The Denver Broncos didn't exactly show it in their preseason loss against the Green Bay Packers, but they have one of the best and deepest rosters in the entire NFL ahead of the 2026 season.
It's even more impressive when you consider the fact that this is a team that has been dealing with one of the single largest dead cap hits in NFL history over the past couple of years. The decision to cut Russell Wilson in 2024 was supposed to have a crippling effect on the Broncos' ability to build, develop, and stack the roster, but it's been the opposite.
As the final week of the preseason closes in, with the regular season already knocking at the door, we're going to take another stab at predicting the Broncos' 53-man roster. Will there be any surprise inclusions? Which players are going to be left off?
As we were putting this together, one thing that really stood out is the potential if far too many rookies being left off than ideal. Let's take a look.
Denver Broncos' 53-man roster prediction as the preseason comes to a close
Specialists: 3 (3/53)
- K Wil Lutz
- P Jeremy Crawshaw
- LS Mitchell Fraboni
There may have been a competition for the long snapper job, but the first preseason game might have ended that. Although special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi likes rookie long snapper Luke Basso a lot, it would be a leap of faith for the Broncos to keep him over the proven Mitchell Fraboni.
With one preseason game left, it's not impossible, but the mistakes made on the field goal operation in Week 1 of the preseason are impossible to ignore right now.
Quarterbacks: 2 (5/53)
- Bo Nix
- Jarrett Stidham
We're going "chalk" here, but also predicting the Broncos will (at least temporarily) keep just two quarterbacks. There may be some roster gymnastics required elsewhere on the team, but for maximum flexibility, they have to keep just two guys.
Jarrett Stidham is coming off of a pretty rough game against Green Bay, so his stock isn't exactly soaring right now. But he has a deep understanding of the offense and has been around longer than anyone else in the room. Sam Ehlinger might be coming for his job, but the Broncos haven't exactly given him the types of in-game opportunities to indicate he has a real shot.
Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see any number of outcomes at quarterback. The Broncos could keep Stidham as the backup, or they could keep Ehlinger as the backup. It's not out of the question that they could even look to the outside for someone else.
Running Backs: 4 (9/53)
- JK Dobbins
- RJ Harvey
- Jonah Coleman
- Adam Prentice (FB)
After a handful of years with the team, the Broncos say difficult (but possibly temporary) goodbyes to both Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. Those guys might get opportunities elsewhere in the league, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see one or both of them back on the practice squad.
The same could be said for Cody Schrader, who has run the ball pretty well in the preseason.
The inclusion of Adam Prentice here is based on how well he's played in the preseason and how obvious it is that the Broncos are going to keep utilizing the fullback this season. There's a chance they could play around with the idea of putting him on the practice squad and calling him up for some free games, but he's probably earned his spot on the 53 at this point.
Wide receivers: 6 (15/53)
- Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant
- Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr.
- Troy Franklin, Lil'Jordan Humphrey
The only slight surprise here is Lil'Jordan Humphrey making the initial 53-man roster. The Broncos have used the roster flexibility he has as a vested veteran, stashing him on the practice squad to preserve a roster spot for somebody else.
I'm just not sure that's going to happen again in 2026.
Michael Bandy has been hurt during camp, but he would be an obvious practice squad candidate, and the Broncos might have a little something in return specialists like Kolbe Katsis and Cam Ross as well.
Tight ends: 4 (19/53)
- Evan Engram
- Adam Trautman
- Nate Adkins
- Justin Joly
This roster projection leaves off Dallen Bentley, who has been virtually non-existent in training camp and the preseason. That's not to say he's been non-existent to the Broncos' coaching staff, but we haven't heard so much as a peep out of him, nor have we seen him do anything in preseason games.
He'll be a practice squad candidate, but the Broncos won't likely risk putting Justin Joly on waivers. Even though he's had some rookie moments throughout camp, they traded up to get him and have to stand by their long-term evaluation.
Offensive line: 9 (28/53)
OT: Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum
OG: Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers, Kage Casey
OC: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth
The one question mark with this unit right now is going to be veteran Calvin Throckmorton, but the Broncos have a pretty clear system with him. Throckmorton can return to the practice squad and be called up for a few games as needed.
Both Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth have been dealing with injuries throughout camp, so having a plan in place behind them will be essential this season.
Defensive line: 6 (34/53)
- Zach Allen
- DJ Jones
- Malcolm Roach
- Eyioma Uwazurike
- Tyler Onyedim
- Sai'vion Jones
A couple of players we haven't heard much from this offseason include rookie Tyler Onyedim and second-year player Sai'vion Jones. Those two players will be counted on to provide some key depth this season, but how reliable will they be?
Both guys have made some plays during camp, but have been mostly quiet during the preseason. One will likely be a gameday inactive until an injury replacement is needed.
The one big cut here would be Jordan Jackson, who has been with the Broncos for 3.5 years now. Jackson has been developing on this roster for a while, and played five games last year. Could we see a surprise cut of someone like Sai'vion Jones in favor of Jackson?
It feels unlikely because of Jones's draft status, but it's not out of the question.
Outside Linebacker: 5 (39/53)
- Nik Bonitto
- Jonathon Cooper
- Jonah Elliss
- Dondrea Tillman
- Que Robinson
There are absolutely no surprises here. The Broncos have their group of five edge rushers set, and we'll likely see them try to bring back guys like Johnny Walker Jr. and DaSan McCullough on the practice squad.
The one disappointment here is Drew Sanders, who had a sack in the preseason opener and hasn't practiced since then. He's either going to be gone for good, or the Broncos could try to bring him back onto the practice squad. He might just need a change of scenery at this point.
Inside Linebacker: 4 (43/53)
- Alex Singleton
- Justin Strnad
- Karene Reid
- Red Murdock
The Broncos gave inside linebacker Taurean York a contract guarantee of $325,000 this offseason, the largest in franchise history for a UDFA. And for the first time in our roster projections since the NFL Draft, he doesn't make it.
York has development potential, so the Broncos will hope to get him back onto their practice squad where he can keep working on his craft.
I'm not entirely certain that Red Murdock is a guarantee for the roster, either. He's gotten a lot of fanfare as the Mr. Irrelevant pick in this year's draft, but is he ready to contribute to an NFL defense or special teams yet? He might be another practice squad candidate.
It would be surprising if the Broncos' top 4 or 5 linebackers were all on the roster right now. They might need to make a move here, whether that's scouring the waiver wire, roster cuts, or making a trade.
Cornerback: 5 (48/53)
- Pat Surtain
- Riley Moss
- Ja'Quan McMillian
- Jahdae Barron
- Kris Abrams-Draine
There are no surprises here for the Broncos at cornerback. Even if teams start calling about the availability of certain guys, the Broncos should just say no at this point. Their depth is enviable, and it should remain enviable.
Don't be shocked if both Riley Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian are extended before the season is over.
Safety: 5 (53/53)
- Talanoa Hufanga
- Brandon Jones
- Devin Key
- JL Skinner
- Taylor Rapp
The Broncos clearly didn't love their safety position depth, so they signed veteran Taylor Rapp. Rapp has played and started a lot of games on some really good teams, but there are a couple of paths the Broncos could go with him.
He could make the initial 53 as we have here, or he could be another one of those flexible veterans who could start on the practice squad and get called up for Week 1.
The other question mark here might be JL Skinner. He's made some nice plays in the preseason and is proven on special teams, so he will probably stick around. But he could be considered at least somewhat on the bubble.
Rookie safety Miles Scott being cut makes it three fairly notable rookies -- including two draft picks -- to be cut from the team in this prediction.
Players who give the Broncos roster flexibility
- WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
- FB Adam Prentice
- OL Calvin Throckmorton
- SAF Taylor Rapp
- QB Sam Ehlinger
These are a handful of players who have vested veteran status who could help the Broncos remain flexible in building their 53-man roster. If they wanted to add someone from the outside, they could cut one of these guys and bring them back to the practice squad without subjecting them to waivers.
Among the players on this list, we have three of them on the initial 53.
Bottom 5 players on this roster prediction:
- Sai'vion Jones
- Justin Joly
- JL Skinner
- Frank Crum
- Red Murdock
If you have to classify these players as "on the bubble", then so be it. The Broncos are invested in the long-term development of some of these guys, and some either have years of development already or relatively strong NFL Draft pick status.
But it's not out of the realm of possibility that some of these players could be potential roster cuts, even if it would sting a little bit.
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