ClutchPoints
The Denver Broncos’ 2025 unofficial depth chart release sparked considerable debate among fans on social media. The fan uproar sparked several conversations, with many predicting that the depth chart would not remain the same by Week 1.
The biggest controversy centered on the placement of the team’s rookies, specifically star prospects Jahdae Barron and RJ Harvey. Many were appalled to see Harvey and Barron at the end of the depth chart until realizing that the Broncos had simply placed all their rookies at the bottom. The decision was still notable and surprising.
With the rookies’ placement, the Broncos listed nine returning offensive starters and nine returning defensive starters. If that holds up, Denver would boast an absurd 82 percent retention rate in 2025. Sean Payton is notoriously stingy with his lineups, but that level of return would even be an outlier for him.
Any team values consistency, but the Broncos’ depth chart is much more competitive than it lets on. The team lists recent signee J.K. Dobbins as their starting running back, but Harvey is in just as advantageous of a position, as are Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin. Denver’s backfield was a complicated mess in 2024, and it does not appear to be much clearer one year later.
As complicated as the backfield is, the Broncos’ wide receiver corps might be an even more interesting situation. They currently have Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. as the two starters, with Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele behind them as backups. Denver only lists two starting receivers to make room for fullback Michael Burton in the lineup.
Unofficial depth charts are typically volatile, but the Broncos’ 2025 inaugural lineup release might be the most tentative in the league. With roughly three weeks until Week 1, only a few starters can feel confident in their position.
When the Broncos selected RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many expected him to take over a listless backfield. Instead, despite Harvey’s strong performances throughout the offseason, Denver added veteran J.K. Dobbins late in the process, who has since topped the depth chart.
Dobbins is easily the most accomplished player in the team’s running back room, making it less of a shock that he took over the backfield so quickly. The former second-round pick is coming off the best season of his career, posting 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Despite his success, the Chargers let him walk in free agency and instead opted to sign Najee Harris. It took him a while to return to an NFL roster, but the Broncos eventually scooped him up in June.
There is no doubt that, if he can hold onto the starting role, Dobbins would be an improvement from what Denver had last season. The Broncos’ run game was one of the worst in the league in 2024, placing additional pressure on rookie Bo Nix. They still...
