Denver Broncos 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s in and who’s out after preseason Week 1 win against Atlanta Falcons
The Denver Broncos have played the first of their three exhibitions in the preseason, and while the game resulted in a win, what actually happened between the white lines was more important than the final score. Let’s project what the 53-man roster will look like using our friend Grok.
The Denver Broncos finished their first week of preseason over the weekend, and there were plenty of takeaways. Outside of head coach Sean Payton taking a shot at the Atlanta Falcons, we saw rookies get their first live reps against an opponent not wearing orange, and got to see new playcaller Davis Webb coordinate the offense for the first time.
But what about everything that happened on the field regarding players on the roster bubble? Let’s project what the Broncos’ 53-man roster might look like after Week 1 of the preseason, with the help of our friend Grok.
Broncos 2026 preseason schedule
- Week 1 @ Atlanta Falcons (W, 27-7).
- Week 2 @ Green Bay Packers (Friday, August 21).
- Week 3 vs. Minnesota Vikings (Friday, August 28).
Projected 53-Man Roster
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3) In: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger Out/Notable bubble: (None major; Stidham remains ahead of Ehlinger after strong Week 1 play.
Running Back / Fullback (4) In: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Adam Prentice (FB) Out: Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader (depth backs projected to PS; Coleman impressed in limited action).
Wide Receiver (5) In: Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin Out: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Hakeem Butler, Michael Bandy, Cameron Ross, others (top five locked; depth receivers competing for PS).
Tight End (4) In: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins (TE/FB), Justin Joly Out: Dallen Bentley, Caleb Lohner (injury concerns; Bentley a tough 7th-round cut), Lucas Krull.
Offensive Line (9) In: OT Mike McGlinchey, OT Garett Bolles, G Quinn Meinerz, G Ben Powers, C Luke Wattenberg, C Alex Forsyth, OL Alex Palczewski, OT Frank Crum, OL Kage Casey Out: Calvin Throckmorton, Matt Peart (tough cuts), others (e.g., Tyler Miller as possible PS).
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (6) In: DE Zach Allen, DT D.J. Jones, DT Malcolm Roach, DL Eyioma Uwazurike, DE Sai’vion Jones, DL Tyler Onyedim Out: Jordan Jackson (some projections keep him as 7th DL), Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams, Matt Henningsen (IR).
Outside Linebacker / Edge (5) In: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson Out: Drew Sanders (oft-injured, tough cut), Dasan McCullough, Johnny Walker (PS candidates).
Inside Linebacker (4) In: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Karene Reid, Red Murdock Out: Levelle Bailey (broken leg in Week 1 → likely IR), Taurean York, Jordan Turner, Drew Sanders (if counted here).
Cornerback (6) In: Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine, Reese Taylor Out: Sean Fresch Jr. (strong Week 1 special-teams/defense play makes him a possible addition in other projections), Brent Austin, others (PS candidates).
Safety (4) In: Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufanga, Devon Key, JL Skinner Out: Tycen Anderson, Miles Scott (7th-rounder, tough cut), Parker Robertson (some projections swap Anderson in for Skinner or keep five safeties).
Special Teams (3)
Specialists (3) In: K Wil Lutz, P Jeremy Crawshaw, LS Mitchell Fraboni Out: Luke Basso (snapping issues).
Key Notes
- Tough projected cuts highlighted across sources include Throckmorton, Peart, Bentley, Miles Scott, Taurean York, Brent Austin, Drew Sanders, Badie/McLaughlin, and Humphrey.
- Week 1 positives: Coleman’s efficiency, Barron’s INT return TD, Stidham’s steady play, depth OL and ST contributions.
- Final roster will depend on the next two preseason games, any injuries, and waiver/practice-squad strategy (teams can carry 16–17 on PS, plus international player flexibility for Crawshaw).
