Who’s in? Who’s out?

With training camp just a few days away, I have my first draft of the Denver Broncos‘ opening-day 53-man roster. This roster will change often during training camp and during the buildup to cutdown day, Aug. 27.

In the first version of the draft, I leaned toward veterans. While undrafted rookies like Blake Watson or Levelle Bailey have a chance to earn their way onto the roster, they’ll have to beat out veterans like Samaje Perine and Justin Strnad to get there.

Here’s what I’ve got…

Last 3 In:
Zach Wilson
Tremon Smith
Quinn Bailey

First 3 Out:
Alex Palczewski
Devaughn Vele
Lil’Jordan Humphrey

Next 3 Out:
Delarrin Turner-Yell
Blake Watson
Art Green

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix
Jarrett Stidham
Zach Wilson

I’ve got the Broncos keeping all three of their quarterbacks.

Yes, they could move on from Zach Wilson. Most teams will only carry two quarterbacks. He was easily the third-place finisher among the quarterbacks during spring practices.

But Wilson was always going to be a project, and I think Sean Payton will want to see that project through this year.

There’s a catch, though. If the Broncos were to waive Wilson on cutdown day, would another team claim him? I doubt it. Since Wilson helped to pick the Broncos as his landing spot this spring, I’d imagine he’d choose to sign with the Broncos’ practice squad over any other.

Wilson certainly isn’t a lock to make the team, but he makes the first draft of the roster.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams
Samaje Perine
Jaleel McLaughlin
Audric Estime
Michael Burton

Blake Watson
Tyler Badie

Tyler Badie is probably going to finish camp on the outside looking in. Javonte Williams will probably make the team. Outside of that, anything is possible.

Blake Watson has camp darling potential, but until he proves he’s got more juice than the veterans, he’s the odd man out. Plus, he’s starting camp on the non-football injury list, so his window to prove himself will be shortened.

Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton
Marvin Mims Jr.
Tim Patrick
Josh Reynolds
Troy Franklin

Devaughn Vele
Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Brandon Johnson
Michael Bandy
Jalen Virgil
Phillip Dorsett
David Sills

Keeping five wide receivers is the bare minimum, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is how the roster shakes out.

Let’s start with Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The 26-year-old was an important part of the Broncos’ offense last year, but he opened the season on the practice squad.

Why? Because practice squad players can participate in four games before they must be promoted to the active roster, and the Broncos believed—correctly—that no team was going to claim Humphrey off of waivers on cut day.

Humphrey played in every game last season, but the Broncos were able to open up a roster spot for the first month of the season by putting him on the practice squad.

So why not put Humphrey on the practice squad again? Did he improve his stock enough for another team to claim him? I doubt it, mostly because every team in the NFL has seven or eight receivers they’d like to keep around. As of now, I have Humphrey on the practice squad.

I think rookie seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele is in a similar boat; barring a breakout preseason, stowing him on the practice squad should be easy. Same with Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, and the rest of the Broncos’ receivers.

Tight Ends

Greg Dulcich
Adam Trautman
Lucas Krull
Nate Adkins

Thomas Yassmin

Maybe the most clear-cut position on the roster.

Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull are all necessities, given the Broncos’ lack of production last season.

Adkins made the roster as an undrafted free agent last year and should see a bigger role in 2024, filling in for Chris Manhertz.

Undrafted rookie Thomas Yassmin out of Utah is an exciting prospect, but the Australian is part of the NFL International Pathway Program. That means he doesn’t count against the 90-man offseason roster—Denver gets to keep 91—and he doesn’t count against the 16-man practice squad. So, if Yassmin fits into the practice squad, the Broncos get to keep a 17th player. Unless Yassmin puts up phenomenal numbers in the preseason, the Broncos are heavily incentivized to keep him on the practice squad for 2024.

Offensive Linemen

Garett Bolles
Ben Powers
Alex Forsyth
Quinn Meinerz
Mike McGlinchey
Luke Wattenberg
Calvin Throckmorton
Matt Peart
Quinn Bailey

Alex Palczewski
Sam Mustipher
Nick Gargiulo
Demontrey Jacobs
Will Sherman
Frank Crum

I won’t be surprised if this list changes often this fall.

The center position is the only question mark among the starters. Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg appear to be in front of Sam Mustipher at this point, but the competition is still up in the air.

The backup tackle spots are also tough to project. Matt Peart is a pure tackle who has struggled in his NFL career after being drafted in the third round of the 2020 draft as a project. Calvin Throckmorton and Quinn Bailey provide inside-outside versatility.

Don’t be surprised if Alex Palczewski unseats one of the veterans during training camp. Last year, as an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, Palczewski made the 53-man roster but was immediately placed on injured reserve.

Defensive Linemen

Zach Allen
DJ Jones
John Franklin-Myers
Malcolm Roach
Angelo Blackson
Matt Henningsen

Ellijah Garcia
Eyioma Uwazurike
Jordan Jackson
Jordan Mille
Brandon Matterson

The Broncos have a solid top six, and the next five up will have their work cut out for them to make the roster.

Elijah Garcia is a prototypical three-technique who is entering his third year in the Broncos’ system. He’s played five games and might be ready to join the full-time rotation if he can find his way onto the roster.

Former fourth-round pick Eyioma Uwazurike appeared to be finding his footing late in his rookie year but missed all of last season with a gambling suspension. He’s eligible to be reinstated this week, and he could be an X-factor for the Broncos’ defensive line if he isn’t rusty.

One name to watch is veteran DJ Jones. The 29-year-old will be a free agent this offseason, but the Broncos can save $10 million if they move on from him before the season. That’s unlikely since the defensive line is the strength of the Broncos’ defense and moving on from Jones would be a blow to their chances. But if Garcia and Uwazurike pop, Denver could be tempted to add $10 million to their free-agent budget next offseason.

Outside Linebackers

Jonathon Cooper
Baron Browning
Nik Bonitto
Jonah Elliss

Ronnie Perkins
Thomas Incoom
Dondrea Tillman
Durell Nchami
Jaylon Allen

The top four edge rushers for the Broncos are all but set in stone… there’s room for a fifth on the roster if somebody proves worthy during training camp, though.

Ronnie Perkins is at the top of the list of potential contributors. He played in seven games for the Broncos last year. But he could probably be slipped to the practice squad on cut-down day, so he’s a long shot to make the initial roster.

Thomas Incoom was a big-time undrafted free agent last year after posting 18.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks at Central Michigan as a senior. The undersized pass rusher could be ready to contribute in Year 2.

Dondrea Tillman joins the Broncos from the UFL, where he was a back-to-back champion and widely considered the best defensive lineman in the league. He brings inside-outside versatility.

Inside Linebackers

Alex Singleton
Jonas Griffith
Cody Barton
Justin Strnad
(Drew Sanders – IR)

Levelle Bailey
Andre Smith

Alex Singleton is a lock to start, but who will join him?

Jonas Griffith started over Singleton two years ago, but he was injured early in the season and Singleton ran away with the job.

Cody Barton has started at various stops as a journeyman linebacker and provides more coverage ability than Griffith, but may not be as much of a playmaker against the run.

Justin Strnad is the dark horse. He’s provided an important special teams presence the past few years but hasn’t gotten a chance to play on defense. The Broncos brought him back this offseason and may believe he can compete for the job.

Levelle Bailey is an exciting, speedy, undrafted free agent out of Fresno State, but he’ll have to prove himself on special teams to earn a roster spot.

Cornerbacks

Pat Surtain II
Ja’Quan McMillian
Riley Moss
Levi Wallace
Damarri Mathis
Kris Abrams-Draine
Tremon Smith

Art Green
Tanner McCalister
Reese Taylor
Quinton Newsome

Can the Broncos really keep seven cornerbacks? They can if their special teams need the help.

Tremon Smith is one of the Broncos’ top special teams players, but they could save more than $3 million if they move on from him. Given the change to the kickoff rules and Marvin Mims Jr.‘s likely ascension to the starting lineup, Smith provides enough special teams value to stick around.

Keep an eye on Art Green. The big, speedy cornerback was an undrafted free agent last year and has the tools to make the team.

Safeties

Brandon Jones
PJ Locke
Caden Sterns
JL Skinner

Delarrin Turner-Yell
Devon Key
Omar Brown
Keidron Smith

Could injuries change the outlook here? Caden Sterns and Delarrin Turner-Yell will both start the season on the PUP list, and there return dates are unknown.

The top three appear to be solidified, but a few candidates could be in play for the fourth job. Denver could even opt to carry five going into the seaosn.

Special Teams

Wil Lutz
Riley Dixon
Mitchell Fraboni

Trenton Gill

The Broncos brought Trenton Gill in to compete for the punting job, but Riley Dixon is the favorite until something changes.