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4 Broncos Players Who Could Be Breakout Stars This Season

DENVER (CBS4) - Who will be the Broncos breakout star this season?

That was the question CBS4 Sports posed to viewers in Monday night's poll.

The following is a look at the four players featured and an explainer for why each one could be poised for great things this year.

Shaquil Barrett

Shaquil Barrett
Shaquil Barrett (credit: CBS)

For many onlookers, Shaquil Barrett looked like the MVP of the preseason for the Denver Broncos. He led the team in total tackles, solo stops and sacks. It will be interesting to see how much playing time the defender gets in the regular season. He's only been on the active roster briefly in his NFL career. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to come out there and continue to show all the team and my coach that I can play," he said on Monday.

Shane Ray

Shane Ray
Linebacker Shane Ray of the Denver Broncos prepares to take the field against the San Francisco 49ers during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Aug. 29, 2015. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Broncos made a trade to move up in the first round of the draft to select Shane Ray, and so far it seems like a wise move. The rookie linebacker showed speed and explosion rushing off the edge during the preseason. "He's going to come in and do a lot of great stuff for us," fellow linebacker Von Miller said of Ray last month.

Jordan Norwood

Jordan Norwood (2)
Jordan Norwood (credit: CBS)

All the signs were pointing to Jordan Norwood making the final Broncos roster in Denver in August 2014, but the receiver suffered a devastating injury. This year he's healthy and hoping to play an important role in Denver's offensive plans.

Ty Sambrailo

Rookie Ty Sambrailo
Ty Sambrailo (credit: CBS)

No one really expected that when the Broncos drafted Ty Sambrailo out of CSU he would be starting on the offensive line in Week 1. But the line has been in flux throughout the whole preseason, and Ryan Clady's season-ending injury in May opened the door for the rookie to take over protecting Peyton Manning's blindside at the left tackle position. He has shown his coaches he's ready for the big task.

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