Broncos projected depth chart going into preseason

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3 days ago

The Denver Broncos (preseason) football returns this week!
With a road preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals scheduled for Saturday (Aug. 9), we're releasing an updated (projected) depth chart for Sean Payton's squad.
Keep in mind that this depth chart is a projection, not an official depth chart from the team. Denver's first depth chart of the summer should be released soon, perhaps as early as Monday.
Note that the Broncos have 91 players on the roster, but rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw does not count against the NFL's 90-player offseason roster limit as part of the league's international player program.
Denver Broncos Depth Chart
Quarterback (3)
QB1: Bo Nix
QB2: Jarrett Stidham
QB3: Sam Ehlinger
No surprises on the quarterback depth chart. Stidham will serve as the primary backup again this season, and Ehlinger might be bumped down to the practice squad when the 53-man roster is set at the end of preseason.
Running back (6)
RB1a: R.J. Harvey
RB1b: J.K. Dobbins
RB3: Audric Estime
RB4: Jaleel McLaughlin
Depth: Tyler Badie, Blake Watson
It wouldn't be shocking to see the Broncos carry four running backs on the active roster. The RBs who don't make the 53-man squad will be top candidates for the practice squad. Either Badie or Watson could emerge as a sleeper for the active roster with a good summer.
Tight end/fullback (7)
TE1: Evan Engram
TE2: Adam Trautman
FB: Michael Burton
TE3/FB2: Nate Adkins
Depth: Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner, Caden Prieskorn
Engram is the team's top receiving threat at the position, and Trautman is safe as a blocking TE. Burton is back as the team's fullback, and Adkins fills a hybrid role. Krull, Lohner and Prieskorn might be competing for one final spot.
Wide receiver (12)
WR1: Courtland Sutton
WR2: Devaughn Vele, Pat Bryant
Slot: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin
ST: Trent Sherfield
Depth: A.T. Perry, Michael Bandy, Joaquin Davis, Jerjuan Newton, Courtney Jackson, Kyrese Rowan
If the Broncos plan to carry six receivers on the 53-man roster, the favorites are pretty easy to project. But everyone will get an opportunity to impress this summer.
Offensive line (16)
LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart
LG: Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton
C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth
RG: Quinn Meinerz, Nick Gargiulo, Will Sherman
RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum
UDFAs: Xavier Truss, Clay Webb, Joe Michalski, Marques Cox
All five starting offensive linemen from last year are returning, so the competitions will be for the backup spots this summer. The interior backups will be asked to play both guard and center, and the backup tackles should be able to play on the left and right in a pinch. Truss and Webb are among the UDFAs who could be real candidates to make the 53-man roster.
Defensive line (10)
DE: Zach Allen, Sai'vion Jones
DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach
DE: John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike
Depth: Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams
The top six spots seem to be essentially locked in, but again, players will get opportunities to win spots this summer. Sai'vion Jones improves the team's depth, and Eyioma Uwazurike will look to have a breakthrough campaign in his second season back from a gambling suspension.
Outside linebacker (7)
OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss
OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman
ST: Que Robinson
Depth: Andrew Farmer, Garrett Nelson
Denver's already-deep room got even deeper this spring when the team drafted Robinson, but his biggest contributions might come on special teams as a rookie. Walker is a UDFA sleeper to monitor.
Inside linebacker (9)
ILB1: Dre Greenlaw, Justin Strnad
ILB2: Alex Singleton, Levelle Bailey
Injured: Drew Sanders
Depth: Garret Wallow, JB Brown, Karene Reid, Jordan Turner
The inside linebacker competition will be fascinating to watch this summer. Singleton is coming back from a torn ACL, and he'll turn 32 in December. Bailey has impressed early in camp, so he'll be a key player to watch in preseason.
Cornerback (10)
CB1: Pat Surtain
CB2: Riley Moss
Slot: Jahdae Barron, Ja'Quan McMillian
CB5: Kris Abrams-Draine
Depth: Damarri Mathis, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome
UDFAs: Jaden Robinson, Joshua Pickett
Barron can line up inside and outside, and it remains to be seen which spot ends up being his primary position. If Barron plays outside more often than inside, Moss could be moved to the slot. If Barron primarily plays inside, though, Moss figures to continue starting across from PS2. McMillian is great depth inside, and Abrams-Draine impressed when called upon last season.
Safety (8)
S1: Brandon Jones
S2: Talanoa Hufanga
S3: P.J. Locke
Depth: Devon Key, Keidron Smith
ST: Sam Franklin, JL Skinner, Delarrin Turner-Yell
It's hard to predict how the safety room will shake out, but there are several contenders to win a spot on the active roster based on their special teams contributions.
Special teams (3)
K Wil Lutz
LS Mitchell Fraboni
P Jeremy Crawshaw
The three specialist spots appear to be set.
Denver will trim the roster down to 53 players by Aug. 26, then the club will build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. Last year, the team's initial practice squad included Burton, Tillman, Bailey and Badie.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Projected depth chart going into preseason