Denver Broncos coaching camp is right here! The rookies reported final week, whereas the veterans might be making their means in throughout the day at present. The Broncos had been only one recreation away from the Tremendous Bowl final season, and expectations, as anticipated, are excessive this season. The overwhelming majority of the 2025 roster is returning with the addition of explosive vast receiver Jaylen Waddle and an intriguing rookie class that would contribute straight away.
In the case of the 53-man roster, many of the crew appears set in stone. There are only a few roster spots up for grabs, and those up for grabs are anticipated to be extremely aggressive. With that mentioned, each camp has accidents, gamers not performing nicely as anticipated, and, after all, just a few surprises, so who is aware of what we’ve in retailer throughout these coming days and weeks.
With all that mentioned, right here is my pre-training camp 53-man roster projection for the Denver Broncos.
Made the crew: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham
As of now, I’m not totally shopping for the Sam Ehlinger for QB2 discuss. I’m listening to it, however I have to see it play out earlier than firmly believing it might probably really occur. Stidham has been Payton’s man from the beginning; he’s making respectable cash, and I consider they wish to hold all three in the identical roles that that they had final season.
Nix is your franchise quarterback, Stidham is the veteran QB2, and Ehlinger is the QB3 who bounces on and off the roster.
Made the crew: JK Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and Jonah Coleman
No actual surprises right here with JK Dobbins being your starter, Harvey because the change-of-pace pass-catcher, and the rookie Jonah Coleman mixing in as nicely. How the carries and touches might be cut up between these three stays to be seen, however I anticipate that these would be the three backs on the 53-man roster come Week 1.
CENTENNIAL , CO – JUNE 16: Jonah Coleman (20) of the Denver Broncos works out throughout minicamp on the Broncos Park in Centennial, Colorado on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Submit) Denver Submit through Getty Photographs
Search for Tyler Badie to push for that apply squad spot over Jaleel McLaughlin. His cross blocking is a talent and one thing they appear to worth. Additionally, fullback Adam Prentice might be on the apply squad as nicely earlier than being promoted to the 53-man roster after the three-promotion restrict is up.
Made the crew: Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, and Pat Bryant
May there be a commerce right here? Maybe. We noticed it final yr with Devaughn Vele, however for now, I anticipate the crew rolling with all 5 of their receivers and utilizing all 5 on Sundays. Explosive vast receiver Jaylen Waddle leads the best way with veteran Courtland Sutton, whereas the opposite three will battle for the WR3 job.
I anticipate Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy might be your apply squad gamers. The crew appears to worth expertise there, and it seemingly will take a giant effort from the remainder of the receivers on the crew to take their spot on the apply squad.
Made the crew: Adam Trautman, Evan Engram, Justin Joly, Nate Adkins, and Caleb Lohner
That is the place issues get attention-grabbing.
Trautman and Engram are seemingly locked in. I don’t see them transferring on from Engram until one thing unexpected occurs. Joly will make the crew and push for taking part in time(hopefully) whereas Adkins makes the crew once more as a blocking specialist.
DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 25: Evan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos runs after the catch throughout the second quarter within the AFC Championship Playoff recreation towards the New England Patriots at Empower Area At Mile Excessive on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
As for Caleb Lohner, I believe he’ll present sufficient promise the place Payton and the crew is not going to need to danger him hitting the waiver wire. Groups had been fascinated by him final yr, and I consider the Broncos is not going to danger a crew placing in a declare on Lohner.
Seventh-round rookie Dallen Bentley will make the apply squad, however don’t sleep on him pushing Adkins for a roster spot. I’m not certain how one can proceed with Adkins and Bentley. Both might make the crew, one or the opposite might make the crew, or each might be on the apply squad. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the way it performs out.
Made the crew: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Kage Casey, Alex Forsyth, and Frank Crum
I bear in mind making these pre-Payton and struggling to give you sensible backup choices. Now? The crew is about in any respect 5 beginning positions and has starting-caliber gamers as their backups. The Broncos’ offensive line expertise has come a good distance since Payton took over the crew.
I’ve Palcho, rookie Kage Casey, Alex Forsyth, and Frank Crum because the Broncos’ 4 reserve linemen. Palcho can play guard or proper sort out; Casey performed left sort out in faculty and might be taking part in left guard with the Broncos; Forsyth is the backup middle, whereas Crum is a backup left sort out. I don’t suppose Peart makes it over Crum, and I consider UDFA OT Tyler Miller makes the apply squad.
Made the crew: Zach Allen, DJ Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones, Tyler Onyedim, and Jordan Jackson
The Broncos stored 7 defensive linemen final yr, and I see them going that route once more this yr. Allen, Jones, and Roach are your starters, whereas Uwazurike, Jones, and the rookie Onyedim are your backups. I stored Jackson because the Seventh defensive lineman, however I’m not banging the desk for him to make the crew. The coaches appear to love him, and he gives stable depth, so it is sensible, however we will see.
I don’t see any actual surprises taking place with this positional group.
Made the crew: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, Dondrea Tillman, and Drew Sanders
For now, I’ve Jonathon Cooper making the crew. That may definitely change within the coming days and weeks, however I’ll play it on the secure aspect for now and anticipate him being round. He might be going through a suspension from the league, however we’ll cross that bridge once we get there.
DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 25: Nik Bonitto #15 and Jonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos have a good time throughout the AFC Championship Playoff recreation between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos at Empower Area At Mile Excessive on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Kara Durrette/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
As for the remaining, it appears to be like as anticipated with one little shock. I’ve Drew Sanders making the crew. If, and it’s a giant if, but when he can keep wholesome, I consider they’ll give him yet another shot. They invested a third-round choose on him, and he has the scale and athleticism you search for. I’m pondering a special-teams function at most right here, however I believe he will get one other shot if he can keep wholesome.
Made the crew: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Jordan Turner, and Crimson Murdock
I needed to place Taurean York right here, however I believe he’s destined for the apply squad, for now at the very least. I’ve the veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad clearly making the crew, with Jordan Turner and rookie Crimson Murdock because the backups.
Turner is at present on the NFI record, and no purpose has been given at the moment, so clearly his spot will depend on no matter is going on there. If all is nice and he’ll be again quickly, I believe he can push for the LB3 job with Murdock making the crew as a particular groups thumper.
Made the crew: Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, and Kris Abrams-Draine
I consider we will pencil in these 5 for a spot on the 53-man roster. PS2, Moss, McMillian, and Barron are locks (barring a shock commerce), and KAD appears fairly locked in as priceless depth. I don’t see anybody pushing any of those 5 out of a roster spot, so until there’s a commerce or damage, these might be your 5 cornerbacks come Week 1.
Made the crew: Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, and Miles Scott
The way in which the roster math went down, I’m restricted to simply 4 safeties. You may reduce a Nate Adkins or Jordan Jackson to maintain a Tycen Anderson or JL Skinner, however that is the best way I’ve it going on this state of affairs.
DENVER , CO – JANUARY 4: Talanoa Hufanga (9) of the Denver Broncos stands with teammates earlier than the sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Area at Mile Excessive in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 4, 2026. (Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Submit through Getty Photographs)
Hufanga and Jones are your starters, whereas Key’s your particular groups ace and probably third security, with the rookie Miles Scott offering depth. Anderson and/or Skinner might be on the apply squad for depth if wanted.
Made the crew: Wil Lutz (kicker), Jeremy Crawshaw (punter), and Mitchell Fraboni (longsnapper)
Lutz and Crawshaw return because the Broncos’ kicking specialists, whereas the veteran Mitchell Fraboni beats out the rookie competitors in Luke Basso for the longsnapper job. I’ll give the veteran the sting right here, however the reality they stored an additional longsnapper for the beginning of camp is telling.
