Race for Broncos roster spots intensifies after first preseason game

If training camp is a race between young players for roster spots — Broncos coach Sean Payton’s preferred metaphor lately — then the first preseason game equals the near turn on the track.

The Broncos are around the turn and on the back stretch this week.

Payton and his staff have game film to examine now — a concrete guide to provide “bubble” players a new sense of direction for refinement in the space between preseason games. The race will only condense and become more details-based between now and the Aug. 29 (2 p.m. MT) deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters to 53.

“They play their first game, we make the corrections, and we’re like, ‘Hey, I said we’re in a little bit of a race, especially for those players. We’ve gotta see that improvement now, Week 2,’” Payton said Tuesday. “And a lot of times, it’s (contributing on special teams). So there is a sense of urgency for those players.”

While players had Sunday off after Friday’s 18-17 loss to the Cardinals, Broncos coaches met for two and a half hours to discuss every player on the roster one by one. “We talked about the vision, where they’re at,” Payton said. “So we’ll have those meetings twice a week, but I think the body of work you have on tape is what you’ve got to look at.”

As he mentioned, for some of these fringe players, the defining tryout sample can be on special teams. Versatility is vital on the back part of the roster, and it might come in handy for contenders such as tight end Nate Adkins, who blocks well enough to fill in at fullback or on special teams. Those skills, already essential to his position, give him a chance to unseat the weaker blocking tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.

“As a rookie, as a young guy, (Adkins’) technique is great,” fullback Michael Burton said. “He’s tough. He moves well. He’s coachable. He does all the right things. Takes care of himself off the field, too. I’ve been very impressed with him. As an older guy, you really like to see these young guy spiking it up now. Yeah, he’s had a great camp.”

Certain names started to stand out against Arizona. Defensive lineman Elijah Garcia proved his worth with a pair of sacks. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who debuted as a Week 18 starter last season, had another starting opportunity in the preseason opener at a position where depth is especially important right now. Riley Moss is still out with a core muscle injury.

“I try not to think about it like (competing for a roster spot),” McMillian said after the game. “I’m competing with myself.”

Competing with himself means fighting the uphill battle of catching coaches’ eyes as an undersized player — a battle McMillian is all too accustomed to by now. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’m doing it. I don’t care about size,” he said. “I’ve been small — smaller than everybody else my whole life. It don’t matter at this point. It’s just the heart and mindset that I go to.”