Denver Broncos Final 53-man Roster Prediction: See who’s in and who’s out following the preseason finale against Minnesota
The Denver Broncos have put a bow on their 2026 preseason, but now the real work begins. The regular season is just days away but first, George Paton and Sean Payton have to bring the roster from 90 to 53 men. Here is a final prediction on how things will look.
The Denver Broncos preseason is officially over. We have been projecting what the final roster would look like after the last few weeks, but today, we are going to predict how the final 53-man unit will look when the ball is spotted in Week 1.
Training camp and the preseason were full of quotes and storylines surrounding Sean Payton, Bo Nix, and Jaylen Waddle, but what about the unsung heroes and bubble players? Here’s a look at who will make it in our opinion.
Broncos 2026 preseason
- Week 1 @ Atlanta Falcons (W, 27-7).
- Week 2 @ Green Bay Packers (13-33, L)
- Week 3 vs. Minnesota Vikings (34-6 win).
Denver Broncos final 53-man roster prediction
Offense (25)
Quarterback
In (3): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger
Out: —
Ehlinger’s finale (15-of-20, 233 yards, 3 TDs) makes it hard to risk losing a vested veteran who has already turned down outside offers.
Running back / fullback
In (4): J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Jaleel McLaughlin
Out: Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader, Adam Prentice
Prentice is a strong practice-squad candidate as a veteran who does not have to clear waivers. McLaughlin’s TD and body of work beat Badie/Schrader for the fourth back spot.
Wide receiver
In (5): Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin
Out: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy, Joseph Manjack, Dane Key, Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, Kyrese Rowan
Mims’ foot injury is a watch item but he remains a core piece if he can practice. Humphrey is the prime veteran PS candidate.
Tight end
In (4): Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Justin Joly
Out: Lucas Krull, Dallen Bentley, Caleb Lohner
Joly’s 88-yard TD in the finale locked the rookie’s spot. Lohner is expected to start the year on injured reserve.
Offensive line
In (9): Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Quinn Meinerz, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Alex Palczewski, Kage Casey, Frank Crum, Calvin Throckmorton
Out: Alex Forsyth, Matt Peart, Nick Gargiulo, Tyler Miller, Gavin Ortega, Lecitus Smith, Reid Holskey, Foster Sarell
Forsyth and Gargiulo are the leading IR/PUP candidates. Throckmorton is the extra veteran interior piece; Peart is a typical PS veteran.
Defense (25)
Defensive line
In (7): Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim, Sai’vion Jones, Jordan Jackson
Out: Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams, Israel Antwine
Denver kept seven last year; Jackson has again done enough to hold the last spot over the other late-camp additions.
Outside linebacker/edge
In (5): Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson
Out: Drew Sanders, Johnny Walker, Dasan McCullough, Ron Stone Jr.
Sanders is the leading IR candidate in this group. Cooper’s off-field situation remains a background variable.
Inside linebacker
In (4): Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Karene Reid, Red Murdock
Out: Jordan Turner, Taurean York
Murdock (draft pick) and Reid edge Turner/York for the last two spots.
Cornerback
In (5): Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine
Out: Reese Taylor, Brent Austin, Sean Fresch, Ricardo Hallman
Taylor is the most likely of the outs to return via practice squad.
Safety
In (4): Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, JL Skinner
Out: Tycen Anderson, Miles Scott, Parker Robertson
Key’s special-teams value and Skinner’s coverage work keep them ahead of the rest after Rapp’s midweek release.
Specialists
In (3): K Wil Lutz, P Jeremy Crawshaw, LS Mitchell Fraboni
Out: LS Luke Basso
