The Denver Broncos defeated the Arizona Cardinals by the score of 38-12 in the preseason finale. They will finish the preseason undefeated but now, all eyes move towards the roster. Between now and Tuesday at 2 pm MT, the Broncos will need to trim down their roster from 90 players to 53 players. So, we will see a lot of roster movement throughout the league in the coming days and hours.
For the Broncos, most of their 53-man roster appears to be set, but there are always a few surprises and positional battles yet to be determined. So, here is my final attempt at predicting the Broncos' 53-man roster.
Quarterback(3)
Starter: Bo Nix
Backups: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson
Bo Nix earned the starting job and will be the week one starter when the Broncos head to Seattle in a few weeks. After him though is where the questions begin. Who will be the backup? Will they keep all three? Will they trade away one of their quarterbacks?
I think Payton gave us this answer last week when he told reporters he really likes his quarterback room. Stidham will be the backup to Bo Nix while Zach Wilson will have a bit of a “red-shirt year” and look to develop and improve under Payton and the Broncos' offensive coaches.
With all that said, I am sure they will listen to offers for their backups, especially Stidham, and could make a move if someone gives them a good enough offer.
Running Back(4)
Starter: Javonte Williams (RB) and Michael Burton (FB)
Backups: Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime
No real surprises here. Javonte is the starter while Jaleel and Estime are the backups. Michael Burton sticks around as a run-blocking specialist, lead blocker, and special teams contributor.
I’d look for both Tyler Badies and Blake Watson to make the Broncos practice squad.
Wide Receiver(6)
Starters: Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Josh Reynolds
Backups: Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin
This room has been decided for a few weeks now. Sutton, Patrick, and Reynolds are your starters while Mims, Vele, and Franklin will all have roles throughout the year. It’s a deep room that saw a number of good players not make the team, but I believe we’ll see a few of them back on the practice squad.
Tight End(4)
Starter: Adam Trautman
Backups: Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, and Nate Adkins
Again, no real surprises here. Adam Trautman is your “starter” while Greg Dulcich takes over as the Joker/pass-catching threat from this group. Lucas Krull gives them some receiving depth and a big target in the red zone. Nate Adkins is the do it all guy who is one of their best-run blockers on the team, versatile, and contributes on special teams.
Offensive Line(9)
Starters: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey
Backups: Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Calvin Throckmorton, and Alex Forsyth
The Broncos' five starters are set, but the depth behind them is where things seem undecided. Peart seems like the swing tackle, Throckmorton got the start when Ben Powers did not play vs. the Packers, Palczewski is getting work at tackle and guard while Forsyth is your backup center who can also play guard.
I don’t think any of the backups roster spots are set in stone and wouldn’t be surprised if we see a move or two to add some more depth to this room. If not, these are the four I see making the team.
Defensive Line (5)
Starters: Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, and John Franklin-Myers
Backups: Malcolm Roach and Jordan Jackson
This initial write-up had Uwazurike making the team but seeing him out there with the third-string defense and not really dominating stood out to me. Meanwhile, Jordan Jackson played well and had two sacks in the preseason finale. I ended up flipping these two.
I think Uwazurike and Matt Henningsen will be considered for the practice squad if they clear waivers, which I think they will.
EDGE Rusher(4)
Starters: Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper
Backups: Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss
Ideally, you keep an extra edge rusher, but this is where keeping a third quarterback will keep someone off the 53-man roster. The four making the team are set in stone, but who makes the practice squad is up for debate.
Thomas Incoom started camp hot but has not done much since. Dondrea Tillman and Durrell Nchami are the two I believe have the best chance to stick around on the practice squad.
Linebackers(4)
Starters: Alex Singleton and Cody Barton
Backups: Jonas Griffith and Justin Strnad
No real surprises here. Singleton and Barton are your starters, Griffith is the main backup and Strnad is your special teams ace.
I’d look for undrafted rookie Levelle Bailey to make the practice squad.
Cornerback(6)
Starters: Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Ja’Quan McMillian
Backups: Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine, and Tremon Smith
Once again, I am keeping Damarri Mathis off the roster. I just don’t see how he makes the team, especially with Moss winning the starting cornerback job. On top of that, he suffered an ankle injury during the preseason finale and was carted off to the locker room.
Also, veteran cornerback Levi Wallace was playing ahead of him before his injury, rookie Kris Abrams-Draine is a lock to make the team, and Tremon Smith is another special teams ace. I just don’t see a spot for him and I think he is a player the Broncos could be shopping around (Panthers?) in the coming days.
Safety(5)
Starters: P.J. Locke and Brandon Jones
Backups: Devon Key, JL Skinner, and Keidron Smith
The only real surprise here is Keidron Smith. He has had a strong preseason, played well, is versatile, and received praise from the coaches. I think he is someone they want to keep around for depth and special teams purposes.
As for the rest, Devon Key has been getting first-team reps all summer in place of Brandon Jones and has played well. JL Skinner gives the Broncos some size and length and someone who can deliver a big hit or two on special teams.
Special Teams(3)
Starters: Wil Lutz, Riley Dixon, Mitchell Frabono
Lutz is your kicker and will look to repeat and improve on his strong season last year with the Broncos. Riley Dixon has had a good summer and won the Broncos punter competition while Mitchell Fraboni returns as the long snapper.
