3 Broncos Veterans Fighting for Their Jobs After the NFL Draft

John Elway has faced plenty of criticism during his tenure as Denver Broncos general manager. The main knock against him has been his ability to find a quarterback outside of Peyton Manning, but for now there's some optimism surrounding Drew Lock. Elway knows the young quarterback needs talent around him to succeed and proceeded to select three receivers and a tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The team made a total of 10 picks and that means there will be instant competition at several spots on the roster. A new influx of talent means several Broncos veterans are now fighting for their jobs after a busy offseason for Elway in Denver.

3. Jake Butt

Denver Broncos TE Jake Butt has barely seen the field. / Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Jake Butt has had terrible luck with injuries since tearing his ACL in his final college game at Michigan. He missed the entire 2017 season and appeared in only three games in 2018 before suffering another ACL tear. Butt then missed all of 2019 and has only eight career receptions in three seasons. 2020 is the final year of his contract and the Broncos now have seven tight ends on the roster after drafting Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round. Butt's dead cap value of just over $75,000 makes him an easy cut candidate barring a miraculous turnaround.

2. Garrett Bolles

Denver Broncos OL Garrett Bolles could be out of a job. / Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Garrett Bolles has started all 48 games in his three-year career after being drafted No. 20 overall in 2017. But the Broncos have still not picked up the tackle's fifth-year option and that's telling. Elway openly said Bolles will be competing for his job against Elijah Wilkinson. The lack of confidence in Bolles even after not drafting his direct replacement could mean there's no intention of picking up that option. If that does happen, the team could look for a trade partner or cut him, which would cost just $1.5 million. The fourth-year player will turn 28 in May and that could be another reason why Elway doesn't want to eventually hand out a second contract.

1. Royce Freeman

Denver Broncos RB Royce Freeman could be the odd man out. / Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

The Broncos did not draft a running back in 2020. However, the signing of Melvin Gordon gives the team a duo of Gordon and Phillip Lindsay to receive nearly all of the workload. Royce Freeman appears to be the odd man out and the Broncos could save nearly $600,000 by letting him go. He has a combined 1,017 yards in two seasons, but he's just not going to get the touches in 2020 unless someone gets hurt. His name has been on the chopping block since the day Gordon arrived in town.