Broncos’ projected defensive depth chart before OTAs

With their 90-man offseason roster now set, the Denver Broncos are prepared for organized team activities to begin on May 23.

Before we get to OTAs, here’s a quick projected defensive depth chart. This is obviously subject to change over the summer and it is not official, but it reflects how Broncos Wire sees the defensive roster at the moment.

Defensive line

DE	NT	DE
Zach Allen	D.J. Jones	Matt Henningsen
Eyioma Uwazurike	Mike Purcell	Jonathan Harris
Elijah Garcia	PJ Mustipher	Jordan Jackson
	Haggai Ndubuisi

Unless the Broncos are planning to have D.J. Jones play primarily as a defensive end, one of Matt Henningsen or Eyioma Uwazurike will likely step up as a starter in Year 2. Henningsen played more as a rookie so we’re giving him the edge for now. Denver might also consider playing Jones at defensive end with Mike Purcell starting at nose tackle.

Outside linebacker

OLB1	OLB2	Rotation	Depth
Baron Browning	Randy Gregory	Christopher Allen	Thomas Incoom
Jonathon Cooper	Nik Bonitto	Aaron Patrick	Marcus Haynes

Denver’s pass-rush depth is decent so long as their top options stay healthy. That could prove to tall order given Gregory’s history. Browning missed three games in 2022 as well. The Broncos could really use a breakout campaign from Bonitto in his second season.

Inside linebacker

ILB1	ILB2	Depth
Josey Jewell	Alex Singleton	Justin Strnad
Jonas Griffith	Drew Sanders	Ray Wilborn
		Seth Benson

No surprises on the ILB depth chart as the top four spots appear to be locked in. Sanders is unlikely to start over Jewell or Singleton in Week 1, but he has long-term starter upside. Griffith is a capable fill-in starter when needed.

Cornerback

CB1	Slot	CB2
Pat Surtain	K’Waun Williams	Damarri Mathis
Tremon Smith	Essang Bassey	Riley Moss
Ja’Quan McMillian	Devon Key	Delonte Hood
	Faion Hicks	Art Green

Damarri Mathis seems to be the early favorite to start across from Pat Surtain, but rookie Riley Moss will be pushing for playing time. One possible way to get them both on the field would be potentially moving Mathis to the slot with Moss playing on the outside.

Safety

FS	SS
Justin Simmons	Caden Sterns
P.J. Locke	Kareem Jackson
Delarrin Turner-Yell	JL Skinner

The Broncos have an extremely crowded safety depth chart and JL Skinner seems unlikely to get cut as a rookie. Unless Denver plans to give Skinner a redshirt injured reserve year, the Broncos will have to make at least one tough cut at safety. Alternatively, the Broncos might consider trading a safety. Right now, P.J. Locke and Delarrin Turner-Yell seem to be competing for a final spot.

Projected starting defense

OLB: Randy Gregory
DL: Zach Allen
DL: D.J. Jones
OLB: Baron Browning

ILB: Josey Jewell
ILB: Alex Singleton

CB: Pat Surtain
Slot: K’Waun Williams
CB: Damarri Mathis

FS: Justin Simmons
SS: Caden Sterns

That’s a talented lineup for new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.