Training camp gets long fast and then short quickly.
The grueling part of the Broncos’ schedule is here. The team’s on the field 10 of 11 days through next week. At some point, it will undoubtedly feel like Groundhog Day.
Still, waypoints are not far ahead.
The pads come on Monday.
Denver’s first preseason game is Aug. 11 at Indianapolis.
Sixteen days later, the roster must be trimmed from a maximum of 90 to the initial 53 that the Broncos will take to Seattle for their Sept. 8 opener.
Just about the time camp starts to feel like a drag, the adrenaline of being locked in a battle for a starting job, for a key role, for a roster spot or for practice squad consideration typically kicks in.
“That’s the hardest part because guys want to go fast, guys want to make a good impression,” head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday as the team ramped up toward putting pads on. “We struggle with that in that OTA period as well. Until the pads come on, you have to work with each other.”
Work with each other and compete at the same time.
There’s a ton of ground to cover before the Broncos settle on their first roster, but the cutdown is also just more than four weeks away.
This exercise, attempting to project a 53-man roster at the outset of training camp, is as much about setting the table as anything. Battles unfold. Injuries happen. Young players emerge or fade. Occasionally an impactful signing pops up.
For now, though, here’s a first pass.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (2)
Lock: Bo Nix
In the mix: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson
The crux: Most teams only keep two and whether Nix starts or not out of the chute, he’s a no-doubter to make the roster. That leaves two for likely one spot, though Payton did say Friday he’d “possibly” entertain the idea of keeping all three. Stidham’s been the more consistent player so far and the reps had already started to tilt away from Wilson a bit before Friday’s day with the top offense. Perhaps he can show out in preseason games and make a charge, but the early feel is this won’t be a protracted fight.
Early call: Stidham
Running back (4)
Lock: Well, uh, Jaeel McLaughlin?
In the mix: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Audric Estime, Blake Watson and fullback Michael Burton
The crux: Williams is leaner, feels quicker, and has the inside track for a starting job if he puts forth a strong camp. Estime is healthy after an offseason knee scope. Watson is hurt but should be back in the mix soon. This could be a really good fight through camp. Perine provided steady pass protection and third-down pass-catching ability in 2023. He could end up the odd man out if Denver can find that production elsewhere, but that’s no guarantee. Denver could also keep an extra back early in the year and go light somewhere else if it really likes its depth here.
Early call: Williams, Estime and Burton.
Wide receiver (6)
Lock: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin
In the mix: Tim Patrick, Devaughn Vele, Brandon Johnson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and several others.
The crux: Patrick has to show he can still go after missing two straight seasons, but his leadership is valuable and Denver reworked his contract for a reason. This could be a position where, like last year, the Broncos stack their practice squad with several guys already on the roster. The health picture can change quickly at any position, but this group has several guys who could be in consideration for the final couple of spots.
Early call: Vele and Patrick.
Tight end (4)
Lock: Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull
In the mix: Greg Dulcich, Nate Adkins and Thomas Yassmin
The crux: Dulcich is the big wild card. If he’s healthy, he can be a difference-maker. But he hasn’t stayed healthy for an extended stretch yet in his first two pro seasons. You can dream on Krull and Dulcich being a dynamic pair, but it’s a dream for now. It would be interesting to see what Adkins can do as a move-type tight end and also at fullback, but Payton clearly values Burton there, too. Something to consider if the roster gets tight.
Early call: Dulcich (assuming good health) and Adkins
Offensive line (9)
Lock: Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth
In the mix: Tackles Quinn Bailey, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Demontrey Jacobs and Frank Crum and interior linemen Nick Gargiulo, Calvin Throckmorton and Sam Mustipher
The crux: There are more intriguing players here than likely roster spots. Denver stayed so healthy on its offensive line in 2023 that we didn’t get much of a look at the young developmental players. They’d probably love to stash Jacobs and Crum on the practice squad and continue the development. Bailey has landed roster spots for years now and could also continue as the jumbo TE this fall. Palczewski and Peart might end up battling for the No. 3 swing tackle job, though another youngster could force his way into the mix, too.
Early call: Bailey, Peart and Palczewski.
DEFENSE (25)
Defensive line (6)
Lock: Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach
In the mix: Angelo Blackson, Matt Henningsen, Elijah Garcia, Jordan Jackson
The crux: There are probably a maximum of two spots available here. Maybe just one. Garcia flashed late in 2023 while Henningsen didn’t take the second-year leap he was hoping for in terms of production. Blackson is a veteran interior player who’s logged 128 career games. If this group stays healthy it should be the most improved on the team regardless of what combination makes the initial cut.
Early call: Blackson and Garcia
Outside linebacker (5)
Lock: Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss
In the mix: Thomas Incoom, Ronnie Perkins, Dondrea Tillman, Durell Nchami
The crux: Pretty straightforward on the top four and after that it likely comes down to special teams work. Tillman was a UFL standout this spring and will be interesting to watch in camp. Nchami signed during the season last year after a knee injury. Incoom should have a bit of a head start considering he spent a season on the roster last year.
Early call: Nchami.
Inside linebacker (4)
Lock: Alex Singleton
In the mix: Jonas Griffith, Cody Barton, Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey, Andre Smith
The crux: There are a ton of snaps up for grabs next to Singleton and a few candidates to grab them. Primarily Griffith and Barton to start, but don’t sleep on Bailey, an undrafted rookie, as camp gets going. Strnad didn’t play a defensive snap last year but is a trusted special teams player whom those coaches might pound the table for later in camp.
Early call: Griffith, Barton and Strnad
Cornerback (6)
Lock: Pat Surtain II, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss
In the mix: Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine, Damarri Mathis, Art Green, Tremon Smith
The crux: There’s a starting spot open opposite Surtain that could go to any of Moss, Wallace or Mathis. Abrams-Draine has versatility and might end up as McMillian’s backup in the slot as a rookie. Mathis has talent but struggled last fall, so his camp will be particularly interesting to watch. When he’s right, he’s sticky in coverage and can run. Wallace provides a veteran presence in the event the young guys struggle.
Early call: Wallace, Abrams-Draine and Mathis
Safety (4)
Lock: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke and Caden Sterns if healthy
In the mix: JL Skinner, Devon Key, Tanner McCalister
The crux: The Broncos don’t have much tested experience on the back end after Jones and Locke, especially as Sterns continues to try to get back to the field. Skinner is a potential breakout candidate and as it stands now is probably the third option. For now, let’s count Sterns and see what the picture looks like after a preseason game or two.
Early call: Skinner
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Lock: Wil Lutz (PK) and Mitchell Fraboni (LS)
In the mix: Riley Dixon (P) and Trenton Gill (P)
The crux: Lutz got a two-year extension this spring and is locked in. Dixon and Gill have a good battle going and it could last well into camp. Fraboni was solid for the Broncos last year but teams are always on the lookout at long snapper. Continuity from last year makes some sense, but Dixon’s got to win the job first.
Early call: Dixon
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