Is this finally the year for the Broncos’ offense to become, well, average? During their five-season playoff drought, they have finished 22nd, 27th, 24th, 28th and 28th in points per game. A new year has brought — what else? — a new quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater is the fifth Week 1 starter in as many years, but he likely has the best chance to lead the offense to a breakthrough. The offensive line played well in the preseason and the skill-position talent could be ready to take a giant step forward in production.

Quarterback

Teddy Bridgewater | 5

6-2, 215, 28, 8th season, Louisville

Named the Broncos’ starting quarterback on Aug. 25 following a training camp battle with Lock, Bridgewater was consistent in the preseason. Armed with a strong defense, coach Vic Fangio clearly trusts Bridgewater’s decision-making more.

Drew Lock | 3

6-4, 228, 24, 3rd season, Missouri

It was Lock’s team entering the 2020 season, but 15 interceptions (tied for the NFL lead) and an array of poor performances cost Lock his starting job. Unable to beat out Bridgewater, Lock will have to bide his time as one of the league’s top backups.

Running back

Melvin Gordon | 25

6-1, 215, 28, 7th season, Wisconsin

Gordon rushed for 986 yards with nine touchdowns across 15 games in his first season in Denver. Despite the arrival of Williams and Boone, he remains RB1, and is eager for another crack at the 1,000-yard season he just missed.

Javonte Williams | 33

5-10, 220, 21, Rookie, North Carolina

The Broncos traded up in the second round to draft Williams at No. 35 overall, and he looked dynamic throughout training camp and the preseason. The combination of Williams and Gordon could be very tough to stop if both remain healthy.

Mike Boone | 26

5-10, 206, 26, 4th season, Clemson

This offseason, Denver signed Boone for additional depth at running back and on special teams. But a quad injury suffered during joint practices in Minnesota in mid-August means Boone, now on injured reserve, will miss a minimum of three weeks.

Nate McCrary | TBD

6-0, 213, 22, Rookie, Saginaw Valley State

McCrary was claimed off waivers Sept. 1 and replaced Royce Freeman. The Division II product originally signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent this May after rushing for 1,889 yards and 28 TDs in 33 college games.

Wide receiver

Jerry Jeudy | 10

6-1, 193, 22, 2nd season, Alabama

The hype over Jeudy’s sophomore season couldn’t be higher. With expectations of reaching 1,000 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl/All-Pro nod, Jeudy is looking to make his 2020 performance (52 catches for 856 yards and three TDs) look like a prelude.

Wire receiver

Courtland Sutton | 14

6-4, 216, 25, 4th season, Southern Methodist

Coming off an ACL injury that limited him to three catches in one game last year, the Broncos believe Sutton can return to the Pro Bowl form he displayed in 2019 (72 catches, 1,112 yards). Jeudy’s emergence may limit Sutton’s targets.

Tim Patrick | 81

6-4, 212, 27, 4th season, Utah

Patrick filled in adequately for Sutton last year, with 51 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns. He also had zero drops on 79 targets. If he continues that consistency, he’ll be an above-grade No. 3 target behind Jeudy and Sutton.

Wire receiver

KJ Hamler | 1

5-9, 178, 22, 2nd season, Penn State

Hamler’s rookie season and offseason this year were marred by multiple hamstring injuries. But with a renewed focus on hydration and his diet, Hamler made it through training camp healthy. He could be primed for a breakout year.

Diontae Spencer | 11

5-8, 170, 29, 3rd season, McNeese State

Spencer won’t see much time at wideout, but he returns as the team’s primary punt returner. Spencer had 31 kick/punt returns last year, and finally broke through for his first NFL runback with an 83-yard punt return for a TD in Week 14.

Tight end

Noah Fant | 87

6-4, 249, 23, 3rd season, IowaÌę

Fant turned the trials and tribulations of his rookie season into a productive 2020, when he caught 62 balls for 673 yards and three TDs. He has the potential to rack up even more yards this season if he’s healthy and creatively incorporated into the offense.

Albert Okwuegbunam | 85

6-5, 258, 23, 2nd season, Missouri

Just as Okwuegbunam’s rookie season was starting to turn the corner, he went down with an ACL injury against the Falcons in Week 7. But he’s back 100% healthy and the Broncos expect him to make an impact, though his blocking must improve.

Eric Saubert | 82

6-5, 253, 27, 5th season, Drake

The Broncos signed Saubert in May when they released QB Jeff Driskel. He’s been used primarily as a blocker in the NFL (10 catches for 85 yards in 40 career games), and fits that profile in Denver as well.

Andrew Beck | 83

6-3, 225, 25, 3rd season, Texas

Versatile and athletic, Beck profiles as a tight end/fullback hybrid. In 26 games across two seasons, he has nine catches for 90 yards and one TD. He’ll be a core special teams contributor and someone the Broncos look to for physicality on those units.

Left tackle

Garett Bolles | 72

6-5, 300, 29, 5th season, Utah

Bolles went into last season with his job on the line and future in Denver in doubt. He finished it with second-team All-Pro honors and having finally turned the corner from the inconsistencies and penalty problems that plagued him his first three seasons.

Calvin Anderson | 76

6-5, 300, 25, 3rd season, Texas

Anderson gave Massie a solid run for the starting right tackle job before losing it, but Anderson will still play an important role as the Broncos’ backup swing tackle. If either Massie or Bolles go down, Denver has confidence to plug Anderson in.

Left guard

Dalton Risner | 66

6-5, 312, 26, 3rd season, Kansas State

After starting all 32 games through his first two seasons, the bar is high for the Wiggins High product. Risner and Bolles should make for a formidable left side of the line, although Risner still has room to improve.

Netani Muti | 52

6-3, 315, 22, 2nd season, Fresno State

Muti was seen as a risky sixth-round pick in 2020 because of injury issues in college, but he’s stayed healthy in Denver and has emerged as a valuable backup swing guard. The Tongan could also have a role on special teams.

Center

Lloyd Cushenberry | 79

6-3, 212, 23, 2nd season, Louisiana State

Cushenberry was one of two rookies in the NFL to play every snap, and that experience figures to serve him well in 2021. He played better down the stretch of ’20 and quickly established himself as the starting center over Meinerz in camp.

Right guard

Graham Glasgow | 61

6-6, 310, 29, 6th season, Michigan

After signing with the Broncos last offseason, Glasgow started 13 games. Denver needs even more consistency out of him in the second year of a four-year, $44 million deal, especially with Meinerz and Muti knocking on the door.

Quinn Meinerz | 77

6-3, 320, 22, Rookie, Wisconsin-Whitewater

The Broncos drafted Meinerz in the third round at No. 98 overall, and hoped he would compete with Cushenberry for the starting center job during camp. That didn’t materialize, but Meinerz is a decent option to back up Glasgow.

Right tackle

Bobby Massie | 70

6-6, 325, 32, 10th season, Mississippi

Signed by the Broncos to a one-year, $4 million deal following Ja’Wuan James’ season-ending Achilles injury, Massie beat out Anderson for the starting job in camp. The veteran has started 110 games across nine seasons in Arizona and Chicago.

Cam Fleming | 73

6-6, 320, 28, 8th season, Stanford

Fleming was a two-time Super Bowl champion across four seasons in New England, where he appeared in 47 games with 20 starts. He also has experience with the Cowboys and Giants, and the veteran will be Massie’s primary backup at right tackle.

Kicker

Brandon McManus | 8

6-3, 201, 30, 8th year, Temple

One year ago, McManus agreed to a four-year deal worth $17.2 million, with $9.5 million guaranteed. He’s currently the longest-tenured Bronco besides Von Miller, and is second in franchise history in field goal percentage at 82.5%.

Anytime a general manager nabs two future Pro Bowlers — outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (fifth overall) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (second round) — with the first two picks, it’s safe to say they’ve done their job.

Peer a little closer, however, and things get a little less rosy for the Broncos executive.

John Elway — C+

That came into stark relief earlier this week when 2018 third-round selection Royce Freeman was let go by Elway’s successor, George Paton, as he finalized the team’s 53-man roster.

A highly touted running back out of Oregon, Freeman was supposed to be the future of the Broncos backfield. Instead, he lost his No. 1 spot midway through his rookie year to undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay and never got it back.

As Broncos reporter Ryan O’Halloran pointed out, with Freeman’s surprise exit, only three of Elway’s 10 picks from that draft remain on the current roster.

The hit list: CB Isaac Yiadom (third round, now on third team), WR DaeSean Hamilton (fourth, waived), TE Troy Fumagalli (fifth, New England IR), OG Sam Jones (sixth, Atlanta practice squad), LBÌęKeishawn Bierria (sixth, CFL) and RB David Williams (seventh, out of NFL).

All that’s left: Chubb, Sutton and starting middle linebacker Josey Jewell (fourth round).

That’s three picks still on the roster just three seasons later. Not exactly a formula for building championship-level depth.

Even one of Elway’s successes — Chubb leads all 2018 draftees with 20 1/2 sacks — comes with two very big caveats: 1) He’s already missed 14 games in three seasons, and 2) Pro Bowl Bills quarterback Josh Allen went two picks later.ÌęAnd now the Broncos are on their fifth Week 1 starting QB in five seasons.

Ed McCaffrey — B

If ever there was an impressive 28-point loss, it was the one we witnessed Friday night Boulder.

The Northern Colorado Bears did not bring home the “W” in a 35-7 loss to in-state big brother Colorado at Folsom Field, but they sure did walk away with one heck of an “MV.”

And we here at Grading the Week are not above recognizing a solid Moral Victory when we see one.

The last time CU and UNC met at Folsom Field, the Bears were just as competitive.ÌęThe Buffs didn’t pull away until the second half of that 2017 meeting, with UNC within a touchdown early in the third quarter before CU imposed its will en route to a 41-21 win.

Sound familiar? Sure, except for a few notable differences.

Those Buffs were facing a UNC program that was several years into the Earnest Collins Era. And they initially racedÌęout to a 28-7 lead late in the second quarter before boredom set in.

These Bears were playing their first game under new head coach Ed McCaffrey. And they were locked in a scoreless draw after one quarter and trailed 14-0 at the half.ÌęIf not for UNC quarterback Dylan McCaffrey’s wayward goal line interception near the end of the second quarter, the Bears might’ve gone into the break down seven.

That’s all we really needed to see from the start of the McCaffrey Era.

After waiting nearly two years to make his debut in blue and gold — one more year than his CU (Karl Dorrell) and CSU (Steve Addazio) counterparts hired during the same offseason — McCaffrey appears to be building something sturdy in Greeley.

But when the Broncos reconvene for their first regular-season week, Fangio will flip the schedule — players will work Mondays and be off Tuesdays.

“There are benefits to both,” Fangio said. “Most coaches would tell you they’d rather give them Monday off and bring them in Tuesday from the perspective that you’re more prepared on Tuesday to give them some more information on the next opponent.”

Previously, Fangio said the Broncos’ coaches would “traditionally devote about 40 minutes,” to the next opponent during their Tuesday meetings, which also included a review of the previous game.

“You’re not going to be quite as ready for that on Monday,” he said. “That¶¶Òőap the sacrifice there.”

The practice schedule (Wednesday-Friday) remains the same, but now, players will have weight-lifting sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday or Friday.ÌęThe additional bonus developed last week when the NFL and NFLPA agreed to test players once a week (instead of every 14 days).

“That test will occur on Monday,” Fangio said. “If you get a close contact-type thing where you have to be out three, four or five days, (the player) could still be available for the game on Sunday whereas if you bring them in and you wait for that test on Tuesday, you could run out of days.”

Darby’s familiarity. Broncos cornerback Ronald Darby played the previous four years in the NFC East (three with Philadelphia and one with Washington), so he has a head-start on preparing for the New York Giants in the season opener.

Last year, Darby had eight tackles in two games against the Giants, which returns play-caller Jason Garrett and quarterback Daniel Jones.

“You can be a little familiar with what they do, but they like to switch things up a lot,” Darby said. “(When) we played them last year — even in years prior to that — things looked the same, but they ran different things off it. But you do pick up tendencies.”

Managing Sutton. Fangio hopes the Broncos have to manage receiver Courtland Sutton’s snaps early in the season, a year removed from his torn left ACL. It would mean the offense is sustaining drives.

“The (snap) count can be a little misleading at times,” Fangio said. “It¶¶Òőap more so how the drives are going. If we’re going three-and-out a bunch, he can play them all. If we can get some nice drives going, he’ll need some time off.”

2018 draft review. Running back Royce Freeman’s departure (he was claimed by Carolina via waivers on Thursday) leaves three of the Broncos’ 10 draft picks in 2018 on the roster: Sutton (second round), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (first) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (fourth).

Cornerback Isaac Yiadom (third round) is on his third team (Green Bay), receiver DaeSean Hamilton was waived/injured by the Broncos this spring, tight end Troy Fumagalli (fifth) is on New England’s injured reserve, guard Sam Jones (sixth) is on Atlanta’s practice squad, linebacker Keishawn Bierria (sixth) plays for the CFL’s Edmonton Elks and running back David Williams (seventh) is out of the league.

“It¶¶Òőap not a secret, you know? We (stink) in September,” Harris, the Broncos’ straight-shooting defensive end, said Wednesday, using a somewhat, um, stronger term than stink. “We’ve got to do better.”

Amen. So how do you not (ahem) stink in September?

“Starting fast 
 and we’ve got to go out there, we’ve got to cut down on mistakes,” Harris continued. “I remember (over) the last couple seasons, it¶¶Òőap been the big play. The big play always (expletived) us over a little bit.

“So it¶¶Òőap all about cutting down the big plays. But then it¶¶Òőap also (about) creating big plays for ourselves. Getting turnovers. They talk about the hidden yardage. An interception return, you might get 20 yards (on it) and put us back on our own 30 or something like that. And it makes it easier, so you automatically get points.”

Harris didn’t point fingers specifically at Lock, the more turnover-prone of the Broncos’ two top quarterbacks. But he made no secret about the collective scar tissue he’s picked up from having to protect all those short fields immediately after his signal-caller surrenders the rock.

Since 2019, the Broncos are 0-7 in September. In those seven contests, Denver’s turned it over 10 times while taking it away from the opposition just twice.

“All the little things, they add up to be something big,” Harris stressed. “And so if we just do all the little things right, then we’ll be successful.”

So while you might scratch your head at running back Royce Freeman being shown the door, it¶¶Òőap another sign that new general manager George Paton is serious about those — well, little things.

Third-team tailbacks have to contribute on special teams, one way or another. Aside from kicker Brandon McManus and the field-goal operation, the Broncos have resembled a hot mess, more often than not, on that side of the equation. And not just over the past month.

“Hidden yardage on special teams, yeah,” Harris continued. “There’s always hidden yardage on special teams. You take the ball out of the end zone, you end up at the 12, you know, you set the team back. If you take the ball out of the end zone and end up at the 35, that¶¶Òőap the hidden yardage, the positive hidden yardage, I’m talking about.”

Which explains, in part, why the Broncos on Wednesday waived a productive depth piece in Freeman and claimed cornerback Mike Ford and running back Nate McCrary.

Ford was a special-teams ace for the Lions, a gunner on Detroit¶¶Òőap punt-coverage units. A guy who excels, purportedly, at the little things.

“We’ll bring (Ford) in here,” coach Vic Fangio said, “and see if we can get him rolling quick enough (for the opener).”

There’s a sense of urgency now, and justifiably. The Broncos’ September opponents posted a combined record of 9-39 last fall.

Two of those sad sacks, the Jags and Jets, are expected to roll out rookie quarterbacks against a Fangio defense. The NFL is practically begging the Broncos to be 3-0, to be relevant, right out of the gate.

Most of Fangio’s defensive starters should vie for Pro Bowl invites. A half-dozen, health-permitting, ought to land them. The Broncos are loaded in the secondary and in the receiving corps. There’s proven depth across the board.

But what this roster doesn’t have, still, is much of a margin for error — a trend that hasn’t changed much since 2019.

And when it comes to slow starts, Broncos coverage units haven’t done much to stop the bleeding. In September 2019 and 2020, the average starting field position off a kickoff for a Broncos opponent was their own 28. The Raiders during Week 1 of 2019 started drives off kickoffs at their own 35, on average. The Steelers’ average drive off kickoffs during Week 2 of 2020 began at their own 33.

Only once in those seven September games under Fangio has the Broncos’ average offensive drive started beyond their own 27-yard line (at Pittsburgh, 2020). Meanwhile, four of Denver’s September opponents pulled that off in the last two seasons — Oakland, 2019 (the Raiders 29); Green Bay, 2019 (the Packers’ 36); Pittsburgh, 2020 (the Steelers’ 35); and Tampa Bay, 2020 (the Bucs’ 37).

“We’re 0-7 in September, and that¶¶Òőap unacceptable,” Harris stressed. “If we want to be the best, then we can’t keep kicking ourselves and stumbling out of the blocks.”

Because that hidden yardage, left unchecked, can absolutely bury you. Jobs are lost between the uprights. Divisions are won between the ears.

Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran break down the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster.

Who was the biggest surprise to make the team on offense and on defense? Plus, analysis on GM George Paton’s transactions following the roster deadline, Denver’s practice plans for the next couple weeks and injury concerns heading into Week 1 against the Giants.

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Quarterbacks (2)

• Teddy Bridgewater
• Drew Lock

No surprises here that the Broncos went with two quarterbacks and waived Brett Rypien for the third consecutive preseason. If Rypien clears waivers, he is an ideal practice squad quarterback because of his regular-season game experience (beat the New York Jets last year) and knowledge of the offense.

Running backs (4)

• Melvin Gordon
• Javonte Williams
• Royce Freeman
• Mike Boone

Boone (quad) will head to injured reserve, but being on the 53-man roster makes him eligible to return after missing a minimum of the first three games. Damarea Crockett was one of the final cuts Tuesday afternoon. Look for the Broncos to sign another tailback later this week because going with three healthy players at this position is a gamble, maybe even Crockett if he clears waivers.

Tight ends (4)

• Noah Fant
• Albert Okwuegbunam
• Eric Saubert
• Andrew Beck (FB/TE)

Austin Fort and Shaun Beyer were the cuts at this position and one or both could end up on the practice squad, but remember, it¶¶Òőap only a 16-player taxi squad, not 32 players like some want you to believe. Overall, this was pretty clear cut. Beck provides positional versatility and special teams value, so he was a near-lock to make the roster.

Receivers (5)

• Courtland Sutton
• Jerry Jeudy
• KJ Hamler
• Tim Patrick
• Diontae Spencer (KR/PR)

A whole bunch of receivers were waived, led by draft picks Tyrie Cleveland (2019 seventh-round) and Seth Williams (sixth round this year). Also cut were Kendall Hinton and De’Mornay Pierson-El. The decision to stick with five instead of six receivers left Trinity Benson outside and he was traded to Detroit on Tuesday morning.

Offensive lineman (8)

• Garett Bolles (LT)
• Dalton Risner (LG)
• Lloyd Cushenberry (C)
• Graham Glasgow (RG)
• Bobby Massie (RT)
• Quinn Meinerz (G/C)
• Netane Muti (G)
• Calvin Anderson (OT)

The only true surprise was not keeping Austin Schlottmann on the active roster to serve as the backup center. As it stands, if Cushenberry is injured in-game, the Broncos will turn to Meinerz (third-round rookie) or slide Glasgow over to center and play Muti at right guard. The other linemen released were tackles Drew Himmelman (waived) and Cam Fleming (released so doesn’t have to through waivers).

Defensive line (6)

• Shelby Harris (DE)
• Dre’Mont Jones (DE)
• Mike Purcell (NT)
• DeShawn Williams (DL)
• McTelvin Agim (DL)
• Jonathan Harris (DL)

Six linemen is usually the norm for a 3-4 defense, but five are on the initial roster after Shamar Stephen was released (doesn’t have to go through waivers). Williams’ preseason performance gives this group more depth than initially envisioned.

Linebackers (10)

• Von Miller (OLB)
• Bradley Chubb (OLB)
• Josey Jewell (ILB)
• Alexander Johnson (ILB)
• Justin Strnad (ILB)
• Baron Browning (ILB)
• Malik Reed (OLB)
• Jonathon Cooper (OLB)
• Andre Mintze (OLB)
• Jonas Griffin

Griffin was acquired Tuesday morning in a trade with San Francisco, but he hasn’t played in a regular season game. Derrek Tuszka, a 2020 seventh-round pick, was passed in camp by Cooper (2021 seventh-round pick).

Cornerbacks (6)

• Ronald Darby
• Kyle Fuller
• Pat Surtain II
• Bryce Callahan
• Michael Ojemudia
• Kary Vincent

Ojemudia may end up on injured reserve/eligible to return (hamstring) so the Broncos may be looking for cornerback depth help this week. Vincent is the beneficiary of Ojemudia’s injury — if they make no additions, he could be active for the opener.

Safeties (5)

• Justin Simmons
• Kareem Jackson
• Caden Sterns
• P.J. Locke
• Jamar Johnson

The Broncos went with five safeties, keeping Johnson after his late start to camp. Trey Marshall was waived.

Specialists (3)

• Brandon McManus (K)
• Sam Martin (P)
• Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)

The Broncos went with this trio to start camp and didn’t bring in competition.

Coach Vic Fangio played his starting offense and defense for three series apiece in their final tune-up before the Sept. 12 opener at the New York Giants.

The Broncos (3-0) completed their second undefeated preseason since 2006; they went 4-0 in ’17.

“I think they have a good feeling about each other, I think they have a good feeling about our possibilities and that¶¶Òőap important moving forward,” Fangio said. “We play two games on the road to start off (against the Giants and Jacksonville). 
 It gets real now. But I do think we have had a good camp. They’ve worked hard, we’ve had productive practices and now it¶¶Òőap time to go.”

The Broncos must cut down their roster to 53 players by 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

“I think it¶¶Òőap harder (to set the roster) because we have more depth at more positions than we’ve had in the past,” Fangio said.

Bridgewater, named the Broncos’ fifth opening-game starter in as many years, started 1 of 6, but went 5 of 5 for 58 yards on his final drive, capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass to receiver Courtland Sutton.

For the preseason, Bridgewater’s seven drives ended with six scores and he was 22-of-30 passing for 241 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 130.0 rating.

The Broncos’ defense, including outside linebacker Von Miller in his first appearance since last September’s ankle injury, was on the field for 24 snaps over three possessions and allowed two field goals.

Next up for the Broncos is the final cut-down to 53 players by 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Running back Melvin Gordon, who sat out the wins over Minnesota and Seattle with a minor groin injury, represented the first-drive offense, carrying three times for gains of five, six and 15 yards, moving the Broncos to the Rams 36. But Bridgewater threw incomplete on three consecutive plays — a drop by fullback/tight end Andrew Beck, a throw behind Sutton and a pass intended to receiver Tim Patrick that was broken up. Brandon McManus’ 54-yard field goal gave the Broncos a 3-0 lead.

Fangio said he and general manager George Paton will begin the “real talk,” about roster cutdowns on Sunday.

Bridgewater’s second drive was a three-and-out when he threw wide of Patrick on third-and-2.

“He was high on his throws generally speaking,” Fangio said. “At the start of the game, we ran it good, but weren’t throwing it good.”

Bridgewater’s final drive started at his 25-yard line. He threw eight yards to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (his first game since last November’s torn ACL) and, two plays later, 20 yards to tight end Eric Saubert. Three plays later, on third and 7 from the Rams’ 39, Bridgewater found Sutton (in his first game since last September’s torn ACL) for 19 yards on an out route. Consecutive six-yard carries by running back Royce Freeman set up a first-and-goal and Bridgewater, after being flushed out of the pocket, threw the touchdown to Sutton.

“That was good to see and for (Bridgewater) to not end the preseason on a sour taste,” Fangio said.

Said Bridgewater: “It was good the way we were able to respond and have different guys get going tonight. To finish with a touchdown, that¶¶Òőap what it¶¶Òőap all about — finishing drives with points. We want to eliminate the slow starts and three-and-outs.”

Drew Lock played the final two series of the first half — a three-and-out and a sack/fumble that led to the Rams’ third field goal — and the first two possession of the second half, completing 5 of 7 passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, Miller was active in his appearance, making two tackles in the run game.

The Rams went three-and-out to start the game. On their second series, they stacked together gains of nine, seven, nine and seven yards before stalling at the Broncos’ five-yard line (incompletion and quarterback Bryce Perkins scramble for no gain). Matt Gay’s field goal was good from 23 yards.

The Rams’ third drive started at their 22. Perkins’ 10-yard scramble converted a third-and-1 to the Broncos’ 48. The Rams reached the 29, but Miller tackled Perkins for a one-yard gain and on the starters’ final snap, Fangio called a six-man pressure and inside linebacker Josey Jewell sacked Perkins. Gay hit a 53-yard field goal.

The Broncos’ first-team defense gave up 87 yards in three possessions.

Lock started the second half and had another three-and-out when he overthrew a deep pass to receiver Tyrie Cleveland on third down.

Lock got going after the Rams took a 12-10 lead on Gay’s 23-yard field goal. Twenty-one yards to receiver Trinity Benson on an in-breaking route, a roll-right and 13-yard completion to receiver Kendall Hinton on a crosser and 13 yards to Benson on consecutive plays. Four plays later, Lock threw a seven-yard touchdown to tight end Austin Fort with 4:43 left in the third quarter, putting the Broncos back ahead.

In the final minute, the Rams drove to the Broncos’ 22-yard line. Rookie safety Jamar Johnson broke up a second-down pass in the end zone with 10 seconds remaining and after a Rams false start penalty, Perkins threw incomplete twice on the final two plays.

Footnotes. Fangio said running back Javonte Williams was held out as a coach’s decision, but wasn’t injured. “We wanted to feature Melvin early in the game and give the other young guys a chance. We felt good about what Javonte has done the first couple weeks,” Fangio said. …

In our final 53-man projection, the roster includes 14 players who weren’t a member of the organization at the end of last year.

This prediction has 25 players apiece on offense and defense, and three specialists. It includes six of their 10 draft picks and one undrafted rookie.

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.

Out: Brett Rypien.

Analysis: Pretty clear cut here if the Broncos opt to go with two quarterbacks. Fangio tabbed Bridgewater on Wednesday to be his Week 1 starter and Lock as the backup. Rypien is an ideal practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.

Running backs (4)

In: Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone and Royce Freeman

Out: Damarea Crockett, Stevie Smith, Adam Prentice (FB).

Analysis: Boone’s quad injury could send him to injured reserve after the initial roster is set, which allows him to return after a minimum of three weeks. Williams, the second-round rookie from North Carolina, has been as advertised, a powerful and run-through-arm-tackles rusher who will challenge Gordon for playing time and carries. Freeman is a valuable special teams player and running back who can play on third down because of his receiving and pass-protection abilities.

Tight ends (4)

In: Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Saubert, Andrew Beck (TE/FB).

Out: Shaun Beyer and Austin Fort.

Analysis: Saubert has been a bright spot because he knows how to use his 253-pound frame as an in-line blocker, can also threaten teams downfield (as shown by his 21-yard catch against Seattle) and has earned praise for his special teams play. Fant (leg) was expected to miss Saturday’s preseason finale and Okwuegbunam has had a relatively quiet camp coming off last November’s ACL injury. Beck worked exclusively at tight end in camp practices so he could fine tune his technique at that position, but will be counted on to also play fullback and special teams.

Receivers (6)

In: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer (KR/PR) and Trinity Benson.

Out: Tyrie Cleveland, Kendall Hinton, Seth Williams and De’Mornay Pierson-El.

Analysis: The only change from late June is including Benson and removing Cleveland. Benson had two touchdown catches against Minnesota and Cleveland had no catches in the first two games. Spencer provides enough value as a return specialist to stick. An interesting subplot is Patrick, who fought knee and groin injuries during training camp and didn’t do anything memorable when he was healthy. Can he turn it on for the regular season? Overall, we disagree with the notion this is a loaded position group. Sutton is coming off an ACL injury, Hamler hasn’t proven he can be consistently available and the aforementioned Patrick has been nicked up.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Garett Bolles (LT), Dalton Risner (LG), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Graham Glasgow (RG), Bobby Massie (RT), Netane Muti (G), Austin Schlottmann (G/C), Quinn Meinerz (C/G) and Calvin Anderson (RT/LT).

Out: Cam Fleming (RT), Quinn Bailey (LT) and Adam Himmelman (LT).

Analysis: No changes from late June. The center competition never started because Cushenberry was that improved and Meinerz found the sledding that difficult, particularly as a snapper. Massie has the inside track at right tackle after rotating on a daily basis against Anderson, who has value as a swing backup. We have Schlottmann on the roster to be the backup center instead of throwing Meinerz in deep waters or moving Glasgow from right guard to center.

Defense (25)

Defensive linemen (6)

In: Shelby Harris (DE), Mike Purcell (NT), Dre’Mont Jones (DE), Shamar Stephen (DL), DeShawn Williams (DE) and McTelvin Agim (DL).

Out: Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack and Marquiss Spencer.

Analysis: No changes from late June. Spencer, a seventh-round rookie, wasn’t able to challenge Agim for the sixth spot, partly because of an ankle injury. Agim generated buzz early in camp because of his interception and batted-down passes, but his mid-August groin injury was a road block. Williams (interception against Seattle) and Stephen are two valuable rotational players.

Outside linebackers (4)

In: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Malik Reed and Jonathon Cooper.

Out: Derrek Tuszka and Andre Mintze.

Analysis: The Broncos kept five outside linebackers to start last year. Cooper has been one of the surprises of camp (two sacks against Seattle) considering he missed the entire offseason program following a heart procedure. Tuszka will head to the practice squad.

Inside linebackers (5)

In: Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Justin Strnad, Baron Browning and Curtis Robinson.

Out: Barrington Wade.

Analysis: Josh Watson was cut last week, more of a nod to Robinson (or Wade) than Strnad or Browning, who were going to make the team anyway. Robinson makes the initial roster as undrafted rookie. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos utilize Strnad in sub-package situations and if Browning provides versatility as an edge rusher.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Michael Ojemudia and Nate Hairston.

Physically unable to perform list: Essang Bassey and Duke Dawson.

Out: Mac McCain III, Savion Smith, Parnell Motley and Kary Vincent.

Analysis: Bassey and Dawson are still rehabilitating ACL injuries and they will get another six weeks if they are placed on the physically unable to perform list. If Ojemudia was healthy, we could see the Broncos sticking with five corners, but he sustained a hamstring injury against Seattle and will miss the beginning of the regular season. He must be on the initial 53-man roster to be placed on injured reserve-eligible to return. Don’t be surprised if only five corners are on the initial list and Hairston is added after clearing waivers. The top four of Darby, Fuller, Surtain and Callahan is the best quartet in the league.

Safeties (4)

In: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke.

Out: Trey Marshall and Jamar Johnson.

Analysis: Marshall was getting second-team reps until his ankle injury while covering a kickoff at Minnesota and he hasn’t practiced since. If the Broncos like his special teams ability enough to put him on the initial 53-man roster, he could be another injured reserve-eligible to return candidate. Sterns, a fifth-round rookie, has played well in the preseason but missed two practices last week with a leg injury. Johnson, also a fifth-round rookie, never got out of the blocks during camp.

Specialists (3)

In: Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P) and Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS).

Analysis: McManus, Martin and Bobenmoyer went through training camp unchallenged.

The next few days will determine if Broncos coach Vic Fangio was anointing Teddy Bridgewater as the team’s Week 1 starter when he compared his field awareness to Tom Brady following Saturday’s 30-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

“Teddy has good quarterback awareness and instincts,” Fangio said. “I think it¶¶Òőap shown in the way he can move within the pocket and buy time that way. There are two types of elusive quarterbacks: One that runs around and then the other ones that manipulate the pocket to buy time. The best at that in the past 20 years has been Tom Brady and Teddy has got a little of that in him.”

Bridgewater’s awareness and patience were on full display during his two possessions against the Seahawks, both of which ended in touchdowns. He was 9-of-11 passing (one drop) for 105 yards and a 136.7 rating.

The continued consistent quarterback play — Drew Lock led three scoring drives (all field goals) in his five possessions of work — has brightened Fangio’s outlook. Does he have more confidence in his quarterbacks now compared to the start of training camp?

“Definitely,” he said. “Both of these guys have done well. We can play and win with either one of these guys and that¶¶Òőap a good thing.”

A great thing would be Fangio naming his Week 1 starter early this week, allowing the winner to take the first-team practice snaps with the offensive line and shift their focus toward the opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 12.

Bridgewater’s non-verbal statement that he should be the choice was emphatic against a Seattle defense that played only four projected starters.

For the preseason, Bridgewater is 16 of 19 (84.2%) for 179 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 141.0 rating. His four possessions have ended in three touchdowns and one field goal.

“I was just out there doing my job — my job is to move the chains and get my unit into the end zone,” Bridgewater said. “Get the ball to our guys, let them make plays and you can see what can happen when they get the ball in space.

“My great mentor (Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells) always tells me, ‘No matter how you do it, just get (your team) in the end zone.’ That¶¶Òőap my mindset every time I step on the field.”

Against Seattle, Bridgewater played 23 snaps over two possessions, but three plays stood out and prompted Fangio’s praise.

*Fourth-and-five from the Seattle 40 (first drive): Bridgewater sensed the pressure coming from the edges so he climbed the pocket. After holding the football for 3.60 seconds, he delivered a pass to receiver Jerry Jeudy on a crossing route that gained 35 yards (19 yards post-catch).

“It¶¶Òőap just one of those deals where you have a clock in your head and you can sense the pocket,” Bridgewater said. “I always tell the tackles that I like when they just force the defensive ends to do a certain thing and let me step up in the pocket (and) create a lane to where I can escape or just give myself more time. Jerry did a great job winning his route vs. man coverage, the offensive line did a great job protecting and we were able to convert.”

*Third-and-goal from the 2 (first drive): The Broncos lined up receiver KJ Hamler in the right slot. At the snap, safety Ryan Neal, who was matched against Hamler, blitzed. Once running back Royce Freeman picked up Neal, it was an easy recognition-and-deliver play for Bridgewater, who knew Hamler would be open once Neal blitzed. He threw in 1.58 seconds to Hamler, who ran a simple out route for the touchdown.

*Second-and-9 from the Seattle 22 (second drive): A well-designed play by offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and an excellent throw by Bridgewater. The Seahawks were in a single-high safety look. Hamler started from the left side and ran a post route that kept the safety in the middle of the field. That allowed tight end Eric Saubert to run a corner route to the left against linebacker Jordyn Brooks without having to worry about the safety. Bridgewater’s pin-point throw in 3.57 seconds gained 21 yards and the Broncos made it 14-0 two plays later.

“It was a great throw,” Fangio said. “We’ve seen Teddy do it in practice and obviously it was a good catch and good route by Saubert.”

Overall, Bridgewater was decisive and showed trust in his protection. The delivery time on his 11 attempts (in seconds): 2.94 (Saubert five yards), 2.51 (incompletion), 3.60 (Jeudy 35), 1.58 (Hamler two), 1.95 (Royce Freeman 17), 2.75 (Javonte Williams five), 3.02 (incompletion), 4.88 (Freeman 11), 2.57 (Freeman four), 2.10 (Jeudy five) and 3.57 (Saubert 21).

Bridgewater staked the Broncos to a 14-0 lead. Lock played five possessions (27 snaps) and was 9-of-14 passing for 80 yards.

Fangio will consult with management and his coaching staff before making the final call, one he hopes ends the Broncos’ September misery (0-7 last two years).

“They’ve made it a hard decision,” he said. “We’ll give it thorough thought. We’ve been discussing it with the coaches and with (general manager) George (Paton) all along and we’ll continue to do that.”

1. Ten Broncos did not play compared to 27 for the Seahawks 
 and it showed. The Broncos produced three takeaways, limited Seattle quarterbacks to a 54.1 passer rating, went 3 of 4 on fourth down and held the Seahawks to 3.1 yards per rushing attempt. Not playing for the Broncos were cornerback Mac McCain III (hamstring), safety Trey Marshall (ankle), inside linebacker Josey Jewell (groin), tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), outside linebackers Von Miller (ankle) and Andre Mintze (concussion), receivers Courtland Sutton (knee) and Tim Patrick (leg/groin) and running backs Melvin Gordon (groin) and Mike Boone (quad). Coach Vic Fangio said Gordon, Sutton and Miller will see time Saturday against the Rams.

2. Notable offensive playing time leaders: Quarterbacks Drew Lock (27) and Teddy Bridgewater (23), running back Javonte Williams (15), right/left tackle Calvin Anderson (35), tight end Eric Saubert (25) and receivers Kendall Hinton (23) and Trinity Benson (20).

3. Notable defensive playing time leaders: The starters who were available played from 4-10 snaps (two possessions). On the third snap, inside linebacker Justin Strnad was picked by receiver Penny Hart, allowing running back Rashaad Penny to gain six yards on a catch to the right flat. The first drive ended with safety Justin Simmons’ interception when quarterback Alex McGough tried to loft a pass over Simmons. The second drive was a three-and-out — outside linebacker Bradley Chubb got the coverage sack in 4.44 seconds.

4. Javonte Williams began the Broncos’ second drive with gains of eight and six (missed tackle behind the line of scrimmage) yards. On the next play, running back Royce Freeman made a Seahawks defender miss to gain 17 yards on a pass to the right flat.

5. On Bridgewater’s second series, the Broncos wanted to take a shot on first down from the 45. They called play action and had a seven-man protection, but Bridgewater was under pressure after linebacker Kerry Hyder split the blocking attempts of tight ends Noah Fant and Andrew Beck. Bridgewater held the football for 4.88 seconds before flipping it outside to Freeman for 11 yards.

6. Defensive lineman DeShawn Williams was a one-man wrecking crew during his 13 snaps of work. During a span of three consecutive plays on Seattle’s third series, he beat right guard Phil Haynes for a run “stuff,” dodged right tackle Tommy Champion for a run “stuff,” and recovered the fumble caused by outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper’s strip-sack. On the next possession, Williams identified the screen pass, got in the way of Penny and made the interception as he was falling to the turf.

7. Lock’s first series was a three-and-out. Defensive tackle Jared Hewitt rushed unblocked for the sack in 2.47 seconds on second down and defensive end Rasheem Green beat left guard Netane Muti for the sack in 3.14 seconds on third down. More positive was Lock running the two-minute offense to end the first half. Starting at his 33 with 1:02 left, Lock was 5-of-8 passing for 41 yards to set up a field goal. Lock’s best throw was a 19-yard dart to receiver Diontae Spencer on third-and-6. Lock’s final throw of the game was 34 yards to receiver Seth Williams (4.38 seconds) when he was flushed from the pocket and flipped it to Williams. Three plays later, on third-and-2 from the 6, right guard Austin Schlottmann stepped on Lock’s foot as he left from under center. Lock said it was the first time that¶¶Òőap happened to him.

8. Offensive line combinations: First group — left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Dalton Risner, center Lloyd Cushenberry, right guard Graham Glasgow and right tackle Calvin Anderson. Second group — Anderson (left tackle), Muti (left guard), Cushenberry (center), right guard Quinn Meinerz and right tackle Bobby Massie. Third group — left tackle Cam Fleming, Muti (left guard), Schlottmann (center), Meinerz (right guard) and Quinn Bailey (right tackle). Meinerz and Schlottmann later swapped positions.

9. Punter Sam Martin’s third-quarter attempt was partially blocked by the Seahawks’ DeeJay Dallas, who used a quick inside move to beat Beck. It was a woeful night for the Broncos’ special teams, which allowed kick returns of 45 and 30 yards. “The coverage units in particular (is a concern),” Fangio said. “(Seattle) had a nice kick return on us and another one that didn’t go quite as far and a deflected punt. As good as we were playing, those things can ruin a game for us.”

10. Cooper went right around Champion on Seattle’s final offensive play, getting the sack in 2.37 seconds.