The Denver Broncos have their 91-player roster set going into the final week of organized team activities, and it’s now time for an updated depth chart projection.
Keep in mind that this is a projection from Broncos Wire, not an official depth chart from the team. Denver will not release an official depth chart until preseason begins later this summer.
Our most controversial depth chart order will undoubtedly be listing Bo Nix as the third-string quarterback, but fans shouldn’t read into an early June projection. He’s the least experienced, so it’s logical to assume he’s lowest in the pecking order at this very moment.
That can (and likely) will change over the next few months. It shouldn’t take long for Nix to jump Zach Wilson and if he protects the ball and makes smart decisions, he should be able to pass Jarrett Stidham as well.
Ahead of the start of mandatory minicamp, though, it seems reasonable to assume it’s a Stidham-Wilson-Nix rotation for now.
Elsewhere on offense, it’s very hard to predict how the extremely crowded wide receiver room will shake out. Denver will have to make some tough decisions at the position this summer.
So, with OTAs wrapping up later this week, here’s an early depth chart projection for the Broncos going into the summer.
Quarterback
As noted above, this is an early depth chart that is obviously subject to change over the next few weeks and months. Nix is probably considered the favorite to win the QB1 job, but he’s got to earn it.
| QB1 | Jarrett Stidham |
| QB2 | Zach Wilson |
| QB3 | Bo Nix |
Running back
It would be an upset if Estime does not end up on the active roster, but that might require carrying four RBs on the 53-man roster (unless the team makes a surprise cut). The RB battle is another competition worth tracking this summer.
| RB1 | Javonte Williams | |
| RB2 | Samaje Perine | |
| RB3 | Jaleel McLaughlin | Tyler Badie |
| RB4 | Audric Estime | Blake Watson |
Wide receiver
The top five receivers are presumably safe, but beyond that is anyone’s guess. Even as a draft pick, Vele will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.
| WR1 | Courtland Sutton | Lil’Jordan Humphrey | |
| WR2 | Marvin Mims Jr. | Phillip Dorsett | |
| WR3 | Tim Patrick | Devaughn Vele | |
| WR4 | Josh Reynolds | Jalen Virgil | David Sills |
| WR5 | Troy Franklin | Brandon Johnson | Michael Bandy |
Tight end/fullback
It’s time for Dulcich to step up or hit the road. If the tight end can’t stay on the field this summer, he might be in danger of not making the team.
| TE1 | Adam Trautman | |
| TE2 | Lucas Krull | Dylan Leonard |
| TE3 | Greg Dulcich | Thomas Yassmin |
| TE4/FB | Michael Burton | Nate Adkins |
Offensive line
Similar to QB, the centers are ordered by their experience, but Forsyth could be a sleeper to win the job. The four other starting spots seem to be locked in.
| LT | Garett Bolles | Alex Palczewski | Matt Peart |
Demontrey Jacobs |
| LG | Ben Powers | Calvin Throckmorton | Nick Gargiulo | |
| C | Sam Mustipher | Luke Wattenberg | Alex Forsyth | |
| RG | Quinn Meinerz |
Will Sherman
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| RT | Mike McGlinchey | Quinn Bailey | Frank Crum |
Defensive line
Uwazurike is still suspended, but he will be eligible to petition for reinstatement in late July. The fact that Denver has not cut him suggests Uwazurike will have a real chance to make the team if/when he returns.
| DE | Zach Allen | Eyioma Uwazurike | Angelo Blackson | Jordan Jackson |
| NT | D.J. Jones | Malcolm Roach | Brandon Matterson | Jordan Miller |
| DE | John Franklin-Myers | Matt Henningsen | Elijah Garcia |
Outside linebacker
Elliss has the potential to eventually emerge as a starter, but he’ll likely begin his rookie season as a rotational player. Sanders is currently sidelined with a torn Achilles, but the team expects him to return in the fall.
| OLB1 | Baron Browning | Drew Sanders | |
| OLB2 | Jonathon Cooper | Ronnie Perkins | |
| OLB3 | Nik Bonitto | Thomas Incoom | |
| OLB4 | Jonah Elliss | Jaylon Allen |
Inside linebacker
Barton and Griffith appear set to compete for a starting spot across from Singleton this season.
| ILB | Alex Singleton | Justin Strnad | Durell Nchami | Levelle Bailey |
| ILB | Cody Barton | Jonas Griffith | Alec Mock |
Cornerback
The Broncos would love to see Moss emerge as a starting-caliber cornerback this season, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen. Meanwhile, Abrams-Draine, a fifth-round draft pick, will be competing for rotational snaps.
| CB1 | Pat Surtain II | Levi Wallace | Tremon Smith | |
| CB2 | Riley Moss | Damarri Mathis | Art Green | Quinton Newsome |
| Slot | Ja’Quan McMillian | Kris Abrams-Draine | Reese Taylor |
Safety
If Sterns can stay healthy, he’ll have a real opportunity to win a starting job this summer following the release of Justin Simmons.
| FS | Caden Sterns | Delarrin Turner-Yell | ||
| Nickel | P.J. Locke | Devon Key | Tanner McCalister | Keidron Smith |
| SS | Brandon Jones | JL Skinner | Omar Brown |
Special teams
Riley Dixon and Trenton Gill are set to compete for the punting job this summer. There’s no competition at kicker or punter at the moment.
| K | Wil Lutz | |
| P | Riley Dixon | Trenton Gill |
| LS | Mitchell Fraboni |
