By the time July 28 arrives, the Broncos will have everybody in camp and the real work can start. Denver is coming off an AFC Championship Game run in the 2025 NFL season, but that push also came with a brutal injury to Bo Nix. Now the focus shifts to 2026, and while this roster has enough talent to dream big, there are still a few spots that need answers before the season gets moving.
One of the first things Denver has to sort out is the backfield behind J.K. Dobbins.
Dobbins re-signed on a two-year deal that can reach $20 million, so he’s still the clear lead runner in the room. The real debate is who claims the de-facto RB2 job.
RJ Harvey looks like the obvious name, but Jonah Coleman brings a more complete running back profile and could be the one the Broncos lean on in mop-up situations to keep Dobbins fresh. Harvey’s receiving ability also makes him a candidate for that kind of usage.
At the same time, he has the highest ceiling of the group and could still break out in 2026 and lock down the No. 2 spot if he takes a step forward as a runner.
The defensive front has its own hole to fill after John Franklin-Myers moved on. Denver wasn’t going to match the price he got from the Tennessee Titans, so the Broncos will have to replace his production with a committee of Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai'vion Jones, and Tyler Onyedim.
One of them has to become the weekly starter opposite Zach Allen, even if Franklin-Myers himself was only on the field for 46 and 49 percent of the snaps. Uwazurike may be the favorite, but Jones and Onyedim both have traits that could keep them in the mix.
There’s also a real chance all three earn playing time, which would make the snap distribution at the position a major camp storyline.
Then there’s the wide receiver room, where the Broncos need someone to step up as the WR3 behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Troy Franklin is the easy answer based on production, but the situation may not be that simple.
Pat Bryant has a case of his own. He’s the bigger target, he helps more as a run blocker, and his hands are described as more reliable.
With a second year of experience coming, Bryant could be the one who settles into that role. Denver knows Waddle and Sutton will handle the bulk of the targets, but the offense still needs a third receiver who can contribute, even if that only amounts to about two catches a game.
In Other News...
Broncos Rookie Is Suddenly Fueling A Familiar Draft Debate
As the Broncos head toward 2026 training camp, rookie running back Jonah Coleman is already drawing attention for the kind of versatility that can make a depth-chart spot matter more than it sounds. Expected to open as the third back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, Coleman has been praised for doing a little of everything, from pass protection to short-yardage work, and Denver plans to fold him into the rotation with his exact role shaped by game flow and the health of the backs ahead of him.
Colemans rise has also revived a familiar draft conversation around players who slip a little and then force teams to wonder what they missed. Draft analyst Justin Melo has gone so far as to put Coleman among a group of rookies he believes could make teams regret passing on them, and there is an added layer here because Coleman once posted a pre-draft image imagining himself in Broncos colors. For now, Denver just needs the rookie to keep turning that kind of buzz into useful snaps when camp opens. [Read more 🡒]
Two Broncos Linemen Just Put Denver's Biggest Strength Under Pressure
A pair of Broncos linemen just got a little national attention for the kind of work that usually stays inside the building. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell put Alex Palczewski and Eyioma Uwazurike on an All-Backup team, a nod to the kind of roster depth Denver has tried to build in the trenches. Palczewski has already shown he can step in when injuries hit up front, while Uwazurike is part of a defensive line group that has been asked to absorb change and keep the unit steady.
For Denver, the bigger question is how much more those backup roles turn into real responsibility. The offensive line is expected to take on a different look under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, with more emphasis on the run game after a season spent protecting Bo Nix, and the defensive front is adjusting to departures and new coaching. If the Broncos are going to keep their line play among the teams biggest strengths, it may depend on players like Palczewski and Uwazurike proving that the depth chart is more than just insurance. [Read more 🡒]