It's been a roller coaster ride for theDenver Broncosover their first two preseason games. The Broncos' starting units had their issues, but looked decent overall.
The Broncos have plenty of questions about depth, but the depth showed up greatly at certain positions over the two games.With one game left, how is it shaping up for the Broncos' 53-man roster?
Today's final 53-man roster projection has more than 10 different players making it than my first one earlier this offseason,which you can read here. Unfortunately, some of the explanation has been due to injuries, and one because of a suspension.
So, let's get into my final 53-man roster projection for the 2023 Broncos.
Quarterbacks (3)
Russell Wilson | Jarrett Stidham | Ben DiNucci
There is no difference here. Wilson looked solid in the preseason and cemented himself as the starter, though there was never any doubt he would be. Stidham had a rough go in preseason Game 1 but looked significantly better in Game 2.
DiNucci was better in Game 1, making many wonder whether he should be the backup quarterback, but he struggled in Game 2, showing why he sticks as the third quarterback, which alters the roster math, totaling 54 players, as that third signal-caller doesn't count against the 53.
Running Backs/Fullback (4)
Javonte Williams | Samaje Perine | Jaleel McLaughlin | Michael Burton
In the first prediction, Williams made the roster to land on injured reserve, but not this time. He had had a miraculous recovery and looked ready to go by the start of the season when he saw reps in Game 2. Perine is there to split reps and help ease the Williams' workload. Due to his play on special teams, Burton also makes the roster as the fullback.
Another change is McLaughlin making it. He tore up the Arizona Cardinals' third and fourth-string defense and got a chance against the second and third units of the San Francisco 49ers. He carried the great performance over and took full advantage of the extra opportunities with the injury to Tyler Badie.
Wide Receivers (6)
Courtland Sutton | Jerry Jeudy | Marvin Mims, Jr. | Brandon Johnson | Marquez Callaway | Montrell Washington
There were multiple changes here due to injuries and health. Tim Patrick suffered a season-ending injury, and KJ Hamler was diagnosed with a heart condition. Sutton, Jeudy, and Mims are undoubtedly making this roster, even with Jeudy's recent hamstring injury.
When Patrick got hurt, Johnson was the first to replace him and has been impressive throughout camp. He has dealt with an injury but is expected back before the start of the regular season. Callaway must show more, and this fifth spot is still in the air.
Washington also makes it as the returner. While it wasn't a perfect preseason, he showed much-needed improvement, but his leash will be short in the regular season.
Tight Ends (4)
Adam Trautman | Greg Dulcich | Chris Manhertz | Nate Adkins
With how camp and the preseason games have done, the number of tight ends to make it increased. Trautman, Dulcich, and Manhertz have never been in question of making it.
However, the fourth tight end has been up in the air. Nate Adkins has had a good camp and done exceptionally well in two preseason games, showing his versatility on offense and ability to play special teams.
Offensive Tackles (4)
Garett Bolles | Mike McGlinchey | Cam Fleming | Alex Palczewski
With McGlinchey dealing with an injury that will keep him out for the preseason and might cause him to miss a short amount of time in the preseason, a fourth tackle was needed. Bolles and Fleming have struggled in the preseason, though Bolles did alright against a tough Niners defense.
The final tackle is evident if you go off what was shown on the field. Isaiah Prince was the fourth tackle, but he has been vastly outperformed. Over two games, Palczewski has had a great showing and has been getting run with the second-team offense at right tackle in practice.
He's been the best tackle to play in the preseason, and with how bad offensive line play has been around the NFL, it would be a risk to try to stash him on the practice squad.
Interior Offensive Line (5)
Ben Powers | Quinn Meinerz | Lloyd Cushenberry | Quinn Bailey | Luke Wattenberg
The starting unit is much the same, and hopefully, it does a lot better in the regular season than it has in the preseason, especially Powers. Both backups changed from my last prediction, with Bailey and Wattenberg making the roster.
Bailey is a versatile lineman who can also help at tackle if needed. Of the depth guards, he has been the best of the bunch. Wattenberg struggled at guard, but when at center, he has done quite well this preseason and is the backup center ahead of Alex Forsyth.
Defensive Line (5)
D.J. Jones | Zach Allen | Jonathan Harris | Mike Purcell | Matt Henningsen
There was a worry with Purcell, who was placed on the NFI list before camp started, but as he passed his physical and agreed to a restructured deal, he finds himself on the roster. If Purcell was going to be cut, the Broncos wouldn't have taken the time to restructure his deal. That pushes Tyler Lancaster off the roster and gives the Broncos their nose tackle.
Jones and Allen are the apparent starters on the defensive line, but Harris has been impressive and seems to have a hold on the other spot on the unit. Henningsen provides solid depth. Unfortunately, due to roster math, a sixth interior defensive lineman couldn't be made to work.
Outside Linebackers (4)
Randy Gregory | Frank Clark | Jonathon Cooper | Nik Bonitto | Baron Browning*
Having only four edge rushers make it was tough, but there needed to be an extra spot for the fourth offensive tackle. Palczewski is more likely to be claimed than Thomas Incoom, Marcus Haynes, Aaron Patrick, or Christopher Allen, and Denver could stash two or three of them on the practice squad and call up for games.
Browning is on the PUP list and will likely land on the reserve/PUP when the roster cuts come. That will rule him out for the first four weeks of the regular season.The other four edges are unquestionably going to make the roster.
Inside Linebackers (4)
Josey Jewell | Alex Singleton | Drew Sanders | Justin Strnad
Losing Jonas Griffith hurts, but it only changes the final spot here. Jewell and Singelton are locked in as the starters, and Sanders has shown his value in the preseason.
Strnad has improved and can help on special teams to replace Griffith there.
Cornerbacks (6)
Patrick Surtain II | Damarri Mathis | K'Waun Williams | JaQuan McMillian | Riley Moss | Essang Bassey
Surtain, Mathis, and Williams are the top three. It is a shame that Williams has been dealing with injuries, but he should be ready by the start of the season. McMillian has earned his spot, and Moss was coveted enough to trade up for in the third round to draft, though he's been injured all summer.
Bassey has been lucky through two games but is the top backup at the nickel spot. That luck and being the primary backup is enough to make the roster.
Safeties (5)
Justin Simmons | Caden Sterns | Kareem Jackson | P.J. Locke | Delarrin Turner-Yell
The first four safeties seem a lock to make it, but a fifth spot is created for Turner-Yell, who is a good special teams player and has shown growth on the defensive side of the ball.
Specialists (3)
Brett Maher (K) | Riley Dixon (P) | Long Snapper
Only one kicker and one punter are on the roster, so they make it by default. They could still bring competition for the kicking spot. As for long snapper, it could go either way. So I'm going to cop out and not pick a winner here.
Practice Squad (16)
Tyler Badie | RB: He was the third back before he got hurt and still sticks on the practice squad.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey |WR: The wide receiver stepped up in games but not enough to make the roster.
Taylor Grimes | WR: Grimes has been a star in practice, but it hasn't fully translated to games to make the roster.
Kendall Hinton | WR: With struggles over both games, Hinton is falling behind in the battle to make the roster.
Kyle Fuller | OL: As the second center against the 49ers, Fuller struggled, but he looked better as a guard against the Cardinals.
Alex Forsyth | C: There is a lot of hope for Forsyth, but he is at the bottom of the depth chart at the position and didn't do enough in games to overcome it.
Will Sherman | OL: Sherman has had a great preseason and showing he is still worth developing if he doesn't make the roster outright.
Elijah Garcia | DL: Leaving Garcia off the roster was tough, but I could not find a way to make a sixth IDL work. He has been a big winner in camp, but fortunately for Denver, defensive line play has been sound throughout the NFL, which could help him clear waivers.
P.J. Mustipher | NT: Mustipher has been solid in camp and preseason, but he still has a long road to make the roster. However, he has shown enough to keep working with.
Thomas Incoom | OLB: Incoom hasn't shown it in-game and could clear waivers to stash on the practice squad.
Marcus Haynes | OLB: Haynes was impressive against the Cardinals but didn't do much against the 49ers.
Chris Allen | OLB: Allen was the opposite of Haynes. He struggled against the Cardinals but stepped up with some plays against the 49ers.
Austin Ajiake | ILB: Ajiake has looked good on the field but is still clearly learning the defense.
Faion Hicks | CB: Hicks looked improved but still growing as a defender.
J.L. Skinner | S: Skinner can hit, but he isn't looking comfortable in coverage, which is enough to keep him off the roster.
16. The final spot was for Jalen Virgil, but his meniscus injury ended his season. The Broncos could go a few ways, including someone from outside the team currently.
The regular season is quickly approaching, and the roster has to be down to the 53-man roster on August 29. It will change over the first few days.
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