The Broncos have their 53-man roster in place for the Sept. 14 opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the final cutdown also left a clear takeaway: Denver’s April draft hasn’t done much to move the needle.
There could still be a move or two before the picture is fully settled, with the practice squad still to be built and the team checking the waiver wire for possible additions. Even so, the roster shape tells the story of a team that entered camp with most of its core already established. The real competition came at the margins, with backup jobs up for grabs at running back and on defense.
Coach Sean Payton framed the process the way coaches do this time of year, stressing that the goal is getting to the right 53. “Remember it’s the right 53 and getting the proper evaluation,” Payton said after Friday’s preseason finale against Minnesota in a writeup from Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post.
“I will spend more time concerned with who’s making it as opposed to the ones that maybe possibly aren’t. And I just finished saying this in the locker room: Oftentimes in those tough meetings the next two days, within a month, within two months, all of a sudden, a player will be back in your building.
That happens.”
That much is true. But the other reality is that Denver’s rookie class hasn’t given the Broncos much reason to feel good about the draft beyond one name: running back Jonah Coleman.
Coleman has been the bright spot so far, and he fills a clear need. The Broncos wanted a bigger back who can still create in space, and early returns suggest Coleman may be that player.
After that, the picture gets murkier fast. Tight end Justin Joly, who was expected to challenge Evan Engram for the move-tight-end role, ended up being one of the higher draft picks released around the league and was claimed by the Miami Dolphins.
Two more draft picks, safety Miles Scott and Red Murdock, were waived Sunday, though there is a good chance that move was made with the practice squad in mind. Defensive end Tyler Onyedim showed some flashes in minicamp and early in training camp, but the expectation is that he won’t play much, if at all, this season.
General manager George Paton acknowledged how much work went into sorting through the roster decisions. “This year, I think we spent more time on this roster going through a lot of different scenarios with a lot of these players that were released,” said GM George Paton.
“It’s a puzzle. It’s ongoing.
Now we’re building the practice squad, we’re looking at the wire tonight obviously.
In Other News...
Broncos May Catch Chiefs At The Perfect Time In Week 1
The Broncos open the season with a chance to test a Chiefs team that has spent much of camp managing health as much as game planning. Kansas City has had several key players on the injury report through training camp and the preseason, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, who missed practice while recovering from a back issue, and coach Andy Reid has said he is hopeful some of those players will be ready by Week 1.
Still, the list of concerns has been long enough to make Denver pay attention. Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Mansoor Delane, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Kenneth Walker III have all dealt with injuries at different points, leaving the Chiefs with more uncertainty than usual heading into the opener. For a Broncos team trying to make an early statement in the division, that kind of opening can matter, even if Kansas City still has time to get right before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Settle Backup QB Battle With A Notable Roster Decision
Sean Payton has settled the Broncos backup quarterback picture, and it gives Denver a clearer sense of how the offense will be structured heading into the regular season. Jarrett Stidham will open as the No. 2 behind Bo Nix, with Sam Ehlinger holding the third spot, a notable roster choice after a summer of competition and preseason work.
For a team trying to stabilize its quarterback room behind a rookie starter, keeping three passers on the active roster is not a small decision. It leaves Denver with experience, insurance and some flexibility if the early part of the season brings more questions than answers, even if the pecking order is now set for the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Broncos went into the offseason wanting more stability behind their running game, and the addition of Jonah Coleman has quickly made that conversation more interesting. Drafted in the fourth round, Coleman is already expected to matter this season, not just as a developmental piece but as someone who can help shape the offense if Denver needs him to.
J.K. Dobbins is still projected to open the year as the starter after re-signing with the team, but his injury history keeps the backfield picture from feeling settled. Denver reportedly likes Colemans pass protection and efficiency enough to view him as a real contender for the primary backup job, with the possibility that he could move ahead of RJ Harvey on the depth chart if the Broncos need a reliable option in a larger role. [Read more 🡒]