5 Young Broncos who Need to Get More Playing Time Post-Bye

The Broncos need to get these five young players on the field more down the stretch.

It has been a rough 3-6 start for the Denver Broncos. But the Broncos have some young talent, much of which haven’t seen the field all that much, if at all, and to close the season, that should probably change. 

Denver needs to focus on getting young guys developed, or seeing what they have in them. Those factors are what led to these following five young players who need more playing time.

Drew Lock, QB: Zero total snaps (injured reserve)

Of course, Lock was going to be on this list. Denver drafted him believing him to be the future of the franchise. Will he be? 

Well, that can’t be answered with him sitting on the sidelines. The handling of Lock can only be described as questionable at best, from keeping him from practicing to even putting him on injured reserve in the first place.

Brandon Allen played well against the Browns, but the Broncos need to get Lock out there on the field no later than the Week 13 game against the Chargers and let him finish the season. The Broncos need to know whether he really does have the potential to be a quarterback of the future or not. 

Juwann Winfree, WR: 15 total snaps on offense

When the Broncos drafted Winfree in the sixth round back in the spring, he was hyped up as being this year's Phillip Lindsay, as in, he would be a rookie stud on offense right out of the gates. If that was the case, why isn’t Winfree playing?

This is a case of the hype for a rookie being too high, but that said, the Broncos still need to get Winfree on the field. He was a sixth-round pick, but if they really had high hopes for him, give him some chances out there. 

DaeSean Hamilton hasn’t emerged, Tim Patrick is coming back form injured reserve, and Fred Brown has had little opportunity.

Maybe Winfree can be the big-play deep threat that the offense needs. The Broncos won’t know unless they get him out there on the field. Denver really have nothing else to lose on the season and they need to be evaluating what young players they have.

Justin Hollins, OLB: 99 total snaps on defense

While 99 snaps seems like a good number, that comes out to just 11 per game. Denver invested in Hollins because of his versatility, and that should help him see the field more. 

Hollins did play off-ball against the Jaguars in Week 4, and played poorly, but that can’t end his development to be that versatile piece like the team planned. Hollins is showing well as an edge rusher, but that was only part of what he was drafted to do.

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Andrew Beck, TE: 92 total snaps on offense

Originally brought in to be a temporary replacement forFB  Andy Janovich, Beck has shown he is a capable blocker for the Broncos. Beck is getting a solid amount of playing time, but getting him more time and seeing what he offers as a receiver could lead the Broncos to parting ways with Jeff Heuerman.

Troy Fumagalli, TE: 41 total snaps on offense

Once regarded as having the best hands at tight end, Fumagalli was quickly benched due to putrid blocking. The tight end position for the Broncos is looking rough behind Noah Fant and they need to see if someone can step up. 

Between Beck and Fumagalli, Denver needs to hope one can develop into a good backup tight end, if not both. Fumagalli has been a disappointment so far, but Denver needs to see if he can grow.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.