3 biggest surprises from Denver Broncos roster deadline day: Multiple rookies get the boot while locker-room favorite gets cut
The Denver Broncos have set their initial 53-man roster, and it’s safe to say that we had more than a few surprises in Denver. That speaks to the depth and quality of the roster, but these three are potential head-scratchers nonetheless.
The Denver Broncos have assembled their initial 53-man roster, and it was a tough one to crack. The Broncos parted ways with three different rookies from a draft class that contained only 7 total players.
That shows how hard this roster was to make, and it’s why there were more than a few surprises that went beyond the NFL’s decision to place Jonathon Cooper on the Commissioner-exempt list. Let’s take a look at them.
Waiving fifth-round TE Justin Joly
Denver traded up to draft Joly in April and he was widely viewed as a lock (or at least a near-lock) based on draft capital alone. He was quiet through most of camp and the first two preseason games, then scored on an 88-yard busted-coverage touchdown in the finale. That one highlight wasn’t enough. The Broncos kept four tight ends (Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and seventh-rounder Dallen Bentley) and sent Joly to waivers. GM George Paton called it a tough numbers decision and said they like his long-term potential; the team is expected to try to get him back on the practice squad if he clears. Joly is one of the highest-drafted Broncos not to make the initial 53 in two decades.
Waiving RB Jaleel McLaughlin
McLaughlin spent three seasons in Denver, produced 1,256 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns, and was a locker-room favorite known for his work ethic. Paton said choosing the fourth running back was “probably the last decision we made” and called it one of the hardest cuts of the weekend. The team kept J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, third-round rookie Jonah Coleman, and Tyler Badie. Badie won the job on special teams, third-down work, and blocking. McLaughlin posted a farewell message after the cut, and this one felt like the end of his Broncos tenure rather than a practice-squad placeholder.
Waiving seventh-round ILB Red Murdock (“Mr. Irrelevant”)
Murdock was the final pick of the 2026 draft and then led the Broncos in preseason tackles while flashing in camp. That production made the cut unexpected. Denver instead kept Karene Reid and Jordan Turner as the backup inside linebackers behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Like Joly, Murdock is a priority practice-squad target if he goes unclaimed. The team also waived seventh-round safety Miles Scott, meaning three 2026 draft picks did not make the initial 53.
Honorable mentions that also surprised people
Releasing veteran FB Adam Prentice (two preseason TDs, expected back on the practice squad and to be elevated early) and placing both long snappers (Mitch Fraboni and Luke Basso) off the 53, with Fraboni likewise expected to return via the practice squad.
