The Denver Broncos have cut or traded three members of their 2021 NFL draft class, and more cuts might be on the way.
Last year, Denver picked safety Jamar Johnson in the fifth round and cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. and defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer in the seventh round.
The Broncos later traded Vincent to the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round pick. That was an excellent move given that Denver picked him one round later than that and had plenty of depth at corner at the time.
This year, the Broncos waived Johnson in their first round of roster cuts. Denver then waived/injured Spencer in the second round of cuts.
Spencer initially cleared waivers and reverted to the team’s injured reserve list, but Denver reached an injury settlement with the defensive lineman, making him a free agent. Spencer and Johnson might be candidates for the practice squad next week, but they’re off the team at least for now.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Seth Williams (sixth round) and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (seventh round) might also be on the roster bubble ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to submit a 53-man roster.
The good news for the Broncos is that general manager George Paton made 10 picks last year, and the first six have looked brilliant so far: CB Pat Surtain, RB Javonte Williams, OL Quinn Meinerz, OLB Baron Browning and DB Caden Sterns are also poised to have key roles this season.
Overall, it still looks like an excellent draft class for Denver, but the late-round picks aren’t all going to hit, and that’s normal in the NFL.
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