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The Denver Broncos are set to hit the practice field for the start of organized team activities (OTAs) this week, so we're taking a quick look at the club's (projected) depth chart ahead of the summer.
Note that this depth chart is a projection, not an official depth chart from the team. The Broncos aren't required to release an official depth chart until preseason games in August (view Denver's preseason schedule). With that understood, let's jump into the projection.
Stidham and Ehlinger are set to battle for the backup QB job this summer, and Nix (ankle) might not be ready to fully practice before July, creating more reps for Stidham and Ehlinger this spring.
Coleman's arrival is particularly bad news for Tyler Badie, who served as the team's primary passing-down back last season. Coleman is an upgrade over Badie as a runner and as a receiver, and he's also a skilled pass blocker, which was Badie's main role in 2025.
Waddle figures to immediately take on a large workload, but Sutton remains the "X" receiver in Denver. It will be interesting to see how involved Mims will be as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Adkins is well-regarded in Denver, so he probably has a good chance to make the active roster again in 2026. Last year, the Broncos carried four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. If that's the plan again this season, Adkins, Bentley, Krull and Lohner are set to have a fierce battle for one roster spot this summer.
Several linemen will be backups at multiple positions, such as Palczewski and Casey providing cover at both tackle and guard. Throckmorton and Peart will be key veteran swing backups to watch this summer as younger linemen push for their spots.
Sai'vion Jones feels like the early favorite to replace JFM in the starting lineup, but Onyedim and Uwazurike will also compete for that spot. Denver loves Roach, but he's probably more of a rotational option behind D.J. Jones than a like-for-like replacement for JFM.
The Broncos plan to give Jonah Elliss snaps at inside linebacker this year, but it's unclear if he will make a full-time position switch or rotate between roles. We still have Elliss listed among the OLBs for now. Denver added Dasan McCullough as a UDFA, adding more depth to an already-crowded room.
It remains to be seen how involved Elliss will be at ILB, but it wouldn't be shocking if he emerged as the third-choice option behind Singleton and Strnad. Murdock and UDFA gem Taurean York will probably be fighting with Bailey and Turner for active roster spots.
The Broncos brought McMillian back as their slot cornerback, so Barron might have to beat out Moss if he wants to start in Year 2. Moss is also entering the final year of his contract. Denver also added three UDFA cornerbacks, headlined by Brent Austin.
Key is the current favorite to replace P.J. Locke, and Anderson (a special teams ace) was the club's only outside free agent signing in March. Scott will be the big name to watch at safety this summer as he fights for a roster spot.
Denver signed undrafted rookie Luke Basso to compete with Mitchell Fraboni this summer. The Broncos also added a pair of undrafted wide receivers who could push for a role a returner.
Denver will hold OTAs from June 2-4 and June 9-11. After that, the club will host a mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 before a summer break. Training camp is expected to begin in late July.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Projected depth chart going into OTAs
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Note that this depth chart is a projection, not an official depth chart from the team. The Broncos aren't required to release an official depth chart until preseason games in August (view Denver's preseason schedule). With that understood, let's jump into the projection.
Broncos projected depth chart
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Quarterback (3)
- QB1: Bo Nix
- QB2: Jarrett Stidham OR Sam Ehlinger
Stidham and Ehlinger are set to battle for the backup QB job this summer, and Nix (ankle) might not be ready to fully practice before July, creating more reps for Stidham and Ehlinger this spring.
Running back (6)
- RB1: J.K. Dobbins
- RB2: RJ Harvey
- RB3: Jonah Coleman
- RB4: Tyler Badie
- Depth: Jaleel McLaughlin, Cody Schrader
Coleman's arrival is particularly bad news for Tyler Badie, who served as the team's primary passing-down back last season. Coleman is an upgrade over Badie as a runner and as a receiver, and he's also a skilled pass blocker, which was Badie's main role in 2025.
Wide receiver (13)
- WR1: Courtland Sutton
- WR2: Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims
- WR3: Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin
- Depth: Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy, Mike Woods
- UDFAs: Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Sean Brown, Joseph Manjack
Waddle figures to immediately take on a large workload, but Sutton remains the "X" receiver in Denver. It will be interesting to see how involved Mims will be as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Tight end (7)
- TE1: Evan Engram
- TE2: Adam Trautman
- TE3: Justin Joly
- TE4: Nate Adkins
- Depth: Dallen Bentley, Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner
Adkins is well-regarded in Denver, so he probably has a good chance to make the active roster again in 2026. Last year, the Broncos carried four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. If that's the plan again this season, Adkins, Bentley, Krull and Lohner are set to have a fierce battle for one roster spot this summer.
Offensive line (16)
- LT: Garett Bolles, Frank Crum
- LG: Ben Powers, Kage Casey, Nick Gargiulo
- C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Michael Deiter
- RG: Quinn Meinerz, Calvin Throckmorton, Matt Peart
- RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski
- Depth: Tyler Miller, Gavin Ortega, Nash Jones
Several linemen will be backups at multiple positions, such as Palczewski and Casey providing cover at both tackle and guard. Throckmorton and Peart will be key veteran swing backups to watch this summer as younger linemen push for their spots.
Defensive line (10)
- DE: Zach Allen, Tyler Onyedim
- DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach
- DE: Sai'vion Jones, Eyioma Uwazurike
- Depth: Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams
Sai'vion Jones feels like the early favorite to replace JFM in the starting lineup, but Onyedim and Uwazurike will also compete for that spot. Denver loves Roach, but he's probably more of a rotational option behind D.J. Jones than a like-for-like replacement for JFM.
Outside linebacker (8*)
- OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman
- OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Que Robinson, Drew Sanders
- Wild card: Jonah Elliss
- Depth: Johnny Walker, Dasan McCullough
The Broncos plan to give Jonah Elliss snaps at inside linebacker this year, but it's unclear if he will make a full-time position switch or rotate between roles. We still have Elliss listed among the OLBs for now. Denver added Dasan McCullough as a UDFA, adding more depth to an already-crowded room.
Inside inebacker (8)
- LB1: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid
- LB2: Justin Strnad, Jonah Elliss
- Depth: Lavelle Bailey, Jordan Turner
- Rookies: Red Murdock, Taurean York
It remains to be seen how involved Elliss will be at ILB, but it wouldn't be shocking if he emerged as the third-choice option behind Singleton and Strnad. Murdock and UDFA gem Taurean York will probably be fighting with Bailey and Turner for active roster spots.
Cornerback (10)
- CB1: Pat Surtain, Kris Abrams-Draine
- CB2: Riley Moss OR Jahdae Barron
- Slot: Ja’Quan McMillian
- Depth: Reese Taylor, Jaden Robinson
- UDFAs: Brent Austin, Ahmari Harvey, Paul Manning
The Broncos brought McMillian back as their slot cornerback, so Barron might have to beat out Moss if he wants to start in Year 2. Moss is also entering the final year of his contract. Denver also added three UDFA cornerbacks, headlined by Brent Austin.
Safety (7)
- FS: Brandon Jones
- SS: Talanoa Hufunga
- S3: Devon Key, Miles Scott
- ST: Tycen Anderson, JL Skinner
- UDFA: Parker Robertson
Key is the current favorite to replace P.J. Locke, and Anderson (a special teams ace) was the club's only outside free agent signing in March. Scott will be the big name to watch at safety this summer as he fights for a roster spot.
Special teams
- Kicker: Wil Lutz
- Punter: Jeremy Crawshaw
- Returner: Marvin Mims, Kolbe Katsis, Cam Ross
- Long snapper: Mitchell Fraboni, Luke Basso
Denver signed undrafted rookie Luke Basso to compete with Mitchell Fraboni this summer. The Broncos also added a pair of undrafted wide receivers who could push for a role a returner.
Denver will hold OTAs from June 2-4 and June 9-11. After that, the club will host a mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 before a summer break. Training camp is expected to begin in late July.
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 going into OTAs
Continue reading...
