The Denver Broncos play their final preseason game this evening against the Minnesota Vikings. They have until Sunday, August 30th to finalize their 53-man roster. I usually don’t do predictions like this but thought I’d throw my hat in the ring alongside Scotty Payne and give my best guess on who makes the team. I’ll forego guessing on who makes the team’s 16-man practice squad.
Predicting the Broncos’ 2026 Offense: 24 Players
Quarterbacks — (2)
- Bo Nix
- Jarrett Stidham
Nix and Stidham are the only quarterbacks the Broncos need to carry on their roster. I don’t see the need to carry three.
I’d just stash Sam Ehlinger on the practice squad.
Running Backs — (4)
- JK Dobbins
- RJ Harvey
- Jonah Coleman
- Adam Prentice
Dobbins, Harvey, and Coleman will be the Broncos’ trio of running backs this season. Adam Prentice, who has seen a lot of preseason action, will be the team’s fullback.
Wide Receiver — (5)
- Courtland Sutton
- Jaylen Waddle
- Marvin Mims Jr.
- Troy Franklin
- Pat Bryant
Sutton, Waddle, Mims Jr., Franklin, and Bryant make a deep five. I don’t think they need to carry more than this. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if Lil’Jordan Humphrey wound up making it six. He knows Payton’s offense but could very well just be a practice squad player who gets elevated.
Tight End — (4)
- Adam Trautman
- Evan Engram
- Nate Adkins
- Justin Joly
Trautman is the veteran ‘Y’ tight end and Engram is the Broncos’ ‘F’ or move tight end. Nate Adkins is a versatile player who can line up in a few positions, while Joly has the talent and abilities to eventually replace Engram in 2027. I think we will see Caleb Lohner and Dallen Bentley wind up on the practice squad.
Offensive Line — (9)
- Garett Bolles
- Ben Powers
- Luke Wattenberg
- Quinn Meinerz
- Mike McGlinchey
- Alex Palczewski
- Kage Casey
- Alex Forsyth
- Frank Crum
There isn’t a big difference here than last year. The exception being Kage Casey in the mix as a versatile backup, with Matt Peart losing his spot to Frank Crum. Though I’ll admit I think Peart has played better than Crum has during the preseason.
Predicting the Broncos’ 2026 Defense: 26 Players
Defensive Line — (6)
- Zach Allen
- D.J. Jones
- Malcolm Roach
- Eyioma Uwazurike
- Sai’vion Jones
- Tyler Onyedim
This one was a hard projection. Quite frankly, I thought Jordan Jackson and Jordan Miller outperformed Jones and Onyedim in the preseason. That being said, I have a hard time envisioning the Broncos moving on from Jones, who was a third-round draft selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, this also means that Jones or Onyedim will be a game day inactive. Not necessarily ideal for third-round picks, but it is what it is.
Edge Rusher — (5)
- Nik Bonitto
- Jonathon Cooper
- Jonah Elliss
- Dondrea Tillman
- Que Robinson
The Broncos’ edge rusher room will remain as it was in 2025. The big variable is the future of Jonathon Cooper. At some point in time, he could receive a suspension from the NFL for his off the field violations of the league’s domestic violence policy. In the event Cooper would be served one prior to the regular season, perhaps the Broncos kick the tires on Haason Reddick. He is a veteran player who spent two years playing for Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph with the Arizona Cardinals.
Inside Linebacker — (5)
- Alex Singleton
- Justin Strnad
- Karene Reid
- Red Murdock
- Waiver Wire Addition / Veteran Trade
This position was sort of tough for me. Singleton and Strnad are the starters, while Reid and Murdock have shown enough in the preseason to beat out Jordan Turner and Taurean York. That being said, I honestly have some concerns with the depth.
Does the Broncos’ coaching staff feel confident that Reid or Murdock can perform well enough if tasked to start? I don’t have the answer to that. Not many teams carry five inside linebackers, though feel that this may be a position Denver pursues a waiver wire addition or potential trade for an established veteran with more experience. I’d place a higher value on that as opposed to an additional receiver, running back, tight end, or other depth piece on the roster.
Cornerback — (5)
- Patrick Surtain II
- Riley Moss
- Ja’Quan McMillian
- Jahdae Barron
- Kris Abrams-Draine
I expect Denver’s group of cornerbacks to be the same as last year. There is no doubt in my mind Denver’s five cornerbacks are the best group in the NFL.
Safety — (5)
- Brandon Jones
- Talanoa Hufanga
- Devon Key
- J.L. Skinner
- Waive Wire Addition
Jones and Hufanga are the starters this season. After that? It’s anybody’s best guess. With Taylor Rapp being released the other day, the competition for the third spot on the depth chart is open. Key was an All-Pro special team’s player last season, and Skinner has been a critical piece of Denver’s coverage units the past two seasons.
Maybe Denver’s coaching staff thinks one of them is poised to take a leap this year. Though I could see Denver hitting the waiver wire to add a fifth player. If not? I’d give Miles Scott the nod over Tycen Anderson.
Predicting the Broncos’ 2026 Special Teams: 3 Players
- Will Lutz — Kicker
- Jeremy Crawshaw — Punter
- Mitchell Fabroni — Long Snapper
No surprises here, these are Denver’s trio of special teamers for the 2026 season.
Final Thoughts:
Honestly, I don’t think we will see too many curveballs here. Most of the roster’s key starters and depth spots have already been established. There are only a few position groups with true battles up for grabs. All things considered, I do think an outside addition is likely. There are a few areas of the team where I wouldn’t be surprised if a better player becomes availabel than what is currently on the roster.
