Here’s a look at which players improved their stock or watched it decline after the Broncos’ 38-12 win over the Cardinals in the preseason finale at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon.
Stock Up
Safety Keidron Smith: The Broncos safety ended a strong preseason on a high note. Smith finished with four tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery in the second quarter. The former Kentucky defensive back was involved in three defensive turnovers in three preseason games. Smith played with a ton of aggression Sunday. It was on display in the second quarter when he delivered a vicious hit on Cardinals tight end Blake Whiteheart, resulting in the ball flying out of his hands as he went out of bounds on a 5-yard reception.
DL Jordan Jackson: In Jackson’s last audition for the 53-man roster, he delivered. The defensive lineman registered two sacks in the first quarter Sunday. Jackson sacked quarterback Clayton Tune on the Cardinals’ first drive of the game. With 4:43 left in the first quarter, Jackson got home to take down Tune for a loss of 11 yards on third-and-11. Denver has solidified four spots on the defensive line with Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach. Against the Cardinals, Jackson showed he has the potential to add valuable depth to the room.
QB Zach Wilson: Wilson was dealing against the Cardinals, with nearly every throw showing he belongs on the roster. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 251 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing). Wilson beautifully executed Denver’s 11-play, 77-yard scoring drive in the second quarter. He had a 21-yard scramble, a 23-yard pass to wide receiver David Sills and a 19-yard completion to tight end Nate Adkins. He found Sills again on a 14-yard attempt. The drive ended with Wilson connecting with Adkins for a 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal. Even though Wilson’s 46-yard touchdown pass to wideout Brandon Johnson was the best throw from any Broncos quarterback this preseason, that second-quarter scoring drive was enough to solidify him as QB2.
Stock Down
OT Frank Crum: Crum’s struggles continued on Sunday. The undrafted rookie allowed two sacks in the victory over Arizona, including one in the third quarter when linebacker Jesse Luketa took down Wilson, forcing the ball loose, but the 25-year-old quarterback made the recovery. Last week against the Packers, Crum allowed a sack and pressure from defensive end Arron Mosby, resulting in an interception by quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
P Trenton Gill: Gill’s strong performance on Sunday wasn’t enough to win the punting competition. Riley Dixon won the battle, as a source told The Denver Post that Gill is being released. Against the Cardinals, Gill’s two punt attempts amassed 122 yards while averaging 48.5 net yards per attempt. He punted the ball 73 yards, resulting in a touchback in the fourth quarter. Still, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot.
OLB Thomas Incoom: At one point, Incoom was a bright spot during Denver’s training camp practices. However, the second-year edge rusher failed to translate that performance into the games. Against the Cardinals, Incoom had a nice tackle for loss in the third quarter, but he was also penalized for roughing the passer. Incoom overcame the odds last year, becoming one of four undrafted free agents to make the roster. But with the emergence of rookie Jonah Elliss, Incoom’s chances to make the roster have declined.
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Originally Published: August 26, 2024 at 8:49 a.m.
