The Denver Broncos have always excelled at finding players in the ‘eighth round’ of the NFL Draft, otherwise known as the college free agent ranks. Under GM John Elway, the Broncos have also done well to find role players and starters from the waiver wire and scrap heaps of other NFL teams.

Former linebacker Brandon Marshall is a good example of the latter. He was a former Jacksonville fifth-round pick back in 2012, whom the Broncos identified and later signed to the practice squad in 2013. Marshall would go onto become a five-year starter and help Denver bring home the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 50.

We’ve seen other players develop on the practice squad, patiently and diligently biding their time, only to eventually kick the doors down when they received their opportunity to get called up to the active roster. Players like C.J. Anderson and Shaquil Barrett, and most recently, Dymonte Thomas are good examples of this.

Heading into 2019, the Broncos have a handful of players they’ve carried over from their practice squad last year who have a great shot at making the 53-man roster and carving out a role. Let’s break each one down.

Jeff Holland, OLB

Holland went undrafted out of Auburn last year, and in fairness, was called up to the active roster for the final three games of the 2018 season. He played well in relief of Bradley Chubb, and with both Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray no longer with the team, Holland will have a great opportunity in 2019.

Holland will face some competition from Aaron Wallace, and whichever rookie edge rushers the Broncos add via the draft and ‘eighth round’. But if the Broncos had to play football today, Holland would likely be deployed as the No. 3 outside linebacker.

Alexander Johnson, LB

Johnson was a late addition to the roster last offseason, and though he didn’t get a lot of time to show what he could do in training camp or preseason action, the Broncos reserved a spot on the practice squad for the former Tennessee stand-out.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Johnson was promoted to the active roster in November of last season, but he only appeared in one game. He was mostly a healthy scratch the team promoted to keep outside teams from scalping him. With Brandon Marshall gone, Johnson will get an expanded opportunity to impress new head coach Vic Fangio in 2019.

The linebacker position — inside and outside — is Fangio’s specialty as a coach, which could bode well for Johnson. Johnson is a downhill thumper, which means he’ll have to prove to Fangio he can offer more in coverage in order to earn an expanded role and compete with Todd Davis and Josey Jewell for playing time.

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Austin Schlottmann, OG/C

Schlottmann went undrafted last year out of TCU but he saw a lot of action in the Broncos’ preseason. With 2018 sixth-rounder Sam Jones missing two preseason games, Schlottmann got to ply his wares as the third center probably a little more than even the team expected.

Denver liked what they saw from the 6-foot-6, 300-pound interior lineman and carved out a spot for him on the practice squad. With Matt Paradis, Max Garcia and Billy Turner departed in free agency, needless to say, the Broncos need interior O-line depth for Mike Munchak to mold.

Schlottmann is the type of smart and scrappy player coaches love. We’ll see how the 2019 draft unfolds, but don’t be surprised if Schlottmann wins a spot on the 53-man roster this season.

Andreas Knappe, OT

The Danish-born offensive tackle was making waves in training camp last summer before an injury derailed his possible path to the 53-man roster. With both Billy Turner and Jared Veldheer departed, the Broncos are in need of a swing tackle to hold down the fort behind starting duo Garett Bolles and Ja'Wuan James.

The 6-foot-8, 325-pound Knappe will get the chance to earn that job. He certainly has the size NFL teams covet in the tackle position, and there’s no telling how much of an improvement a fringe (but talented) O-line prospect like Knappe might make under the tutelage of Munchak. Keep an eye on Knappe as a darkhorse to make the roster — health willing.

Trey Marshall, S

Marshall was a highly coveted high school recruit who struggled to meet expectations at Flordia State. However, the Broncos were able to sign him following the 2018 draft, and he took his place at the bottom of a stacked safety depth chart.

Marshall played well late in the preseason, and with Jamal Carter going down with a season-ending hamstring injury, the Broncos chose to keep Marshall on the practice squad. Although Carter will return to action this year, Darian Stewart is gone, which could open the door for a talented young player like Marshall to stick his foot in it.

Of this group, Marshall is probably the biggest long-shot to make the 53-man roster this year, but you never know what type of quantum leap a young player might make between years one and two. Keep an eye on him.