Broncos’ 53-man roster prediction for 2026 NFL season

There aren’t many weaknesses on the Denver Broncos’ roster. Last year, the team went 14-3 to earn the one-seed in the AFC. The team found success because their defense was one of the best in recent memory, but the offense also accomplished plenty with a dominant offensive line and a quarterback who perfectly fits the system. In the offseason, the team got even better when it comes to offensive weapons.

Head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton deserve a lot of credit for how they were able to rebuild this roster, despite being scarce on draft picks and having to deal with Russell Wilson’s nasty contract in recent years. Denver is most definitely vying for the Super Bowl this year, but first, they will have to trim their roster down to 53 players. There is one preseason game left, but who will make the Broncos’ 53-man roster?

Quarterback (3)

Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger

In the ideal world, the Broncos could roster just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and stash a third on the practice squad, therefore allocating a roster spot to more of a position of need. That is what the team did last year with Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham making the 53-man roster, and Sam Ehlinger developing on the practice squad.

However, Payton has long mentioned external interest in Ehlinger and that the young QB has turned down active roster opportunities for a chance to be on Denver’s practice squad. If that is true, then Ehlinger might not make it back onto the practice squad if he didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, as their is clear interest elsewhere, and the young quarterback might have to take an opportunity if given one.

Regardless, Nix is the team’s franchise player. He has outplayed draft class peers such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr. through two seasons. Had it not been for a late-game injury in Denver’s Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, which forced Stidham into postseason action, the Broncos could have ended up Super Bowl champions last season.

Running back (4)

J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Tyler Badie

The Broncos appear set to have a three-headed monster at running back. J.K. Dobbins is always a high-level ball carrier when he is on the field, but of course, injuries are an inevitability with the starter. That fact makes having backups crucial, but RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman are talented enough to have big roles even when Dobbins is at full strength.

Harvey was a rookie last year who was able to break out for big runs often, and Coleman has been a standout during training camp. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The grueling nature of the running back position could lead to Denver rostering a fourth running back.

While Jaleel McLaughlin is a speed threat and a fan favorite, Tyler Badie seems more likely to make the team. He has proven to be a favorite of Payton’s due to his versatility. Reports suggest that Cody Schrader has outplayed both McLaughlin and Badie during training camp, but he seems destined for the practice squad.

Fullback (1)

Adam Prentice

Payton’s system requires a fullback, and Adam Prentice is the man for the job in Denver. Prentice will be used much more as a blocker than a runner, but he did secure a career-high 10 carries for 44 yards last season.

Receiver (5)

Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims

The Broncos’ receiving corps is so stacked that the team won’t need to roster a sixth player at the position. Obviously, the team’s big offseason move was trading for Jaylen Waddle, who brings route running and speed to the team. He’ll line up opposite of Courtland Sutton, who has long been the team’s top receiving option.

Pat Bryant has been a training camp star. He is a big-bodied possession receiver who can make a big impact in the red zone. Of course, Troy Franklin and Nix have chemistry together from their time at Oregon. Marvin Mims is also a deep threat and gadget option, as well as the team’s Pro Bowl-caliber returner.

Payton surely won’t be happy about moving on from Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who has been a favorite of his dating back to his New Orleans Saints days. Humphrey knows the system well and could rejoin the team later on in the year if need be. Michael Bandy is another player who doesn’t make the cut here but has had success in this system before.

Tight end (4)

Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Justin Joly, Nate Adkins

Evan Engram was expected to work a Payton’s “Joker” last season. Instead, he had a season that was disappointing in the eyes of many. Even so, Engram’s numbers (50 receptions, 461 yards) were better than given credit for. He is a fast tight end who can still have a big impact on Denver’s offense.

Engram is backed up by Adam Trautman, Justin Joly, and Nate Adkins. Trautman is a huge tight end who thrives as a blocker, Joly is a fifth-round rookie, and Adkins is an inline blocker who can also play some fullback if need be. That makes for four tight ends making the 53-man roster, but there would still be some tough cuts here.

Caleb Lohner is a former college basketball player who has been sidelined during training camp because of a knee issue. Perhaps he will start the season on the PUP or short-term IR. Lucas Krull is another Saint-turned-Bronco, but there just isn’t enough space on the roster for him this year.

Offensive line (9)

Mike McGlinchey, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Kage Casey, Alex Palczewski, Calvin Throckmorton, Tyler Miller

The Broncos have one of, if not the best, offensive lines in the entire NFL. Mike McGlinchey, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers, and Luke Wattenberg form a dominant starting group. There are question marks and position battles amongst the second/third units, though.

Kage Casey’s status as a fourth-round rookie likely secures him a spot, and Alex Palczewski was used as a sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages last year. The Broncos are a little thinner at tackle than at guard, and they have a history of undrafted players making the roster, so Tyler Miller could be one of the final players on the 53. Calvin Throckmorton also makes the team due to his versatility and ability to line up all over the field. He has been spending more time at center, so he could have an edge over Alex Forsyth.

Defensive line (6)

Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Tyler Onyedim, Eyiomas Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones

The Broncos’ defensive line has enough talent on it that six players should make the 53-man roster. Zach Allen is coming off his first Pro Bowl nod. He pairs with the run-stopping D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach as the starters on the defensive front. The team has a lot of potential with their backups, though.

Eyiomas Uwazurike had a slow start to his career, but he started to put it all together last season. Sai’vion Jones was a third-round pick last year, and Tyler Onyedim was the first player the team drafted this year.

Edge rusher (5)

Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, Jonah Ellis, Que Robinson, Dondrea Tillman

The Broncos had one of the most productive seasons getting after the quarterback in NFL history last year, so it wouldn’t make any sense to change things up. The group led by Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, Jonah Ellis, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman helped Denver secure 68 sacks last year, the fifth most in league history.

Bonitto would have been in Defensive Player of the Year conversations had it not been for Myles Garrett having one of the best individual defensive seasons ever. Ellis and Robinson are only getting better, and Tillman is a ball magnet. The one concern here is it is unclear whether Cooper will be suspended or not. If he is, Drew Sanders will likely take his spot.

Linebacker (4)

Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Red Murdock, Jordan Turner

Perhaps Denver’s weakest position group is the linebacker position. Four linebackers will likely make the team, and that fourth spot is up for grabs. While Alex Singleton is a tackling machine and one of the defensive leaders of the team, he isn’t the best in coverage. Justin Strnad makes up for that, but Denver may really be relying on Red Murdock to contribute right away.

Murdock is the NCAA record holder for forced fumbles and was one of the steals of the draft, but he is a seventh-round rookie nonetheless. Jordan Turner and Karene Reid are likely competing for the final spot in this group. Both players are undrafted second-year players.

Cornerback (5)

Pat Surtain, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine

If the linebacker room is the weakest in Denver, the cornerback group is the strongest. Pat Surtain already has a Defensive Player of the Year to his name, which is a rarity for defensive backs. Surtain is a perennial All-Pro kind of player and a true playmaker on the defensive side of the football.

While his running mate, Riley Moss, catches a lot of flak because of the frequency with which he is flagged, he deserves a lot more respect as a really good cornerback. Quarterbacks target Moss frequently because they don’t want to throw to Surtain’s side, but he still prevents catches more often than he allows big plays. In fact, his 19 passes defensed last year was the best mark in the NFL.

Ja’Quan McMillian is a beast in the slot, and Jahdae Barron was a first-round pick last year. He has shown his potential during the preseason, where he had a pick-six. Kris Abrams-Draine just might be the best fifth option in the NFL, too.

Safety (4)

Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Taylor Rapp

Denver’s pass rushing prowess comes not just from their pass rushers’ abilities to get after the quarterback, but by the secondary’s ability to lock down pass catchers, too. The Broncos’ safeties complement their cornerbacks well. Talanoa Hufanga is a ball hawk who is always around the football. He was an All-Pro last year because he made a huge impact both in the passing game and while defending the run. Brandon Jones is a solid starter, too.

The depth behind those two is suspect, which led to the team signing Taylor Rapp midway through training camp. Rapp has been a starter for the majority of his seven-year career. Devon Key was an All-Pro as a special teams player last year, but he may have to contribute more defensively this season.

Specialists (3)

Jeremy Crawshaw, Wil Lutz, Mitchell Fraboni

Jeremy Crawshaw and Wil Lutz’s jobs as the punter and placekicker, respectively, are secure. Mitchell Fraboni does have competition at long snapper in the form of undrafted rookie Luka Basso, but Fraboni has the edge to make the team.

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