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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Breaking down the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster

After making 30 roster moves on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos have set their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. Here’s our reaction to the squad with a quick look at each position group.

Quarterback (3)

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Bo Nix QB 10
Jarrett Stidham QB 8
Zach Wilson QB 4

Broncos coach Sean Payton wasn’t lying when he said he expected all three QBs to make the team. If other teams get desperate for a backup (or starter) during the season, perhaps Denver could hear from clubs before the in-season trade deadline.

Running back (4)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Javonte Williams RB 33
Jaleel McLaughlin RB 38
Audric Estime RB 37
Blake Watson RB 43

The top four were easy to predict and there’s a chance Tyler Badie could return on the practice squad. Samaje Perine will likely get picked up elsewhere.

Tight end/fullback (4)

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Nate Adkins FB/TE 45
Greg Dulcich TE 80
Adam Trautman TE 82
Lucas Krull TE 85

Michael Burton was cut, but he’s a candidate to return on the practice squad. Denver might look for tight end depth on the waiver wire.

Wide receiver (5)

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Courtland Sutton WR 14
Marvin Mims WR 19
Josh Reynolds WR 11
Troy Franklin WR 16
Devaughn Vele WR 81

Tim Patrick was a surprise cut and he quickly landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions. Lil’Jordan Humphrey is a practice squad candidate.

Offensive line (9)

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Mike McGlinchey OT 69
Garett Bolles OT 72
Frank Crum OT 73
Alex Palczewski OT 63
Matt Peart T/G 79
Quinn Meinerz G 77
Ben Powers G 74
Luke Wattenberg C/G 60
Alex Forsyth C/G 54

This is a position group that could use some improved depth. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos put in a few claims for offensive linemen.

Defensive line (6)

(Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports)
Zach Allen DE 99
John Franklin-Myers DE 98
D.J. Jones DL 93
Malcolm Roach DL 97
Eyioma Uwazurike DL 96
Jordan Jackson DL 94

Eyioma Uwazurike returned from suspension and immediately made the 53-man roster. Denver has a promising defensive line.

Outside linebacker (4)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Baron Browning OLB 5
Jonathon Cooper OLB 0
Nik Bonitto OLB 42
Jonah Elliss OLB 52

Dondrea Tillman and Thomas Incoom are likely priority candidates for the practice squad because the Broncos could use more bodies at the position.

Inside linebacker (4)

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Alex Singleton ILB 49
Cody Barton ILB 55
Justin Strnad ILB 40
Levelle Bailey ILB 56

Jonas Griffith was a surprise cut at linebacker, but Levelle Bailey deserved to make the squad. Denver might look to add to the position through waivers.

Cornerback (6)

(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)
Pat Surtain CB 2
Ja’Quan McMillian CB 29
Riley Moss CB 21
Levi Wallace CB 39
Kris Abrams-Draine CB 31
Tremon Smith CB 1

After the Broncos placed Damarri Mathis on injured reserve, the rest of the cornerback room was easy to predict.

Safety (5)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Devon Key DB 26
Keidron Smith DB 43
Brandon Jones S 22
P.J. Locke S 6
JL Skinner S 34

Even after moving on from Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, Denver remains very deep at safety. Keidron Smith was one of the big winners of preseason.

Special teams (3)

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Wil Lutz K 3
Riley Dixon P 9
Mitchell Fraboni LS 48

Riley Dixon won the punter job after beating out Trenton Gill this summer.

Not on the active roster (3)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) on the short-term IR list. Those three players will not count against the 53-man roster and will be eligible to return after four games.

Up next: After making waiver claims on Wednesday morning, Denver will begin building a 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the team’s upcoming moves on Broncos Wire.

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