One of many extra fascinating features of coaching camp annually is the positional battles ongoing all through camp and into the preseason. We have now seen a number of quarterback competitions occur throughout Broncos camp, however fortunately, Bo Nix has that job locked down for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, the Broncos can have a number of camp battles occurring this summer season that would tremendously affect how this crew seems to be come Week 1.
Whereas the Broncos starters are principally locked and loaded for Week 1, there nonetheless will probably be loads of competitors for roles and even roster spots occurring throughout camp. So, with all that stated, listed below are the Denver Broncos positional battles I will probably be being attentive to throughout Broncos Camp.
Veteran Jarrett Stidham has been Sean Payton’s backup since he was acquired and employed by the Broncos, however may his position be up for grabs this summer season? Sam Ehlinger joined the crew because the QB3 final season and rapidly impressed the Broncos coaches on and off the sphere. Ehlinger re-signed with the crew this offseason and, in accordance with experiences from OTA and minicamp, regarded fairly good and will have even outplayed Stidham.
Do I believe Ehlinger can actually take the QB2 position from Stidham? I’ve my doubts. Payton has spoken fondly of Stiddy up to now; he was Payton’s first free agent signing with the Broncos, and he is aware of the system nicely. With that stated, his efficiency within the AFC Championship Recreation was, nicely, not nice. In equity to Stidham, the circumstances weren’t nice for him, however you continue to hoped he would have performed somewhat higher than that.
Nonetheless, if Ehlinger outplays Stidham all through camp, we may have an actual dialog right here. I might want to see it occur constantly for me to essentially imagine this might occur, however we’ll have to attend and see. It definitely is feasible.
Operating Again – The battle for carries
The Broncos are anticipated to enter Week 1 with veteran JK Dobbins, second-year again RJ Harvey, and rookie Jonah Coleman as their three operating backs on the roster. All three backs are anticipated to have a task on this offense this season, however the precise particulars stay up within the air.
Veteran JK Dobbins re-signed with the crew after a profitable 2025 season that was sadly minimize quick by accidents. Sadly, that has been the story of Dobbins’ profession, and the Broncos must be cautious of his harm historical past. To his credit score, he has bounced again and carried out nicely regardless of a number of critical lower-body accidents, however the concern stays. He would be the Broncos’ beginning operating again this season, however may we see him share carries with a pair of younger Broncos ball carriers?
RJ Harvey had a combined bag when it got here to his rookie yr. On a constructive be aware, he had 12 whole touchdowns final season, which is fairly rattling good for a rookie operating again. Nonetheless, as soon as Dobbins went down with an harm, Harvey struggled because the Broncos’ essential ball provider. Harvey averaged simply 3.7 yards per carry however did look higher as a receiver and in house, which was the position the crew envisioned for him when he was drafted. I might anticipate he would have the same position this season, however may he lose snaps to rookie Jonah Coleman?
The actual X-Issue right here is rookie Jonah Coleman. The gifted rookie again has three-down traits and will push for vital enjoying time his rookie yr. He’s a strong and affected person runner who can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and possibly most significantly, are available in on third downs and be a go blocker. If he had been to have a powerful camp and preseason, he may push for vital snaps early on this season.
Sean Payton up to now has stated it’s troublesome to handle a three-headed backfield, so it is going to be fascinating to see how this performs out. All three backs will probably be on the crew, however it is going to be fascinating to see the pecking order come Week 1.
Most likely probably the most fascinating positional battle to occur this summer season throughout Broncos Camp would be the WR3 battle between Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant.
As we all know, the crew made a blockbuster commerce for broad receiver Jaylen Waddle through the offseason, and that addition shook up the Broncos’ broad receiver room. With Waddle and veteran Courtland Sutton being your WR1 and WR2 within the offense, that battle for the WR3 job is predicted to be a aggressive one.
Marvin Mims Jr. has proven up within the largest moments all through his profession and has routinely made huge performs down the sphere. On prime of that, he’s additionally an All-Professional returner who can take one all the way in which again for a landing at any time when he touches the ball. Nonetheless, he has by no means totally lived as much as his potential as a large receiver. Now in a contract yr, may that every one change?
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 06: Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Troy Franklin #11 in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders within the sport at Empower Area At Mile Excessive on November 06, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Picture by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
This time final yr, all of the hype was about Troy Franklin. He added weight and was making performs all through OTAs and minicamp and carried that into coaching camp, preseason, and into the common season. He completed the 2025 season with 65 receptions for 709 yards and 6 touchdowns, which is fairly first rate contemplating how his rookie yr went. Nonetheless, with Waddle now on the crew, Franklin looks like the participant most negatively impacted by this addition. He’ll as soon as once more must have a powerful summer season if he needs to solidify himself on this Denver Broncos broad receiver room.
Pat Bryant had himself a stable rookie season. His position within the offense was rising because the season progressed, and it appeared he surpassed Troy Franklin late within the season. Nonetheless, the harm bug bit him late within the yr and derailed what may have been a powerful finish to his rookie yr. Now, in yr two, Bryant is hoping to place the concussions behind him and take that huge second-year soar and turn into a mainstay within the Broncos offense. Bryant is a giant and bodily goal who can work the center of the sphere, contribute as a blocker, and was arguably the Broncos’ most dependable broad receiver when it got here to catching the ball. He’s my private favourite on this competitors, however all three can and may make sturdy instances for the Broncos’ WR3 job.
The larger image right here is: how will the crew make the most of all three of those receivers? Will there be a possible commerce? Will they depend on the depth and use all three in a rotation? It may go quite a few methods proper now and I’m excited to see the way it performs out all through camp.
Is there a LG competitors?
I’ll say this from the beginning. That is pure hypothesis on my half, however I imagine there will probably be a three-way battle for the Broncos beginning left guard place.
Veteran Ben Powers is within the ultimate yr of his contract, and regardless of briefly being rumored to be a pay minimize or commerce/minimize candidate, he’s again with the crew and anticipated to be their beginning left guard. Nonetheless, the crew does have competitors on the roster that would change issues down the street.
First, the crew signed versatile reserve lineman Alex Palczewski to a two-year extension this offseason. He began at left guard final season whereas Powers was sidelined with an harm and carried out nicely. He supplies the crew with a gifted, youthful, and cheaper choice and somebody they know they’ll plug and play on the place.
The crew additionally drafted Boise State offensive lineman Kage Casey within the 4th spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft. He performed left deal with all through his faculty profession however is predicted to give attention to the left guard place his rookie yr. Left guard is coincidentally the place Ben Powers is at present slated to be the starter at. It’s definitely a chance that Casey impresses this summer season and pushes for that left guard job.
Once more, I’m principally spitballing right here, however the tea leaves are there. Palcho and Casey are probably considered because the long-term candidates for the place, however a powerful summer season from one or each may pace issues up a bit.
What occurs at tight finish?
The Broncos tight finish room is a little bit of a query mark. The one one I really feel protected about is Adam Trautman, who simply re-signed with the crew this offseason. He’ll probably be the “starter” on the place and be their essential in-line blocker. Nonetheless, every thing past that could be a bit up within the air.
Veteran go catcher Evan Engram might be protected. His good good friend and former teammate Davis Webb is now the Broncos’ offensive coordinator and playcaller, so which will bode nicely for the veteran after a disappointing first season with the crew. Nonetheless, Engram kinda suits as that shock camp minimize that no person actually noticed coming. I don’t assume it’s going to occur, however I’m not comfy saying it gained’t occur. My cash is on Engram occupying the identical position he had final season, with possibly some extra emphasis on him with Webb now calling the photographs.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 21: Justin Joly #7 of the NC State Wolfpack catches a landing go over Shamar Arnoux #15 of the Florida State Seminoles through the second half of a soccer sport at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 21, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Picture by David Jensen/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
After that, although, issues get powerful to foretell. Rookie Justin Joly made my camp breakouts record, and I imagine he’ll, however for now, he’s a query mark. Nate Adkins has been a dependable blocker for the Broncos, however now he’s on a vet minimal deal, so he’s firmly on the roster bubble. Identical goes for Lucas Krull, however the writing is really on the wall there. Rookie tight finish Dallen Bentley is a little bit of a forgotten man on this dialog. The previous Utah tight finish slipped a bit additional than anticipated within the draft and has some in-line and sneaky pass-catching potential. Lastly, you have got the X-Think about Caleb Lohner. The developmental challenge made some noise throughout rookie minicamp, however an harm sidelined him for OTAs and minicamp, and now he’ll try to proceed his breakout efficiency throughout coaching camp.
Your guess is nearly as good as mine in the case of guessing how this all performs out. I simply hope we really feel higher about our tight finish room on the finish of coaching camp and preseason.
The Broncos’ largest offseason departure was veteran inside defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers signing with the Tennessee Titans throughout free company. This left a big void in the course of the Broncos’ go rush and one that may have to be crammed in the event that they wish to have a dominant pass-rushing unit as soon as once more this season.
They deliberate for JFM’s departure final yr after they drafted LSU defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones. He principally had a reshirt season for the Broncos final season and can look to make use of that yr of improvement and have a breakout efficiency throughout coaching camp and the preseason. Like JFM, he’s a giant, lengthy, and athletic inside go rusher who may thrive in Vance Joseph’s protection.
Regardless of having Jones within the combine this offseason, the Broncos doubled down and chosen Tyler Onyedim with their first choice within the 2026 NFL Draft, which got here early within the third spherical. Onyedim is a high-motor inside go rusher whom the crew envisions filling JFM’s position as early as this season. Now, a rookie defensive lineman contributing like that straight away might be far-fetched, however he figures to be a part of the Broncos’ rotation alongside the line of defense.
Veterans Eyioma Uwazurike and Malcolm Roach will probably issue into the combination, however all eyes will probably be on Jones and Onyedim this summer season. Hopefully, we see each gamers stand out all through camp and the preseason and provides the Broncos two gifted inside go rushers they’ll rotate out and in all through the sport. We noticed the Eagles win a Tremendous Bowl resulting from this, and hopefully, the Broncos can do the identical with this unit.
Will Jahdae Barron push for CB2?
One of many extra intriguing positional battles which will occur this summer season is between former first-round decide Jahdae Barron and Riley Moss and/or Ja’Quan McMillian.
As we all know, Moss and McMillian are within the ultimate yr of their contracts with the crew, and the Broncos will probably have to decide on which of the 2 they may re-sign. On prime of that, the Broncos used a first-round decide on Jahdae Barron final yr, and he’s a logical in-house substitute for one of many two. Head Coach Sean Payton mentions how he has inside/outdoors versatility, so he’s in play for each positions.
The most important X-Issue right here is Barron. Will he push for a beginning job this summer season and make the choice troublesome for the Broncos ’ decision-makers? If he does, the Broncos must resolve easy methods to make the most of all 4 of those corners and doubtlessly even contemplate a commerce. Like broad receiver, they may simply make the most of the gifted depth they’ve and head into the season deep at one of many extra essential positional teams on the crew.
This state of affairs may play out a number of alternative ways, and the implications of this final result will probably be felt transferring ahead. So, this will probably be an important roster battle and state of affairs to observe transferring ahead.
