The Denver Broncos have completed training camp, are 2-0 in the preseason after two dominating performances, and are now nearing the point where they will need to trim their roster down to 53 players. I did a 53-man roster projection for the Broncos before the start of training camp, and honestly, not a whole lot has changed. Some injuries and breakout performances have elevated players, but overall, this 53-man roster should look fairly similar to my earlier projection.
So, with all that said, here
is my post-training camp 53-man roster projection for the Denver Broncos.
(Note: I am keeping Nate Adkins and Drew Sanders on here because they will both be on the final 53-man roster. Afterwards, they can be placed on the injured reserve without being out for the year, and this will open up those two roster spots to other players.)
Quarterback(2)
Made the team: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Sam Ehlinger
Nothing surprising here. Bo Nix is your starter and is coming off a great joint practice with the Cardinals, and backup Jarrett Stidham has been absolutely dealing as the backup. Ehlinger has been solid, too, but only carrying two quarterbacks makes sense for the roster construction, and they will try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Running Back (4)
Made the team: J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie
Cut: Blake Watson, Audric Estime, Adam Prentice, and Michael Burton
If you haven’t been watching, then this might be a surprise, but otherwise, this appears to be how the Broncos’ running back room is going to shake out. J.K. Dobbins and rookie R.J. Harvey are your 1-2 punch in the backfield, Jaleel McLaughlin will have his role, and Tyler Badie is simply too good not to be on the 53-man roster. He’s a good runner, has good vision, makes defenders miss, reliable pass catcher, and can pass protect.
I have them keeping Blake Watson on the practice squad. He is fast, explosive, and is also a solid pass protector. Unfortunately, that means Audric Estime is not making the team, and honestly, it looks iffy to make the practice squad. He has been the last back to get a carry in the preseason games, and the eye test tells you that he is the sixth-best running back the Broncos have.
Maybe this is a hot take, but to me, it seems like the reality of the situation.
As for the fullbacks, they are a victim of the roster crunch again. I believe we’ll see Prentice and/or Burton cut to make room for the injured reserve players, and then be added to the practice squad. We saw Payton do this last season, and it makes sense for him to do it again this season.
Wide Receiver(6)
Made the team: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Devaughn Vele, and Trent Sherfield Sr.
Cut: A.T. Perry, Michael Bandy, Kyrese Rowan, Courtney Jackson, Jerjuan Newton, and Joaquin Davis
Man, what a group.
The wide receiver room was viewed as a weakness during the offseason, but head coach Sean Payton routinely said that he likes the players he has, and they have sure proven him correct. Courtland Sutton just signed an extension and is your WR1, Marvin Mims Jr. appears to be your WR2, Troy Franklin has emerged as an explosive playmaker, rookie Pat Bryant has looked really good, Devaughn Vele had a good rookie year, and Trent Sherfield Sr. flashed what he could do in the preseason opener. All six of these players will make the team, and we’ll see how Payton uses them moving forward.
Could the Broncos trade a piece from this room to improve the roster elsewhere and keep one of the UDFA’s or Perry/Bandy instead? It’s possible. Payton has said he believes someone from this room will be on a 53-man roster elsewhere, so we’ll see.
I would guess that Courtney Jackson and Joaquin Davis have the best shot to land on the practice squad, but you can make a case for all of them. A talented group.
Tight End(4)
Made the team: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins(IR), and Lucas Krull
Cut: Caleb Lohner and Caden Prieskorn
This is where some roster gymnastics will happen.
Evan Engram is your ‘Joker’ while Adam Trautman is your inline TE2. I have Nate Adkins making the roster still, but being placed on the IR later since he is recovering from an ankle injury. That will open up a roster spot for someone else once that happens. For now, I have Lucas Krull on the 53, but I would not be shocked if they added to this room via a trade, waiver wire, or veteran addition.
I hoped Caleb Lohner would have shown more during camp and the preseason, but he is still very much a work in progress. Due to this, and maybe by design, the Broncos should have no issues getting him through waivers. Still wouldn’t rule out them keeping him on the roster, but right now, I don’t see it. Caden Preiskorn also seems like a practice squad option.
OL(9)
Made the team: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Alex Forsyth, and Frank Crum
Cut: Marques Cox, Will Sherman, Calvin Throckmorton, Joe Michalski, Clay Webb, and Xavier Truss
No real surprises here. We’ll see if Frank Crum makes the 53 again, but right now, I think he does. Outside of that, it looks as expected.
With Nick Garguilo going down with a serious lower-body injury, it did hurt the depth of this room. Wouldn’t rule out them adding another interior linemen if possible during cuts. As for the practice squad candidates, I would guess Webb and Truss are the leading candidates for those spots.
IDL(6)
Made the team: Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Sai’vion Jones, and Jordan Jackson
Cut: Eyioma Uwazurike, Jordan Miller, and Kristian Williams
I am still leaning toward Jordan Jackson over Uwazruike. I know he has the size, athleticism, and draft pedigree, but I am not seeing it. They like Jackson; he made the 53-man roster last season, and I believe he earned that spot again this season in a deeper IDL room.
Uwazruike and Miller would both be leading practice squad candidates in this scenario.
EDGE(5)
Made the team: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson
Cut: Andrew Farmer and Garrett Nelson
All five of these edge rushers looked good in the preseason and give the Broncos a talented and very deep pass-rushing unit. No real surprises here.
Linebacker(5)
Made the team: Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey, and Drew Sanders(IR)
Cut: Garret Wallow, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid, and JB Brown
Veterans Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton are your starters, Justin Strnad is your core special teamer, and Levelle Bailey has simply earned a roster spot. Like Nate Adkins, Drew Sanders will need to count against the 53-man roster before being placed on the injured reserve. He is recovering from foot surgery and is expected to be sidelined through the start of the season.
I would anticipate Jordan Turner and Karene Reid to be your practice squad players at this position. Both UDFA’s flashed during the preseason.
Cornerback(5)
Made the team: Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Kris Abrams-Draine
Cut: Damarri Mathis, Jaden Robinson, Joshua Pickett, Quinton Newsome, Micah Abraham, and Taylor Reese
The Broncos’ cornerback room is talented, deep, and, like the wide receiver room, could see a player moved to fill a weakness elsewhere on the roster. Not saying it should or will happen, but if they did go that route, those two positions are the candidates for that.
As for the players, PS2 is CB1 (For the Broncos and in the NFL), Moss has had a strong summer, rookie Jahdae Barron has looked promising, veteran slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian brings experience, and second-year corner Kris Abrams-Draine continues to look really good.
Safety(4)
Made the team: Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, and JL Skinner
Cut: Devon Key, Sam Franklin, Keidron Smith, Delarrin Turner-Yell,
This is one position that I could see impacted by the players placed on the injured reserve. They will need to open up two roster spots for Sanders and Adkins, and I believe we’ll see a player who will be part of this roster but cut/waived. My guess is either Devon Key or Sam Franklin.
Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones are your starters, P.J. Locke is an inch taller and doesn’t seem impacted by his offseason surgery, and JL Skinner is a hard-hitting heat-seeking missile out there. You don’t let a 6-4 safety who hits like that while also being a key special teamer, hit the waiver wire.
Special Teams(3)
Made the team: Wil Lutz, Jeremy Crawshaw, and Mitchell Fraboni
As expected here. Just need Crawshaw to bring it all together as a punter.
