7 Broncos With the Most to Lose in Preseason Game 2 vs. Niners

Which Denver Broncos are under the gun entering the preseason game vs. the San Francisco 49ers?

The Denver Broncos lost their preseason opener, but the team's overall outlook remains positive. There were issues with the starting unit, but the Broncos still managed to move the ball and lead a touchdown drive, with two more ending in missed field goals. 

Obviously, the Broncos need those field goals to connect, along with better results from the run game and better blocking from the offensive line. But it wasn't all bad. With the second preseason game coming up, the hope is to see the Broncos improve those areas, or else it'll be time to raise serious concerns. 

When it comes to individual performances, multiple players have a lot on the line against the San Francisco 49ers. The following seven players didn't have the best game to open the preseason or were unable to see the field. 

With how others looked at the same position, some could be in jeopardy of being cut, while others could be in danger of losing their spot on the depth chart. 

Jarrett Stidham | QB

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As Denver's No. 2 quarterback, Stidham completed a third of his passing attempts, going 5-of-15, with only 50 yards to show. The 10-yard average isn't terrible, but you want more consistency from the backup QB. 

Stidham led four drives, with one field goal, which came on a four-play, eight-yard drive. He led another 10-play drive that went 19 yards for a missed field goal.

With Stidham under center, the Broncos ran 27 plays for 90 yards. While Denver scored once, Stidham also threw an interception. It's safe to say the offense stalled under him, and it was a time when the offensive line was doing somewhat decent.

Of Stidham's 50 yards, 26 of them came on one play. It highlights how inconsistent he was, but his issues were how those inconsistencies looked. 

Stidham was all over the place with his ball placement on throws, and his reads weren't great. The best thing he showed was his athleticism and ability to use his legs to pick up yards. If he isn't more consistent with his throws, he could be at risk of losing the backup job.

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Marquez Callaway | WR

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When Callaway was signed, he was presumed to make the roster due to his special teams play and familiarity with Sean Payton and his offense. However, Payton called out Callaway after practice last week, and the receiver didn't respond in the game.

The wide receiver is such a dependent position. They can get open, but they aren't getting a chance if the quarterback doesn't look their way. 

Callaway was targeted twice in preseason Game 1, with only one catch for seven yards. Unlike other receivers, what stood out was that he wasn't getting separation consistently enough. Callaway played 19 total snaps, 16 of them as a receiver, and the three snaps as a run blocker left you wanting more.

The Broncos' wide receiver room is tight, and the coaches are looking for someone to stand out. This was an excellent opportunity for Callaway with Marvin Mims, Jr. and Brandon Johnson not playing, but he didn't take advantage of it. 

If Callaway doesn't step up during the week of practice as Payton called for and fails to stand out against the Niners, his roster prospects could be in jeopardy. 

Albert Owkeugbunam | TE

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There were not many expecting Okwuegbunam to make the roster. He entered the game late against the Cardinals and was the fourth tight end to enter the game. 

Chris Manhertz didn't play, and if you look at the depth chart, Manhertz is the third tight end. With all that in mind, it cements the probability that Okquegbunam and the Broncos are poised to part ways.

Okweugbunam still has issues as a blocker and was never targeted in the game. When he entered the game, the Cardinals were fielding mostly fourth-unit defenders. 

That should have been an opportunity for Okwuegbunam, but he didn't make his presence felt. He's always been at risk of getting cut or traded if the Broncos can somehow manage to get something, but if he doesn't step up against the Niners, his chances of making it will be zero. 

Garett Bolles | OT

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It was a rough night for the Broncos' starting left tackle. Plenty of excuses are available for Bolles, from changing offenses, changing his position coach once again, to even the leg injury that ended his season last October, but his play was that of a college freshman going against NFL All-Pros. And yet, Bolles' lapses came against Dennis Gardeck.

Gardeck has been in the NFL since 2018 and has played 480 snaps on defense during the regular season, not in 2018, but over his whole career. He has eight career sacks, seven of which came as a situational pass rusher in 2020. That's who beat Bolles like a drum on Friday night. 

While Bolles isn't at risk of losing the starting job, it is only because Cameron Fleming wasn't any better. Fleming also has much to lose, as the third and fourth-team tackles looked better than he or Bolles. 

The Broncos need Bolles to step up, and he wants to keep his job. If he doesn't answer the bell vs. the Niners, it increases the chances of him being benched or potentially released.

Cutting Bolles would create nearly $12 million in cap savings with $6 million in dead cap. It would be even better if the Broncos could find a trade partner, but they would need him to look decent to find a potential buyer. 

Whatever happens, the Broncos can't go forward with Bolles looking like he did against a weak Cardinals defensive front. 

Mike Purcell | IDL

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It sucks that Purcell is hurt and unable to get out on the field. Even at his age, he can still contribute to the defensive line. However, the Broncos could consider parting ways if he can't get healthy in time. 

Despite the issues the Broncos had against the Cardinals, the defensive line did well. It would be hard for Purcell to stick if the Broncos get similar results against the Niners. He has to get healthy and cleared to return to practice as soon as possible.

Baron Browning | OLB

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Browning is in a similar boat as Purcell, but Browning's timetable to return is known. While he won't be cut, Browning is at risk of losing his spot as the third rusher in the rotation. 

Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto are doing well in camp and translated it to the first preseason game. If those two keep it up, it significantly boosts the Broncos' pass rush and can change the plans with Browning going forward. 

Essang Bassey | CB

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Yes, Essang Bassey had an interception, but it came off a receiver slipping on the field. He also had that weird onside kick recovery, so hats off to him. 

However, outside of that, it was a rough showing from Bassey. The backup nickel spot is his to lose, as he started the game there, but Ja'Quan McMillian may have something to say about it.

McMillian showed versatility to play inside and on the boundary against the Cardinals, and Bassey doesn't have that. Bassey has to offer more against the Niners if he wants to fend off McMillian and secure the backup job. 

Faion Hicks is also there pushing for the job. Bassey is at risk of not making the roster due to the numbers game, losing out to the versatile McMillian, or losing his job outright. 

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