Training camp is about to open for the Denver Broncos, and before the competition starts in earnest, the roster picture is already coming into focus. On this 91-man group, roughly 40 to 45 players look locked in, which leaves only a handful of jobs truly up for grabs when the Broncos get to work.
That means the margins are thin everywhere. And with final cuts forcing players through waivers, Denver has to weigh more than just who deserves a spot in the building. A cut player has to clear a process where another team can claim him and place him on its own 53-man roster, though the source notes that fewer than 5% of players cut during the NFL’s final roster trim end up on other teams.
At quarterback, the only real question is Sam Ehlinger. Right now, he does not appear to be forcing his way onto the roster.
That could change if he makes a leap during camp and preseason, but if he sticks, it would likely mean another player who has earned it gets squeezed out. If Ehlinger is released and lands elsewhere, it would not be a major issue, though the source says that outcome seems unlikely, especially given his history of turning down other teams to remain with Denver.
Running back looks much more straightforward. Beyond the three backs already in the mix, the source doesn’t see anyone else as roster-worthy.
Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie are viewed as practice-squad-caliber options, and even with J.K. Dobbins’s injury history, Denver does not need a fourth back.
The projection is to keep the room as it is. If a spot is needed elsewhere, Prentice could be the odd man out, but he would need to clear waivers - and he is one of the few players who could draw a claim after what he did last year.
The safer move, the source argues, is simply keeping him.
At receiver, the top five are set unless something unexpected like a trade changes the picture. Lil’Jordan Humphrey could be kept as a sixth, but the more likely path is the one Denver has used before: get him back on the practice squad, use elevations, and then bring him up when injuries hit.
Tight end remains unsettled. The Broncos could carry a fifth tight end, but it does not feel necessary, and leaving that spot open would let the others fight for a practice squad role.
There’s also a fullback discussion involving Adkins and Prentice. Some want Adkins to replace Prentice there, but the source says Adkins has not handled that job especially well in past years, which makes keeping both sensible.
Adkins is also the best in-line blocking tight end on the roster, though that says as much about the rest of the group as it does about him.
Up front, Denver’s roster math is helped by the way it handles guard and tackle depth. The Broncos use side-specific backups, so instead of carrying pure reserve tackles for both sides, they keep a swing tackle in Crum and use the side-specific backups to fill in behind the starters.
Powers and Meinerz are the starters, with Palczewski backing up on the right and Casey on the left. Gargiulo, who had a real chance to make the team before getting hurt last year, is projected to stick as the backup swing guard.
At center, Forsyth still looks like the favorite even with Michael Deiter in the mix. Forsyth has not shown much development since his rookie season, but he has the benefit of knowing the offense well and having logged some spot starts.
On the defensive line, the question is whether Denver keeps a seventh player. The source thinks that is unnecessary to begin the season.
The top six are already set, and if injuries hit, the Broncos can pull someone up from the practice squad. If they do carry seven, Jordan Jackson and Matt Henningsen are the names battling for that final seat.
At edge rusher, five is the standard and Denver’s top five are already in place. The only thing that could alter the math would be a suspension for Cooper or a decision to move on from him. In that case, Johnny Walker appears to have a strong hold on the sixth spot.
Linebacker is trickier. Only four off-ball linebackers is a little light, since five is the usual number.
Still, Sean Payton has mentioned some package for Jonah Elliss at linebacker, even while confirming Elliss will remain an edge rusher, giving Vance Joseph another way to mix and match looks. The source also says it would not be surprising if Denver moved on from one of its 10 offensive linemen and kept Red Murdock with the linebacker group.
In the secondary, Denver has enough versatility to stay with five cornerbacks, which is what it has done in previous years. If Moss or McMillian is moved on from, Reese Taylor could benefit, and he also has a shot to make it as a sixth corner even without a trade.
Safety is fairly clear too. Denver does not usually rely on its third safety for special teams, so even though Key was an All-Pro there a year ago, he may not see much of that work. Skinner and Anderson bring the special teams value, while Miles Scott is still learning the safety position and does not offer the same help.
The specialist battle is the easiest one to call. Fraboni is the only player with real competition for his spot, and he beats out Luke Basso because of his chemistry and familiarity with Crawshaw from last year. That connection matters at long snapper, punter, and holder, and it gives Fraboni the edge.
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