Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills Preseason Game 2: Players with the Most to Lose and Win

The Denver Broncos march through the preseason with an away tilt against the Buffalo Bills, next on the docket. As the now 85-man roster competes for an increasingly limited number of open spots on the 53-man roster, preseason games suddenly become crucial.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett may not care much about the preseason, but for players fighting for jobs and roster spots, it can mean everything. Who are some of the players to watch in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Bills?

Who has more to lose and win? Let’s dive.

jose johnson | Quarterback

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson turned a slow start to training camp into an impressive preseason debut last week. But facing a Bills first-team defense packed with talent, the Broncos’ current No. 2 quarterback will be put to the test.

As a battle-hardened NFL veteran, Johnson has faced such opponents before (nine career starts). If he wants to keep the competition at bay, Johnson has to rise to the occasion.

Brandon Johnson | WR

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. — Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The undrafted rookie has that elusive thing NFL players covet: momentum. And a budding relationship with Russell Wilson to boot.

Johnson has even received praise from Coach Hackett. But the NFL is a production-based business, and as much as the Broncos need another solid possession receiver after Tim Patrick’s injury, there are plenty of players vying for maybe two (at most) seats at the 53-man table.

Johnson finished second on the team in receiving last week. We’ll see what he can muster in Game 2.

Baron Browning | OLB

Denver Broncos linebacker Baron Browning (56) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of an impressive preseason debut, Browning was a revelation on Saturday against Dallas. Newly turned into a running linebacker (from inside), he was a force to be reckoned with as both a running defender and pass rusher.

If Browning manages to stand out like that against Buffalo, it could be a harbinger of great things to come in 2022.

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Calvin Anderson | Old Testament

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. — Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson played much of Game 1 at right tackle and left a lot to be desired. The Broncos, two days later, dropped Billy Turner from the cub list.

I do not believe in coincidences. Whether or not Turner was ready to leave the PUP, he was barely seen last week at the UCHealth Training Center as he took time out on “personal business.”

Anderson can further delay Turner’s return to the starting lineup by playing much better in Game 2. Facing tougher competition won’t be easy. But Denver can’t be sure Anderson will be its swing tackle for 2022. Take a step forward.

Brett Rypien | Quarterback

Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) passes the ball in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rypien was solid in Game 1, but Johnson outshone him on the scoreboard. On his current track record, Rypien is the best case scenario for the practice squad, but he still has a chance to convince the coaches of his worth to serve as Wilson’s backup.

If Rypien doesn’t pull it off this time, I’m not sure how much longer the Broncos will find it useful to keep the former Boise State star undrafted.

mike boone | RB

The Broncos’ running game was atrocious in Game 1, likely due to a lack of first-team players. It won’t get any easier in Game 2 with the Bills planning to play most of their starters.

Boone finished with -1 yards on three carries last week. Obviously, the top two spots at running back are held by Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, but if Boone considers himself more than a third-row guy, he has to prove it in situations like the one the Broncos face on Saturday.

Matt Henningson | DL

Henningsen is a sixth-round rookie who many didn’t expect would have much of a chance to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster after training camp. However, those who felt this way did not know much about his history and the size of the heart that this boy has.

Henningsen came out fired in Game 1, though it didn’t equate to big stats on the scoreboard. He was a constant disruptor, winning his one-on-one matchups and penetrating the Dallas backfield regularly.

Still, Coach Hackett didn’t talk much about Henningsen when asked about him earlier this week. Hackett wants to see more. Specifically, Henningsen has to get home and turn some of that disruptive pressure into sacks.

Alberto Okwuegbunam | NO

Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) warms up before the preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Okwuegbunam is currently listed as this team’s TE1, but it certainly didn’t look good in Game 1. A lackluster blocking effort saw a freerunner light up Johnson on a 4th and 2. Albert O’s execution on that play was just pitiful.

But we know what he brings to the table as a receiver. The rub? The Broncos won’t be able to fully utilize Okwuegbunam’s receiving advantage if he can’t become at least a solid blocker. Otherwise, opponents will have no plausible reason to believe that any play Albert O is on the field for could be a run.

Do the best.

Graham Glasgow | MESS

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) behind offensive guard Graham Glasgow (61) and center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. — Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Glasgow’s place on the roster is likely to be secure, especially given his veteran experience playing center and guard, and the current injury situation with Netane Muti. But Glasgow will be tasked with doing some heavy lifting on Saturday against Buffalo.

Will he play center with banged-up fifth-round rookie Luke Wattenberg? Time will tell, but as Glasgow continues to make a full recovery from the injury that ended his 2021 campaign, it will be interesting to see if he can return to his starting form.

PJ Locke | yes

Denver Broncos safety PJ Locke (37) and linebacker Justin Strnad (40) celebrate an interception in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Locke is a man on the rise and appears to have beaten Jamar Johnson off the Broncos roster. However, Locke is still not a sure thing.

He played well in Game 1, even intercepting a pass (courtesy of Henningsen’s quarterback pressure), but Locke continues to compete with young upstarts like fifth-round Delarrin Turner-Yell and veteran JR Reed for No. 4 behind the Broncos. Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson and Caden Sterns.

Alex Singleton | pound

Denver Broncos safety JR Reed (20) talks with inside linebacker Alex Singleton (49) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (47) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. — Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Singleton’s prospects improved markedly when Jonas Griffith suffered that injury 4-6 weeks into Game 1. Then the Broncos went out and signed veteran Joe Schobert, putting Singleton on notice.

The Broncos loved Singleton for his acumen on special teams, but can he make the roster because of his contributions as a defensive inside linebacker? Singelton probably has the inside track on the other starting spot alongside Josey Jewell while Griffin recovers, but Schobert will look for him.

The pressure is on Singleton to shine in Buffalo and hopefully prevent the newcomer from taking his job. Because, breaking news, Griffith will be back sooner than we initially thought.

Corliss Waiter | P

Denver Broncos punter Corliss Waitman (17) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. — Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

I know I know Why are we talking about a gambler? Because the Broncos can save $2.25 million on the salary cap if Waitman can beat out Sam Martin for the kicking job.

Waitman was solid in Game 1, but there’s nothing to write home about punting from the comfortable altitude of his home. How will he perform in the significantly denser air of upstate New York?

The Broncos brought in a punt competition for a reason. The team would rather not pay Martin $2.25 million, but at the same time, not having punt reliability can be a death sentence for a team like the Broncos who are poised to be a contender in 2022.

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