The Denver Broncos will be a new-look team in 2024. The team has new jerseys, a new franchise quarterback and a new outlook.
Sean Payton is in firm control of what happens with this team at this point. It is being built in his image and it will be made or broken on the decisions he has made. The Broncos have made several changes this offseason, making a 53-man roster projection fun but challenging.
It will be interesting to look back on this later this year as the preseason concludes but for now, here is a position-by-position look on how the team's 53-man roster could look. Remember that the players who are cut could be added to the team's 16-man practice squad so long as they clear waivers.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (3)
Bo Nix, Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Ben Dinucci
Many teams in today's league don't keep three quarterbacks but the Broncos should for a couple of reasons. If Nix is the day one starter, the team is going to need experience behind him and keeping both Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham is beneficial to the team. Backup quarterbacks were forced to log key playing time at a record clip last season and Payton likely took note of that.
The Broncos should have room for three quarterbacks and in order to help Nix prepare, if nothing else, it makes sense to keep them all.
Running Back (5)
Javonte Williams, Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, Michael Burton (fullback)
Cuts: Samaje Perine, Tyler Badie
It may seem controversial to cut Samaje Perine after the role he played on offense a year ago, but this is going to be a new offense run by a different quarterback.
The rookies Audric Estime and Blake Watson, who is a much better receiving back than Perine, will be difference makers in year one.
Wide Receiver (6)
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin, Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson
Cuts: Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil, Devaughn Vele, David Sills, Phillip Dorsett, Michael Bandy, BJ West, Lincoln Victor
This is a tough group to evaluate this early, as it is basically every season because you know there is going to be some great competition here. The rookie Vele should be one with a strong chance of being added to the practice squad.
Tight End (3)
Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull
Cuts: Nate Adkins, Thomas Yassmin, Dylan Leonard
This is still an underwhelming group. The hope will be that Dulcich is able to finally show something on the field by staying healthy. Krull has a lot of upside but if Dulcich is dealing with injuries again, both undrafted free agents — Thomas Yassmin and Dylan Leonard — have a chance to make some noise in camp.
Offensive Line (9)
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Alex Forsyth, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Calvin Throckmorton, Alex Palczewski, Sam Mustipher
Cuts: Demontrey Jacobs, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Bailey, Nick Gargiulo, Frank Crum, Will Sherman
The battle to make the roster along the offensive line will be one of the more interesting aspects of this preseason. Four of the starting spots are all but locked down and Forsyth should win the center job based on his history with Nix.
Payton will decide to keep Mustipher over Wattenberg as a backup center and both Throckmorton and Peart are great for the rotation. Rookies Gargiulo and Crum have a high upside and should be kept on the practice squad.
Defensive Line (5)
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Rashard Lawrence
Cuts: Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson, Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia, Brandon Matterson, Jordan Miller
Another group where the position battles will be close and hard to pick a winner. The trade for Franklin-Myers was a huge win for the Broncos. Rashard Lawrence making the team may be seen as a surprise to some but he beats out Blackson for the final spot.
Outside Linebacker (5)
Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Thomas Incoom
Cuts: Ronnie Perkins, Durell Nchami, Jaylon Allen
Most of this seems pretty straightforward, however, the Broncos will want a much more fierce pass rush this season so Bonitto and Cooper can't just coast through the summer. Undrafted free agent Jaylon Allen could easily beat out Thomas Incoom for a spot.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Drew Sanders, Jonas Griffith
Cuts: Justin Strnad, Alec Moc, Levelle Bailey
Justin Strnad could be kept for his ability on special teams but one of the guys on the list making the team would have to be cut for that to happen. Who do you get rid of?
Cornerback (5)
Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine, Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss
Cuts: Damarri Mathis, Tremon Smith, Art Green, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome, Tanner McAlister, Cam Allen
Some of the toughest cuts this preseason are going to come at the cornerback position. Damarri Mathis will be on the wrong side of roster cuts as the rookie Kris Abrams-Draine begins to show he has a fruitful future.
Safety (5)
Caden Sterns, Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Omar Brown
Cuts: Delarrin Turner-Yell, Keidron Smith, Devon Key
This is an interesting position to evaluate as well and many of these players could be interchangeable. JL Skinner blossoms in year two and Omar Brown edges out Delarrin Turner-Yell to make the team as an undrafted free agent.
Specialists (3)
Placekicker: Wil Lutz
Punter: Riley Dixon
Long snapper: Mitchell Fraboni
Cuts: Nik Constantinou (Punter)
