Following roster cuts, the dust has settled after the Denver Broncos have finalized their (initial) 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad for the 2026 NFL season.
The Broncos are now set to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1 (Sept. 14), and the league requires each team to publish a depth chart before their first game.
Denver has released an updated depth chart going into Week 1, but the club calls it an "unofficial" depth chart. It should still provide a rough idea of how players stack up, though, perhaps with a few caveats.
Here's a look at the official "unofficial" depth chart from the Broncos ahead of the Chiefs game.
Broncos depth chart
Quarterback (3)
- QB1: Bo Nix
- QB2: Jarrett Stidham
- QB3: Sam Ehlinger
Sam Ehlinger makes the 53. Denver was worried Ehlinger would join another club's active roster
if they attempted to bump him down to the practice squad like they did in 2025.
Running back (4)
- RB1: J.K. Dobbins
- RB2: RJ Harvey
- RB3: Jonah Coleman
- RB4: Tyler Badie
Tyler Badie is a talented pass blocker and skilled receiver out of the backfield, but Coleman gets the nod as RB3.
Wide receiver (6)
- WR: Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant
- WR: Jaylen Waddle, Lil'Jordan Humphrey
- WR: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin
It's clear that coach Sean Payton is a big fan of Lil'Jordan Humphrey, a willing blocker who also had a strong training camp as a receiver. Marvin Mims is listed as a starter, but Pat Bryant seems more likely to receive the thrid-most targets behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle in 2026.
Tight end/fullback (4)
- TE1: Evan Engram
- TE2: Adam Trautman
- TE3: Nate Adkins
- TE7: Dallen Bentley
Fullback Adam Prentice didn't make the initial 53, but he can be elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster up to three times.
Offensive line (9)
- LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart
- LG: Ben Powers, Kage Casey
- C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth
- RG: Quinn Meinerz, Kage Casey
- RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski
Kage Casey is listed as the backup guard for both spots, but Alex Palczewski filled in when left guard Ben Powers was injured last season. Palczewski is probably the top backup for both guard spots and right tackle.
Defensive line (7)
- DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson, Tyler Onyedim
- NT: D.J. Jones, Sai'vion Jones
- DE: Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike
Despite running a base 3-4 defense, the Broncos are carrying seven defensive linemen. That demonstrates how deep the Broncos are up front.
Outside linebacker (4)
- OLB: Nik Bonitto, Que Robinson
- OLB: Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman
Jonathon Cooper was placed on the commissioner's exempt list before roster cuts. Cooper can't practice or play in games until the NFL makes an updated ruling on his roster status. In the meantime, Denver still has strong depth at the position.
Inside linebacker (4)
- LB: Alex Singleton, Jordan Turner
- LB: Justin Strnad, Karene Reid
Denver went with Karene Reid and Jordan Turner as the backup inside linebackers. They also brought seventh-round draft pick Red Murdock back on the practice squad.
Cornerback (5)
- CB1: Pat Surtain, Jahdae Barron
- CB2: Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine
- Nickel: Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron
From one to five, this is arguably the best cornerback room in the NFL. The Broncos have great depth at the position.
Safety (5)
- S: Brandon Jones, Devon Key
- S: Talanoa Hufunga, JL Skinner, Tycen Anderson
Denver clearly had a focus on special teams with the backup safety spots. Seventh-round draft pick Miles Scott also returned on the practice squad.
Special teams
- K: Wil Lutz
- P: Jeremy Crawshaw
- LS: Mitchell Fraboni
- PR: Marvin Mims, Riley Moss
- KR: Marvin Mims, Tyler Badie, RJ Harvey
Marvin Mims continues to have a key role in the return game, which could be another sign of an expanded role for Pat Bryant on offense.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos release updated depth chart for Week 1 of 2026 NFL season
