Denver Broncos: Predicting the first five roster cuts for 2021

3. Jonathan Harris, DL

The Denver Broncos’ top six defensive linemen look like they are all but set in stone. The next step should be figuring out which guys are going to wind up on the practice squad, eventually.

The top six as of right now:

• Shelby Harris
• Dre’Mont Jones
• Mike Purcell
• Shamar Stephen
• McTelvin Agim
• DeShawn Williams

Given how solidified that group of six players is at this point in time, there is really no room for anyone else and the Broncos can still get an extended look at some young players throughout the rest of the preseason.

Jonathan Harris may have the advantage of having been on the team longer than other reserves, but the Broncos also just brought in rookie free agent Lorenzo Neal Jr. (who played extensively vs. Minnesota) and have other prospects like Isaiah Mack and Marquiss Spencer to get snaps to in preseason play.

The group of Agim, Spencer, Neal, and one of Mack or Harris will likely be playing the lion’s share of snaps over the course of the final two preseason games.

I think we could see the Denver Broncos part with one of Mack or Harris after the two played most of the snaps against Minnesota, Harris leading the way. The fact that both Harris and Mack played extensively against the Vikings indicates to me that the team wanted to get a game evaluation of both to decide which one — if either of them — to keep for another week or two.