Broncos 53-man roster projection after first preseason game (2024)

We’re in the final week of training camp and have one preseason game in the books, it is time for a Denver Broncos 53-man roster projection.

After the Broncos' 34-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts during week one of the preseason, their 53-man roster is starting to take shape. We have an idea of who is making the team, who is on the bubble, and who is in trouble. We still have a week of practices, a scrimmage vs. the Green Bay Packers, and two more preseason games, so things can change, but the roster is beginning to take shape.

Here is how I predict the Broncos' 53-man roster will look like when they take the field in week one against the Seattle Seahawks. Spoiler, making the final handful of cuts was difficult.

Quarterbacks (3):

Made the team: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson

Cut: Nobody

I think it’s clear now that Bo Nix is most likely the starter come week one, but after him, things could get interesting. Do the Broncos keep two quarterbacks, or do they keep three? If they keep two, who do they keep?

Right now, I have the Broncos keeping all three. Nix is a rookie starter and they need a reliable veteran behind him for mentoring and insurance if something happens. This is why I believe Jarrett Stidham makes the team. He is ahead of Wilson in the pecking order, has the trust of Payton, and can operate the offense smoothly if needed. Exactly what you want in a backup quarterback.

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

As for Wilson, I think the odds of being claimed off waivers get better each passing day. He started turning the corner in practice last week and looked solid in the preseason game. Add in him being a former number two overall pick with a contract being paid by the Jets and it makes sense for a team to throw a claim out. Ideally, they could stash him on the practice squad, but I don’t know if that’s possible.

So, for now, at least, I have all three making the team.

Running back/Fullback (5)

Made the team: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Blake Watson, and Michael Burton

Cut: Samaje Perine and Tyler Badie

Barring injury, I think this room is mostly figured out. Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and rookie Audric Estime will give Payton a three-headed backfield he can rely on throughout the season. Blake Watson provides depth and gives him someone who can contribute as a returner, someone who can run in between the tackles, and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. If they all can stay healthy, I think this room is already mostly decided.

Samaje Perine seemed like the odd man out heading into training camp and it looks even more like that right now. The rookies have flashed and Perine had an ugly drop that he tipped into the air and was later intercepted by the Colts. His saving grace is his ability as a pass blocker but I don’t think that’s enough for him to make the team.

Badie has a nice touchdown run vs. the Colts, but the numbers game has him off the roster, however, he seems like an option for the practice squad. As for Burton, he is a nasty run blocker on a team that wants to run the ball so I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make the team. Plus, he contributes to special teams.

Wide receiver (6)

Made the team: Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin

Cut: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Phillip Dorsett, David Sills, and Michael Bandy

This is a fairly deep room with some tough cuts, but like the running backs, it is starting to take shape. Sutton, Reynold, and Mims are locks and Tim Patrick ran with the starters and looked good, so he appears locked in. Rookie Troy Franklin is not going anywhere and neither is rookie Devaughn Vele who has been impressing coaches since they drafted him.

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

That means Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, and Jalen Virgil are unfortunately among the Broncos' cuts. However, I think all three will be considered for the practice squad if they do not get claimed. Humphrey flashed at times last year and is a Payton guy, so I expect him back. Johnson had four touchdowns last year and seems like someone who could be claimed by a receiver-needy team. Virgil has speed and return ability, so I think he’ll be considered as well.

As for the rest, all three were on the practice squad last year but it seems unlikely they will be back. Sills and Bandy have made noise during camp so never say never, but with the depth, someone isn’t making the team.

Tight End(4)

Makes the team: Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins

Cut: Hunter Kampmoyer and Thomas Yassmin

Thankfully, Greg Dulcich has avoided injury and is having a pretty good camp while Lucas Krull has been flashing as well. These two give the Broncos two big receiving options at tight end. Adam Trautman is your “starter” but all three have roles on offense. Nate Adkins seems like a Payton guy and is their blocking specialist.

The only real drama here is Adkins could also play fullback and replace Burton or if they prefer Kampmoyer and move Adkins to the practice squad.

Offensive line(9):

Makes the team: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Calvin Throckmorton, and Alex Forsyth

Cut: Will Sherman, Demontrey Jacobs, Frank Crum, Oliver Jervis, Sam Mustipher, and Nick Gargiulo

The starters seem pretty locked in. The only question mark is center and Luke Wattenberg has been with the starters for the majority of camp and was with them in the preseason opener. We’ll see if that changes, but I am leaning heavily towards him being the starter. Outside of that, everything is as expected.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As for the backups, that is where things get trickier. I have the Broncos keeping Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski as the reserve tackles. I would not be shocked if they added someone during the roster cutdown to be their swing tackle, but for now, Peart is that guy. Palczewski is the other reserve tackle and he is primarily the backup right tackle who could come in during some heavy packages.

On the interior, I have Alex Forsyth being the backup center who can play guard as well and former Saints lineman Calvin Throckmorton as the other. As for the others, I have Nick Gargiulo and Frank Crum making the practice squad.

Defensive line (5)

Makes the team: Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, and Eyioma Uwazurike

Cut: Angelo Blackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia, and Jordan Miller

The only notable addition here is Eyioma Uwazurike. I did not think he would be ready to contribute right away when he came back but it appears he is ready to go. Some with his size and athleticism may not clear waivers so I think he cracks the roster. He was already making noise in camp in limited action so we’ll see.

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Angelo Blackson was a last-minute change. I originally had him making the roster with one less offensive linemen on the team but it made more sense to keep another blocker instead of defender. Matt Henningsen is a tough cut but I think he and Elijah Garcia make the practice squad. Jordan Jackson who did get the start on defense against the Colts and rookie Jordan Miller are candidates for a spot on the practice squad as well, but it can go either way.

Edge Rusher (5)

Makes the team: Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Thomas Incoom, and Jonah Elliss

Cut: Durrel Nchami, Jaylon Allen, Dondrea Tillman

No real surprises here. Incoom has enjoyed a strong summer and rookie Jonah Elliss flashed during the game vs. the Colts. The really intriguing part here is how they rotate all these players in throughout the game, but that’s a topic for another day.

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

All three cut players have a chance to make the practice squad, and I would not be surprised if one of these three made it for special teams reasons. I went with linebacker Justin Strnad for that role, but again, time will tell.

Linebacker (4)

Makes the team: Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, and Justin Strnad

Cut: Levelle Bailey and Andre Smith

Another drama-free positional group. Singleton and Barton appear to be your starters with Jonas Griffith as your backup. I am keeping Justin Strnad because he’s your special teams ace and they convinced him to re-sign with them instead of signing with the Panthers so they likely value him enough to stick around.

Rookie Levelle Bailey seems like a lock for the practice squad. Special teams ace Andre Smith is probably the odd man out but special teams players will be tough to predict this year so you never know.

Cornerback(5)

Makes the team: Pat Surtain II, Ja’Quan McMillian, Levi Wallace, Riley Moss, and Kris Abrams-Draine

Cut: Damarri Mathis, Tremon Smith, Art Green, Kaleb Hayes, Taylor Reese, and Quinton Newsome

This will probably be my most controversial cut and honestly, it came down to a numbers game. I would rather keep Blake Watson, Nate Adkins, and anyone else at the bottom of the roster over Mathis. Surtain II and McMillian are locked in as starters, Riley Moss has looked solid, rookie Kris Abrams-Draine has been playing well and Levi Wallace is a reliable veteran. Mathis is expendable because of this. He had a promising rookie season but really struggled last season and now, I don’t see a spot for him on the roster.

I don’t see the value Tremon Smith adds to the team, he could stick around, but I would be surprised. I think Art Green, Taylor Reese, and Quinton Newsome are the names you need to watch for when it comes to the practice squad.

Safety (4)

Makes the team: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, and Devon Key

Cut: Keidron Smith, Tanner McCallister, and Omar Brown

This is as expected after the release of Caden Sterns. Locke and Jones are your starters, Devon Key started the preseason opener and JL Skinner has had a promising summer. It’s not the most exciting safety group on paper but I am intrigued about their potential.

Keidron Smith who had the interception at the end of the first half vs. the Colts and undrafted rookie Omar Brown are your practice squad candidates from this group.

Special Teams(3)

Makes the team: Wil Lutz, Riley Dixon, and Mitchell Fraboni

Cut: Trenton Gill

Lutz is your kicker and will look to repeat his solid 2023 season with Mitchell Fraboni returning as your long snapper. As for the punter battle, Riley Dixon appears to be ahead in that competition with Trenton Gill and punted well this past Sunday. With that said, I would not be surprised if the Broncos punter is currently on another roster currently. If not, I think it’ll be Riley Dixon again.

Final Thoughts

I finished with 27 players on offense, 23 on defense, and 3 on special teams. A little more lopsided than I wanted, but that’s how the cards fell.

I kept three quarterbacks because I really do not think Wilson would pass through waivers. A former number two overall pick with a low salary would most likely get claimed by someone. The Broncos seem to like him and want to keep working with him and he has practiced and played well recently. So, it complicates things some, but I think that’s how it’ll shake out.

I have undrafted rookie Blake Watson making the team. He could be cut with the hope of being added to the practice squad but I think he’ll perform too well these next two weeks and earn himself a roster spot. Michael Burton is a nasty blocker on a team that wants to run the ball, so I don’t think he’ll go anywhere. With Tim Patrick looking healthy and lining up as a starter, I have the Broncos keeping six receivers, including both rookie receivers. Vele earned it and Franklin isn’t going anywhere. As for the tight ends, Nate Adkins is another nasty blocker on a run-heavy team, so he isn’t going anywhere either.

One final adjustment I made to this was including guard Calvin Throckmorton. I originally had eight blockers, but that seemed light, so I trimmed Angelo Blackson off the defensive line and added Throckmorton. I think the Broncos may try to add another tackle before the start of the season, but for now, Peart is your swing with Palczweski as your backup right tackle. Forsyth is your versatile center/guard backup and likely the top backup for all three interior spots.

On defense, the front seven looks as expected. I did not think Eyioma Uwazurike would be ready as quickly as it appears he is, so I have him making the roster. It would be risky to let a player of his size and athleticism to hit the waiver wire and potentially be claimed. Plus, he reportedly has been playing well during his limited reps in practice, so you can’t let him leave the building.

Probably my most controversial cut is cornerback Damarri Mathis. It came down to the numbers game and who can do more on the roster. Nate Adkins and Michael Burton? Blocking specialist and plays special teams. Blake Watson? An explosive rookie who can contribute as a runner, receiver, and possibly as a returner. Incoom and Strnad? Both likely are key special teams pieces. Mathis does not offer much on special teams, is coming off a poor year, and is expendable. Surtain II and McMillian are legit starters. Levi Wallace is a reliable veteran, Riley Moss appears to be your CB2, and rookie Kris Abrams-Draine is having a strong summer. It sucks, but the numbers game has Mathis off my roster.