After making 30 roster moves on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos have set their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. Here’s our reaction to the squad with a quick look at each position group.
Quarterback (3)
| Bo Nix | QB | 10 |
| Jarrett Stidham | QB | 8 |
| Zach Wilson | QB | 4 |
Broncos coach Sean Payton wasn’t lying when he said he expected all three QBs to make the team. If other teams get desperate for a backup (or starter) during the season, perhaps Denver could hear from clubs before the in-season trade deadline.
Running back (4)
| Javonte Williams | RB | 33 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | 38 |
| Audric Estime | RB | 37 |
| Blake Watson | RB | 43 |
The top four were easy to predict and there’s a chance Tyler Badie could return on the practice squad. Samaje Perine will likely get picked up elsewhere.
Tight end/fullback (4)
| Nate Adkins | FB/TE | 45 |
| Greg Dulcich | TE | 80 |
| Adam Trautman | TE | 82 |
| Lucas Krull | TE | 85 |
Michael Burton was cut, but he’s a candidate to return on the practice squad. Denver might look for tight end depth on the waiver wire.
Wide receiver (5)
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 14 |
| Marvin Mims | WR | 19 |
| Josh Reynolds | WR | 11 |
| Troy Franklin | WR | 16 |
| Devaughn Vele | WR | 81 |
Tim Patrick was a surprise cut and he quickly landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions. Lil’Jordan Humphrey is a practice squad candidate.
Offensive line (9)
| Mike McGlinchey | OT | 69 |
| Garett Bolles | OT | 72 |
| Frank Crum | OT | 73 |
| Alex Palczewski | OT | 63 |
| Matt Peart | T/G | 79 |
| Quinn Meinerz | G | 77 |
| Ben Powers | G | 74 |
| Luke Wattenberg | C/G | 60 |
| Alex Forsyth | C/G | 54 |
This is a position group that could use some improved depth. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos put in a few claims for offensive linemen.
Defensive line (6)
| Zach Allen | DE | 99 |
| John Franklin-Myers | DE | 98 |
| D.J. Jones | DL | 93 |
| Malcolm Roach | DL | 97 |
| Eyioma Uwazurike | DL | 96 |
| Jordan Jackson | DL | 94 |
Eyioma Uwazurike returned from suspension and immediately made the 53-man roster. Denver has a promising defensive line.
Outside linebacker (4)
| Baron Browning | OLB | 5 |
| Jonathon Cooper | OLB | 0 |
| Nik Bonitto | OLB | 42 |
| Jonah Elliss | OLB | 52 |
Dondrea Tillman and Thomas Incoom are likely priority candidates for the practice squad because the Broncos could use more bodies at the position.
Inside linebacker (4)
| Alex Singleton | ILB | 49 |
| Cody Barton | ILB | 55 |
| Justin Strnad | ILB | 40 |
| Levelle Bailey | ILB | 56 |
Jonas Griffith was a surprise cut at linebacker, but Levelle Bailey deserved to make the squad. Denver might look to add to the position through waivers.
Cornerback (6)
| Pat Surtain | CB | 2 |
| Ja’Quan McMillian | CB | 29 |
| Riley Moss | CB | 21 |
| Levi Wallace | CB | 39 |
| Kris Abrams-Draine | CB | 31 |
| Tremon Smith | CB | 1 |
After the Broncos placed Damarri Mathis on injured reserve, the rest of the cornerback room was easy to predict.
Safety (5)
| Devon Key | DB | 26 |
| Keidron Smith | DB | 43 |
| Brandon Jones | S | 22 |
| P.J. Locke | S | 6 |
| JL Skinner | S | 34 |
Even after moving on from Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, Denver remains very deep at safety. Keidron Smith was one of the big winners of preseason.
Special teams (3)
| Wil Lutz | K | 3 |
| Riley Dixon | P | 9 |
| Mitchell Fraboni | LS | 48 |
Riley Dixon won the punter job after beating out Trenton Gill this summer.
Not on the active roster (3)
The Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) on the short-term IR list. Those three players will not count against the 53-man roster and will be eligible to return after four games.
Up next: After making waiver claims on Wednesday morning, Denver will begin building a 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the team’s upcoming moves on Broncos Wire.
