Broncos Pre-Camp 53-Man Roster Prediction

It's time to project the Denver Broncos' 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos will soon be underway with training camp and the preseason. That means the NFL regular season is right around the corner. 

Every team will have some tough decisions when whittling down their 90-man rosters to the final 53 players. It's easy to project certain players making the Broncos roster each year. 

Some are expensive veterans the Broncos are stuck with, someone they couldn't trade, or a young up-and-comer. Whatever the reason, some players are easier to project onto the roster. 

Today's projection helps punctuate my series that put every player into three tiers based on their chances of making the roster. Every player in the top tier made the roster in my projection, so the big decisions came among the tier-two players.

With that said, let's jump into the projection for the 53-man roster and the 16-man practice squad. 

Quarterbacks (3)

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson | Jarrett Stidham | Ben DiNucci

There isn't much up for debate with quarterbacks. You have Wilson as the clear starter, and Stidham was brought in as his backup. Wilson hopes to bounce back after a terrible 2022 season, but he might be on a short leash with Sean Payton as head coach. 

The only debate is about the third quarterback, who it will be, and whether the Broncos will keep three. Sean Payton has mostly kept a third quarterback on his roster, so DiNucci and Guarantano both have a shot. 

However, DiNucci has experience in the NFL, which is why he was given the edge. For better roster math, it would be better to keep only two and can open another spot on the offensive line or anywhere on defense. 

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Running Backs (4)

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Samaje Perine | Michael Burton (FB) | Tony Jones Jr | Tyler Badie

Where is Javonte Williams? While the word about his recovery has been positive, it is still a tough ask for him to return by the season's start. I project that Williams makes the initial roster and then is placed on injured reserve, making him eligible to come back after Week 4 of the season. 

Perine will be the top back in his place, with Burton handling fullback duties. Those two are pretty easy to project onto the roster, but there are multiple options for the final two backs. 

Adding a free agent is entirely plausible and probably a route the Broncos take. However, this projection is based on players currently on the roster, so Badie wins the job for the third spot as the change of pace, explosive home run type back.

Jones makes it as the Williams replacement to be the second back and bring additional power to the run game. The Broncos want a physical and powerful running game, and Perine and Jones can handle that until Williams is back. 

Wide Receivers (6)

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Tim Patrick | Jerry Jeudy | Courtland Sutton | Marvin Mims, Jr. | Marquez Callaway | KJ Hamler

The wide receiver position is interesting because you have the top four cemented in at this point and about six receivers fighting for the final few spots. Even if you count Callaway because of his special teams ability, which is what is done here, you still have five receivers for one spot. 

Mims can take the top off the defense or work underneath, adding an explosive element to the offense. Despite being a bust due to injuries, Hamler has shown the ability to be a playmaker for an offense. With how pedestrian the Broncos' offense has been, it could use additional playmakers. 

The other final receivers, Kendall Hinton, Jalen Virgil, and Brandon Johnson, either have a skill set that is easier to replace or can still use more seasoning to become an NFL receiver. 

Tight Ends (3)

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Greg Dulcich | Chris Manhertz | Adam Trautman

Keeping only three tight ends would be a step away from the norm. However, when keeping four tight ends, one typically fills in as a fullback, and the Broncos have a pure fullback in Burton. That gives the freedom to go with only three tight ends. This would push Albert Okwuegbunam off the roster. 

Manhertz is one of the top blocking tight ends in the NFL, which will be his primary duties. There is a lot of hype around Dulcich, who was called the "joker" for the offense. He flashed as a rookie, but Dulcich needs to improve as a receiver and blocker to take the next step. 

Rounding out the room is the solid Trautman, one of Payton's guys. He is a solid blocker and receiving option, making him fit quite well as the third tight end in the room. 

Offensive Tackle (3)

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Garett Bolles (LT) | Mike McGlinchey (RT) | Cam Fleming

There isn't much here for the tackle position. Bolles and McGlinchey will be the starting duo, and they hope to stay healthy and out on the field. 

Bringing back Fleming was smart because their other backup tackle option was Quinn Bailey, who I initially had making the roster, but the roster math saw him booted off. The Broncos carrying three QBs landed Bailey on the outside looking in, who also has the versatility to play inside. 

Offensive Guard (3)

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Ben Powers (LG) | Quinn Meinerz (RG) | Kyle Fuller

The guard position is much like the tackle position. The depth is questionable, and the starting duo needs to stay healthy and out on the field. Powers and Meinerz should make a great run-blocking duo, which should be a significant help on the ground. 

However, the lack of depth is concerning. The backup spot was between the aforementioned Bailey and Fuller. Fuller can play all three spots on the inside, while Bailey can play both tackle and guard spots. 

Fuller was the decision because he is a pure backup interior offensive lineman, adding extra insurance to the center position. 

Center (2)

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Forsyth | Lloyd Cushenberry III

To round out the offense is a bit of a bold prediction. Alex Forsyth wins the starting center spot over Cushenberry. However, it will be a short leash for Forsyth. 

Cushenberry is best as a center, but he can also provide some depth at guard. That would give the Broncos a couple of versatile depth blockers on the inside with Cusneberry and Fuller. 

Interior Defensive Line (5)

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. Jones | Zach Allen | Mike Purcell | Matt Henningsen | Eyioma UWzaurike

There isn't much surprise here, but there could be. Adding a free-agent defensive lineman could be in the works instead of betting on two second-year players for depth. There is also the possibility of keeping six players here, but roster math didn't work out for these projections. 

There is some good versatility along the unit with these five players, and with the edge rushers, the versatility only grows. The question is how creative Vance Joseph can get with lining up his defensive front, creating organic pressure with his looks, and capitalizing on favorable matchups. 

Edges (6)

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Frank Clark | Randy Gregory | Baron Browning | Jonathon Cooper | Nik Bonitto | Thomas Incoom

The top three here are cemented in. Clark was a late signing and is a significant boost to the room. Gregory and Browning had their moments last season, but injuries limited them together on the field. Now Browning can continue growing as an edge rusher working behind Clark and Gregory. 

Cooper has proven to be a reliable fourth/fifth option and isn't a complete liability against the run. That gives him the edge over Bonitto, who still has so much work to do as a defender all around, especially against the run. 

Rounding out the room is the undrafted rookie Incoom, who could be let go for an extra roster spot elsewhere. However, with the injury concerns at the top of the room, I decided to keep six edges to start. 

Incoom is a good run defender, has the tools to work as a pass rusher, and can contribute on special teams. Christopher Allen is also in play, but his poor run defense led to Incoom over him, while Aaron Patrick, a special-teams-only player, was kept off for the same reason. 

Off-Ball Linebackers (4)

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Josey Jewell | Alex Singleton | Drew Sanders | Jonas Griffith

Yet another position where it is all pretty much decided. Jewell and Singleton will likely be the starters. The only possible change is Sanders showing enough and another team making a great offer for Jewell, which is unlikely. 

The Broncos want to get Sanders on the field, but he has to earn his reps unless Jewell or Singleton suffer any injuries. Rounding out the room is Griffith, who is a good special teams player, and still growing on defense, with some flashes over the last two seasons. 

Cornerbacks (6)

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Patrick Surtain II | Damarri Mathis | K'Waun Williams | Riley Moss | Ja'Quan McMillian | Tremon Smith

Hopefully, Surtain, Mathis, and Williams make a tough trio to move the ball through the air. Surtain is well on his way to being one of the best ever and is currently one of the best in the NFL. Mathis showed growth as the season went on, and Williams was an integral part of the defense as the nickel corner. 

The issue is Williams struggles to stay on the field, and the Broncos' defense was worse without him. Moss can help cover the slot, as his versatility in the secondary can move him around. McMillan also can help cover the slot, and he did well in his one game as a rookie in 2022. 

There is plenty of competition with McMillian, so he has to show improvement during camp to land this spot. Essang Bassey is the favorite, but McMillian did better in his one game than Bassey did in all his action last season. 

As for Smith, his play on defense is lackluster, but he comes in as the returner. His ability on special teams should provide some reliability that the Broncos haven't had from a returner in a while. 

Safeties (5)

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Simmons | Caden Sterns | J.L. Skinner | Kareem Jackson | P.J. Locke

Simmons is an unquestioned starter, but who will it be next to him? Provided he comes back from his hip injury, Sterns should be the one looking at being the other starter. 

Skinner and Jackson are interchangeable. As long as Skinner is healthy and returns from his torn pec, there will likely be a role for him on defense, mostly depending on down and distance. Jackson is probably the favorite to be the third safety but could be switched out. 

Locke has become a solid depth and good special teams player, and with the final safety spot, third-phase ability is quite important. 

Special Teams (3)

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Elliott Fry (K) | Riley Dixon (P) | Mitchell Fraboni (LS)

No other specialists are on the roster, so by default, these three win. Fry could face additional challenges during camp, especially if he struggles. 

16-Man Practice Squad

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrett Guarantano | QB

With DiNucci making the roster, Guarantano sticks as the practice squad quarterback.

Jaleel McLaughlin | RB

The final spot was between Badie and McLaughlin, with one making it and the other to the practice squad.

Jalen Virgil | WR

Virgil is still learning how to be a receiver and not a track star playing football. Keeping him on the practice squad gives him more time to grow.

Kendall Hinton | WR

Keeping Hinton and his reliability on the practice squad makes sense with the injury concerns at wide receiver.

Brandon Johnson | WR

There were flashes in the preseason for Johnson, but an injury occurred. Then during the season, there were few flashes. He still needs time to grow, which is what the practice squad is for.

Nate Adkins | TE

Adkins has more versatility than Okwuegbunam, so Adkins wins a spot on the practice squad over Okwuegbunam.

Quinn Bailey | OL

Bailey can easily find himself on the roster, with some adjusting to the roster math. One less player at multiple positions, and Bailey takes that spot. His versatility is valued on the practice squad.

Isaiah Prince | OT 

Prince is a tackle only who has some experience. The tackle market is weak, so keeping a hold on Price in case of injury would be wise.

Christian DiLauro | OL

DiLauro is a developmental tackle with some hype that makes it worth it to keep trying to develop.

Henry Byrd | IOL

Byrd is a rookie developmental project, and among the interior depth, he was the best option at this time.

Haggai Ndubuisi | IDL

There isn't much known here, but the Broncos were excited to land him as part of the foreign player program. With how excited they were, he seems marked for the practice squad, as long as he isn't completely lost in camp and preseason.

Chris Allen | OLB

After redshirting as a rookie, Allen is close to making it. However, his run defense still needs work, and the run defense at the edge position is already questionable.

Ray Wilborn | LB

There isn't much with the depth linebackers, but one will likely make it. Justin Strnad has disappointed, and Seth Benson is an undrafted rookie. Wilborn was the in-between.

Art Green | CB

Green is a talented corner, but his technique needs to be built up and used consistently. Installing that with a year or two on the practice squad would be ideal.

Essang Bassey | CB

If Bassey makes it, then I would put McMillan in this spot. These two seem to be the most likely two to be the backup slot. The winner makes it, with the other, to the practice squad.

Delarrin Turner-Yell | S

Turner-Yell was a former coaching staff's pick and never got a chance on defense. He was fine on special teams, but numbers kept him from making it. 

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