Roster management is a delicate balancing act, but right now, the Denver Broncos’ practice squad is dangerously top-heavy. By bringing in five wide receivers—above the NFL average of two or three—the front office has created a luxury tier at one position while leaving critical deficiencies elsewhere. If Denver wants to build a more resilient safety net, they need to reduce the excess wideout weight and reallocate those spots toward immediate insurance policies at running back and inside linebacker.
The Math Behind Imbalance
Across the NFL, approximately 75% (¾) of the league only carries two or three wide receivers on their practice squad to run scout team looks. Denver’s choice to keep five is a statistical anomaly that actively drains resources from thinner position groups. While passing-game depth is important, holding five taxi-squad receivers moves the roster from “ready” to “redundant.”
The solution to this logjam lies in replacing stagnant veterans with higher upside, younger talent. Michael Bandy is now 28 years old, and the younger Kolbe Katsis offers a bigger, faster profile. In fact, cutting Bandy or Cameron Ross doesn’t hurt Denver’s fallback plans because Katsis single-handedly carries an elite return. In his record-breaking NFL debut against the Los Angeles Rams, Katsis set a franchise rookie record by racking up 146 total return yards, featuring 107 kick return yards and 39 punt return yards.
Similarly, the team’s newest addition, Eli Pancol, is 6’1½” but carries a huge physical upgrade over Ross. Pancol is built with the raw, explosive power of a modern hybrid fullback. He famously bench-pressed 225 pounds an impressive 23 times at his pro day—giving him the kind of needed defensive strength and heavy leadoff space. On the perimeter, Cutting loose allows Bandy and Ross are the Broncos who will retain their high-upside traits on the taxi squad while freeing up two important spots on the practice squad.
To round out the group, rookies like Dane Key should definitely stay in the building. His frame mirrors the ideal archetype of the big-bodied perimeter weapon of an upside target like Pat Bryant, and he carries built-in legacy chemistry with his brother, All-Pro special teams ace Devon Key, already on the roster. Keeping Key while making cuts elsewhere preserves the team’s culture while adjusting the actual roster imbalance.
The Badie Void: Why RB Depth Is Necessary
When Tyler Badie went on Injured Reserve, it didn’t just affect the active rotation—it seriously compromised the team’s developmental pipeline. Running back is a brutal position, and relying solely on active roster health is a huge gamble. Before his injury, Badie was flashing tremendous efficiency, averaging 5.5 yards per rushing attempt and 7.1 yards per catch as a dual-threat weapon.
Importantly, Denver lost their key third-down chess piece. In high-stakes passing downs, the running back’s most important responsibility is pass protection. When nickel blitzes trigger or loop linebackers inside B-gaps, the back must have the frame, technical anchor, and high IQ level to identify and stonewall the free rushers. Badie’s assignment-sound blitz pickups gave the passing game structural integrity. Beyond the offense, Badie is a valuable weapon for Denver’s special teams protection packages, logging hidden yardage as a personal defender (“upback”) who performs blocking in assignment stability.
Denver needs to fill this particular structural blueprint with a player who reflects high-efficiency, pass-blocking traits. Enter recently waived running back Emari Demercado. Demercado boasts an explosive career average of 6.5 yards per rush attempt along with 6.5 yards per catch, showing exactly the same open-field vision and big-play capacity. He has amassed four career scrimmage touchdowns and an impressive 25.0-yard average on kickoff returns. Above all else, Demercado is highly praised for his blitz pickup radar and processing speed in pass-protection lanes. He projects heavily to step into the all-important special teams role himself and provide a high-floor insurance policy for downs. Stashing Demercado gives Denver an asset that can fill Badie’s complex third-down role without getting lost.
Finding the Real “Will” Behind the Strnad
The situation at inside linebacker is even more dangerous. With Justin Strnad anchoring the second level, the Broncos are one misstep away from a structural crisis at the weakside (Will) linebacker spot. While young backups Karene Reid and Red Murdock offer developmental upside, the depth chart is uniquely tailored to downhill run thumpers. Jordan Turner and Red Murdock work best inside the phone booth as traditional Mike linebackers. Even with Reid’s coverage instincts, relying solely on inexperienced depth leaves the secondary exposed.
In Vance Joseph’s aggressive, 3-4 base pressure system, the Weakside (Will) inside linebacker is tasked with functioning as the primary space-eating eraser. While the Mike linebacker is deployed downfield to plug the A and B gaps against power-run concepts, the VJ scheme relies on the Will linebacker to have elite sideline-to-sideline trigger speed to blow up perimeter screen plays, mirror athletic tight ends, and match modern running backs out of the backfield. This particular role requires a high level of mental processing to assess coverage responsibilities on the fly while operating under intense blitz appearances.
Instead of praying for health, Denver should look to the free-agent market for a proven veteran who fits this mold. Enter veteran free agent Jerome Baker. Baker brings tremendous regular-season experience totaling 121 career games and 94 starts. He spent a decade navigating spatial zones, accumulating 629 total tackles, 26.0 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, and 25 passes defensed. Furthermore, Baker’s five career interceptions and two defensive touchdowns highlight the exact coverage instincts and veteran diagnostic traits Vance Joseph needs to keep his defense broken if Strnad misses time.
The Judgment
Keeping five wide receivers is a luxury that a truly balanced roster cannot afford. By cutting the league standard of three receivers, Denver can immediately bolster their depth chart with Demercado and Baker—turning a lopsided practice squad into functional, regular-season insurance.
Disclaimer: While Emari Demercado and Jerome Baker are suggested here as perfect conceptual fits, the broader point remains: the roster math needs to change. I’m completely open to other available running backs and inside linebackers that you feel would be a good fit—let me know your targets in the comments!
MHR Fan Poll: What’s the Biggest Practice Squad Denver Needs?
What should the Broncos do with their extra practice squad spots?
• [ ] Keep hiding 5 WR – You can never have enough passing targets for a young quarterback.
• [ ] Sign Running Back — Bring in a change-of-pace option like Emari Demercado to secure Tyler Badie’s role.
• [ ] Sign Weakside Linebacker — Call up a veteran like Jerome Baker to avoid a structural crisis behind Justin Strnad.
• [ ] Address another position in full – (Drop your thoughts in the comments below!)