Who’s in? Who’s out?
With coaching camp only a few days away, I’ve my first draft of the Denver Broncos‘ opening-day 53-man roster. This roster will change usually throughout coaching camp and throughout the buildup to cutdown day, Aug. 27.
Within the first model of the draft, I leaned towards veterans. Whereas undrafted rookies like Blake Watson or Levelle Bailey have an opportunity to earn their method onto the roster, they’ll need to beat out veterans like Samaje Perine and Justin Strnad to get there.
Right here’s what I’ve received…
Final 3 In:
Zach Wilson
Tremon Smith
Quinn Bailey
First 3 Out:
Alex Palczewski
Devaughn Vele
Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Subsequent 3 Out:
Delarrin Turner-Yell
Blake Watson
Artwork Inexperienced
Quarterbacks
Bo Nix
Jarrett Stidham
Zach Wilson
I’ve received the Broncos maintaining all three of their quarterbacks.
Sure, they might transfer on from Zach Wilson. Most groups will solely carry two quarterbacks. He was simply the third-place finisher among the many quarterbacks throughout spring practices.
However Wilson was at all times going to be a venture, and I feel Sean Payton will need to see that venture by means of this yr.
There’s a catch, although. If the Broncos had been to waive Wilson on cutdown day, would one other workforce declare him? I doubt it. Since Wilson helped to select the Broncos as his touchdown spot this spring, I’d think about he’d select to signal with the Broncos’ apply squad over every other.
Wilson definitely isn’t a lock to make the workforce, however he makes the primary draft of the roster.
Working Backs
Javonte Williams
Samaje Perine
Jaleel McLaughlin
Audric Estime
Michael Burton
Blake Watson
Tyler Badie
Tyler Badie might be going to complete camp on the skin trying in. Javonte Williams will in all probability make the workforce. Outdoors of that, something is feasible.
Blake Watson has camp darling potential, however till he proves he’s received extra juice than the veterans, he’s the odd man out. Plus, he’s beginning camp on the non-football damage checklist, so his window to show himself can be shortened.
Huge Receivers
Courtland Sutton
Marvin Mims Jr.
Tim Patrick
Josh Reynolds
Troy Franklin
Devaughn Vele
Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Brandon Johnson
Michael Bandy
Jalen Virgil
Phillip Dorsett
David Sills
Maintaining 5 vast receivers is the naked minimal, however I wouldn’t be stunned if that is how the roster shakes out.
Let’s begin with Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The 26-year-old was an necessary a part of the Broncos’ offense final yr, however he opened the season on the apply squad.
Why? As a result of apply squad gamers can take part in 4 video games earlier than they have to be promoted to the lively roster, and the Broncos believed—appropriately—that no workforce was going to say Humphrey off of waivers on minimize day.
Humphrey performed in each recreation final season, however the Broncos had been in a position to open up a roster spot for the primary month of the season by placing him on the apply squad.
So why not put Humphrey on the apply squad once more? Did he enhance his inventory sufficient for an additional workforce to say him? I doubt it, principally as a result of each workforce within the NFL has seven or eight receivers they’d prefer to hold round. As of now, I’ve Humphrey on the apply squad.
I feel rookie seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele is in an identical boat; barring a breakout preseason, stowing him on the apply squad needs to be simple. Similar with Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, and the remainder of the Broncos’ receivers.
Tight Ends
Greg Dulcich
Adam Trautman
Lucas Krull
Nate Adkins
Thomas Yassmin
Perhaps probably the most clear-cut place on the roster.
Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull are all requirements, given the Broncos’ lack of manufacturing final season.
Adkins made the roster as an undrafted free agent final yr and may see an even bigger function in 2024, filling in for Chris Manhertz.
Undrafted rookie Thomas Yassmin out of Utah is an thrilling prospect, however the Australian is a part of the NFL Worldwide Pathway Program. Which means he doesn’t rely in opposition to the 90-man offseason roster—Denver will get to maintain 91—and he doesn’t rely in opposition to the 16-man apply squad. So, if Yassmin matches into the apply squad, the Broncos get to maintain a seventeenth participant. Until Yassmin places up phenomenal numbers within the preseason, the Broncos are closely incentivized to maintain him on the apply squad for 2024.
Offensive Linemen
Garett Bolles
Ben Powers
Alex Forsyth
Quinn Meinerz
Mike McGlinchey
Luke Wattenberg
Calvin Throckmorton
Matt Peart
Quinn Bailey
Alex Palczewski
Sam Mustipher
Nick Gargiulo
Demontrey Jacobs
Will Sherman
Frank Crum
I gained’t be stunned if this checklist modifications usually this fall.
The middle place is the one query mark among the many starters. Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg seem like in entrance of Sam Mustipher at this level, however the competitors remains to be up within the air.
The backup sort out spots are additionally robust to venture. Matt Peart is a pure sort out who has struggled in his NFL profession after being drafted within the third spherical of the 2020 draft as a venture. Calvin Throckmorton and Quinn Bailey present inside-outside versatility.
Don’t be stunned if Alex Palczewski unseats one of many veterans throughout coaching camp. Final yr, as an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, Palczewski made the 53-man roster however was instantly positioned on injured reserve.
Defensive Linemen
Zach Allen
DJ Jones
John Franklin-Myers
Malcolm Roach
Angelo Blackson
Matt Henningsen
Ellijah Garcia
Eyioma Uwazurike
Jordan Jackson
Jordan Mille
Brandon Matterson
The Broncos have a strong high six, and the following 5 up can have their work minimize out for them to make the roster.
Elijah Garcia is a prototypical three-technique who’s getting into his third yr within the Broncos’ system. He’s performed 5 video games and may be prepared to hitch the full-time rotation if he can discover his method onto the roster.
Former fourth-round decide Eyioma Uwazurike seemed to be discovering his footing late in his rookie yr however missed all of final season with a playing suspension. He’s eligible to be reinstated this week, and he may very well be an X-factor for the Broncos’ defensive position if he isn’t rusty.
One title to look at is veteran DJ Jones. The 29-year-old can be a free agent this offseason, however the Broncos can save $10 million in the event that they transfer on from him earlier than the season. That’s unlikely because the defensive position is the power of the Broncos’ protection and transferring on from Jones could be a blow to their possibilities. But when Garcia and Uwazurike pop, Denver may very well be tempted so as to add $10 million to their free-agent funds subsequent offseason.
Outdoors Linebackers
Jonathon Cooper
Baron Browning
Nik Bonitto
Jonah Elliss
Ronnie Perkins
Thomas Incoom
Dondrea Tillman
Durell Nchami
Jaylon Allen
The highest 4 edge rushers for the Broncos are all however set in stone… there’s room for a fifth on the roster if someone proves worthy throughout coaching camp, although.
Ronnie Perkins is on the high of the checklist of potential contributors. He performed in seven video games for the Broncos final yr. However he may in all probability be slipped to the apply squad on cut-down day, so he’s an extended shot to make the preliminary roster.
Thomas Incoom was a big-time undrafted free agent final yr after posting 18.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks at Central Michigan as a senior. The undersized go rusher may very well be able to contribute in Yr 2.
Dondrea Tillman joins the Broncos from the UFL, the place he was a back-to-back champion and extensively thought of the very best defensive lineman within the league. He brings inside-outside versatility.
Inside Linebackers
Alex Singleton
Jonas Griffith
Cody Barton
Justin Strnad
(Drew Sanders – IR)
Levelle Bailey
Andre Smith
Alex Singleton is a lock to start out, however who will be part of him?
Jonas Griffith began over Singleton two years in the past, however he was injured early within the season and Singleton ran away with the job.
Cody Barton has began at numerous stops as a journeyman linebacker and gives extra protection skill than Griffith, however is probably not as a lot of a playmaker in opposition to the run.
Justin Strnad is the darkish horse. He’s supplied an necessary particular groups presence the previous few years however hasn’t gotten an opportunity to play on protection. The Broncos introduced him again this offseason and should imagine he can compete for the job.
Levelle Bailey is an thrilling, speedy, undrafted free agent out of Fresno State, however he’ll need to show himself on particular groups to earn a roster spot.
Cornerbacks
Pat Surtain II
Ja’Quan McMillian
Riley Moss
Levi Wallace
Damarri Mathis
Kris Abrams-Draine
Tremon Smith
Artwork Inexperienced
Tanner McCalister
Reese Taylor
Quinton Newsome
Can the Broncos actually hold seven cornerbacks? They will if their particular groups want the assistance.
Tremon Smith is among the Broncos’ high particular groups gamers, however they might save greater than $3 million in the event that they transfer on from him. Given the change to the kickoff guidelines and Marvin Mims Jr.‘s possible ascension to the beginning lineup, Smith gives sufficient particular groups worth to stay round.
Keep watch over Artwork Inexperienced. The large, speedy cornerback was an undrafted free agent final yr and has the instruments to make the workforce.
Safeties
Brandon Jones
PJ Locke
Caden Sterns
JL Skinner
Delarrin Turner-Yell
Devon Key
Omar Brown
Keidron Smith
Might accidents change the outlook right here? Caden Sterns and Delarrin Turner-Yell will each begin the season on the PUP checklist, and there return dates are unknown.
The highest three seem like solidified, however just a few candidates may very well be in play for the fourth job. Denver may even decide to hold 5 going into the seaosn.
Particular Groups
Wil Lutz
Riley Dixon
Mitchell Fraboni
Trenton Gill
The Broncos introduced Trenton Gill in to compete for the punting job, however Riley Dixon is the favourite till one thing modifications.
