The Denver Broncos will play their final preseason game of the summer on Friday night at home against the Minnesota Vikings. Just days after that, the roster will have to be trimmed from 91 players down to 53. That's a total of 38 players being moved.
General manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton will have a difficult time with some of these decisions and it could require some creativity, such as working trades with other teams, to get to the league-mandated number.
The third and final exhibition game could be the last time we see some of these players in a Broncos uniform. Here, we will look at four players who are sitting on the roster bubble who could use a strong showing against the Vikings in order to stick around with the organization,
even if that is as a member of the practice squad.
Broncos players who need a positive performance vs. Vikings
1. Sai'vion Jones, DE
One of the biggest questions the Broncos had going into training camp and preseason this summer was finding the replacement for John Franklin-Myers on the defensive line. While there was always a chance that the hole would be filled by multiple players, the team has yet to sufficiently answer that question.
Second-year player Sai'vion Jones seemed to be one of the frontrunners to earn that spot, but he has been extremely quiet this summer. It seems unlikely that the Broncos would cut bait on a third-round pick this quickly, but he needs to do something to show that he belongs. He has had a difficult time getting off blocks and has been handled by offensive linemen at the professional level rather easily. None of that is a good sign.
2. Jordan Turner, LB
Jordan Turner is a player the Broncos like, but he seems to be behind Karene Reid in the pecking order by a good margin. With Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad and Red Murdock all almost certainly making the team, Turner is down to his last shot to avoid hoping that he is placed on the practice squad (or claimed on waivers by another team).
3. Miles Scott, S
The Broncos' seventh-round pick seemed destined to be placed on the practice squad, but the recent release of Taylor Rapp keeps the door open for him, at least for the time being.
A big game for Scott on Friday could earn him a spot on the 53-man roster.
4. Kolbe Katsis, WR
Kolbe Katsis has a unique situation. He's a wide receiver by trade, but his value to the Broncos, at least initially, is as a kick returner. He's probably not going to make the 53-man roster, but he is likely a lock for a spot on the practice squad. Another solid outing returning kicks would all but cement his status there.
However, he could perform so well that another team could claim him off waivers to use as their future return specialist. If the Broncos are already sold on his talent, they could try to keep him out of this game or use him in a different role to hide him from other teams.
The strategies of team building at the end of the preseason are endless.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 4 Broncos players who need to make the most of preseason finale
