The Denver Broncos are set to open training camp this week with their first full practice being held on Friday. That will begin a crucial summer of decision-making and team building leading into the 2024 NFL season.
This will be the second season for Sean Payton as the team's head coach, one in which he has had much more influence over the roster moves than he did a year ago. That will lead to some intriguing position battles in camp.
On the cusp of camp kicking off, here is our official prediction for how the 53-man roster will shake out. How does it compare to the one put together just after the draft?
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction before training camp
Quarterback (2)
Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Zach Wilson
The Russell Wilson Fallout, and all its financial ramifications, explains why Broncos expectations are at 50-year low. But in Bo Nix, there is optimism better days are ahead. Story here👇🏼 #9sports https://t.co/VIJqMk6RCx
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) July 21, 2024
Key battle: Stidham vs. Wilson: There was some thought given to the Broncos keeping all three quarterbacks to have enough support for the rookie Nix, but the team's full confidence in him will be enough and Wilson has seemed like the odd man out all along.
Running Back (5)
Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Samaje Perine, Audric Estime, Michael Burton (Fullback)
Cuts: Tyler Badie, Blake Watson
Key battle: Perine vs. Watson: There is some thought that one of Williams or Perine will be cut following camp but Payton is more likely to find room for both players. I want to see Watson make the squad but he has started on the wrong foot.
Wide Receiver (5)
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin, Tim Patrick
Cuts: Devaughn Vele, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Phillip Dorsett, David Sills, Michael Bandy
Key battle: Patrick vs. Vele vs. Humphrey: There are some really difficult cuts that the team will have to make at this position. Sutton, Mims, Reynolds, and Franklin are all making the team. With one spot left, Patrick holds off the rookie Vele and Humphrey. Vele ends up being a top addition to the practice squad providing he clears waivers.
Tight End (3)
Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull
Cuts: Nate Adkins, Thomas Yassmin
Offensive Line (9)
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Alex Forsyth, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Gargiulo, Alex Palczewski
Cuts: Frank Crum, Luke Wattenberg, Sam Mustipher, Demontrey Jacobs, Quinn Bailey, Will Sherman
Key battle: Forsyth vs. Wattenberg: Forsyth wins the center job, which I have been saying all offseason. The team elects to keep seventh-round pick Nick Gargiulo as a backup. Palczewski edges out Crum for the final spot on the O-Line. There are several guys here who end up on the practice squad (Wattenberg, Crum, Bailey).
Defensive Line (5)
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Angelo Blackson
Cuts: Matt Henningsen, Elijah Garcia, Jordan Jackson, Jordan Miller, Brandon Matterson
Key battle: Blackson vs. Henningsen: This could be a true coin flip for a spot on the 53-man roster. It seems Allen, Jones, Franklin-Myers, and Roach are all pretty sure bets to make the team. Blackson gets the nod over Henningsen in the end.
Outside Linebacker/Edge (5)
Baron Browning, Johnathon Cooper, Jonah Elliis, Nik Bonitto, Ronnie Perkins
Cuts: Thomas Incoom, Dondrea Tillman, Jaylon Allen, Durell Nchami
Key battle: Perkins vs. Each player on the cut list: This is another spot where the top four seem obvious, but with a fifth player needed for depth, any of these guys could grab it.
Inside Linebacker (5)
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Levelle Bailey, Justin Strnad
Cuts: Andre Smith
Injured Reserve: Drew Sanders
Bold prediction: The injury to Sanders turned this position around completely and that opens the door for Levelle Bailey to make the squad as an undrafted free agent.
Cornerback (6)
Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Damarri Mathis, Kris Abrams-Draine
Cuts: Tremon Smith, Reese Taylor, Art Green, Quinton Newsome, Tanner McAlister
Safety (5)
Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns, JL Skinner, Omar Brown
Cuts: Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key, Keidron Smith
Key battle: Brown vs. Turner-Yell: With Justin Simmons no longer in Denver, the safety position is surrounded by speculation and probably the most difficult to predict. Turner-Yell, who is a good special teams contributor but has struggled on defense, loses his spot to Brown, the second undrafted free agent to make the team.
Specialists (3)
Placekicker: Will Lutz
Punter: Trenton Gill
Long Snapper: Mitchell Fraboni
Bold prediction: Trenton Gill wins the punting competition against Riley Dixon.
