These six Denver Broncos players have the most to gain this preseason

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The Denver Broncos won't have a lot of questions to answer with their roster this summer. It's extremely close to what it was last year and the players know that the team believes it can get to and win the Super Bowl.

With that said, many spots on the roster are already determined, not just at the starting positions, but the primary backups as well. However, there will be a need for competition at others, with the players getting the best of those competitions rounding out the 53-man roster.

The team will open training camp in less than one month and it kicks off its preseason schedule August 14 in Atlanta. These six players will have the most to gain from the preseason slate, which consists of three games.

Broncos players with most to gain in 2026 preseason​

Hakeem Butler, WR

Hakeem Butler has had an interesting professional football career. After starring at Iowa State in college, he came into the league with high hopes, but flamed out quickly after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

While things haven't worked out for him in the NFL, he's been a stud in spring leagues. Those performances continue to afford him more opportunities at the highest level, and the latest comes in Denver, where the Broncos signed him following the most recent UFL season.

The Broncos have five wide receivers who are locked into a spot on the team: Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant. But if they decide to keep a sixth, it could go to Butler, as his 6-foot-5-inch frame can't be overlooked.

Caleb Lohner, TE

Sean Payton hyped Caleb Lohner up in OTAs and now it's time to see if this former basketball player has what it takes to play in the NFL. The Broncos used two draft picks on tight ends, but Lohner could easily find himself onto this roster with a strong summer.

Tyler Miller, OT

The Broncos have an impressive offensive line, but rotational swing tackles will always have a place in the NFL. The Broncos have one in Frank Crum and a versatile backup who can line up at multiple positions in Alex Palczewski, but undrafted tackle Tyler Miller could easily take Matt Peart's spot on the team.

Sean Fresch, Cornerback/Kick Returner

The first player signed from the spring league, Butler, may not have been a surprise to see here, but seeing another former UFL player, Sean Fresch, probably is. Shortly after signing Butler, the Broncos brought in his St. Louis Battlehawks teammate, Fresch.

The Broncos will need to see Fresch play well as a defensive back, but his real chance to make the team comes in the form of a return specialist. The Broncos have kept these players on the roster in the past (Trindon Holliday, Diontae Spencer, Tremon Smith) and if Fresch can do the same, it would make the contract negotiations for Mims extremely interesting.

Red Murdock, LB

Despite being the "Mr. Irrelevant" selection in the 2026 draft, Red Murdock probably could not have hand-picked a better landing spot. The Broncos are thin at inside linebacker and it might be the team's biggest weakness entering the season.

With a bunch of undrafted players behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, Murdock could find himself as the primary backup in the rotation following the preseason.

Sam Ehlinger, QB

The Broncos have their starting quarterback in place. Bo Nix will hold that job for the foreseeable future. But the team will hold a quarterback competition this summer for his backup.

Jarrett Stidham has held that role for the past two seasons (and he was the backup in 2023 behind Russell Wilson), but a shaky performance in last year's AFC Championship Game has opened the door for Sam Ehlinger to potentially take his job, and Ehlinger has the talent to do it.

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No player on the roster had more to gain this preseason than Ehlinger.

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