Broncos: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

2. Bryce Callahan, cornerback

Callahan missed the entire 2019 season due to a foot injury after signing with the Broncos. He was quite good in 2020, with a PFF grade of 84.1 and a 47.8 passer rating allowed. But he finished the season on IR after playing 10 games, due to a foot injury again.

The Broncos used the ninth-overall pick on Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. With the signings of Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, Denver has a nice group of cornerbacks. Michael Ojemudia and 2021 seventh-round pick Kary Vincent add depth.

The Broncos can clear a little less than $7.2 million of Callahan’s $8.5 million cap hit if they cut him. If they want to clear some cap room for a run at Rodgers or maybe Deshaun Watson, cutting someone who can’t stay healthy and looks to be their No. 4 cornerback is too easy.

1. Royce Freeman, running back

When speaking about the Broncos running back situation in early-May, head coach Vic Fangio had this to say.

“Hopefully this year with our three backs — [Mike] Boone being one of them, who we really like that we signed in free agency — we’ll get a nice flow and get a good understanding and philosophy of the system which we’ll take from week to week to utilize all three of them,”

The three backs Fangio referenced are Melvin Gordon, rookie Javonte Williams and Mike Boone, who as the coach said the Broncos signed in free agency. No mention of Freeman, who had just 35 carries last season after getting at least 130 each of his first two seasons (with 43 catches in 2019).

The writing is on the wall for Freeman in Denver, as he’s been bumped down the depth chart and basically off the radar. It wouldn’t be surprising if he eventually asks for his release, and the Broncos oblige.