The Denver Broncos are going to have some difficult decisions ahead of them as the NFL cutdown day is rapidly approaching.

Sean Payton has spent the offseason building this unit from the ground up. From splash signings to draft night trades, to reconnecting with former players, the identity of this team and the players on the field are going to look different this upcoming NFL season.

Here's my take on what the team may do for the 53-man roster.

Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Russell Wilson, Jarett Stidham, Ben DiNucci

OUT: 

All three quarterbacks have shined in their own ways. However, the most surprising is how well DiNucci has played during the preseason. It's highly unlikely he will ever see the field, but we felt his performance has been just too good to keep him off the roster. His dream of playing in the NFL continues.

Running Back (5)

IN: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones Jr., Jaleel McLaughlin**, Michael Burton (FB)

OUT: Tyler Badie, Dwayne Washington

If you've read anything I have said about this team through the preseason and training camp, McLaughlin's name has shown up. He's shined through the team's first two games which puts him as a lock on my projections. Tyler Badie, unfortunately, is one of the odd men out of this rotation. 

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr.*, Kendall Hinton, Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey

OUT: Montrell Washington, Taylor Grimes**, J.J. Koski, Josh Hammond

This already thin unit got even thinner with the loss of Tim Patrick. Payton brought in some familiar faces in Callaway and Humphrey hoping to help boost the offense. However, all eyes are going to be on the big three of Jeudy, Sutton, and Mims Jr. to help take this team to the next level.

Tight End (4)

IN: Greg Dulcich, Chris Manhertz, Adam Trautman, Albert Okwuebunam

OUT: Nate Adkins**

You get a tight end, and you get a tight end, and you get a tight end. Dulcich is a stud who we think is going to break out this season. During the draft, Payton reached an agreement to acquire Truatman and in the offseason, the team signed Manhertz who is one of the best blockers at his position. A heavy unit, but an important room to be successful.

Offensive line (8)

IN: Garrett Bolles, Ben Powers, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Mike McGlinchey, Kyle Fuller, Luke Wattenberg, Cam Fleming, Quinn Meinerz

OUT: Henry Byrd**, Alex Forsyth*, Will Sherman, Quinn Bailey, Alex Palczewski**, Demontrey Jacobs**

The offensive line needs some more bodies after looking at the first two preseason games. With McGlinchey being out of those games, maybe his presence would've had a different outcome. However, Wilson was running scared and needed to be better protected. Don't be surprised if there are a few new names added to the list before the regular season begins.

Defensive Line (6)

IN: Zach Allen, Mike Purcell, D.J. Jones, Matt Henningsen, Tyler Lancaster, Jonathan Harris

OUT: Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia, P.J. Mustipher**, Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi

Outside of the offensive line, the defensive line is the biggest worry with the team. Payton brought in former Arizona Cardinals Zach Allen to help beef up the unit, but was it enough? We will learn very quickly if this unit is able to have success against some of the top-tier teams across the league.

Linebacker (7)

IN: Frank Clark, Randy Gregory, Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders*, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto

OUT: Justin Strnad, Aaron Patrick, Thomas Incoom**, Austin Ajiake, Seth Benson**, Marcus Haynes**, Christopher Allen

I loved Incoom's story and it was incredibly difficult to put him off this list for active players. On paper, this is a talented unit. Clark and Gregory will need to shine and remind the league that they can be a game-changer. Sanders and Cooper along with Bonitto have been balling out in camp and during the preseason and Singleton is a quiet leader who is the signal-caller for this defense.

Cornerback (6)

IN: Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Tremon Smith, Essang Bassey, Riley Moss*, K'Waun Williams

OUT: Ja'Quan McMillan, Delonte Hood, Fabien Moreau, Art Green, Falcon Hicks

This position is pretty much a lock. The only question that remains is what the team will do outside of Surtain. We had players like Moss and Smith making the list in some tough competition for depth.

Safety (5)

IN: Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, JL Skinner*, P.J. Locke

OUT: Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key

Simmons is an obvious lock here with the team having both Jackson and Sterns looking to take over position behind Simmons. Rookie Skinner made the list over some of his counterparts as we think the sixth-round pick has a high ceiling which could result in some substantial playing time.

Special Teams (3)

IN: Riley Dixon (K), Brett Maher (P), Mitchell Fraboni (LS)

OUT: N/A

The only real decision that this will come down to is if Maher can hold onto the position. We wouldn't be surprised if Payton brought in some reinforcements to help push Maher to an entirely new level. If he can't cut it, Payton will be quick to move on. Would really be nice to have a franchise legend still on the team.

Now, all that's left to do is wait and see how brutally wrong some of these picks were. Make sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

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Featured image via Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports