Consider the Denver Broncos’ 2018 offseason roster officially full. For now.
The Broncos made official yesterday the signing of eight college free agents (often referred to as “undrafted free agents”), and headlining that group is former CU running back Phillip Lindsay, a person we apparently cannot write enough about given the incredible web traffic our two stories about him this week have gathered. (Here and here.) The other college free agents are: John Diarse, WR, TCU; Austin Schlottmann, OG, TCU; Jeff Holland, OLB, Auburn; Leon Johnson, OT, Temple; Lowell Lotulelei, NT, Utah; Trey Marshall, DB, Florida State; and Jimmy Williams, WR, East Carolina.
Itap important to note that these eight players are college free agents who’ve actually signed with the Broncos. They’re guys Denver is making an investment in, even if they didn’t draft them. This is different than a player who was invited to a rookie minicamp — someone like Nick Stevens, the former Colorado State quarterback who received minicamp invitations from the Packers and Redskins.
Stevens is essentially being offered a tryout. There’s no real financial commitment made to him by Green Bay or Washington at this point, even though he’ll be going through the same camp as those teams’ draft picks and college free agent signings. Whereas a player like Lindsay will usually receive a three-year deal with a team worth up to $1.7 million (maximum of $480,000 in 2018), should he be able to land a spot on the roster, although little money is guaranteed.
Navigating the road from undrafted player an NFL roster is difficult, but it can be done (at least one undrafted Bronco has made it out of training camp in 13 of the last 14 years). Last year, former Northern Colorado quarterback Kyle Sloter made it so far as to throw a touchdown pass in a preseason game with the Broncos before he was cut and then signed to the Vikings’ practice squad. And of course, no one here in Denver can forget that Broncos cornerback Chris Harris, ranked as the No. 86 best player on the NFL Top 100 list that came out Monday, went undrafted out of Kansas, and linebacker Shaquil Barrett was undrafted out of CSU.
There’s hope for Lindsay to make the Broncos’ roster, and for Stevens and the other locals who received minicamp invitations to do the same. But a three-day minicamp is hard to show whether you have what it takes to play at the highest level. There’s no room for error.
— , The Denver Post
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- MLB: Rockies at Cubs, 12:20 p.m., ATTRM | Pitching matchup |
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Scoreboard
MLB: Rockies 3, Cubs 1
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Must-Read
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Saunders vs. Kiz: Should the Rockies trade for Jose Abreu?
“After a quarter century of major-league baseball in Colorado, here’s a thought that has never crossed my mind. Until now. Are the Rockies the worst-hitting team in the National League?” Mark Kiszla ponders. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Rockies call up Daniel Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque; struggling prospect Ryan McMahon optioned down.
+ Former Colorado State coach put QB Nick Stevens in position to capitalize two NFL rookie mini-camp invites.
+ Rockies hurt by failure to hit with runners in scoring position.
+ Here’s whatap on the agenda for the NFL’s player-safety meetings.
+ 2018 Kentucky Derby post draw, odds and picks: Everything you need to know.
+Real Madrid reaches 3rd straight Champions League final
+, and itap only getting better
+Baby on board: NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr, wife have baby girl
By The Numbers
65
At age 26, and with 65 starts on the back of his baseball card, Jon Gray remains a work in progress. But the hard-throwing right-hander looked close to a finished product Tuesday night in the Rockies’ 3-1 win over the Cubs. Read more…
Parting Shot
So here’s the deal: The Rockies have this “Business Person Special,” and we were intrigued. For select games, $21 will get you a Rooftop standing-room-only ticket, WiFi, a CHUBurger, fries and an 18-ounce beer or 16-ounce soda.
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
