A final 53-man roster prediction for the Denver Broncos

DENVER, Colo. — Cutdown day is right around the corner.

NFL teams have until 2 p.m. on Tuesday to whittle their 90-man roster down to 53 players. Any player with fewer than four accrued seasons will have to pass through waivers, which means any team in the NFL can claim their contract. Veterans will be allowed to sign with any team.

Once the waiver process is finished, teams will build their practice squads out of the remaining free agents. The 16-man practice squad is a chance to keep players around who may be part of the team’s future but couldn’t fit onto the active roster. Those players can participate in three games each over the course of the season.

We predicted the Broncos’ 53-man roster. We also included the next player up at each position if the Broncos decide to keep one more player.

Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci

During training camp, Sean Payton mentioned dressing 47 players for each game. You can only dress 47 if you keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. Maybe I’m reading too much into a throwaway line, but I’m sticking with it.

For the first few weeks of practice, DiNucci was Denver’s most productive quarterback. (He also had the easiest task, playing against third-teamers.) I think that’s enough to make the team.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Michael Burton
Next up: Tony Jones Jr.

McLaughlin proved he can be a valuable piece of the Broncos’ backfield, and his kick-returning skills might come in handy if the Broncos want to keep Marvin Mims Jr. out of harm’s way. Jones is versatile and would add special teams value, but the Broncos should have no problem slipping him onto the practice squad.

Wide Receivers

Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Brandon Johnson, Marquez Callaway, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Next up: Kendall Hinton

I added Humphrey to the squad after Saturday’s game. The Broncos could probably slip him through to the practice squad—he was a free agent for the second half of last season—but I don’t think the Broncos want to take the risk.

Tight Ends

Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Chris Manhertz, Albert Okwuegbunam
Next up: Nate Adkins

Okwuegbunam made a late push to make the team, and I added him after Saturday’s game. His blocking performances over the past two weeks are the best of his career. He made big plays as a receiver in practice, too. But I don’t think it was enough.

Adkins has been steady throughout camp, and has easily been the best blocker in the tight end room with Manhertz sidelined, but he misses out because the Broncos are in need of a receiving threat.

Offensive Linemen

Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Cam Fleming, Quinn Bailey, Kyle Fuller
Next up: Alex Palczewski (tackle), Luke Wattenberg (interior)

Fleming is the Broncos’ swing tackle. I had the Broncos keeping Palczewski, but a tough showing on Saturday relegates him to the practice squad. Given the lack of offensive line depth around the league, there’s no guarantee that the Broncos will be able to slip him through waivers.

Kyle Fuller and Quinn Bailey take the two backup interior line spots. Bailey has been consistent throughout practices, and his ability to play tackle adds to his value. Fuller started slow but has been at his best since moving to center. Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth are both hot on his heels, though.

Defensive Linemen

Zach Allen, DJ Jones, Mike Purcell, Jonathan Harris, Matt Henningsen, Elijah Garcia
Next up: Jordan Jackson

Elijah Garcia had a dominant preseason, so he beats out Jordan Jackson for the final spot. But a couple of other linemen are in the conversation to make the team, including PJ Mustipher.

Outside Linebackers

Randy Gregory, Frank Clark, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto
Next up: Aaron Patrick

Leaving Aaron Patrick off the roster is tough. He could be an important special teams contributor. That’s how he made the roster last year. The Broncos could activate him from the practice squad in the beginning of the season, and if they can’t live without him, they could find a spot after he plays three games.

Inside Linebackers

Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders, Justin Strnad
Next up: Seth Benson

With Jonas Griffith done for the year, this room is straightforward. Strnad has been a key special teams player, so he claims the fourth spot.

Cornerbacks

Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, K’Waun Williams, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Essang Bassey
Next up: Faion Hicks

Faion Hicks might have a better chance to make this team than we realize. He’s made a couple of plays in games, a couple more in practices, and has been fairly steady overall. Ja’Quan McMillian might not be as safe as he seems.

Tremon Smith is the dark horse in this room. He’s worked behind Hicks and McMillian, including Saturday night, but his special teams production might help him leapfrog his way onto the team.

Safeties

Justin Simmons, Caden Sterns, Kareem Jackson, PJ Locke, JL Skinner
Next up: Delarrin Turner-Yell

The Broncos’ safeties room is in flux. PJ Locke is probably safe since he’s one of the Broncos’ most proven special teams contributors, and he’s been good when given snaps on defense. But an injury kept him out of the second half of camp.

JL Skinner hasn’t done much to help his case to make the team, but the sixth-round rookie is obviously talented, and that should be enough to take a roster spot.

Turner-Yell is the casualty, but he should land on the practice squad.

Special Teams

Brett Maher, Riley Dixon, Mitchell Fraboni

Maher is only 50-50 to make the team, but he’s a safer bet than picking a specific other kicker.