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Now, that's a splash.
After a quiet first week of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos finally made a big move on Tuesday, acquiring star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.
That trade became official on Wednesday, and the Broncos now have 72 players on their roster. The NFL's offseason limit is 90 players, and Denver currently holds seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
The team will probably make a few budget free agent deals leading up to the draft in late April, then the Broncos will fill out the roster by signing college free agents following the draft.
With more moves likely still on the way, we're taking a quick look at the team's (projected) depth chart following the Waddle trade and initial wave of free agency.
Quarterback: 3
If the Broncos opt to trade Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger could be a candidate to replace him as the team's new QB2. For now, the same QB room from 2025 returns.
Running back: 6
Denver is also running it back with the same backfield in 2026, but they seem likely to add more depth and competition through the NFL draft.
Wide receiver: 7
Waddle bumps Bryant, Mims and Franklin down the depth chart, and one of those three could end up being the odd man out. Right now, we have Franklin projected below Bryant and Mims.
Tight end: 5
Adam Trautman, Kucas Krull and Nate Adkins all returned last week, but Denver could still use a playmaker at the position. There is one notable tight end still available, so this will be a position to watch.
Offensive line: 14
Denver's bringing Palczewski back on a two-year contract. He provides excellent depth at both tackle and guard after the team opted against trading Ben Powers.
Defensive line: 9
Following the departure of John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike and Sai'vion Jones will likely compete for a starting spot this summer. Uwazurike might have the early edge due to his experience, but fans will hope to see Jones step up after he was picked in the third round of last year's NFL draft.
Outside linebacker: 7
After bringing back Dondrea Tillman, the Broncos have a lot of depth at outside linebacker, so much so that it seems fair to wonder if the team might consider trading away an edge defender this offseason.
Inside linebacker: 6
Denver re-signed Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, then they cut Dre Greenlaw. They should look to add long-term depth during the NFL draft next month.
Cornerback: 7
The Broncos are bringing McMillian back on a second-round tender, which presumably means Barron will get an opportunity to compete with Moss for an outside role in 2026.
Safety: 4
After P.J. Locke left in free agency, Denver could use more depth at safety.
Special teams: 3
There's no competition for the three incumbent specialists at the moment. We'll see if that changes later this spring.
Broncos players are scheduled to report to the team's facility for the start of the offseason program in May. Following a mandatory minicamp in mid-June, players will have a break until training camp begins in late July. Before the offseason program, though, the front office still has some free agency to sort through, followed by the draft in April.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Projected depth chart after Jaylen Waddle trade
Continue reading...
After a quiet first week of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos finally made a big move on Tuesday, acquiring star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.
That trade became official on Wednesday, and the Broncos now have 72 players on their roster. The NFL's offseason limit is 90 players, and Denver currently holds seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
The team will probably make a few budget free agent deals leading up to the draft in late April, then the Broncos will fill out the roster by signing college free agents following the draft.
With more moves likely still on the way, we're taking a quick look at the team's (projected) depth chart following the Waddle trade and initial wave of free agency.
Broncos (projected) depth chart
Quarterback: 3
- QB1: Bo Nix
- QB2: Jarrett Stidham
- QB3: Sam Ehlinger
If the Broncos opt to trade Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger could be a candidate to replace him as the team's new QB2. For now, the same QB room from 2025 returns.
Running back: 6
- RB1: J.K. Dobbins
- RB2: RJ Harvey
- RB3: Tyler Badie
- RB4: Jaleel McLaughlin
- Depth: Cody Schrader, Deuce Vaughn
Denver is also running it back with the same backfield in 2026, but they seem likely to add more depth and competition through the NFL draft.
Wide receiver: 7
- WR1: Courtland Sutton
- WR2: Jaylen Waddle
- WR3: Pat Bryant
- WR4: Marvin Mims
- WR5: Troy Franklin
- Depth: Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy
Waddle bumps Bryant, Mims and Franklin down the depth chart, and one of those three could end up being the odd man out. Right now, we have Franklin projected below Bryant and Mims.
Tight end: 5
- TE1: Evan Engram
- TE2: Adam Trautman
- TE3/FB: Nate Adkins
- TE4: Lucas Krull
- Depth: Caleb Lohner
Adam Trautman, Kucas Krull and Nate Adkins all returned last week, but Denver could still use a playmaker at the position. There is one notable tight end still available, so this will be a position to watch.
Offensive line: 14
- LT: Garett Bolles, Frank Crum
- LG: Ben Powers, Alex Palczewski
- C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth
- RG: Quinn Meinerz, Calvin Throckmorton
- RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski
- Depth: Matt Peart, Marques Cox, Nick Gargiulo, Michael Deiter, Nash Jones
Denver's bringing Palczewski back on a two-year contract. He provides excellent depth at both tackle and guard after the team opted against trading Ben Powers.
Defensive line: 9
- DE: Zach Allen, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller
- DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Kristian Williams
- DE: Eyioma Uwazurike/Sai'vion Jones, Jordan Jackson
Following the departure of John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike and Sai'vion Jones will likely compete for a starting spot this summer. Uwazurike might have the early edge due to his experience, but fans will hope to see Jones step up after he was picked in the third round of last year's NFL draft.
Outside linebacker: 7
- OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss
- OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson
- Depth: Johnny Walker, Garrett Nelson
After bringing back Dondrea Tillman, the Broncos have a lot of depth at outside linebacker, so much so that it seems fair to wonder if the team might consider trading away an edge defender this offseason.
Inside linebacker: 6
- LB1: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid
- LB2: Justin Strnad, Drew Sanders
- Depth: Jordan Turner, Lavelle Bailey
Denver re-signed Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, then they cut Dre Greenlaw. They should look to add long-term depth during the NFL draft next month.
Cornerback: 7
- CB1: Pat Surtain
- Slot: Ja'Quan McMillian
- CB2: Riley Moss or Jahdae Barron
- CB4: Kris Abrams-Draine
- Depth: Reese Taylor, Jaden Robinson
The Broncos are bringing McMillian back on a second-round tender, which presumably means Barron will get an opportunity to compete with Moss for an outside role in 2026.
Safety: 4
- S1: Brandon Jones
- S2: Talanoa Hufunga
- S3: Devon Key
- ST: JL Skinner
After P.J. Locke left in free agency, Denver could use more depth at safety.
Special teams: 3
- LS: Mitchell Fraboni
- P: Jeremy Crawshaw
- K: Wil Lutz
There's no competition for the three incumbent specialists at the moment. We'll see if that changes later this spring.
Broncos players are scheduled to report to the team's facility for the start of the offseason program in May. Following a mandatory minicamp in mid-June, players will have a break until training camp begins in late July. Before the offseason program, though, the front office still has some free agency to sort through, followed by the draft in April.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Projected depth chart after Jaylen Waddle trade
Continue reading...
