2025 Denver Broncos 53-man roster projection: Pre-training camp edition

Broncos training camps kicks off later this week so it is a good time to do a pre-training camp 53-man roster projection. Unlike past seasons, this Broncos roster has very few openings or roster battles and they have depth up-and-down the roster. So, the majority of the 53-man roster seems set but those battles for the final few spots on the roster could be fierce.

Now, a lot can and probably will change between now and the roster cutdown period. You will see some players step up, some players disappoint, and unfortunately, injuries most likely will happen. So, that could impact that roster and change the way we view things moving forward.

So, with all that said, here is my pre-training camp Denver Broncos 53-man roster projection.

Quarterback(2)

Making the team: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham

Cut: Sam Ehlinger

No real surprises here as Bo Nix is your starter and Jarrett Stidham is your veteran backup. I have the team cutting third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger who will likely land on the Broncos practice squad. With the third-string quarterback not on the active roster, it will open up a roster spot elsewhere on the team.

The Broncos having a drama free quarterback room will be nice to see.

Running Back

Making the team: R.J. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime

Cut: Michael Burton, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson

Outside of rookie R.J. Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins, the Broncos running back room seems up in the air.

Jaleel McLaughlin was the Broncos best back last season and seems to be a favorite of Sean Payton’s but may not be a lock to make the team. He is undersized, doesn’t bring much as a pass-catcher and will need to prove himself as a returner to contribute on special teams. For now, I am playing it safe and projecting him to make the team. The same goes for Audric Estime who is the only other power back on the roster behind Dobbins who has his own injury concerns. He is squarely on the roster bubble but I have him making the team right now.

I initially had fullback Michael Burton on the team but I believe we’ll see them put him on the practice squad early in the year as they did last season. This will open up a roster spot elsewhere on the roster.

Wide Receiver

Making the team: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, and Trent Sherfield

Cut: A.T. Perry, Michael Bandy, Jerjuan Newton, Joaquin Davis, Courtney Jackson, Kyrese White

This room seems set heading into camp. Courtland Sutton returns as your WR1 with young receivers Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Devaughn Vele behind him. I also have veteran special teamer Trent Sherfield making the team as a core special teamer. If cut, he would hit the Broncos with a $3.25 million dollar dead cap hit so he seems like a lock for a roster spot.

Barring injury, I don’t see any real avenues for any of the other receivers to make the team. They’ll all be competing for a spot on the Broncos practice squad in all likelihood.

Tight End

Making the team: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and Caleb Lohner

Cut: Lucas Krull and Caleb Prieskorn

Again, no real surprises here. Evan Engram is your ‘Joker’ while Trautman and Adkins are you traditional in-line blockers. I also have rookie tight end Caleb Lohner making the team due to the team not wanting to risk him to waivers. I believe he can show enough to make the team but much-like like Frank Crum last year, they’ll find a roster spot for him.

Barring injuries, I do not see many surprises happening here.

Offensive Line

Making the team: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum, and Alex Forsyth

Cut: Marques Cox, Calvin Throckmorton, Clay Webb, Joe Michalski, Nick Garguilo, Will Sherman, and Xavier Truss

Your starting five and key reserves seem locked in. You will have all five starting offensive lineman returning this year with Matt Peart serving as your swing tackle and Alex Palczewski being your tackle/guard reserve. I believe we’ll see Frank Crum make the team and continue his development on the active roster while Alex Forsyth makes the team as the backup center.

The only two I could see changing, again barring injury, are Crum and more likely, Forsyth. I Crum makes it but he’s on the bubble and I believe we’ll see Clay Webb push Forsyth for a roster spot. The final roster spot or two along the offensive line will be one of the key roster battles to watch throughout camp.

Defensive Line

Making the team: Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Sai’vion Jones, and Jordan Jackson

Cut: Eyioma Uwazurike, Matt Henningsen, Kristian Williams, and Jordan Miller.

Another positional group that is mostly set. Allen, JFM, and Jones are your starters while Roach and the rookie Jones will rotate in. Jordan Jackson made the team last season and I believe he has a good shot to do that again this season.

I don’t think Uwazurike, Henningsen, Miller, or Williams will really push for a roster spot but I would love to be wrong here.

EDGE

Making the team: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondre Tillman, and Que Robinson

Cut: Andrew Farmer and Johnny Walker Jr.

Once again, another positional group that's pretty much set. Bonitto and Cooper are your starters and Elliss and Tillman are your rotational players who both had 5 sacks last year. The rookie Que Robinson who had a good spring and can play special teams makes it as the fifth edge rusher. I don’t see Farmer or Walker Jr. really pushing any of these guys for a roster spot.

Linebacker

Making the team: Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, and Drew Sanders

Cut: Levelle Bailey, JB Brown, Karene Reid, and Jordan Turner

The Broncos linebacker room is full of questions and unknowns as we head into camp. Will Dre Greenlaw be healthy and return to form? How does Alex Singleton look post ACL? Can Drew Sanders finally breakout? and will any of the UDFA’s surprise and make the team?

The only real certainty is Justin Strnad being a core special teamer once again.

I have faith that Greenlaw will return to form and be a difference maker in the middle of the Broncos defense and pair nicely with Singleton. I think Sanders will be a fun “pressure player” they bring in occasionally and hopefully, he can get some sacks.

As for the UDFA’s, we’ll have to see if anyone of them can push for a roster spot. With these questions, they could certainly leapfrog someone and/or just play well enough to make the team. It’s one of the more intriguing positional groups on the roster.

Cornerback

Making the team: Pat Surtain II, Jahdae Barron, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Kris Abrams-Draine

Cut: Damarri Mathis, Quinton Newsome, Mario Goodrich, Taylor Reese, Jaden Robinson, and Joshua Pickett

Again, no real surprises here.

The only thing to really keep an eye on is if McMillian could be traded, especially if Abrams-Draine has a good summer. Otherwise, this room is set and looks deep and talented.

Mathis, Newsome, Goodrich, Reese, and the UDFA’s are going to have play well and force their way on the roster. Otherwise, they’re all pushing for a spot on the practice squad.

Safety

Making the team: Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, Sam Franklin Jr., and JL Skinner

Cut: Devon Key, Delarrin Turner-Yell, and Keidron Smith

Jones and Hufanga are your starters, P.J. Locke is good depth, and Franklin Jr. and Skinner add special teams value. I originally had Skinner off the roster but I added him back after I removed Burton.

Key and Smith were not great for the Broncos last year and Turner-Yell has struggled when healthy. So, I don’t see any of these three players making a serious push for a roster spot.

Special Teams

Making the team: Wil Lutz, Jeremy Crawshaw, and Mitchell Fraboni

The Broncos will have Lutz returning as their kicker and Fraboni returning as their long snapper. Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw joins the team and enters camp with no competition for the starting punter job.