Broncos Camp: The Fiercest Position Battles to Watch

As Denver Broncos training camp draws near, what position battles will be the most intense for fans to watch?

There has been a lot of work by Sean Payton to improve the Denver Broncos roster since he was hired. It still isn't a great roster, but it is improved in key areas, which should help translate to a few more wins this season. 

However, despite the work, there are multiple battles unfolding on the roster, some of which are for starting positions. What are these battles, and who are the players battling? 

Let's dive in by and break down the 10 position battles to watch when Broncos training camp rolls around on July 28. 

Wide Reciever: No. 1, 2 & 3

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Courtland Sutton vs. Jerry Jeudy vs. Tim Patrick

Yup, the pecking order for the top three receivers is one of the biggest battles heading into camp. Cortland Sutton has been the top guy over the past few seasons, but  Jeudy started to challenge for that towards the end of last season.

Now, it's worth remembering that who the top receiver is can vary from game to game because of matchups. But this competition will refer to the depth chart and who the passing game will flow through. In other words, the most often No. 1 read.

So with Sutton being the guy over previous seasons and Jeudy challenging him, why is Patrick part of it? The word was before his injury last year was that Patrick was going to be the top guy at the position. 

While camp hasn't started, we're hearing that same buzz. Patrick is the sleeper to be the top guy, and the rumors around him could have substance based on all the offseason trade rumors with Sutton and Jeudy.

Running Back: No. 3

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Tony Jones Jr vs. Tyler Badie vs. Jaleel McLaughlin

Technically, this could also be for the backup spot, depending on the health of Javonte Williams. However, we will call it the battle for the third spot because Williams is the top guy when he is healthy, with Samaje Perine behind him.

Williams and Perine are powerful, so you Denver be looking for a more explosive homerun-hitting back. That would benefit both Badie and McLaughlin while setting Jones back.

Jones has the advantage if Payton wants to jump fully into the power run game and wear down defenses to exploit in the passing game. He's a bigger back with a decent burst and can plow himself through the trenches to pick up some yards.

Of course, the Broncos could look for another running back available as a free agent to add to the mix. Denver has been linked with multiple, so that option is still viable.

Interior Defensive Lineman: No. 3

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Mike Purcell vs. Matt Henningsen vs. Eyioma Uwazurike

Who will be the third starter on the defensive line with Jones and Allen? The Broncos lost two starters on the unit, only to replace one, which leads to a camp battle.

Purcell is a veteran but is limited in what he can do. He is a 0/1 technique that eats up space against the run to allow the linebackers to flow. That would put Jones and Allen as the 4i/5-techniques, and Jones is better inside.

Henningsen and Uwazurike are both second-year players who had their flashes last season. They both have the versatility to move around the line, but they are different types of players. Henningsen is a solid run defender and an effort pass rusher, and Uwazuike is more of a pass rusher, though he's still putting it together, and gives effort as a run defender.

The unit will likely be more of Jones and Allen as the only two down linemen to give more versatility behind them, but for base packages, that third starter is still up for grabs.

Center: No. 1

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Lloyd Cushenberry vs. Kyle Fuller vs. Alex Forsyth

Payton once gave a not-so-great reassurance about Cushenberry being the starting center — for now. The Broncos were linked with multiple centers in the draft and were rumored to have attempted to trade up for various players at the position. So, there doesn't seem to be a lot of faith in Cushenberry.

Fuller and Forsyth have a ways to go to catch up, but there is a lot of hope around them circling around. Forsyth was a highly regarded draft prospect who fell because of a lingering injury during the draft process. 

That injury kept him from doing multiple things, and teams slammed him for it. Forsyth has all the tools and traits to be the starter, and Payton isn't against starting rookies if they earn it, unlike the previous coaching staff.

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Outside Linebacker: No. 4, 5 & 6

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Nik Bonitto vs. Jonathon Cooper vs. Thomas Incoom vs. Chris Allen vs. Aaron Patrick

The top three edges are set with Randy Gregory, Frank Clark, and Baron Browning, but what will the pecking order be behind them? Obviously, in an ideal world, Bonitto steps up enough to take the third spot, but he has his work cut out for him. 

Bonitto's issues as a run defender must be significantly improved, or he might be the fifth or sixth edge. This coaching staff doesn't have the commitment to him as the previous staff did.

Cooper is experienced and has down well as the fourth or fifth guy. He showed improvement as a run defender last season and is a solid pass rusher to be valued as the fourth guy.

Incoom and Allen are the unknowns here. Incoom is an undrafted rookie, and Allen is a second-year player who redshirted as a rookie due to injury. Incoom is a better run defender with solid ability as a run defender, while Allen is a good pass rusher who has a lot of work to do as a run defender.

Patrick, the special teams ace, hasn't shown much on defense, so he has the toughest battle ahead of him. This battle is extremely important with the injury concerns among the top at the position. The Broncos can't go yet another season without much of a pass rush for the last half of the season.

Nickel Cornerback: 2

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Essang Bassey vs. Tremon Smith vs. Ja'Quan McMillian vs. Faion Hicks

K'Waun Williams has issues staying on the field, which is a shame because the Broncos' defense last year was significantly worse without him. There is no replacing that, but you can't have a complete liability taking over.

Bassey has a lot of issues in coverage, and he struggles to stay in phase against routes that are common in the way the passing game has molded. Tremon Smith is more of a special teams player. So McMillian and Hicks are the two to watch.

Both of them are entering Year 2, and only McMillian has taken the field. He saw time in the 2022 season finale and played wells. In this battle, he's the one to keep an eye on to see if he can grow from what he showed and grab ahold of the job.

Safety: No. 2 & 3

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Caden Sterns vs. Kareem Jackson vs. J.L. Skinner vs. P.J. Locke

Sterns should be the second starting safety opposite Justin Simmons, but Jackson has put some questions around that. Whoever loses is expected to be the third safety, but Skinner and Locke could have something to say. 

With Skinner, it depends a lot on his health.

Tight End: No. 4

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Albert Okwuegbunam vs. Nate Adkins vs. Tommy Hundson vs. Roster Math

The biggest component of this battle is roster math. Do the Broncos decide to keep four tight ends? Adkins is a bit more versatile of a piece than Okwuegbunam, which could see Adkins take the job over him.

Okwuegbunam has a hold on the fourth spot, at least for now. Hudson has injuries and suspensions pushed things off-track, so he is a wild card in this battle.

Wide Receiver: No. 5 & 6 (Returner/Special Teams)

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KJ Hamler vs. Jalen Virgil vs. Kendall Hinton vs. Marquez Callaway vs. Montrell Washington vs. Brandon Johnson

What do the Broncos want from their two depth receivers? They have a battle for the pecking order of the top three, then Marvin Mims, Jr., followed by two more spots with six players battling for it.

Callaway has an edge because of his special teams ability as a gunner, which none of the others in this battle have or have shown. Washington is a returner only, who could be pushed out by Mims or Tremon Smith.

Hamler and Virgil bring an added element with their long speed to challenge defenses vertically. That element is missing from this offense, though Mims can somewhat fill that void.

Hinton is reliable, and Johnson had his moments last season. However, both of them seem like long shots to make the roster. They don't bring anything unique to the offense with their skill sets, but they do have a good chance at the practice squad.

Offensive Tackle: No. 4

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Quinn Bailey vs. Isaiah Prince vs. Demontrey Jacobs vs. Christian DiLauro vs. Alex Palczewski vs. Roster Math

There isn't much here with this battle, for now. Bailey has the job, but it also depends on if the Broncos keep four tackles. Prince has some experience, which keeps him in the running.

The other three tackles haven't taken the field, so they can be complete wild cards in this battle. DiLauro was around the team last year, while Jacobs and Palczewski are both new.

Again, it starts with the Broncos deciding to keep four tackles instead of their two starters and Cameron Fleming as their backup swing tackle.

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