The Broncos have completed all but a handful of their training camp practices and have started the preseason with a dominant 27-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. So, the push towards the regular season is in full swing, and it is a good time to take a look at which players on the Broncos’ 90-man roster are rising and fading as we get closer to Week 1.
I am going to go through the Broncos’ entire 90-man roster by positional group and tell you if I believe a player’s stock is rising, falling, or remains
unchanged, and give you my thoughts on their future with the team.
Quarterback
Bo Nix – Stock up: Bo is back and healthy and looks good as new. His ankle looks fully healed from offseason surgery, and he has been moving around and running well at Broncos Camp. Everything is trending up for the Broncos’ starting quarterback, who will make his preseason debut this week.
Jarrett Stidham – Stock up, slightly: There was talk that Stidham would be competing with Sam Ehlinger for the Broncos’ backup quarterback job. The two have been splitting second-team reps, but on Friday Night, Stiddy had a statement performance that may have all but ended the backup quarterback competition talk.
Sam Ehlinger – Stock down, slightly: Heading into the game, he was in the QB2 conversation, but after Stidham’s performance, I believe that talk is all but dead. Ehlinger played alright, but was with the third-team offense, so it was hard to compare. He may get a shot with the second team this Friday, but simply due to Stidham’s performance, Ehlinger’s stock is down slightly.
Running Back
JK Dobbins – Unchanged: Sure, the veteran back is dealing with what seems like a minor soft tissue injury, but nothing has really changed here for Dobbins. He likely won’t play much, if at all, during the preseason, and he simply needs to be 100% for Week 1 vs. the Chiefs.
RJ Harvey – Stock down/up: Harvey’s stock as a running back is down. His vision isn’t great, and he looks like the Broncos third best back behind Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman. However, Harvey’s stock as a pass catcher/weapon in space is up. I think he will be a pass-catching threat for the Broncos, who will get some carries, but most of his damage will be done in space.
Jonah Coleman – Stock up: Coleman has been as advertised. A well-rounded back with great vision, power, soft hands, and can pass block. We saw his running ability on display vs. the Falcons, and I would not be surprised if Coleman starts the season as the Broncos’ RB2. Split time with Dobbins as the main ball carrier, while Harvey is your third down/pass catching specialist.
Jaleel McLaughlin – Stock down: The number one thing you cannot do as a ball carrier is fumble, and that’s exactly what McLaughlin did vs. the Falcons. Otherwise, he looked like the back we have seen for the past few seasons. He’s on the roster bubble, and a fumble could put him in the doghouse and potentially on the hot seat for a roster spot.
Tyler Badie – Unchanged: He kinda is who he is. He doesn’t offer a ton as a runner or pass catcher, but he earned the trust of the Broncos coaches and quarterback Bo Nix for his ability to pass block. That trust and skill could land him a spot on the practice squad this season.
Cody Schrader – Unchanged: I liked how Schrader ran the ball, but he was playing behind the third-string OL, so it was a tough evaluation. Realistically, he’s competing for a spot on the practice squad, and I didn’t see much to warrant his stock to rise or drop after Friday’s game.
Adam Prentice – Stock up: The Broncos fullback was used in key short-yardage situations and at the one-yard line, where he ran it in for a touchdown. He’s a favorite of the coaching staff and will be part of this team and this offense this upcoming season.
Wide Receiver
Courtland Sutton – Stock up: Load management seems to be paying off for the veteran wide receiver. He caught a 40-yard bomb in the first drive from Stidham and then made a highlight-reel one-handed catch and looked to be in midseason form.
Jaylen Waddle – Stock up: He has been sidelined for about a week with a soft tissue injury, but the Broncos star receiver has shown enough before the injury for me to say stock up. He was practically unguardable during camp and showcased his speed and explosiveness throughout, and will be a big part of the Broncos’ success this upcoming season.
Pat Bryant – Stock WAY up: Pat Bryant has been the story of camp thus far. The second-year wide receiver has been making plays throughout camp, has earned praise from the coaches and his teammates, and was featured early on vs. the Falcons. He has run away with the WR3 job and could be a productive member of this offense this upcoming season.
Marvin Mims Jr. – Unchanged: I don’t believe we will see his role change much this upcoming season. He will be an All-Pro-caliber returner while getting snaps as an occasional deep threat/space player on offense. They can get creative with Mims, and I am excited to see how Davis Webb utilizes him.
Troy Franklin – Stock down: It has to be down, right? Bryant seems to have taken the WR3 role, Mims has proven to be a better deep/speed threat throughout his career, and Franklin really hasn’t done much to move the needle thus far this summer. He did have a nice catch vs. the Falcons, but I have a hard time figuring out his exact role on this team outside of being a depth player.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Stock up: As long as Sean Payton is coaching this team, LJH’s stock will be up. He is a reliable backup who gives you snaps at wide receiver, blocks well, and plays special teams. He may not make the 53-man roster, but he has a better shot at being active on game days than Troy Franklin right now.
Michael Bandy – Slightly up: The Broncos like the Bandy man. He has been sidelined a little bit, but he has served as veteran depth the past few seasons, and until someone can surpass him, I think he will have the same role this season.
Hakeem Butler – Stock slightly down: The former UFL standout has not made the impression that I anticipated and was mostly quiet vs. the Falcons. He will need to show more moving forward if he wants to make the practice squad.
Dane Key – Unchanged: Likely was a long shot to make the team from the beginning and hasn’t really done much to help himself thus far, it seems.
Cam Ross – Slightly up: Ross saw some return work on special teams and had a chunk play on an end around. He showed some potential and has a shot to make the practice squad.
Kolbe Katsis – Slightly up: He made some plays during camp but didn’t do much vs. the Falcons. He has some speed and return ability, so I am going slightly up, but I had hoped for a little bit more.
Joseph Manjack IV: Stock up: Manjack was second on the team in receiving yards with 3 catches for 40 yards and showed good chemistry with third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger. If he can block and play special teams, he could make a push for a spot on the practice squad.
Kyrese Rowan – Unchanged: He’s a camp/preseason body needed due to injuries.
Kyre Duplessis – Unchanged: He’s a camp/preseason body needed due to injuries.
Tight End
Adam Trautman – Stock up: He’s a Sean Payton guy and the Broncos’ starting tight end, so his stock is and always will be up until proven otherwise.
Evan Engram – Unchanged: You could go slightly up here, but I don’t think much has changed with Engram. He will be their main pass catcher at the position, but the upside seems to remain fairly limited.
Justin Joly – Stock slightly down: I haven’t seen or heard many updates on Justin Joly throughout camp, and he didn’t do much in the preseason opener, so he’s slightly down for me. I still like his upside, but admittedly hoped I would have seen more from him by now.
Nate Adkins – Unchanged: He is who he is at this point in his career. He’s a blocking specialist who does all the dirty work. He hasn’t stood out much at all during camp and has been dealing with an injury. I think he’s a safe bet for a spot on the practice squad.
Lucas Krull – Unchanged: Like Adkins, he is who he is at this point in his career. I don’t think he’ll make the 53, but he is a potential practice squad player.
Dallen Bentley – Slightly down: Like Joly, there haven’t been many updates at all on Bentley, and he didn’t do anything of note during the Falcons game. So, slightly down for me purely because I was hoping we would see more from him by now.
Caleb Lohner – Way down: He has yet to practice, and any hopes of a breakout seem dead at this point. He will need to return to camp this week if he wants any shot at making the 53-man roster.
Offensive Line
Garett Bolles – Unchanged: He was one of the better left tackles in the NFL last season, and that hasn’t changed.
Ben Powers – Slightly up: There was some talk and whispers that he could be competing for his job or a trade candidate, but it seems like he’s set as the Broncos’ starting left guard.
Luke Wattenberg – Unchanged: He has been sidelined for over a week due to an injury, but he’s known as one of the smarter centers in the NFL, and his status hasn’t changed at all.
Quinn Meinerz – Unchanged: He’s one of the best guards in the NFL.
Mike McGlinchey – Unchanged: Veteran right tackle who has stabilized the position, which was a longtime point of weakness for the Broncos.
Alex Palczewski – Slightly up: Versatile backup who has started games at left guard and right tackle during his career. He signed an extension and will be the Broncos’ 6th offensive lineman this season.
Kage Casey – Stock up: The rookie guard has been stellar in one-on-ones throughout camp and played well from what I saw vs. the Falcons.
Alex Forsyth – Unchanged: He’s the Broncos’ backup center.
Matt Peart – Unchanged: He’s competing for the Broncos’ swing tackle role and is on the roster bubble.
Frank Crum – Slightly up: Sean Payton loves him some, Frank Crum. The athletic tackle likely makes the 53-man roster again.
Calvin Throckmorton – Stock up: He got the start at center vs. the Falcons and gives the Broncos a versatile depth piece if needed. He’s a lock for a spot on the practice squad.
Gavin Ortega – Slightly up: I am not sure how he played, but he didn’t botch any snaps and seems like a player who makes the practice squad.
Reid Holskey – Unchanged: Camp/preseason body pushing for a practice squad spot.
Tyler Miller – Unchanged: Big undrafted rookie could push for a spot on the practice squad.
Nick Gargiulo – Unchanged: On the PUP.
Lecticus Smith – Unchanged: Just signed and likely a camp body/depth.
Defensive Line
Zach Allen – Unchanged: He’s one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL
Malcolm Roach – Stock up: Roach will likely see a larger role on defense this season and has been very productive throughout camp and during his time with the Broncos. He brings energy and attitude to the Broncos’ front seven.
DJ Jones – Unchanged: He’s a veteran nose tackle and is who he is at this point in his career.
Eyioma Uwazurike – Stock up: He has been unblockable all camp and has made himself a key member of the Broncos’ defensive line rotation. He works on his body according to DC Vance Joseph and is now a pass rusher.
Tyler Onyedim – Stock slightly up: He made some noise throughout camp, but I did not notice him too much vs. the Falcons. He’s still a rookie, but a little bit behind his competition right now, it seems.
Sai’vion Jones – Stock down: Hate to say it, but I had high hopes for Sai’vion Jones, and it doesn’t seem like he has lived up to them thus far. Vance Joseph said he simply wasn’t strong enough last season and really hasn’t stood out during camp or the preseason thus far. He still has time, but I was hoping for more of a breakout from Jones this summer.
Jordan Jackson – Unchanged: He’s solid back-end depth, but his role and status with the team seem unchanged.
Tyler Miller – Unchanged: He’s a backup nose tackle who likely lands on the practice squad again.
Kristian Williams – Unchanged: Battling for a spot on the Broncos practice squad.
Edge Rushers
Nik Bonitto – Unchanged: One of the best pure speed rushers in the NFL off the edge.
Jonathon Cooper – Stock down: It’s only down due to a potential suspension coming his way. Otherwise, he has done well in camp and looked quick and frankly dominant vs. the Falcons. We’ll see what happens with him and his pending legal issues.
Jonah Elliss – Stock WAY up: Outside of Pat Bryant, Elliss has been the winner of training camp for the Broncos. He has been getting after the passer throughout and showcased that vs. the Falcons. He was constantly applying pressure and looked like someone who could get several sacks this season.
Que Robinson – Stock up: I had hoped for a bigger breakout, but Que Robinson has been good. He has the size, length, athleticism, and speed you look for and gives the Broncos yet another talented pass rusher off the edge.
Dondrea Tillman – Unchanged: The interception specialist is solid depth for the Broncos and likely doesn’t see his role change much this season.
Drew Sanders – Slightly up: He’s healthy, so that alone is a stock up. He also had a sack vs. the Falcons, which is always good to see. However, he’s not in line for a roster spot due to the Broncos’ depth at the position and is playing for a spot on the practice squad or elsewhere this season. So, it’s only slightly up for me.
Dasan McCullough – Stock down: He has been sidelined for most of camp, which really hurts his chances of sticking around. Still a candidate for the practice squad, but we shall see if he can get healthy.
Johnny Walker – Unchanged: He’s pushing for a spot on the practice squad.
Linebacker
Alex Singleton – Unchanged: He’s the quarterback of the defense and a veteran team leader.
Justin Strnad – Stock slightly up: This will be his first full season as a starter, and he has earned his opportunity after being a productive backup the past few seasons.
Jordan Turner – Stock slightly down: Started camp on the NFI and was just recently activated off it. He is a strong contender for a spot on the 53-man roster, but has missed some valuable time and now games.
Karene Reid – Stock up: He made the 53-man roster last year and seems to be trending that way this season. He is a special teams standout and had a nice diving PBU that led to a pick-6 touchdown by cornerback Jahdae Barron.
Red Murdock – Stock up: Murdock led the team in tackles and just seems like a player who is going to make the 53-man roster. He was a turnover machine in college, and I believe they want his skill set on special teams, but I liked what I saw from him as a linebacker.
Taurean York – Stock slightly up: I liked what I saw from him in limited action vs. the Falcons, but he’s behind his competition. He seems like a likely practice squad player for the Broncos.
Levelle Bailey – Stock down: Suffered a broken leg and will be sidelined for a significant amount of time.
Cornerback
Pat Surtain II – Stock up: Best cornerback in the NFL
Riley Moss – Stock up: He’s having a strong camp and had an interception vs. the Falcons. A strong start to his contract year.
Ja’Quan McMillian – Unchanged: Top slot corner in the NFL.
Jahdae Barron – Stock up: He needed that performance vs. the Falcons. Played well, had a couple PBUs, made some nice tackles and plays vs. the run, and had the Pick 6 touchdown (and could have had another INT). The former 1st-round pick has been the topic of conversation, and he changed the narrative a bit with that performance.
Kris Abrams-Draine – Stock up: Is probably the best 4th or 5th corner in the NFL. Solid depth player who performs well when asked to start.
Reese Taylor – Unchanged: He’s a backup slot corner who has spent time on the Broncos practice squad in recent years and is competing for that role again.
Brent Austin – Stock up: Austin is a name to watch. Has been making plays in camp and could be pushing for a practice squad spot.
Sean Fresch Jr. – Stock slightly up: The former UFL corner/returner was the Broncos punt returner on Friday Night, so that gives him a slight boost in my non-scientific formula. The more you can do, and do well, will help you stick around.
Ricardo Hallman – Unchanged: Likely just a camp/preseason body.
Safety
Talanoa Hufanga – Unchanged: All-Pro safety and a leader of the Broncos defense.
Brandon Jones – Slightly up: He’s healthy and an underrated part of the Broncos’ secondary.
Devon Key – Slightly up: All-Pro special teamer, but can he lock down a role on defense as the third safety? The fact that the Broncos worked out veteran Taylor Rapp says otherwise.
JL Skinner – Slightly up: I thought he played well vs. the Falcons, and man, he looks like a linebacker out there. Big hitter, good plays on defense, and standing out on special teams will earn him a 53-man roster spot.
Tycen Anderson – Slightly down: I haven’t heard much about him throughout camp, and he didn’t stand out to me during the game, so he’s slightly down for me. He’s a special teams ace, so we’ll see what Rizzi thinks during final cuts.
Miles Scott – Slightly down: The 7th-round rookie hasn’t made much noise this summer and seems destined for the practice squad.
Parker Robertson – Stock down: I say down because if the Broncos sign a veteran safety like Taylor Rapp, his roster spot is in danger.
Special Teams
Wil Lutz – Unchanged: Remains one of the more accurate and consistent kickers in the NFL
Jeremy Crawshaw – Stock up: He has been booming punts all summer and seems to be putting his early-season rookie struggles behind him.
Mitchell Fraboni – Stock up: He snapped the ball well.
Luke Basso – Stock down: Had a botched snap.
