RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Denver Broncos have released their depth chart ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings , but it should be taken with a grain of salt.
NFL rules require teams to release depth charts before their first preseason game, but Broncos coach Sean Payton clearly doesn't like the exercise, and the club calls it an "unofficial" depth chart. Still, it comes straight from the team, so it's our best reference for a rough estimation of how players stack up during preseason.
One big note: Payton puts rookies at the back of the line, so players like running back Jonah Coleman are listed last at their position, even though the training camp rotation suggests that's not actually the case.
Note that pass rusher Ron Stone Jr ., defensive lineman Israel Antwine and offensive tackle Foster Sarell were just signed this week, so their placements on the depth chart are estimations.
With those caveats out of the way, here's a look at the Broncos' depth chart going into the final preseason game.
Broncos depth chart
Quarterback (3)
QB1: Bo Nix
QB2: Jarrett Stidham
QB3: Sam Ehlinger
Stidham and Ehlinger are competing for the backup job this summer, and it looks like Stidham is still in the lead.
Running back (6)
RB1: J.K. Dobbins
RB2: RJ Harvey
RB3: Tyler Badie
RB4: Jaleel McLaughlin
RB5: Cody Schrader
RB6: Jonah Coleman
Putting rookies at the bottom is Payton's custom. In reality, Coleman is likely the third-choice RB in 2026.
Wide receiver (12)
WR: Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Dane Key , Joseph Manjack
WR: Jaylen Waddle, Lil'Jordan Humphrey
WR: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Michael Bandy, Kyrese Rowan, Cam Ross . Kolbe Katsis
The Broncos list three starting wide receivers, even though Payton has said they don't have a traditional WR1-WR2-WR3 rotation. Mims is listed as the third receiver after Sutton and Waddle.
Tight end/fullback (8)
TE1: Evan Engram
TE2: Adam Trautman
TE3: Nate Adkins
TE4: Lucas Krull
TE5: Caleb Lohner
TE6: Justin Joly
TE7: Dallen Bentley
FB: Adam Prentice
Adkins has an underrated role in Denver's offense as a key blocker and capable receiver. Bentley is fighting for a spot on the roster.
Offensive line (16)
LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart, Frank Crum, Tyler Miller
LG: Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton, Gavin Ortega
C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Lecitus Smith
RG: Quinn Meinerz, Kage Casey , Gavin Ortega
RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Reid Holskey , Foster Sarell
PUP : OL Nick Gargiulo
Palczewski is listed as the backup right tackle, but he filled in very well at left guard last season. He is likely the team's top backup swing tackle/guard.
Defensive line (9)
DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson, Sai'vion Jones, Israel Antwine
NT: D.J. Jones, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams
DE: Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim
For now, Roach is listed as the DE replacement for John Franklin-Myers as a starter across from Allen. Uwazurike is Roach's backup.
Outside linebacker (9)
OLB: Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, Johnny Walker, Ron Stone Jr .
OLB: Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman, Drew Sanders, Dasan McCullough
Denver has great depth at outside linebacker, and the team will have to make some tough cuts at the position this weekend.
Inside linebacker (6)
LB: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid, Taurean York
LB: Justin Strnad, Jordan Turner, Red Murdock
Reid and Turner are listed over rookies Murdock and York, but that could change after preseason.
Cornerback (9)
CB1: Pat Surtain, Kris Abrams-Draine, Sean Fresch , Ricardo Hallman
CB2: Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron, Brent Austin
Nickel: Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Reese Taylor
Barron is listed as the top backup behind Moss and the top backup behind McMillian. The 2025 first-round pick could be looking at another season as a rotational backup.
Safety (7)
S: Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Miles Scott
S: Talanoa Hufunga, JL Skinner, Tycen Anderson, Parker Robertson
Key seems safe as a special teams ace, but Skinner and Scott, a seventh-round draft pick, will be fighting for spots to close out preseason.
Special teams
K: Wil Lutz
P: Jeremy Crawshaw
LS: Mitchell Fraboni, Luke Basso
PR: Marvin Mims, Michael Bandy, Cameron Ross
KR: Marvin Mims, Tyler Badie, RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Kolbe Katsis
Bandy and Badie are the veteran backup returners. Ross and Katsis, a pair of undrafted rookies, could land spots on the practice squad.
After playing three preseason games , Denver will have until Aug. 30 to finalize a 53-man roster . After that, the Broncos will build a 16- or 17-player practice squad before turning their attention toward the regular season. The club will release an updated depth chart following roster cuts.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos' depth chart before roster cuts begin
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