There are still two preseason games left on the Denver Broncos’ schedule, but a few players have already put themselves on track for career-best production in 2026.
That matters because this roster has a lot of guys who have recently played the best football of their careers already. So the pool of obvious breakout candidates isn’t huge. Even so, the way this team is built and coached gives a few more players a real shot to level up in a big way next season.
Three names stand out.
Evan Engram is one of them, and the early signs point to a bigger role taking shape. Davis Webb’s move into the play-caller role appears to be helping Engram right away, especially now that the tight end was recently listed as the top option on the depth chart. Engram has also been used more as a blocker lately, and that could keep him on the field more often while still allowing him to function as a receiving threat.
That part is where things get interesting. If Engram is at least competent in the blocking game, he can stay on the field for play-action and obvious passing downs, which is where his value can really pop.
He caught 50 passes last year, but the production didn’t fully match the volume: fewer than 500 yards and just one touchdown. With Engram currently serving as the Broncos’ lone receiving threat, his role could grow sharply in 2026, and his previous relationship with Webb may help that along.
Bo Nix feels like the most obvious candidate on the list. The setup around him keeps getting better, and Webb taking over play-calling could be a boost for the quarterback, especially if it’s something Nix wanted. Denver also added some intriguing pieces for him in Jaylen Waddle, Jonah Coleman, and Justin Joly.
Waddle’s arrival in the receiver room has been a talking point for months, and Coleman gives the Broncos another steady option in the backfield. Add in another year of experience for Nix, and there’s a very clear path to improvement. A lot of what Denver has done on offense has been aimed at helping him specifically, and with the talent now around him, it’s hard to see how 2026 doesn’t become a career year.
Malcolm Roach is a little less flashy, but he belongs in this conversation too. Even though the depth chart is unofficial, he was listed as a starter on the team’s initial version. Roach just turned 28 and has already proven to be a strong rotational piece for Denver.
He played in only 12 games in 2025, yet still posted four sacks, 41 total tackles, and five QB hits while handling just 50 percent of the defensive snaps. His snap count was up from 2024, too.
What makes him so valuable is the balance in his game: he’s strong against the run and can also get after the quarterback. ESPN’s data had Roach ranked seventh among defensive tackles in run stop win rate last season, which is excellent.
With John Franklin-Myers gone, there’s more room for Roach to take on a bigger workload. Put that together with his all-around skill set and the presence of DJ Jones and Zach Allen next to him, and he has a real chance to post the best season of his career in 2026.
In Other News...
Broncos Backfield Battle Just Got More Interesting With Cuts Looming
RJ Harvey has liked what he has seen from Denvers running backs through training camp, and the rookies optimism is easy to understand. The group has brought together different skill sets with Harvey, J.K. Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman all pushing for roles while the Broncos work through the preseason and try to sort out how the depth chart will look.
The competition matters because roster decisions are getting close, and Denver wants clarity at a position where the group has already shown signs of working well together. Harvey pointed to the early preseason opener as a step forward, and the Broncos now have to translate that momentum into a final call before the end of the month, with the backfield mix still one of the more interesting pieces of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Future Suddenly Looks Built To Keep Them In The Mix
The Broncos are drawing a surprisingly strong long-range outlook, with ESPNs staff slotting them No. 4 in power rankings for 2027 to 2029 based on a blend of roster quality, quarterback play, coaching staff and front office. The appeal starts with the depth around the team and the belief that the core can keep rising, especially if the growth of Bo Nix continues to track the way evaluators think it can.
There is still some real maintenance work ahead, though. The offensive line has aging pieces, and keeping the attack balanced under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb will be part of what determines whether this projection turns into something more durable. Jaylen Waddles upside is also part of the optimism, but the Broncos future will depend on turning a promising structure into something that can hold up over time. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Roster Hopefuls Just Put Real Pressure On Preseason Game 2
The Broncos got a useful first look at several roster hopefuls in their preseason opener, and a few of them made it hard not to notice. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman showed real running ability, while defensive back Jahdae Barron and linebacker Murdock each made their presence felt in a game where every snap matters more than usual for players trying to stick.
Barrons play in the secondary stood out as the kind of splash moment that can reshape a competition, and Murdock brought plenty of activity in his debut. Colemans showing only adds to the pressure heading into preseason Game 2, when coaches will be looking for the same energy and, in some cases, an even bigger answer from players trying to carve out a role. [Read more 🡒]