After making 39 roster moves (including two trades) on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season.
It’s important to note that this is an initial roster for the Broncos as several more roster moves will be on the way within the next 48 hours. While we wait for the finishing touches on the active roster, though, here are 10 surprises from Denver’s moves on roster cuts deadline day.
1
Late switch at kicker
After sticking with Brett Maher for all of preseason, the Broncos made a late switch at kicker, agreeing to trade a seventh-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Wil Lutz. Maher went 4-of-6 on field goal attempts during preseason and 8-of-8 on extra point attempts. Some fans and pundits assumed Maher had the job secured, but Denver decided to bring in Lutz before Tuesday’s cut deadline.
2
Last-second Albert Okwuegbunam trade
Hours before the deadline, reports indicated that Denver planned to waive Albert Okwuegbunam, a decision that surprised some Broncos fans given the tight end’s receiving ability. Denver then surprised fans again when Okwuegbunam was actually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles just before the cut deadline as part of a late-round pick swap. The Broncos had planned to waive Albert O but Philly swooped in to get a deal done just in time.
3
TE/FB Nate Adkins makes the 53-man roster
While Okwuegbunam was the odd man out at tight end, undrafted rookie Nate Adkins surprisingly made the team as the fourth-string TE behind Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz. Adkins can also play as a fullback, which adds to his value, and he will contribute on special teams as well.
4
QB Ben DiNucci didn't make the final 53
When the NFL updated its game-day third-string quarterback rule this offseason, some pundits assumed that would mean many teams would now carry three QBs on the active roster. That’s not the case, at least not for the Broncos. Denver waived DiNucci and the team will stick with Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham on the 53. If he clears waivers, DiNucci will likely be a candidate to return on the practice squad.
5
DL Tyler Lancaster not on the active roster
After he started at nose tackle in preseason, it was surprising to see Lancaster among the team’s cuts on Tuesday. Of course, it’s possible that Lancaster could be a candidate to return on Wednesday after the Broncos place players on injured reserve and open up additional roster spots.
6
Elijah Garcia made the team
Garcia certainly wasn’t considered a favorite to make the team when training camp began last month. Garcia impressed during preseason, though, so much so that he likely would not have cleared waivers if the Broncos tried to drop him down to the practice squad during roster cuts. He was one of the big winners of the summer.
7
OT Alex Palczewski on the active roster
Much like Garcia, Palczewski was not expected to make the 53-man roster when training camp started a month ago. The undrafted rookie out of Illinois impressed this summer, though, and he even got some reps with the first-team offense late in training camp. Palczewski is now poised to serve as a backup swing tackle this season.
8
Jerry Jeudy avoids injured reserve
When Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury last week, there was some speculation that the team might place him on injured reserve, ruling him out for the first four games of the season. Jeudy will not be placed on IR, though, which is a sign that the team expects him back within the first four weeks of the season.
9
Only 4 WRs on the active roster
The Broncos went with just four wide receivers on the 53-man roster: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Brandon Johnson.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey is expected to re-sign on the practice squad, and if he clears waivers, Marquez Callaway might be a candidate to return as well after the team places several players on injured reserve. At the moment, though, Denver is a little thin at the position.
10
OT Quinn Bailey and DL Mike Purcell were cut
Bailey and Purcell are not on the initial 53-man roster, but it seems that is just a procedural move. Because they are vested veterans, Bailey and Purcell were released, not waived. They will not be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire and can re-sign with the team tomorrow without having to clear waivers.
