By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos are preparing to take on the Minnesota Vikings Saturday for their 1st preseason game. Denver released the depth chart for the game.
The biggest battle in camp is backup quarterback to Case Keenum. Right now Paxton Lynch is ahead of Chad Kelly. Lynch has earned the spot right now. Kelly didn’t play at all last year in his rookie year. Lynch has the upper hand. Kelly will have his chance to beat out Lynch and by this time next week, he might be the 2nd string quarterback. That all depends on Lynch and Kelly’s play against the Vikings. Whoever performs better should end up as the backup and take the 2nd team reps in practice.
One of the surprises is tight end. Jeff Heuerman is the starter even though he has only participated in 7 workouts in camp. Jake Butt has been practicing more. Butt hasn’t played a down in the NFL since being drafted by the Broncos last season. The only reason Heuerman is listed as the starter is because he has more experience in the NFL to this point than Butt. If Butt has an outstanding game, he should be listed ahead of Heuerman.
Special teams is an area that needs improvement this season. The Broncos couldn’t trust Isaiah McKenzie as a punt returner. He dropped the ball too many times and took chances with the football rather then signaling for a fair catch. He has to improve this season if he wants to make the team. Right now he is listed as the #1 punt returner. If he struggles against the Vikings, McKenzie may not make the team and the position will be wide open.
Of course besides punt returner special teams needs a kick returner. That can be important in games for field position. Most of the time they should let the ball land in the end zone so the offense starts at the 25-yard line. Rookie running back Phillip Lindsay is listed as the #1 kick returner. Denver must see something in him to be the primary kick returner.
These are just a few of the positions to look for during the Vikings’ game. The depth chart will change depending on how players perform and what the coaching staff sees on film. Most of them could change during the course of the preseason. Time will tell, but hopefully on Saturday, there are no injuries for the Broncos.
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