It’s finally here. After a long, often tedious offseason, the Denver Broncos will be in action at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 9 when they take on the Indianapolis Colts in their first preseason game of 2024.
The Broncos have had plenty of offseason additions to keep track of this season, and there are a lot of names to watch when the team faces off against the Colts on Sunday afternoon. Below are five players to keep a close eye on as the game progresses!
Alex Forsyth, Center
Forsyth has been in a camp battle with Luke Wattenberg to see who takes the starting center position for the Broncos this season.The team decided not to add anyone but journeyman Sam Mustipher at the position, hoping Wattenberg or Forsyth would lay claim to the position. The team needs this offensive line to be a strength, and center is the only position along the line where the team will see a new starter come in in 2024.
Kris Abrams-Draine, Cornerback
When Abrams-Draine was drafted, he was penciled into the backup nickel position by many analysts almost immediately. But as Riley Moss and Damarri Mathis have battled for the second outside corner position without either taking a clear lead, many have begun to wonder if Abrams-Draine could fill in there. At 5’11, he’s got the size to compete, but will the team give him a chance to prove himself there in preseason action?
Audric Estime, Running Back
Estime looks like an absolute monster, and reports out of Broncos training camp indicate he’s eager to stop going against teammates he can’t hit in earnest. The 2024 fifth-round selection could have a big presence on the field for Denver this year, especially if he can show off his receiving skills in preseason the way he has at times in camp.
J.L. Skinner, Safety
Much like the second corner position, the Broncos are hoping someone in their safety room takes over the lead for snaps after a hamstring injury sidelined Brandon Jones early in camp. Skinner was a sixth-round pick from 2023, and mostly saw the field on special teams last year. But Sean Payton has singled him out for praise in 2024 training camp, and he could be a late-round gem the Broncos sorely need.
Bo Nix, Quarterback
Obviously, the Broncos’ first-round quarterback has to be on this list, right? Nix has shown enough in camp to compete with incumbent Jarret Stidham for first-team snaps, but hasn’t cemented the starter’s job. If he turns in a good performance in his first preseason game, he’ll make a big case for starting the second, and from there he could lay claim to the job before the season opener in September.
