We're still a little more than a week away from when the Denver Broncos are expected to release their first depth chart of the summer, so we have a projected depth chart to hold fans over while we wait.
NFL clubs are required to publish depth charts the week of their first preseason game. Denver's set to open preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Aug. 14, and their depth chart could arrive as early as Monday, Aug. 10.
Broncos coach Sean Payton usually lists rookies at the bottom of the depth chart at their respective positions, but we could learn some intel on a few other position battles between veteran when the official depth chart is published.
For now, take a look at our current projection.
Broncos quarterback depth chart
- QB1: Bo Nix
- QB2: Jarrett Stidham
- QB3: Sam Ehlinger
Stidham has held QB2 duties since Sean Payton
arrived in 2023, but Ehlinger will push for that role this summer.
Broncos running back depth chart
- RB1: J.K. Dobbins
- RB2: RJ Harvey
- RB3: Jonah Coleman
- RB4: Jaleel McLaughlin
- Depth: Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader
Coleman could be a strong candidate for third-down duties, but he'll have to beat out McLaughlin and Badie.
Broncos tight end depth chart
- TE1: Evan Engram
- TE2: Adam Trautman
- TE3: Justin Joly
- FB: Adam Prentice, Nate Adkins
- Depth: Lucas Krull, Dallen Bentley, Caleb Lohner
Joly could be Engram's eventual replacement, but he's not a lock to play over Adkins on Day 1.
Broncos wide receiver depth chart
- WR1: Courtland Sutton
- WR2: Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin
- WR3: Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims
- Depth: Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy, Hakeem Butler
- UDFAs: Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Sean Brown, Joseph Manjack
Sutton and Waddle are obviously the top two receivers. Behind them, Bryant, Franklin and Mims will be competing for WR3 duties. Bryant is the early favorite in our estimation.
Broncos offensive line depth chart
- LT: Garett Bolles, Frank Crum
- LG: Ben Powers, Kage Casey, Nick Gargiulo [PUP]
- C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Michael Deiter
- RG: Quinn Meinerz, Calvin Throckmorton
- RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Matt Peart
- Depth: Tyler Miller, Gavin Ortega, Reid Holskey
Denver has an extremely valuable backup in Alex Palczewski, who has proven to be a capable starter at both offensive tackle and guard. Alex Forsyth provides quality cover at center.
Broncos defensive line depth chart
- DE: Zach Allen, Tyler Onyedim
- DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach
- DE: Sai'vion Jones OR Eyioma Uwazurike
- Depth: Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams
For now, we have Roach playing defensive tackle, but he could end up competing for the defensive end spot formerly held by John Franklin-Myers. We have Sai'vion Jones and Eyioma Uwazurike fighting for that spot going into camp.
Broncos linebacker depth chart
- OLB1: Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman
- ILB1: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid
- ILB2: Justin Strnad, Lavelle Bailey
- OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Que Robinson
- Injured/legal: ILB Jordan Turner, OLB Jonathon Cooper
- ILB depth: Red Murdock, Taurean York
- OLB depth: Drew Sanders, Johnny Walker, Dasan McCullough
Cooper is practicing while his felony assault case lingers. If Cooper is not available at any point this season, Elliss would be the obvious next man up at outside linebacker. Meanwhile, Denver will have an open competition for the backup inside linebacker spots this summer.
Broncos defensive back depth chart
- FS: Brandon Jones, Devon Key
- SS: Talanoa Hufanga, Miles Scott
- CB1: Pat Surtain, Kris Abrams-Draine
- CB2: Riley Moss, Reese Taylor
- Slot: Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron
- Depth DBs: JL Skinner, Tycen Anderson, Parker Robertson
- Depth CBs: Jaden Robinson, Brent Austin, Sean Fresch, Blake Cotton
Jahdae Barron will hope to win a bigger role in Year 2, but it's hard to imagine him beating out Ja’Quan McMillian in the slot. So, Barron might have to upset Riley Moss for the No. 2 outside cornerback job if he wants to start this fall.
Broncos special teams depth chart
- Kicker: Wil Lutz
- Punter: Jeremy Crawshaw
- Returner: Marvin Mims, Kolbe Katsis, Cam Ross
- Long snapper: Mitchell Fraboni, Luke Basso
Mims is scheduled to become a free agent in 2026, so the Broncos might start considering other long-term options at returner this summer.
With three preseason games on deck in August, Denver's position battles will start to heat up in the coming weeks. We'll have full coverage of all the camp and preseason developments on Broncos Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Projected depth chart going into training camp
