Grok simulates the Denver Broncos’ 53-man roster and starting lineup after the first week of training camp in Englewood
The Denver Broncos are in the dog days of training camp, with many watching and wondering if the Broncos can return to the AFC Championship, if not go further. Here is an early simulation of what the roster could look like when the real thing gets going.
The Denver Broncos have only been in camp a little over a week, and there is already plenty of news and notes coming out of Englewood. The Broncos have had a few injury scares with both pass rusher Nik Bonitto and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, while Sean Payton is staying true to his comments about the backup quarterback competition.
But what about the rest of the roster? We asked Grok to help us project how the Broncos may look in September.
Denver Broncos key offseason additions
- WR Jaylen Waddle (trade).
- RB Jonah Coleman (NFL Draft).
- OT Kage Casey (NFL Draft).
Projected Denver Broncos 53-man roster and starting lineup after Week 1 of 2026 training camp
Camp opened with veterans reporting around July 28 and the first official practice July 31. Early notes include a strong defensive showing in pads, Bo Nix looking sharp post-ankle surgery, some veteran rest/management (e.g., Courtland Sutton, Nik Bonitto limited or side-field work), Jaylen Waddle dealing with muscle tightness/limp, Luke Wattenberg and Ben Powers missing some team work, and Caleb Lohner (knee) remaining sidelined (hurting his roster odds). Rookies and younger players like Joly, Coleman, Onyedim, and others have drawn positive early comments.
Roster cuts aren’t final until after the preseason (roster deadline early September), so this reflects a consensus early-camp projection with typical 25 offense / 25 defense / 3 specialists splits. Numbers can shift with injuries, preseason performance, or trades.
Offense (25)
QB (3): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger (Nix is the clear starter and full-go; Stidham/Ehlinger battling for QB2—many projections keep three.)
RB/FB (4): J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Adam Prentice (FB) (Dobbins as lead back; Harvey and rookie Coleman as complementary pieces. Prentice preferred as true FB over pure RBs like McLaughlin/Badie on the bubble.)
WR (5): Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant (Core group locked; Humphrey and others more practice-squad candidates. Mims and Franklin have shown explosiveness early.)
TE (4): Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Justin Joly, Nate Adkins (Engram receiving, Trautman blocking; Joly progressing as a rookie pass-catcher; Adkins for versatility/H-back. Bentley/Lohner/Krull on the bubble—Lohner’s absences hurt.)
OL (9): Garett Bolles (LT), Ben Powers (LG), Luke Wattenberg (C), Quinn Meinerz (RG), Mike McGlinchey (RT), Alex Forsyth, Frank Crum, Alex Palczewski, Kage Casey (Strong starting five with continuity; depth includes versatile backups and the rookie Casey. Powers has had some limited work.)
Defense (25)
DL (7): Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones, Tyler Onyedim, Jordan Jackson (Allen is a standout; group has looked disruptive early. Onyedim (rookie) in the mix for rotational snaps after Franklin-Myers’ departure.)
EDGE/OLB (5): Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson (Bonitto and Cooper as primary rushers; depth has rotated well with Bonitto’s limited/side work.)
ILB (4): Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Red Murdock, Drew Sanders (Singleton/Strnad as the core; rookie Murdock (Mr. Irrelevant) has a path as a tackling specialist; Sanders for versatility.)
DB (9): Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian (nickel), Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufanga, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine, Devon Key, Reese Taylor (Elite top of the secondary; Barron competing for snaps; depth includes versatile pieces. Early camp has featured strong pass breakups from Moss and others.)
Special Teams (3)
Wil Lutz (K), Jeremy Crawshaw (P; international player exemption applies in some contexts), Mitchell Fraboni (LS)
Projected Starting Lineup
Offense
- QB: Bo Nix
- RB: J.K. Dobbins
- WR: Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr. (or Troy Franklin/Pat Bryant in 11/12 personnel or slot)
- TE: Evan Engram (Adam Trautman in heavier sets)
- LT: Garett Bolles
- LG: Ben Powers
- C: Luke Wattenberg
- RG: Quinn Meinerz
- RT: Mike McGlinchey
Defense (base 3-4 / multiple)
- DL: Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach/Eyioma Uwazurike
- OLB: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper
- ILB: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad
- CB: Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss
- Nickel: Ja’Quan McMillian
- S: Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones
Key notes/caveats after Week 1
Defense has generally outperformed the offense in early padded work. Several veterans are being managed (rest days/side field). Bubble battles remain intense at RB depth, TE depth, OL depth, ILB (Murdock/Sanders/others), and CB/S depth. Practice-squad candidates likely include players like Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Tyler Badie/Jaleel McLaughlin, Lucas Krull/Dallen Bentley, Matt Henningsen, Johnny Walker, various undrafted DBs/OL, etc.
