Projecting the Denver Broncos’ final 53-man roster

August 29, 2021

DENVER — Training camp is in the books. The preseason is finally over. The regular season is up next.

The only thing standing between the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants Week 1 game is cut day.

By Tuesday afternoon, George Paton and Vic Fangio must narrow their team down from 80 players to the final 53-man roster.

Here’s who is projected to make the final team.

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2)

Starter

Teddy Bridgewater

Backup

Drew Lock

With two starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster, there is no need to keep Brett Rypien on the active roster. However, he’ll be an easy addition to the practice squad.

Running Backs (4)

Starter

Melvin Gordon

Backups

Javonte Williams
Mike Boone
Royce Freeman

Boone’s injury opens up a spot for Freeman to make the initial roster. Since Boone isn’t expected to miss much time once the regular season starts, he will be on the initial 53-man roster.

Wide Receivers (7)

Starters

Jerry Jeudy
Courtland Sutton

Backups

K.J. Hamler
Tim Patrick
Trinity Benson
Seth Williams
Diontae Spencer

Credit to Paton and John Elway, the Broncos will have to cut NFL-caliber receivers because of how deep they are at the position. Benson has shined enough in training camp and the preseason to earn a roster spot. Hinton, however, won’t make it. But he’ll end up on the practice squad.

Tight Ends (4)

Starter

Noah Fant

Backups

Albert Okwuegbunam
Eric Saubert
Andrew Beck

Beck gets the final tight end spot thanks to his versatility at fullback. With the Broncos commitment to the ground game, there will be a need for a fullback on the team. Saubert grabs a spot as the team’s best blocking tight end, but don’t sleep on his receiving abilities either.

Offensive Lineman (8)

Starters

Garett Bolles
Dalton Risner
Lloyd Cushenberry
Graham Glasgow
Bobby Massie

Backups

Calvin Anderson
Netane Muti
Quinn Meinerz

The Broncos’ depth at offensive line drops drastically after these eight. There’s no need to hold an extra lineman when the team feels very comfortable about their three backups. The Broncos will save cap space by moving on from veteran Cameron Fleming.

Defense (25)

Defensive Lineman (7)

Starters

Shelby Harris
Mike Purcell
Dre’Mont Jones

Backups

McTelvin Agim
DeShawn Williams
Marquiss Spencer
Shamar Stephen

The final roster spot will come down to rookie seventh-round pick Marquiss Spencer—who had an impressive training camp—and veteran Shamar Stephen. Both have been in Denver’s first-team rotation throughout the offseason, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they kept both.

Outside Linebackers (4)

Starters

Von Miller
Bradley Chubb

Backups

Malik Reed
Jonathon Cooper

Cooper has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the offseason. After missing the offseason program for a heart procedure, Cooper has done nothing but impress in training camp and the preseason. His spot on the roster is locked in, along with the other three outside linebackers listed above.

Inside Linebackers (4)

Starters

Alexander Johnson
Josey Jewell

Backups

Justin Strnad
Baron Browning

Fangio has the ideal blend of veteran experience with young talent at the inside backer group. Strnad might not get the starting nod Week 1, but expect him to have a big role in Fangio’s defense. On the flip side, Browning will need significant time to continue to transition to the NFL and learn the inside linebacker position.

Cornerbacks (6)

Starters

Kyle Fuller
Ronald Darby
Patrick Surtain
Bryce Callahan

Backups

Michael Ojemudia
Kary Vincent Jr.

Surtain and Callahan are technically listed as backups on the Broncos’ depth chart. But they’ll play like starters with Fangio using dime more than he ever has. Ojemudia’s injury, which will likely carry into the season, will force Denver to carry six corners to start the season.

Safeties (4)

Starters

Justin Simmons
Kareem Jackson

Backups

Caden Sterns
Jamar Johnson

Denver’s two rookie safeties make the final cut behind their two star safeties. Sterns, however, will be the rookie who sees playing time in 2021 if needed as he’s had a tremendous camp and preseason.