The Denver Broncos will have some tough roster decisions to make before the 2024 season kicks off. In addition to creating a new-look roster, the team parted ways with some top players including Russell Wilson, Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy.
Sean Payton is now in complete control of how this team will look going forward and after all of the reshuffling this offseasons following a turbulent 2023 campaign, the stage is set for the team to have some intense competition for roster spots this summer.
Looking up and down the depth chart, these are the players at each position group who are firmly on the roster bubble and will also be quite difficult for the team to part ways with. Of course, they can always bring them back to the practice squad, providing they clear waivers, but that also leaves them susceptible to being scooped up by another team at any point during the season.
This is a good list of players to keep tabs on once training camp opens up.
Denver Broncos' most difficult roster cuts at each position group
Quarterback: N/A
Since the Broncos already parted ways with Ben DiNucci this offseason, this is a wide-open race. There is a chance that the team keeps both Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham for extra help around rookie Bo Nix.
Running back: Blake Watson
Blake Watson is an undrafted free agent out of Memphis but I had no trouble placing him on my early 53-man roster projection as one of the running backs on this team. In fact, the combination of rookies Watson and Audric Estime could be the future of this backfield.
#Broncos UDFA RB Blake Watson has impressive speed and vision. Has stood out getting involved on ST's. Will be a player to watch once the pads come on. pic.twitter.com/EjlWjL9jsy
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) May 31, 2024
Wide receiver: Jalen Virgil
The talent is clearly there with Jalen Virgil, but he's had little chance to show it and is looking to come back from an injury that shut him down for the entire 2023 season.
The Broncos have a logjam at wide receiver which includes several talented players and several of them will be tough to cut. Virgil would get a look by another team if the Broncos waive him before he season starts.
Tight end: Nate Adkins
Tight end is still thin for the Broncos but Lucas Krull has a chance to be a breakout player. Nate Adkins was good as an undrafted rookie last season but still has Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich and Krull in front of him on the depth chart.
Offensive line: Frank Crum
The Broncos made several additions to the offensive line this offseason, signing Sam Mustipher and Calvin Throckmorton in free agency. They also drafted Nick Gargiulo, a center in college who could be moved around the formation, in the seventh round.
But undrafted free agent Frank Crum has turned heads already.
Defensive line: Elijah Garcia
Elijah Garcia likely won't make this team, but he won't make it easy for the team to let him go, either. He has looked good in the limited action he has had for the team, mostly in preseason games.
Outside linebacker: Thomas Incoom
Thomas Incoom made the team as an undrafted free agent last year but he was on the healthy scratch list nearly every week. But the raw talent was evident with Incoom in camp last summer.
The Broncos have a good core group of edge rushers including Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. They also added third-round pick Jonah Elliss to that mix.
Incoom will have to compete with Ronnie Perkins and undrafted free agent Jaylon Allen for a spot on the roster.
Inside linebacker: Justin Strnad
Justin Strnad may be safe following the serious injury suffered by Drew Sanders, but he has never been great for this team. The Broncos re-signed him this offseason, along with Jonas Griffith, to provide enough depth, but the team is weak at this spot aside from Alex Singleton.
Cornerback: Art Green
The Broncos had a solid pool of undrafted players on the roster last season, but Sean Payton is known not to give rookies much playing time, for the most part.
Art Green had an impressive summer but spent the season on the team's practice squad. Though there are many cornerbacks on this roster, the door is open for someone to come out of nowhere like Ja'Quan McMillian did last year to make this team.
Safety: Omar Brown
The Broncos could have a big hole at safety. The team moved on from All-Pro Justin Simmons in a cap-cutting move this offseason and there could be a legitimate question as to whether the team adequately replaced him by signing Brandon Jones.
Caden Sterns will be back after an injury kept him out for nearly the entire 2023 season but Omar Brown, an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, has a good shot of making this team.
Brown has talent but he is young and raw. Waiving him to keep a less-talented player such as Delarrin Turner-Yell, primarily because Turner-Yell has more experience and can be a contributor on special teams, would qualify as one of those difficult decisions.
