The Denver Broncos’ initial 53-man roster is in, and Sean Payton and George Paton spent the last 36 hours trimming the team from 90 players to the league limit.
The result is a roster that leans on a full quarterback room, a deep mix at running back and receiver, and a defense that comes packed with recognizable names. Denver also has several players listed in reserve on the various injury designations, along with one player on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list.
At quarterback, the Broncos kept three: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.
The backfield includes four runners: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman and Tyler Badie.
Denver’s wide receiver group features six players: Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
At tight end, the Broncos carried four: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Dallen Bentley.
The offensive line group was listed as nine players.
On defense, Denver kept 25 players. The defensive line group includes Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Enyi Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim, Sai’vion Jones and Jordan Jackson.
The outside linebacker group has Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman.
At inside linebacker, the roster includes Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Jordan Turner and Karene Reid.
The cornerback room features Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine.
At safety, the Broncos kept Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, JL Skinner and Tycen Anderson.
Special teams is listed with two players.
Denver also noted players placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, players placed on IR that can return this season, and players placed on season-ending IR.
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Instead, the Broncos kept Evan Engram and veterans such as Adam Trautman, leaning into experience and blocking as they try to chase a Super Bowl run. For a team trying to sharpen its margin for error right away, Jolys release was less about one preseason highlight than the cold reality of where he stood in his development after missing much of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]