Broncos Reveal Unconventional Initial Active Roster For 2023

The Denver Broncos are going about things differently under head coach Sean Payton.

Tuesday was a whirlwind at Denver Broncos HQ, as the team made multiple roster moves and personnel cuts to get down to the final 53-man roster. 'Final' is a placeholder word here, because over the next few days, the bottom 4-5 spots on the roster are likely to shift as the Broncos' waiver claims resolve. 

Denver also participated in two trades on deadline day, dealing tight end Albert Okwuegbunam away to the Philadelphia Eagles and acquiring kicker Wil Lutz via the New Orleans Saints. The Broncos will begin forming their 16-man practice squad once the waiver wire settles, starting as soon as Wednesday. 

So, where does that leave things currently? Here's the Broncos' initial active roster (51 players) out of training camp. 

Quarterback (2)

Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham

Running Back (4)

Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Michael Burton (FB)

Wide Receiver (4)

Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Marvin Mims, Jr., Brandon Johnson

UPDATE: The Broncos signed former first-rounder Phillip Dorsett on Wednesday, but he's starting off on the practice squad. 

Tight End (4)

Nate Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Chris Manhertz, Nate Adkins

Offensive Tackle (4)

Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Cam Fleming, Alex Palczewski

UPDATE: Quinn Bailey was re-signed to the 53-man roster on Thursday, while Palczewski was placed on short-term IR.  

Interior Offensive Line (4)

Ben Powers, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Quinn Meinerz, Alex Forsyth

Defensive Line (5)

Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Jonathan Harris, Matt Henningsen, Elijah Garcia

UPDATE: Mike Purcell was signed to the 53-man roster on Thursday, bringing the defensive line total to six. 

Outside Linebacker (5)

Randy Gregory, Frank Clark, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Thomas Incoom

Note: Baron Browning was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. 

Inside Linebacker (4)

Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders, Justin Strnad

Cornerback (7)

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

UPDATE: Williams was placed on short-term IR on Thursday, and the Broncos re-signed Fabian Moreau to the 53-man roster. 

Safety (6)

Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell, JL Skinner

UPDATE: Locke was placed on short-term IR on Thursday. 

Specialists (2)

Riley Dixon (P), Mitchell Fraboni (LS)

UPDATE: Will Lutz has officially been added to the 53-man roster.

Additional Notes

• 20 players who were not with the Broncos last year made the active roster out of camp, including five draft picks, 10 veterans, one trade acquisition, and four undrafted rookies. 

• All five of Denver's 2023 draft picks made the initial roster. 

• The average age of the Broncos' roster is 26.1 years old, which includes 26 players currently 25 years old or younger. 

• For the first time since at least 1997, the Broncos kept four undrafted rookies on the initial roster, including TE Nate Adkins, OLB Thomas Incoom, RB Jaleel McLaughlin, and OT Alex Palczewski. 

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