Preseason Depth Chart

[SenorClean2k0]

The Broncos released their first depth chart of the preseason. Thoughts?

http://www.denverbroncos.com/team/depth-chart.html

Lance Ball 2nd at RB is somewhat surprising
Jason Hunter taking the early 1 at LDE
Carter and Moore are the 1s at safety
_________________

[AntiSuperstar]

Once you get past the starters(where there are zero surprises), the order of the backups on pre-season depth charts at least on most positions is kind of arbitrary anyway. Some players like Matt Willis look higher than I would have expected and Julius Thomas lower, but really none of this is likely to matter because the actual positions will be determined in pre-season.

EDIT: That's a good point below poster about Wolfe. Guy is 2nd on the Defensive End depth chart behind Hunter. That's kind of weird. It wouldn't shock me if that stayed the same say if Hunter played well in pre-season but my guess is that wouldn't stay the same all season long(unless Wolfe sucks or something) and they would just be bringing the young guy along slowly. I want to see Hunter play this season because based on last year him being a starter at Defensive End would be a huge concern.

Mike Adams is also listed as a backup.
_________________
Stop slobbering over Brian Dawkins

[BroncoinGermany]

- Carter and Kuper are first string.

Carter is definately out, but what about Kuper? Is he indeed so far along that he is able to play for a series or two on Thursday? Or is this depth chart more pro forma? The fact that DJ is still listed as the starter at SLB might indicate that.

- Wolfe listed at DE.

- Ball as the primary back up to Willis.
_________________

Hamilton | Rosberg | Mercedes AMG Petronas
(© Joe_is_the_best)

[Mr.MileHigh]

[JerseysFinest27]

A bunch of curveballs as far as "depth" goes. Starters are pretty much true except Jason Hunter.

-Philip Blake 3rd at C, put to rest all the guys around here thinking hes even a starter right now.
-Mike Mohammed 2nd at MLB, interesting to see how that plays out the rest of the year.
-Nate Irving 2nd at SLB, this might actually be a good fit for him. He can fill the void in nickel too.
-The hurt/suspended players, Kuper/Carter/DJ, all starters.
_________________


Stop slobbering over Lance Ball.

[broncospride95]

Three surprising things to me:

Wolfe as a DE - maybe they're just trying him out at DE, but I thought he would be used mainly as a DT when he got his weight up to 300 or so and indications have been he's put on 10 more lbs since the combine which he weighed 295 at.

Adams backing up Carter - weird since Carter is injured and most of us had already pencilled in Adams as a starter.

Lance Ball 2nd string RB - imo Ball just isn't good.
_________________
Broncos-Bulls-Cubs-CU-Blackhawks

[AKRNA]

As Anti said, not many surprises among starters. I guess Hunter and Carter/Moore are mild surprises. Some of the backups though were interesting.
Defense:
Jackson as a DT and Wolfe as DE.
Ayers swapping sides to back up Doom
Irving as SLB leaving the MLB to Mohammed.

Offense:
Not much here, Harris backing up Franklin I guess since Clark has been taking most of the reps with Franklin out. Also wouldn't be surprised to see Weber move up and Hanie down. Not really too surprised about Ball, Moreno is really slow to rehab plus Ball is listed as our KR. Moreno needs to step it up if he wants to stick.

Be fun to keep a watch on. They'll probably re-release after the Bears game.

Is Franklin cleared to play then?

[AKRNA]

[AntiSuperstar]

Except bizarrely against the Patriots last season, Mays didn't play in nickel anyway. Last year's nickel Linebackers were Woodyard and DJ and right now it will likely be Woodyard and Mohamed.
_________________
Stop slobbering over Brian Dawkins

[PackAtBroncos07]

My thoughts:

RB is a logjam. Plenty of depth, given our QB, and some raw talent. Would love to see McGahee, Ball, Moreno, and Hillman get the majority of carries this year but we'll see how it plays out. One of those guys could get cut.

Nate Irving as backup SLB? I like it. He's got the speed and straight-line quickness to the ball carrier. Could also serve for more playing time and experience as he grows into a future MLB for us.

WR's are a pretty set with a nice toss up as far as depth with a mix of unproven and wily veterans.

Julius Thomas I hope is not the surprise cut. I would love for him to see some action on Sunday's this year. He needs to work his way up the depth chart, now.

CB's look good. Should be able to contain the vast majority of QB's in the game because we should be getting a more than serviceable pass rush. Tony Carter/Syd'Quan is a toss up to me.

Derek Wolfe is going to get playing time at either position (DE/DT) because his spirit and motor is needed on the field. Would like to see Ayers starting opposite Doom but I think Hunter is underrated by most of the more critital posters around here. Not that much of a drop off between he and Ayers.

We should be able to get a decent push from our DT's this year. Hopefully we're playing with a lead in the 4th Quarter though.

Glad our starting safeties are two second-years in Moore and Carter. Both have shown enough to be given legit chances at perennial starters at their position. One, or both, could still fail though.
_________________

[AKRNA]

[PredomntlyOrnge]

I would love to see Moore and Carter prove themselves as the starting safteys, but I really think that 1st game of the season its Adams and Leonhard starting (if his knee is okay)

I think there is a good chance our 2 LB's in the nickel end up being Woodyard and Trevathon until DJ returns.

[Mr.MileHigh]

[bobdevine]

Over all, the biggest surprises for me were on defense. Lots of re-shuffling. Changes in DTs, DEs, LBs, and Ss. Only the CBs seem to be stable.

[paul-mac]

Surprised Brock is ahead of Weber
_________________