With the curtain officially closed on their 2025 season, the Denver Broncos have started shaping their offseason blueprint - and that begins with locking in practice squad players to reserve/future contracts. These deals don’t kick in until the new league year begins in March, and they don’t count against the current salary cap, but they’re a key part of building out the 90-man roster for offseason workouts and training camp.
On Tuesday, the Broncos signed seven players from their practice squad to reserve/future deals - a mix of developmental prospects and depth pieces who’ll now get a chance to compete for a roster spot this summer.
Let’s break down who’s staying in Denver - and why each name is worth keeping an eye on.
Deuce Vaughn, RB
A sixth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2023, Vaughn’s NFL journey has already seen a few twists. After being waived by Dallas following the preseason, Denver scooped him up and kept him on the practice squad for the entire season.
Despite the Broncos struggling to generate consistent production on the ground after J.K. Dobbins’ injury, Vaughn never cracked the active roster - but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture.
At just 5-foot-6, Vaughn is one of the smallest backs in the league, but he’s shown flashes of quickness and vision when given a chance. With 110 career rushing yards under his belt, he’s still more of a projection than a proven commodity. But the Broncos clearly see enough potential to bring him back for another look.
Levelle Bailey, LB
Bailey’s rookie year was a rollercoaster. He made the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2024 - no small feat - but was quickly waived and re-signed to the practice squad. That’s where he spent the bulk of the season, though he did get elevated for three games.
He played in 10 games as a rookie, so there’s some experience to build on. Bailey’s a high-motor linebacker who could carve out a role on special teams or as a depth piece if he continues to develop.
Caleb Lohner, TE
Lohner is the quintessential long-term project - a 6-foot-7 former basketball player out of Utah who the Broncos took a flyer on in the seventh round. He spent the season on the practice squad, learning the nuances of the tight end position after transitioning from the hardwood to the gridiron.
He did get a brief promotion to the 53-man roster ahead of Denver’s playoff matchup against the Bills, though he was a healthy scratch. That move felt more like a reward for a year of hard work than a signal he was ready to contribute.
Still, the size and athleticism are intriguing. If he can refine his blocking and route-running, there’s a potential upside worth investing in.
Jordan Miller, DT
Miller, an undrafted defensive tackle out of SMU, has now spent two seasons with the Broncos’ practice squad. He’s yet to see the field in a regular-season game, but the team is keeping him around for another offseason.
Interior defensive line depth is always a need, and while Miller hasn’t broken through yet, the Broncos clearly value his presence enough to keep developing him.
Cody Schrader, RB
Schrader’s NFL path has been a winding one. After going undrafted out of Missouri in 2024, he’s already been with five different teams.
Denver added him in December via waivers - just in time for a matchup against one of his former squads, the Jaguars. He was waived after that game and brought back to the practice squad.
There’s something to be said for his resilience, and if he sticks through the offseason, he could get a real shot to compete for a backup role. With Denver’s run game still looking for answers, Schrader is a name to keep on the radar during preseason.
Calvin Throckmorton, OL
Throckmorton brings something every NFL team covets: versatility. He’s spent the past two seasons with the Broncos and appeared in 12 games, including 10 this year. He’s capable of playing both guard and center, making him a valuable depth piece for a unit that dealt with its share of injuries.
He’s not flashy, but Throckmorton is the kind of steady veteran presence that can step in when needed - and that’s exactly what you want from your reserve offensive linemen.
Garrett Nelson, LB
Nelson rounds out the list of futures signees, adding more depth to the linebacker room. Like Bailey, he’s a young player who’ll be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster come August.
It’s worth noting that more futures deals are likely on the way. Wide receiver Michael Bandy is reportedly weighing offers from multiple teams, so Denver may lose him to another roster.
Other players who finished the year on the Broncos’ practice squad include offensive lineman Geron Christian, quarterback Ben DiNucci, wide receivers Brandon Johnson, Elijah Moore, A.T. Perry, and Kyrese Rowan, tight ends Marcedes Lewis and Patrick Murtagh, defensive back Tanner McCalister, and cornerback Jaden Robinson.
The futures contract phase may not make headlines, but this is where rosters start to take shape. These are the players grinding behind the scenes, looking to turn a practice squad opportunity into a roster spot - and maybe more. For a Broncos team still searching for consistency, one or two of these names could play a bigger role than expected when the 2026 season rolls around.