a wild card player even is.
These are players who are flying under the radar and aren't being discussed on a large scale. Generally, young players who have come to the league as undrafted free agents, these are players who can steal a spot on the roster.
The Broncos have a rich history of undrafted players, as it seems at least one of them makes the team every year. Looking at the entire 91-man roster as it currently sits, who are some players that could come out of nowhere and steal a job?
Broncos' top 5 wild card players ahead of 2026 season
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1. Hakeem Butler, WR
Hakeem Butler's chance to make this team has been discussed as a distinct possibility. The Broncos have five wide receivers (Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant) who are going to make the team, but if a sixth is kept, Butler might be at the top of the mix.
A stud on the field year in and year out in the UFL, Butler has been given chances with multiple NFL teams, he just hasn't been able to break through. This could finally be the time that he does, and his size (6-5, 240 pounds) could be greatly beneficial to the offense.
2. Tyler Miller, OL
Tyler Miller came to the Broncos as an undrafted free agent, but he earned great experience in college as a Big 12 offensive tackle. He's a mammoth of a man at 6-8, 320 pounds, and he is stout in pass protection.
The Broncos have a deep and talented offensive line that includes incredible depth, so it may be tough for Miller to crack into the 53-man roster, but he projects as a solid rotational tackle who could have a long professional career.
3. Caleb Lohner, TE
It seems that a lot of the buzz surrounding the former basketball player Caleb Lohner has slowed down, but he is still perhaps the ultimate wild card on the entire roster.
Coach Sean Payton turned a former basketball player in Jimmy Graham into one of the best tight ends in the NFL at one time, and Lohner has the skills to be a red-zone monster in the league, if he can get healthy. The Broncos have Evan Engram and Adam Trautman as their top two tight ends, but beyond them, the position is wide open.
4. Brent Austin, CB
Brent Austin was one of the more intriguing names for the Broncos in this year's undrafted free-agent class, and he has had a strong showing in camp so far.
The Broncos have a tremendous cornerback group with Pat Surtain, Riley Moss, Ja'Quan McMillian, Jahdad Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine, but don't be surprised if Austin gets one of this year's last roster spots.
5. Miles Scott, Safety
A seventh-round pick, Miles Scott, should be on the right side of any 53-man prediction currently. The Broncos have a great starting duo in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, but Scott could easily take a primary backup job away from the likes of Tycen Anderson or JL Skinner.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 5 biggest wild card players at Broncos training camp
Continue reading...
