Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction ahead of first preseason game

Inside Linebackers: 4 (42/53)

• Alexander Johnson
• Josey Jewell
• Justin Strnad
• Josh Watson

There is a new breeze blowing at Denver Broncos headquarters these days.

Vic Fangio talked about it early in the offseason, but you can expect plenty of the dime defensive package from the Denver Broncos in 2021 as they attempt to put the clamps on some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Because of their intention to use a lot of the nickel and dime package, we could see a very low number of inside linebackers actually kept on the 53-man roster.

You’ll notice that rookie third-round pick Baron Browning is notably missing off of this list. Right now, he’s on the PUP, and it doesn’t seem like he will be coming off anytime soon.

If that’s the case, we could see him “stashed” on the PUP into the regular season where the Broncos could bring him in as a reinforcement later on.

Justin Strnad seems to be taking on an expanded role after missing his rookie season with a wrist injury. Josh Watson is getting some competition from guys like rookie free agent Curtis Robinson and now newcomer Barrington Wade, but the depth here for Denver is being significantly tested with Josey Jewell nursing an injury.

The team could ultimately still keep five guys here and that would require some shuffling elsewhere, but defensive backs are getting priority.