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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

53-man roster prediction for Broncos after first preseason game

Following one week of preseason action, we have a new 53-man roster prediction for the Denver Broncos.

This prediction has only two quarterbacks making the active roster, but QB3 Ben DiNucci will likely be a top candidate for the practice squad.

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We also have the Broncos only carrying three running backs, with Tyler Badie having an edge over Tony Jones and Jaleel McLaughlin for now.

At wide receiver, Jalen Virgil and Marquez Callaway claim the final spots — Kendall Hinton, Montrell Washington and Lil’Jordan Humphrey fail to make the team in this prediction.

Denver also moves on from tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and carries just three tight ends on this projected roster.

On defense, defensive lineman Elijah Garcia is now on our projected 53-man roster after an impressive preseason debut. Essang Bassey was a tough cut at cornerback, but Tremon Smith would carry a $2.5 million “dead money” cap hit if he does not make the team.

This prediction does not include a kicker. The Broncos will obviously have a kicker on the roster in Week 1, but Elliott Fry and Brett Maher are both cut in this initial 53-man roster prediction. Denver can claim a kicker off waivers after players go on injury lists once the initial 53 is set.

1
QB Russell Wilson

(Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

2
QB Jarrett Stidham

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

3
RB Javonte Williams

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

4
RB Samaje Perine

(Arizona Republic, USA TODAY Network)

5
RB Tyler Badie

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

6
TE Adam Trautman

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

7
TE Greg Dulcich

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

8
TE Chris Manhertz

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

9
FB Michael Burton

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

10
WR Courtland Sutton

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

11
WR Jerry Jeudy

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

12
WR Marvin Mims

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

13
WR Brandon Johnson

(AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

14
WR Marquez Callaway

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

15
WR Jalen Virgil

(Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

16
OT Garett Bolles

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

17
OT Mike McGlinchey

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

18
OT Cam Fleming

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

19
OL Quinn Bailey

(Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)

20
OG Ben Powers

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

21
OG Quinn Meinerz

(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

22
C Lloyd Cushenberry

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

23
C/G Alex Forsyth

(James Snook-USA TODAY Sports)

24
C/G Luke Wattenberg

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

25
DL Zach Allen

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

26
DL D.J. Jones

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

27
DL Mike Purcell

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

28
DL Jonathan Harris

(Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

29
DL Matt Henningsen

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

30
DL Elijah Garcia

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

31
OLB Randy Gregory

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

32
OLB Baron Browning

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

33
OLB Frank Clark

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

34
OLB Jonathon Cooper

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

35
OLB Nik Bonitto

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

36
OLB Aaron Patrick

(Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)

37
ILB Josey Jewell

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

38
ILB Alex Singleton

(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

39
ILB Drew Sanders

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

40
ILB Justin Strnad

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

41
CB Pat Surtain

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

42
CB Damarri Mathis

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

43
CB K'Waun Williams

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

44
CB Ja'Quan McMillian

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

45
CB Riley Moss

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

46
CB Tremon Smith

(Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

47
S Justin Simmons

(Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)

48
S Caden Sterns

(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

49
S Kareem Jackson

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

50
S P.J. Locke

(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

51
S JL Skinner

(Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports)

52
P Riley Dixon

(Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

53
LS Mitchell Fraboni

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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