The Broncos improve to 2-0 in the preseason after a 27-7 victory over the Cardinals. It was another dominating performance by the Broncos, who showed off their depth once again and held the opposing team to just one touchdown.
The vast majority of the Broncos’ starters did not play in this game, but we did see many key young players and backups make significant plays, helping to solidify their roles and roster spots on the team. So, with all that said, here are the winners and losers from the Broncos’ victory over the Cardinals in week 2 of the preseason.
Jarrett Stidham stays hot.
The Broncos’ backup quarterback was on fire in the first half and led the Broncos’ offense to 24 points at halftime. He finished the game 16-23 for 240 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He was in command of the offense, extending plays and making accurate throws all over the field.
No, he’s not pushing Bo Nix for the starting job, but he is proving he can effectively lead the Broncos offense if needed. You need to have confidence in your backup quarterback, and your backup needs to have confidence in himself to step in and run the offense if needed. I believe Stidham checks both of those boxes right now.
Sean Payton said after the game that [“It’s happening, and I am excited”](https://x.com/mikeklis9news/status/1956941411531534713?t=pYARymf1nApJUYsDCFD1AQ&s=31) when talking about Troy Franklin.
Troy Franklin has been the star of the offseason and training camp and carried that over into the preseason and into this game. He totaled 4 receptions for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. This was the breakout performance we have been waiting to see from Franklin, and I am excited that it’s happening.
The Broncos’ wide receiver room is very deep, but Franklin may have earned himself a starting role in the offense this season. Sutton is your WR1, and it appears Mims has locked down the WR2 job, but everything else seems up for grabs right now. Franklin has earned this opportunity and will make the Broncos offense even more dynamic if he can be a starter and playmaker.
Troy Franklin was not the only Broncos wide receiver to ball out tonight. Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant looked like Courtland Sutton out there tonight. He was a big target in the middle of the field and showed off his reliable hands in key moments for the Broncos’ offense.
He finished the game with 4 receptions for 70 yards, which was a team-high tonight. Bryant looked like a polished wide receiver out there who can contribute right away and give the Broncos another big, reliable target in the middle of the field.
How the Broncos’ wide receiver room shakes out in the coming days/week will be fascinating.
I think we have our answer to the two backs the Broncos are keeping on the roster behind J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey. After Harvey left the game, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie played the rest of the first half and looked good.
McLaughlin had a long 35-yard scamper, while Badie looked good as a runner, receiver, and as a pass blocker. I believe they have made the team, and their usage tonight certainly points to that. Hell, even the eye test tells you that these two backs are better than their competition and should make the team.
I’m calling the competition. It’s over with.
Second-year edge rusher Jonah Elliss was a monster tonight. He was blowing up rush plays, pressuring the quarterback, and just looking explosive and dominant against the Cardinals’ backup offensive line.
He will be a key part of the Broncos’ edge rushing rotation this upcoming season, and if he can have a big second-year jump, this pass rush could be even more dominant than it was last season. Hell, it could come close to what the Broncos had during Super Bowl 50.
The writing has been on the wall; it was evident last week, and even more so tonight. Audric Estime is not making this team. Like last week, he did not see his first carry until the 3rd quarter and played behind McLaughlin, Badie, and even Watson. On top of that, he looked slow, and despite being a power back, he doesn’t really run with any power.
Meanwhile, you have Blake Watson making people miss, running through defenders, while looking fast and explosive. A 53-man spot isn’t happening, and honestly, I am not sure if he even makes the practice squad right now.
* **Interior offensive line depth - LOSER:** Unfortunately, it appears second-year guard Nick Gargiulo suffered a serious lower-body injury. He was carted off and had an air cast on, which is never good. He was pushing for a roster spot and now will likely be out for the year. We’ll see if the team makes any significant moves to improve this unit moving forward.
* **TE Evan Engram - WINNER:** He had one catch on the night, but when it goes for 50+ yards, you make the list. The Broncos ‘Joker’ played a handful of snaps to start the game and showed the NFL what he’s capable of in this offense.
* **RB R.J. Harvey - WINNER:** The rookie running back found the end zone and looked pretty good tonight. He had 3 carries for 18 yards, looked explosive, and scored a touchdown.
* **WR Devaughn Vele - ???:** I am not sure what to make of Devaughn Vele. He had a good joint practice and did not dress tonight, which indicates that he should be in a good spot. However, Franklin and Bryant go out and do what they did, and it just makes for a very difficult wide receiver room to figure out. Very interested to see how this room shakes out.
* **WR Courtney Jackson - WINNER:** The explosive UDFA wide receiver looked good tonight. He has some upside as a returner, is explosive whenever he has the ball in his hands, and had a 30-yard rush on top of all that. He seems like a practice squad lock.
* **TE Caleb Lohner - LOSER**: He has not made an impact as a receiver, and his inexperience was evident tonight. He was flagged three times for holding, illegal shift, and a false start. I have the belief that Payton told him to do this so he can sneak him onto the practice squad (kidding).
* **LB Jordan Turner - WINNER:** He had 2 sacks tonight and looked explosive out there. Probably not making the team, but looks like a practice squad lock.
* **TE Caden Prieskorn - LOSER:** He was on his way to scoring his second touchdown of the preseason, but then fumbled the ball, and it went out of the end zone. Out of bounds. Touchback.
* **RB Blake Watson - WINNER:** Explosive, can make people miss, and has pass-catching upside. I believe he is the practice squad back.
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