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5 undrafted free agents with best chances to make Broncos' 53-man roster
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- 5 undrafted free agents with best chances to make Broncos' 53-man roster
The Denver Broncos have a great history of undrafted free agents making the 53-man roster, with at least one UDFA earning a spot on the active roster in 21 of the last 22 seasons. So, who has the best chance this year?
Follow the money.
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Money is obviously not the only factor -- players still have to perform during training camp and preseason to make the squad -- but it does give a hint at how the team ranks their top UDFA additions. The team's five highest-paid UDFAs this year probably have the best odds of making the 53-man roster.
Missouri pass rusher Johnny Walkerreceived the highest signing bonus ($20,000, tied) and the most guaranteed money ($254,000) among the team's UDFA signings this spring, according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis . Denver is deep at outside linebacker, but Walker (6-3, 250 pounds) could be a sleeper after totaling 9.5 sacks last fall.
Utah linebacker Karene Reid got a $15,000 signing bonus and $249,000 guaranteed (second most). Reid (6-0, 226 pounds) faces long odds to make the active roster, but the Broncos are not especially deep at inside linebacker, so he'll get an opportunity to impress.
Jacksonville State guard/center Clay Webb received $15,000 as a bonus and $225,000 guaranteed (third most). A lingering lawsuit against Webb from high school has been dismissed , and some pundits had Webb (6-3, 312 pounds) projected as a late-round pick. He could be a top candidate for a backup job on the offensive line.
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Georgia guard/tackle Xavier Truss got a $20,000 signing bonus (tied for the most) and $170,000 guaranteed (fourth-most). Truss (6-7, 320 pounds) is a massive prospect who was a starter for the Bulldogs' College Football Playoff National Championship win in 2022.
Kansas linebacker JB Brown received a $10,000 signing bonus and $160,000 guaranteed (fifth-most). Like Reid, Brown (6-2, 230 pounds) will get a chance to win a spot at a position that is not particularly deep.
Broncos' 5 UDFAs with best chance to make 53-man roster
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OLB Johnny Walker
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ILB Karene Reid
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OL Clay Webb
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OL Xavier Truss
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ILB JB Brown
After training camp and preseason, the Broncos will trim the 91-man offseason roster down to 53 players in August, then they will build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. Any UDFAs listed above who do not end up on the active roster would presumably be top candidates for the team's practice squad.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos: 5 UDFAs with best chances to make 53-man roster
