It’s gameday as the Denver Broncos take on the Minnesota Vikings tonight to wrap up their preseason. Let’s predict the 53-man roster going into tonight’s game.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction after two preseason games
The Denver Broncos have some tough decisions to make after this week’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Based on the two games played so far, this 53-man roster prediction will go off of what I’ve seen at practice and in two games, and there will be some debatable spots here.
Quarterback (3): Coming into tonight’s game, the vibe I have is that Denver will carry three quarterbacks on the 53. My own personal perspective is that I believe it’s hard to justify having three guys on the 53 because there are greater needs for an extra body at other positions.
Stidham is going to be the name Broncos Country debates on this, but he’s been the clear QB2 guy in terms of order of reps throughout training camp, and the fact that he got the majority of the reps first after Bo Nix’s debut on Friday is telling. Now, his performance against the Packers also generates questions.
Stidham didn’t have his best game and had a key interception after locking in on tight end Lucas Krull long enough for the safety to make a play. It’s anticipated that Stidham will get the start tonight, and that Ehlinger will get most of the game’s overall reps, similar to how they used Zach Wilson in their third and final preseason game in 2024, and ultimately kept all three.
I think we can all say, regardless of who QB2 is, if the Broncos were to lose Nix for any time, that would be the worst-case scenario, as it is the same worst-case scenario for 31 other teams.
Running Back (3): The running back pecking order is clear for Davis Webb’s offense. J.K. Dobbins is the primary back, RJ Harvey is the do-it-all weapon, and Jonah Coleman is the secondary ball-carrier, third-down and two-minute/goal line back. If they do end up carrying a fourth, that would likely be Jaleel McLaughlin.
If we are including fullback in this, Adam Prentice will the veteran they use the vested vet approach with, releasing him and signing him next day to practice squad, but using in Week 1 vs. Kansas City.
Wide Receiver (6): Sean Payton has typically carried five wide receivers on the 53-man roster, but this feels like the year we see six. I have Lil’Jordan Humphrey as the sixth man here, joining Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin on the roster.
The flexibility with LJH is that he is also a vested veteran, and he could be elevated early in the first three weeks of the season. One of the bigger reasons I have for keeping him is that he’s been a standout player all camp, and this is the best he’s looked since I’ve covered him in a Broncos uniform. He’ll also play special teams and is a core four guy.
Denver has dealt with injuries in camp to Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims, and having a guy like Humphrey gives you a great insurance policy.
Tight End (4): Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, rookie Justin Joly, and Nate Adkins round out the names I’ve got making it at tight end on the 53-man roster. Engram, Trautman, and Adkins are sure-fire veteran presences, and rookie Joly can play special teams or serve some games in redshirt fashion. It would be difficult to justify keeping five on this roster.
Dallen Bentley is a prime practice squad candidate alongside Caleb Lohner.
Offensive Line (8 – 1 short-term IR): The Denver Broncos starting line isn’t a question with the same unit returning for Bo Nix’s third season. Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey. Behind them, Alex Forsyth, Frank Crum, Alex Palczewski, and rookie Kage Casey make up the nine total players here. However, my prediction is that Crum will end up being placed on short-term IR when cuts take place. That brings eight onto the active roster.
Some debate or wiggle room comes down to Calvin Throckmorton, who has filled in for Wattenberg and Forsyth as they’ve battled injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. Forsyth was on the side field in pads this past week, which is a good sign that he’s close to returning from whatever has been hampering him. If they wanted to, they could put him on the 53 in Crum’s place, and because he’s a vested veteran, they could make that procedural move to release him when/if Crum is able to come back, and he could sign to the practice squad and still have three elevations available.
Crum to IR – frees up a spot.
Cornerback (6): Patrick Surtain, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine, and Reese Taylor.
The top five is pretty solidified, while KAD, Barron, and Taylor can impact special teams play. Denver’s starting trio is solidified — Barron will get plenty of time in Denver’s dime looks. KAD and Barron both serve as next man up in the event of an injury to an outside guy, and Taylor can be a core four guy for Darren Rizzi.
Safety (4): It feels unlikely this year, based on what we have seen in practice and the preseason, that the Broncos carry five safeties. Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufanga, Devon Key, and JL Skinner will make up that room. Denver will bring Miles Scott onto the practice squad.
Tycen Anderson hasn’t done enough in training camp or in games for me to see them bringing him back after signing him as a free agent.
Outside linebacker (5): Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson make up the group of five rushers off the edge that I have Denver keeping.
The challenging part of this is that the Broncos are awaiting word from the NFL on their plans with Cooper, as they await clarity on that, ahead of his arraignment hearing on Monday. If the league suspends him or puts him on the commissioner’s exempt list, he would be kept off the 53-man roster, freeing up a spot.
Inside linebacker (5): Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Red Murdock, Karene Reid, and Taurean York round out the numbers at off-ball linebacker. Tonight, I have Taurean York and Jordan Turner competing for that final spot, with one of those names coming back onto the practice squad, which gives Denver flexibility in the event of an injury to bring those guys up as gameday activations off the practice squad.
Defensive line (6): Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim, and Jordan Jackson are the names I have making the 53 in the trenches.
Jackson has typically been a player who has cleared waivers in prior years, and that could be a possibility this year, but I have him making it over second-year defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones. We haven’t seen too much of Jones in Denver’s two preseason games, and that could change tonight. If they feel like Jones is still developing and has something to work with, he could still make the 53 but be a gameday inactive, with Jackson coming back onto the practice squad.
I could also see a scenario where, if he is a surprise cut, he lands back on the practice squad.
Vested veteran approach: Broncos use this with offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton and fullback Adam Prentice.
Specialists (3): Kicker Wil Lutz, punter Jeremy Crawshaw, and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction after two preseason games Mile High Sports.
Hence then, the article about denver broncos 53 man roster prediction after two preseason games was published today ( ) and is available on Mile High Sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction after two preseason games )
Also on site :
- Transfer news LIVE: Atletico set Alvarez deadline, Barcola’s Liverpool medical, Chelsea prepared to sell Enzo
- Good Good Golf loses Callaway deal and PGA Tour event sponsorship after sexism row over offensive video
- Adam Wharton to Liverpool: How likely is £78m move for Crystal Palace midfielder? Football Whispers Index score