NFL waiver wire explained: Broncos players subject to the process

Which Broncos players are subject to waivers in 2025? Waiver wire rules, explained.

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

The Denver Broncos have over 50 players who could be subject to waivers as they look to cut down from 90 players to 53 by the August 26 deadline and beyond.

Of course, several players on their rookie contracts should be safe from getting waived, such as franchise quarterback Bo Nix. But, if any of these players are waived this week, they will be subject to the waiver wire pool and can be claimed by another team.

If not, they can be a part of Denver’s 16-man practice squad, which will likely be finalized

the day after the cutdown date.

Which Denver Broncos are subject to waivers?

CB Jahdae Barron
WR Pat Bryant
T Marques Cox
P Jeremy Crawshaw
WR Joaquin Davis
RB RJ Harvey
WR Courtney Jackson
DE Sai’vion Jones
TE Caleb Lohner
C Joe Michalski
WR Jerjuan Newton
CB Joshua Pickett
TE Caden Prieskorn
ILB Karene Reid
CB Jaden Robinson
OLB Que Robinson
WR Kyrese Rowan
T/G Xavier Truss
ILB Jordan Turner
G Clay Webb
DT Kristian Williams
DB Micah Abraham
NT Jordan Miller
OLB Garrett Nelson
CB Quinton Newsome
OL Will Sherman
CB Reese Taylor
CB Kris Abrams-Draine
RB Tyler Badie
ILB Levelle Bailey
T Frank Crum
DT Michael Dwumfour
OLB Jonah Elliss
RB Audric Estime
OLB Andrew Farmer
WR Troy Franklin
DL Jordan Jackson
DB Devon Key
QB Bo Nix
WR A.T. Perry
DB Keidron Smith
OLB Dondrea Tillman
RB Blake Watson
TE Nate Adkins
WR Michael Bandy
C Alex Forsyth
TE Lucas Krull
RB Jaleel McLaughlin
CB Ja’Quan McMillian
WR Marvin Mims Jr.
CB Riley Moss
T Alex Palczewski
LB Drew Sanders

What is waivers in the NFL?

As the final preparations begin for the season, teams will make massive changes to their roster, either waiving or releasing players. But not all players instantly become free agents and free to sign with any team.

Well, when a player is ‘waived’, they are subject to the waiver wire, where any team can claim them and assume their current contract. Currently, the waiver wire order (listed below) is dependent on the NFL Draft order from this past April, but without any trades.

Teams will file waiver claims at the same time, but only the team with the highest claim will successfully ‘claim’ the player and their current contract.

Which NFL players are subject to go on waivers and not be released?

Whether or not a player enters the waiver wire of becomes a free agent depends on a player’s NFL service time. Players with at least four years of accrued NFL service time are outright released. If a player is released, their contract has ended, and they’re eligible to sign with any team.

However, if a player has less than four years of service time, they are waived and subject to waiver wire claims. Any player who is not claimed after being waived is eligible to sign wherever they’d like, including their former team’s practice squad.

Mainly, the group of players getting waived is those who are currently not eligible for unrestricted free agency status entering the year. They would be an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (less than three years of service) or a Restricted Free Agent (three years of service).

What is the NFL waiver order right now?

The NFL waiver order during the preseason and the first three weeks of the regular season mirrors the 2025 NFL Draft order. Once we get through four games, it resets to the current NFL standings. So the Titans have first crack at every player on waivers.