The Denver Broncos have released their first unofficial depth chart and with the team's first preseason game just days away, there are already some wild takes out there.
Many media outlets have discussed the fact that Bo Nix is listed as the team's No. 3 quarterback, but there's no story there. A close look at the depth chart shows that Sean Payton decided to list all of the rookies at the bottom of their respective positions.
From Inside Training Camp Live: The #Broncos put out there depth chart, which is interesting. But… pic.twitter.com/fX9Hautyn3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2024
It's a nod to the veterans on the roster but it's also clear that all spots are going to be earned. However, if you sift through all of the fluff that is on this depth chart, there are a few things to be gleaned from it.
These four Broncos are in good shape heading into the preseason.
Some Broncos are sitting pretty on a strange depth chart
Elijah Garcia, Defensive Lineman
Elijah Garcia has looked good in camp and he had a strong preseason a year ago. He could be building something with this team.
He is listed on the second line at defensive line along with Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson. But he is ahead of Matt Henningsen and Eyioma Uwazurike, who just re-joined the team following a year-long suspension.
Understandably, Uwazurike is buried on this depth chart but it is noteworthy that Garcia is listed ahead of Henningsen and that could lead to him landing one of the last few roster spots.
Thomas Incoom, Edge
Thomas Incoom made the team as an undrafted rookie last season but rarely played in the regular season. However, his time with the organization seems to have been spent well and he is developing nicely as he is listed as one of the team's top four edge rushers.
Third-round pick Jonah Elliss is going to make the team, but Incoom is ahead of Durell Nchami, Jaylon Allen and Dondrea Tillman and it will be difficult for the team to release him.
Luke Wattenberg, Center
Some positions don't have veterans at the top and rookies at the bottom. It seems that the competition at the center spot reflects how the competition has unfolded thus far in camp and Luke Wattenberg has the lead in that race.
Alex Forsyth is the No. 2 guy and Sam Mustipher sits at No.3 but it's becoming Wattenberg's to lose.
Damarri Mathis, Cornerback
There might not be a player on the entire roster who likes this depth chart more than Damarri Mathis.
Benched last season due to poor play, Mathis seems to have redeemed himself as he is listed along with Riley Moss as a co-starter at one of the cornerback spots. That's big for him as for most of this offseason the speculation has been that it would be either Moss or veteran free-agent signing Levi Wallace who won that job.
Mathis, a fourth-round pick in 2022, looked like a lost cause at points last year. But he could be all the way back.
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