Position battles to watch in Broncos training camp

The Denver Broncos are overhauling their roster after missing the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season, meaning multiple spots should be up for grabs.

Here are three key position battles to watch when training camp opens on July 17.

Quarterback

Projected starter: Bo Nix
Player(s) to watch: Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
 
Nix, Wilson and Stidham split first-team reps throughout OTAs and minicamp. Head coach Sean Payton has yet to clarify if they'll do the same in training camp.

Still, Nix — the 12th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — may have an edge over Stidham and Wilson. Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reported that Payton has praised the 24-year-old throughout the team's offseason program.

Plus, star wide receiver Courtland Sutton recently told the media, "[the team] is looking for Nix to be the guy."

Assuming Nix wins the starting job, Stidham, who went 1-1 as a starter last season, will probably be his backup. Former New York Jets starter Wilson may have the strongest arm of the three QBs, but The Athletic's Nick Kosmider believes he has "ground to make up if he's going to win the backup job."

Tight end 

Projected starter: Adam Trautman
Player(s) to watch: Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull
 
Denver hoped third-year pass-catcher Dulcich would break out in his first season under offensive guru Payton, but he missed 15 games with a hamstring injury. The former third-rounder has yet to play an entire season, which could signal he has durability issues. 

Trautman proved he was serviceable last season, registering 22 receptions for 204 yards and a career-high three touchdown catches in 17 games.

Keep an eye on Krull. At OTAs, Payton said, "Someday soon, they're going to know who No. 85 is. [Krull is] looking sharp."

The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson reported Krull recently attended Tight End University, a program run by Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and former Pro Bowler Greg Olsen. Working with these stars should help him improve rapidly.

Cornerback

Projected starter(s): Patrick Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian, Levi Wallace
Player(s) to watch: Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss
 
Surtain and McMillian have solidified their starting spots, but the Broncos are still looking for another dependable outside corner.

Mathis looked like the secondary's weak link last season. In 17 games, the 25-year-old allowed an above-average 135.9 passer rating on 253 snaps in pass coverage. Pro Football Focus gave him a dreadful 36.7 coverage grade.

Wallace signed a one-year, $1.125M deal in free agency. He surrendered a career-high seven TDs on 483 snaps in coverage in 17 games last season, which doesn't inspire confidence.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Broncos took Moss with the 158th overall pick. However, he underwent surgery on a core muscle in the offseason, limiting him to 25 snaps. Per the team website, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph recently called Moss an "exceptional athlete," indicating he likes his upside.