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Even though the Broncos are only a week into training camp, there is potential movement for the 53-man roster.
One week down and a month to go and the Denver Broncos training camp is set to have two more practices before heading to Minnesota to hold joint sessions with the Vikings. Denver's first preseason game is fast approaching and with that comes an even better chance to evaluate the players.
In this first week, there have been many players that have stood out. Fortunately, there's still a lot time left for a lot of players to rebound and make a push for the roster. As things stand now, however, the roster is taking shape.
Here's a stab at the Broncos' 53-man roster with the data of one week of camp to factor it.
Writers note: This was done in collaboration with Mile High Huddle's Lance Sanderson and James Campbell to narrow it down. This is based mostly on how the players have looked so far in camp.
So far in practice, the quarterback competition is extremely close. It seems that Lock has a slight lead, which is why he is the projected starter currently. The preseason games are going to be very telling and influential with who wins the starting job.
While it seems the Broncos will keep three quarterbacks, other positions just seem to offer more value at this point of training camp. Lock and Bridgewater are the clear top-two guys and both have had their strong moments, which is why only two QBs make the cut.
Camp is still young, but the pecking order at running back has been made completely clear. There is the top-three and then everyone else lagging behind. There could be a choice to keep more running backs, but seems more likely they come via the practice squad.
Gordon looks even better than he did last year and seems like a man on a mission as he holds onto the top spot. The rookie Williams is clearly the No. 2 guy and has really impressed in camp early, while Boone is cracking the starting lineup on special teams as the returner.
Between the three, Denver has a wide range of skill-sets and can really rotate them to catch defenses off guard. It will be interesting to see how the usage allotment falls for Gordon and Williams early in the season, compared to the second half of the season.
The first four are pretty much put in sharpie to make the roster. Sutton is returning from a missed year, but he is expected to bounce back. Jeudy and Hamler are a year removed from being the team's first and second-round picks, while Patrick has been a consistent performer for the Broncos.
After that, things get choppy, especially with how the first week of practice unfolded. Tyrie Cleveland was often written in to make the 53, but after at least one drop per day for the first five practices, he got hurt and is now missing time. That opened up a spot.
Both Benson and Hinton have really been impressive early in camp, and both can be traced back to having pretty good OTA and minicamp performances. They're making a strong case for the roster, but it is doubtful Denver keeps more than six receivers.
Opening up the sixth spot was replacing Diontae Spencer with Hinton and Benson. While Spencer is a solid returner, he doesn’t offer up much of anything on offense. With Boone poised to take over the returner job, there just wasn’t a spot for Spencer.
That allowed both Benson and Hinton to make the roster, however, they both need to keep performing. With there being three preseason games and a few weeks left before the big cut-down day, they both can still lose their spot.
Denver has a lot of bodies at tight end but outside of these three, none of them have consistently been impressing in camp. Both Fant and Okwuegbunam have plenty of potential, but Saubert is the veteran of the group.
With these three, Denver would have a lot of big-play potential because of the skill-sets Fant and Okwuegbunam bring to the table. Saubert is a reliable blocker, but really has stepped up his game as a receiver and it has shown so far in camp.
Projecting the Broncos' offensive line is pretty easy, except for the starting and backup right tackle. The Broncos have their main starting four, four key reserves, and the last two are fighting for a job.
Right now, Denver's first-string offensive line is Bolles, Risner, Cushenberry, and Glasgow with either Anderson or Massie at right tackle. Whoever loses that RT job will be the backup swing tackle.
As for the reserves, there are four, including Schlottmann, Muti, Meinerz, and Fleming, all of whom seem to have a lead over the other offensive linemen on the roster. So outside of who the starting right tackle is, this position is rather easy to project.
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Much like the offensive line, the defensive line is easy to project with only one spot really up for grabs. That spot depends on whether the Broncos decide to keep a sixth defensive lineman, or use it for somewhere else.
That final spot is between Spencer and free-agent acquisition Shemar Stephen. Spencer is younger and has really been impressing the coaches so far in camp. Meanwhile, Stephen is just another guy so the upside for Spencer lands him the edge at this time.
This was one position that was heavily debated and it was keeping that fifth edge rusher. The top-three — Chubb, Miller, and Reed — are written in stone to make the roster and Cooper has made a strong push for it.
The debate came down to keeping four or five edge rushers. What got Mintze over the hump was how well he's been practicing. Actually making it or not will really come down to how he does in the preseason games and whether he can carry his showings from practice to games.
There is no debate among the top-dfour off-ball linebackers. Johnson and Jewell will be the starters and Strnad has really come along in camp to make the roster as well. Browning makes it because of his third-round draft pedigree as he's been M.I.A. dealing with an injury. The rookie has yet to practice.
It's likely Denver keeps at least five linebackers, so that fifth spot is tough because of special teams. A linebacker is one of the Broncos' core special teams players and Watson is set to take that role with Joe Jones departing earlier this year. Peter Kalambayi could push for it, but the edge went to Watson because of his experience in the defensive scheme.
The only question here was about the sixth corner spot, and it is likely the Broncos keep six corners. The first five are all basically locked to make the roster and with them, the Broncos have a lot of versatility in what they can do with their coverage looks.
That sixth spot, however, was tough because Vincent has barely practiced due to being on the COVID list and then got hurt. The debate was keeping Rojesterman Farris over Vincent because Farris caught attention right away after joining the team by picking off multiple passes. For now, it was decided on Vincent simply because of how new Farris is to the roster.
There was some debate here about keeping four or five safeties. This is where Mintze making the roster subtracted from P.J. Locke being able to. Locke was that 54th player. This came down to roster math.
Obviously, Jackson and Simmons are going to make the roster as they are one of the best duos in the NFL. Sterns has been super impressive as a rookie in camp already, which lands him here. That leaves Johnson who triggered some debate here.
Johnson has yet to practice, but he was catching attention in OTAs and mini-camp and making it just off that for now. If he doesn’t return to practice before the first preseason game, his spot could be in jeopardy. Just because he was a Day 3 draft pick isn’t enough to guarantee him a spot.
Denver has three special teams players on the roster and really doesn’t have a competition going at any of them. Without any competition, these three win by default
SoCal's Link: Broncos 53-Man Roster Projection a Week into Training Camp.
One week down and a month to go and the Denver Broncos training camp is set to have two more practices before heading to Minnesota to hold joint sessions with the Vikings. Denver's first preseason game is fast approaching and with that comes an even better chance to evaluate the players.
In this first week, there have been many players that have stood out. Fortunately, there's still a lot time left for a lot of players to rebound and make a push for the roster. As things stand now, however, the roster is taking shape.
Here's a stab at the Broncos' 53-man roster with the data of one week of camp to factor it.
Writers note: This was done in collaboration with Mile High Huddle's Lance Sanderson and James Campbell to narrow it down. This is based mostly on how the players have looked so far in camp.
Quarterbacks: 2
Players: Drew Lock, Teddy BridgewaterSo far in practice, the quarterback competition is extremely close. It seems that Lock has a slight lead, which is why he is the projected starter currently. The preseason games are going to be very telling and influential with who wins the starting job.
While it seems the Broncos will keep three quarterbacks, other positions just seem to offer more value at this point of training camp. Lock and Bridgewater are the clear top-two guys and both have had their strong moments, which is why only two QBs make the cut.
Running Backs: 3
Players: Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams, Mike BooneCamp is still young, but the pecking order at running back has been made completely clear. There is the top-three and then everyone else lagging behind. There could be a choice to keep more running backs, but seems more likely they come via the practice squad.
Gordon looks even better than he did last year and seems like a man on a mission as he holds onto the top spot. The rookie Williams is clearly the No. 2 guy and has really impressed in camp early, while Boone is cracking the starting lineup on special teams as the returner.
Between the three, Denver has a wide range of skill-sets and can really rotate them to catch defenses off guard. It will be interesting to see how the usage allotment falls for Gordon and Williams early in the season, compared to the second half of the season.
Wide Receivers: 6
Players: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick, Trinity Benson, Kendall HintonThe first four are pretty much put in sharpie to make the roster. Sutton is returning from a missed year, but he is expected to bounce back. Jeudy and Hamler are a year removed from being the team's first and second-round picks, while Patrick has been a consistent performer for the Broncos.
After that, things get choppy, especially with how the first week of practice unfolded. Tyrie Cleveland was often written in to make the 53, but after at least one drop per day for the first five practices, he got hurt and is now missing time. That opened up a spot.
Both Benson and Hinton have really been impressive early in camp, and both can be traced back to having pretty good OTA and minicamp performances. They're making a strong case for the roster, but it is doubtful Denver keeps more than six receivers.
Opening up the sixth spot was replacing Diontae Spencer with Hinton and Benson. While Spencer is a solid returner, he doesn’t offer up much of anything on offense. With Boone poised to take over the returner job, there just wasn’t a spot for Spencer.
That allowed both Benson and Hinton to make the roster, however, they both need to keep performing. With there being three preseason games and a few weeks left before the big cut-down day, they both can still lose their spot.
Tight End: 3
Players: Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric SaubertDenver has a lot of bodies at tight end but outside of these three, none of them have consistently been impressing in camp. Both Fant and Okwuegbunam have plenty of potential, but Saubert is the veteran of the group.
With these three, Denver would have a lot of big-play potential because of the skill-sets Fant and Okwuegbunam bring to the table. Saubert is a reliable blocker, but really has stepped up his game as a receiver and it has shown so far in camp.
Offensive Line: 10
Players: Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Graham Glasgow, Bobby Massie, Calvin Anderson, Austin Schlottmann, Quinn Meinerz, Netane Muti, Cameron FlemingProjecting the Broncos' offensive line is pretty easy, except for the starting and backup right tackle. The Broncos have their main starting four, four key reserves, and the last two are fighting for a job.
Right now, Denver's first-string offensive line is Bolles, Risner, Cushenberry, and Glasgow with either Anderson or Massie at right tackle. Whoever loses that RT job will be the backup swing tackle.
As for the reserves, there are four, including Schlottmann, Muti, Meinerz, and Fleming, all of whom seem to have a lead over the other offensive linemen on the roster. So outside of who the starting right tackle is, this position is rather easy to project.
What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our FREE newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!
Defensive Line: 6
Players: Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell, Dre’Mont Jones, McTelvin Agim, DeShawn Williams, Marquiss SpencerMuch like the offensive line, the defensive line is easy to project with only one spot really up for grabs. That spot depends on whether the Broncos decide to keep a sixth defensive lineman, or use it for somewhere else.
That final spot is between Spencer and free-agent acquisition Shemar Stephen. Spencer is younger and has really been impressing the coaches so far in camp. Meanwhile, Stephen is just another guy so the upside for Spencer lands him the edge at this time.
Edge Defenders: 5
Players: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Malik Reed, Jonathon Cooper, Andre MintzeThis was one position that was heavily debated and it was keeping that fifth edge rusher. The top-three — Chubb, Miller, and Reed — are written in stone to make the roster and Cooper has made a strong push for it.
The debate came down to keeping four or five edge rushers. What got Mintze over the hump was how well he's been practicing. Actually making it or not will really come down to how he does in the preseason games and whether he can carry his showings from practice to games.
Inside Linebackers: 5
Players: Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, Justin Strnad, Baron Browning, Josh WatsonThere is no debate among the top-dfour off-ball linebackers. Johnson and Jewell will be the starters and Strnad has really come along in camp to make the roster as well. Browning makes it because of his third-round draft pedigree as he's been M.I.A. dealing with an injury. The rookie has yet to practice.
It's likely Denver keeps at least five linebackers, so that fifth spot is tough because of special teams. A linebacker is one of the Broncos' core special teams players and Watson is set to take that role with Joe Jones departing earlier this year. Peter Kalambayi could push for it, but the edge went to Watson because of his experience in the defensive scheme.
Cornerbacks: 6
Players: Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby, Bryce Callahan, Patrick Surtain II, Michael Ojemudia, Kary Vincent, Jr.The only question here was about the sixth corner spot, and it is likely the Broncos keep six corners. The first five are all basically locked to make the roster and with them, the Broncos have a lot of versatility in what they can do with their coverage looks.
That sixth spot, however, was tough because Vincent has barely practiced due to being on the COVID list and then got hurt. The debate was keeping Rojesterman Farris over Vincent because Farris caught attention right away after joining the team by picking off multiple passes. For now, it was decided on Vincent simply because of how new Farris is to the roster.
Safeties: 4
Players: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, Jamar JohnsonThere was some debate here about keeping four or five safeties. This is where Mintze making the roster subtracted from P.J. Locke being able to. Locke was that 54th player. This came down to roster math.
Obviously, Jackson and Simmons are going to make the roster as they are one of the best duos in the NFL. Sterns has been super impressive as a rookie in camp already, which lands him here. That leaves Johnson who triggered some debate here.
Johnson has yet to practice, but he was catching attention in OTAs and mini-camp and making it just off that for now. If he doesn’t return to practice before the first preseason game, his spot could be in jeopardy. Just because he was a Day 3 draft pick isn’t enough to guarantee him a spot.
Special Teams: 3
Players: Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)Denver has three special teams players on the roster and really doesn’t have a competition going at any of them. Without any competition, these three win by default
SoCal's Link: Broncos 53-Man Roster Projection a Week into Training Camp.
