With the Denver Broncos set to open their 2023 preseason slate, the team has released its first depth chart of the preseason. That depth chart has some noteworthy tidbits, including some big surprises.
The Broncos are working diligently to shed the losing image that the organization has taken on over the last handful of years. Sean Payton is in charge of the rebuilding process and it is quite likely that we will see a team this year that looks nothing like last year's Broncos.
Though the first depth chart is far from official, it does serve as a barometer of how things have gone thus far in training camp and how this coaching staff views some of these players.
With those things in mind, here are the first key observations that I made when looking at this depth chart.
Primary observations from Broncos' first depth chart: Albert O. is in trouble
It's hard to determine how tight end Albert Okwuegbunam continues to tumble down the depth chart in Denver but entering his fourth year in the league, the former fourth-round pick has done nothing but go backwards for the Broncos.
It was easy to see that he was going to have to fight and scratch to keep his job this year, but being listed fifth on a depth chart that includes five tight ends gives him worse odds than most thought.
The tight end position is surprising as a whole, with former Saints tight end Adam Trautman sitting in the No. 1 spot. But Okwuegbunam is even behind undrafted free agent Nate Adkins, who is quietly having a solid summer for the team.
The Broncos should gauge the market to see if Okwuegbunam has any trade value. They would likely receive next to nothing in return, but that would be better than just dumping him, which seems to be the path that he is on.
Primary observations from Broncos' first depth chart: Two undrafted players from last season may be earning key roles
The Denver Broncos have historically been one of the best teams in the league at finding undrafted players and by the looks of this depth chart, it seems two players who went undrafted last year are moving up the ranks.
First, wide receiver Brandon Johnson had a great camp last year and it seems that he is doing that again this year. He is listed behind Courtland Sutton on the depth chart along with Marvin Mims Jr. as the top backups on the team.
That makes Johnson as of right now, the No. 4 wide receiver on the team, at worst. On another note, Montrell Washington, who most say has had a good camp thus far, is buried on the depth chart behind guys like Jalen Virgil, Kendall Hinton and Lil'Jordan Humphrey.
On the other side of the ball, the stock of cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian is rising. The initial depth chart has him as the top backup to Patrick Surtain II.
McMillian went undrafted out of East Carolina last year and played in just one game for the team. But his name is one that has been garnering a lot of buzz this offseason and it seems he's turning that into a potential role with this team.
Primary observations from Broncos' first depth chart: Tyler Badie is RB3
Tyler Badie is a player who has been flying under the radar this offseason, but he is also one who could be a perfect fit for Sean Payton's offense.
Badie is listed ahead of Tony Jones Jr. on the depth chart and that might come as a bit of a surprise as Jones has more experience and he has played for Payton before. But Badie is a player that really has a chance to blossom in his second year in the league.
Badie was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Missouri by the Baltimore Ravens. But they tried to stash him on their practice squad and in late December last year, the Broncos swooped in and snagged him.
That was a pretty decent underrated move at the time and it's looking better every day.
Badie accounted for nearly 2,000 yards of total offense and 18 touchdowns in his senior season with the Tigers. He ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at his pro day ahead of the draft and the first time he touched the ball for the Broncos, he scored on a 24-yard pass play.
There is definitely some terrific potential with this guy and he should be expected to not only hold onto the No. 3 spot on the running back depth chart, but also to make some big plays for the team in the regular season.