The Denver Broncos have one week remaining to cut down their roster from 90 to 53 players. After Week 2 of the NFL preseason, how might the 53-man roster look like if the cutdown date was today? Here’s our first prediction of the 53-man roster.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction
Every year, the balancing act between the number of players on defense and the number of players on offense takes place, weighing the importance of which side of the ball needs more numbers than the other. Let’s take a look at the offense.
Quarterback (2)
Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham are the two players at QB I have making the 53-man roster. Ultimately, Stidham is a valuable asset to have, and his knowledge of Sean Payton’s offense is a benefit. Payton believes it’s crucial to have a good backup, and Stidham can provide that security behind Nix. I have Zach Wilson returning via practice squad.
Running Back (4)
Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime make the most sense in this scenario for the Broncos. Michael Burton qualifies in this group as the fullback. I have the team parting ways with Samaje Perine either via trade or release, which also frees up some cap space for them. I have Tyler Badie and Blake Watson back on the practice squad.
Wide receiver (7)
This is a position that could see five, six, or seven players on the 53-man roster. I have them going with seven and the reasons have credence to them. Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, and Jalen Virgil are the players who make it. Payton values size, and he has that with Sutton, Patrick, Reynolds, and Vele. He also values speed, which he gets from Mims, Virgil, Vele, and Franklin. Despite having a quiet training camp amidst reports of struggles, the team is invested in Franklin’s continued development, and they are in a position where they don’t need him to be a No. 1, 2, or 3 right away as a rookie. He’ll likely redshirt or play some special teams.
Mims, Virgil, and Vele will be key special teams players with Virgil and Vele likely being core four specialists. Virgil is the best candidate to return opposite Mims on kick return and is a talented gunner and jammer on kick coverage. Vele can emerge as a gunner as well.
Tight end (4)
Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Adam Trautman, and Nate Adkins will highlight the tight end group. A healthy Dulcich is good for Denver offensively, while Krull continues to develop and see valuable reps. Trautman is a reliable veteran option, and Adkins is a versatile h-back who can also play fullback if needed while playing a core four role on special teams.
Offensive line (8)
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Forsyth, Alex Palczewski, and Demontrey Jacobs round out the depth for Denver’s offensive line on the 53-man roster.
Players like Matt Peart, Frank Crum, Calvin Throckmorton, and Will Sherman could return to the practice squad more than likely.
Total offensive players: 25
Cornerback (6)
Patrick Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine, and Ja’Quan McMillian headline the cornerback room in my 53-man roster prediction. Tremon Smith is the biggest question mark because he’s the team’s best special teams player but is far down the depth chart at cornerback.
Safety (5)
P.J. Locke, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Keidron Smith and JL Skinner are the players who headline the group of safeties. Jones is making progress in his return from a hamstring injury, which could ultimately influence the Denver Broncos to go with five players. Locke is a lock, while Key has solidified himself as the team’s third safety. Smith has had a tremendous preseason with two picks in two weeks plus a noticeable impact on special teams, while Skinner is still developing but has taken a huge step forward in his game.
Denver will also likely activate Delarrin Turner-Yell off of the PUP during the regular season at some point.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, and Justin Strnad are the four players I have my eye on at the position. Griffith and Strnad will be crucial depth behind Singleton and Barton and will have to play a pivotal role on special teams.
Edge rusher (4)
Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, and Jonah Elliss make the roster in my only prediction. The top four of the group has been set in stone for a while. Other positional needs made it to where I have four at this position instead of five, but Thomas Incoom has had a terrific training camp and preseason and is someone I believe will be brought to the practice squad, and then elevated on gamedays.
Defensive line (6)
Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Angelo Blackson, and Eyioma Uwazurike make up the overall depth at defensive tackle. Allen, JFM, and Jones are the unquestioned starters, while players like Roach, Blackson, and Uwazurike can be rotational options.
I have Elijah Garcia and Matt Henningsen returning via the practice squad.
Total defensive players: 25
Special Teams (3)
Kicker Wil Lutz, punter Riley Dixon, and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni round out the three specialists here to help finalize the Denver Broncos 53-man roster.