Broncos' Release First Unofficial Depth Chart—Analyzing the Clues

1. Evan Engram
2. Adam Trautman
3. Nate Adkins
4. Lucas Krull
5. Caleb Lohner
6. Justin Joly
7. Dallen Bentley

Analysis: Again, we have the rookies at the bottom. It's a matter of course with Payton, though in this case, it also happens to be an accurate reflection of where things stand. It'l be a surprise if the fifth-rounder Joly doesn't make the 53-man roster, but he has a long way to go in his development as an NFL-caliber tight end.

X Wide Receiver

1. Courtland Sutton
2. Pat Bryant
3. Hakeem Butler
4. Dane Key
5. Joseph Manjack
6. Kyre Duplessis

Analysis: Key, Manjack, and Duplessis are undrafted rookies, while Butler is a 30-year-old veteran in his second NFL season, officially. Butler, a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year, is interesting, based on how he's performed in camp, but nobody, and I mean nobody, has looked better than "Patty Ice" in camp thus far.

Z Wide Receiver

1. Marvin Mims Jr.
2. Troy Franklin
3. Michael Bandy
4. Kyrese Rowan
5. Cameron Ross
6. Kolbe Katsis

Analysis: The X and Z in Payton's offense is often nominal. He interchanges much, but as it stands, Mims tops the depth chart over Franklin, which is interesting, considering how Franklin was Denver's No. 2 receiver last year. Rowan recently returned to the Broncos after spending much of his rookie year on the practice squad, while Ross and Katsis are undrafted rookies who've shined thus far in camp.

Slot Receiver

1. Jaylen Waddle
2. Lil’Jordan Humphrey

Analysis: This is another example of the relative meaninglessness of the X, Z, and slot. Waddle is the 1a or 1b receiver in the ultimate pecking order, and will be moved around the formation at all the different spots. For now, though, only Waddle and Humphrey are listed in the slot.

Left Tackle

1. Garett Bolles
2. Matt Peart
3. Frank Crum
4. Tyler Miller

Analysis: This one is based on NFL experience, once you get past Bolles. Peart is a veteran, while Crum is in Year 3. Peart missed most of last season after tearing his ACL in Week 6, so Crum served as the primary swing tackle. Miller is an undrafted rookie.

Left Guard

1. Ben Powers
2. Calvin Throckmorton
3. Gavin Ortega

Analysis: Powers is the starter, while Throckmorton is a tenured vet. Ortega is an undrafted rookie. Both Throckmorton and Ortega have been called to play center snaps this week with all the injuries the Broncos have dealt with at the position.

Center

1. Luke Wattenberg
2. Alex Forsyth
3. Michael Deiter

Analysis: All three men are currently injured. Wattenberg has missed the past week, going down on the first day of pads, while Forsyth has missed the past couple of days. Deiter was running as the first-team center on Day 9 and Day 10 before going down himself on Tuesday, and being carted off. It's unlikely that any of these three will play in Atlanta.

Right Guard

1. Quinn Meinerz
2. Kage Casey
3. Gavin Ortega

Analysis: This is interesting. We all know the All-Pro, Meinerz, but Casey is a fourth-round rookie who's spent his entire career playing on the left side of the line. Casey's future is at left guard; another reminder not to read into these depth charts.

Right Tackle

1. Mike McGlinchey
2. Alex Palczewski
3. Reid Holskey

Analysis: McGlinchey is the locked-in starter, while Palczewski is still the primary backup at right tackle. However, after filling in for Powers at left guard for much of last season, Palczewski has right-to-left-side and inside/outside versatility. When Powers has been given any rest days or reps in camp this summer, Palczewski has gotten some first-team reps at left guard, and at right tackle in place of McGlinchey.

Left Defensive End

1. Zach Allen
2. Jordan Jackson
3. Sai’vion Jones

Analysis: It's interesting to see Jackson listed ahead of Jones here, but again, this unofficial depth chart doesn't carry much meaning. Jones is a 2025 third-rounder while Jackson is in his third year with the Broncos.

Nose Tackle

1. D.J. Jones
2. Jordan Miller
3. Kristian Williams

Analysis: There's a conspicuous name missing from the nose tackle depth chart, but we'll address that with the next position. Miller and Williams are the last two guys in the D-line room, so they'll need to shine in the preseason to stand a chance at making the roster.

Right Defensive End

1. Malcolm Roach
2. Eyioma Uwazurike
3. Tyler Onyedim

Analysis: This may be the first depth chart to provide any true inkling into what the coaches are thinking. With John Franklin-Myers gone, Roach is in the driver's seat to win that starting job, instead of living as the backup nose tackle behind Jones. And Uwazurike is giving Roach a run for his money in camp. Onyedim is a rookie third-rounder who is a lock for the roster.

Strongside Linebacker

1. Nik Bonitto
2. Jonah Elliss
3. Que Robinson
4. Johnny Walker

Analysis: Bonitto is a Pro Bowler, but Elliss has been one of the defensive stars of camp. I'm really looking forward to seeing Elliss in action this year. Robinson has also had a great camp as a 2025 fourth-rounder, while Walker is trying to make up for lost time after missing his entire rookie season with an injury.

Weakside Linebacker

1. Jonathon Cooper
2. Dondrea Tillman
3. Drew Sanders
4. Dasan McCullough

Analysis: Cooper is the starter, while Tillman will be hard to beat out for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Sanders, a 2023 third-rounder, will certainly try, but unless the Broncos keep five outside linebackers this year, it'll be tough for him to make the roster. McCullough is an undrafted rookie who's dealt with an injury that has sidelined him for nearly a week.

Inside Linebacker

1. Alex Singleton
2. Karene Reid
3. Jordan Turner

Analysis: These linebacker spots are interchangeable. Singleton is the starter, while Reid made the roster last year as an undrafted rookie. Turner just got activated from the Non-Football Injury list, and has some catching up to do.

Inside Linebacker

1. Justin Strnad
2. Levelle Bailey
3. Red Murdock
4. Taurean York

Analysis: Strnad returns as a starter, with Bailey doing everything he can to win one of the two linebacker roster spots. Murdock is a seventh-rounder and York is undrafted. Both are rookies and have impressed thus far in camp.

Left Cornerback

1. Patrick Surtain II
2. Kris Abrams-Draine
3. Sean Fresch Jr.
4. Ricardo Hallman

Analysis: Surtain needs no explanation. Abrams-Draine has had a great camp in Year 3, while Fresch was signed from the UFL in June, though he's dealt with an injury in camp that cost him a couple of days. Hallman was signed late last week after the Broncos waived the injured Jaden Robinson.

Right Cornerback

1. Riley Moss
2. Jahdae Barron
3. Brent Austin

Analysis: Moss has been a super-stud in camp, leaving absolutely no daylight for Barron to win the No. 2 cornerback job. Barron, a 2025 first-rounder, has played a lot of nickel and dime in camp. Austin is an undrafted rookie who's shown some fight in camp.

Safety

1. Talanoa Hufanga
2. JL Skinner
3. Tycen Anderson
4. Parker Robertson

Analysis: Behind Hufanga, this depth chart is still up for grabs, though Skinner has the edge due to his sixth-round draft pedigree (2023) and special teams acumen. Anderson was a free-agent signing, who also brings some third-phase production to the table, while Robertson is an undrafted rookie.

Safety

1. Brandon Jones
2. Devon Key
3. Miles Scott

Analysis: Jones is the starter, while Key is also a lock for the roster as a first-team All-Pro special teams ace. Scott is a seventh-round rookie battling with Skinner, Anderson, and Robertson for the fourth, and likely final, safety spot on the roster.

Kicker/Kickoffs

1. Wil Lutz

Analysis: No explanation needed.

Punter/Holder

1. Jeremy Crawshaw

Analysis: Again, self-explanatory.

Kick Returner

1. Marvin Mims Jr.
2. Tyler Badie
3. RJ Harvey
4. Jaleel McLaughlin
5. Kolbe Katsis

Analysis: Who will serve as Mims's kickoff partner? Don't discount Coleman as a contender, even though he's unlisted here. Coleman returned some kicks during the Broncos' planned scrimmage on Day 8. Katis was signed for his returner upside.

Punt Returner

1. Marvin Mims Jr.
2. Michael Bandy
3. Cameron Ross

Analysis: Mims is a two-time All-Pro returner, but if he's going to feature more in the offense, the Broncos need another good option. Bandy is at least reliable (though he muffed a punt last year), while Ross is a rookie with some juice. Katsis is unlisted here but may also be in the running.