With the 2026 NFL cut deadline just days away, it is time for my final 53-man roster projection for the Denver Broncos.
We have learned a lot about this team during training camp practices and two preseason games, and we have a decent idea of how the Broncos’ 53-man roster may look in a few days. However, there are always a few surprises, and we cannot rule out a trade or two, so we should keep an eye on that.
With all that said, here is my final 2026 Denver Broncos 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback(2)
Made the
team: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Sam Ehlinger
Bo Nix is coming off offseason ankle surgery, but the third-year quarterback looks good and healthy and appears to be on the verge of a big season for the Broncos.
As for the backup quarterback job, veteran Jarrett Stidham remains the Broncos QB2. He had a competition with Sam Ehlinger for the backup job, but it appears Stidham will be the Broncos’ backup once again in 2026.
I expect Ehlinger to land on the Broncos’ practice squad.
Running Back(4)
Made the team: JK Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, and Adam Prentice
Cut: Adam Prentice, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Cody Schrader
No real surprises here. Dobbins is your starter; second-year back RJ Harvey will primarily be your pass-catching specialist, while rookie Jonah Coleman likely has pushed his way into some touches come Week 1. I have Prentice making the team, but he could easily make the practice squad.
After that, it’ll be interesting to see who they keep between McLaughlin, Badie, and Schrader. McLaughlin was inactive for much of last season until JK Dobbins got hurt, but jumped Tyler Badie in the pecking order once he was active. However, Badie was active more often and used as their trusted third-down pass-blocking specialist. As for Schrader, he seems less likely to stick around, but does offer some size and power between the tackles.
Wide Receiver(5)
Made the team: Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin
Cut: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy, Cameron Ross, Joseph Manjack IV, Dane Key, Kolbe Katsis, Kyrese Rowan, and Kyre Duplessis
Again, no real surprises here. Waddle, Sutton, and Bryant seem locked in as your starters, with Marvin Mims being your return/deep ball/gadget specialist. Troy Franklin sticks around as talented depth, but I wouldn’t rule out some possible trade rumors here, especially if they really like one of these UDFA wide receivers and can get something they like back for Franklin. Not saying they will or should, but it’s something to watch.
Like Adam Prentice, Lil’Jordan Humphrey seems locked into a practice squad spot. I could see elevated for three straight weeks before being added to the 53-man roster after that. You can probably say the same about Michael Bandy, but we could see a few of these undrafted rookies push for his spot on the practice squad. Cam Ross and Kolbe Katsis seem like the two names to watch, but we shall see. They have opted to go with experienced depth over undrafted rookies in the past, so we’ll have to see what they do this time around.
Tight End(4)
Made the team: Adam Trautman, Evan Engram, Nate Adkins, and Justin Joly
Cut: Lucas Krull, Dallen Bentley, and Caleb Lohner
This might be one of my least confident projections.
Veterans Adam Trautman and Evan Engram are locked in for roster spots. I am assuming Justin Joly is locked into a roster spot despite a mostly quiet summer, but after that, it’s a guessing game. I have Nate Adkins making the 53-man roster due to his blocking skills and special teams upside. Payton has spoken highly of him in the past, and he seems like someone who can stick around by wearing multiple hats on game days.
With that said, Lucas Krull has worked with the second-team offense during the preseason, and could Payton attempt to stash Caleb Lohner on the 53-man roster despite him being hurt for the majority of the summer? Then you have Taysom Hill. Could the veteran opt to reunite with Sean Payton in Denver? Payton said the team will explore that idea and talk with Hill at the Hall of Fame, so we shall see. Dallen Bentley has had a very quiet summer and is likely headed to a practice squad spot.
Offensive Line(9)
Made the team: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Kage Kasey, Alex Forsyth, and Frank Crum
Cut: Matt Peart, Calvin Throckmorton, Gavin Ortega, Tyler Miller, Reid Holskey, Lecitius Smith, and Nick Gargiulo(PUP)
These nine seem fairly set in stone. Your starting five are locked in, while Palcho, Casey, and Forsyth are your top backups. I have that final spot going to Frank Crum again, but he hasn’t had a great preseason and is currently hurt, so it’s possible they could go in another direction. However, the team seems committed to the Crum project, so I believe he makes it unless his injury is considered severe.
As for the practice squad, I believe Calvin Throckmorton is locked into a spot, as well as undrafted rookie Gavin Ortega(Versatile and adds center depth). Veteran Matt Peart could make it as well, but I believe both parties could be looking for something different.
Defensive Line(7)
Made the team: Zach Allen, DJ Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim, Sai’vion Jones, and Jordan Jackson
Cut: Jordan Miller and Kristian Williams
I have the Broncos going heavy on the trenches early in the season with Allen, Jones, Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Onyedim, Sai’vion Jones, and Jordan Jackson making the team. Jackson could make the practice squad, but the way the numbers fell, I felt like they had room for another defensive lineman.
I could see both Miller and Williams making the practice squad.
Edge Rusher(5)
Made the team: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman
Cut: Drew Sanders, Johnny Walker, and Dasan McCullough
No real surprises here, but a potential Jonathon Cooper suspension could complicate things a little bit. So far, there’s no word on if or when that will happen.
I think this will be the end of the line for Drew Sanders, who, as of this writing, is once again injured. As for Walker and McCullough, we’ll see if either makes the Broncos practice squad.
Linebacker(4)
Made the team: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Karene Reid, and Red Murdock
Cut: Jordan Turner and Taurean York
Singleton and Strnad are locked in as your starters. After that, it could go several different ways.
I have Karene Reid making the team once again. He made the 53 last season, was around the ball a lot this preseason, and can play special teams. Then I have rookie Red Murdock making the team. The big-hitting, fumble-forcing specialist cracks the roster and likely will have a key role on special teams this season.
Jordan Turner could easily make the roster, but in this exercise, I have him on the practice squad. I like Taurean York, but we’ll see if he can stick around.
Cornerback(5)
Made the team: Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, and Kris Abrams-Draine
Cut: Brent Austin, Taylor Reese, Ricardo Hallman, and Sean Fresch Jr.
This group is locked in. It’s more about the practice squad spots, and I think undrafted rookie Brent Austin has earned a spot there. I could see slot corner Taylor Reese earning a spot there as well.
Safety(5)
Made the team: Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Taylor Rapp, Devon Key, and JL Skinner
Cut: Tycen Anderson, Miles Scott, and Parker Robertson
The signing of Taylor Rapp has made this unit a bit easier to predict. Hufanga and Jones are your starters; Rapp is your third safety, Key is your All-Pro special teamer, while Skinner provides depth and special teams upside.
I expect rookie Miles Scott to continue developing on the Broncos’ practice squad.
Special Teams(3)
Made the team: Wil Lutz (kicker), Jeremy Crawshaw (punter), and Mitchell Fraboni (long snapper)
Cut: Luke Basso
Lutz and Crawshaw are your kicking specialists, while Fraboni beats out undrafted rookie Luke Basso for the long-snapping job.
16-man Practice Squad projection
- QB Sam Ehlinger
- WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
- OL Calvin Throckmorton
- RB Tyler Badie
- WR Cameron Ross
- OL Gavin Ortega
- DL Jordan Miller
- LB Jordan Turner
- S Miles Scott
- TE Caleb Lohner
- TE Dallen Bentley
- WR Kolbe Katsis
- CB Brent Austin
- CB Taylor Reese
- LB Taurean York
- EDGE Dasan McCullough
This was a little harder than anticipated.
The easy ones were Ehlinger, LJH, and Throckmorton. I have Badie staying simply for his pass-blocking ability. Likely unpopular, but the team and QB Bo Nix trusted him there last season. I have wide receivers Cameron Ross and Kolbe Katsis making the practice squad. I like the upside of both. Undrafted rookie Gavin Ortega adds depth at guard and center and is someone they likely want to develop further. Jordan Miller sticks around again as nose tackle depth. Jordan Turner could make the 53, but for now, I have him here. Rookie safety Miles Scott will continue his development on the practice squad, as will tight ends Caleb Lohner and Dallen Bentley. Cornerback Brent Austin will look to continue the long history of UDFA corners becoming stars in Denver, while Taylor Reese adds depth at slot corner.
The final two spots were a little difficult, but I went with linebacker Taurean York and Dasan McCullough. Two young players they can develop into 53-man roster players down the road.
