Mile High Report
Earlier in the week, I released a post-training camp 53-man roster projection for the Broncos. Well, things have changed since then. First, I was made aware of a new injured reserve rule (thanks, Ozark!), which clears a few things up, and now, the Denver Broncos traded away wide receiver Devaughn Vele. All these things made that projection fairly useless, so why not do another?
In this 53-man roster projection, I will have the Broncos using their two injured reserve slots on tight end Nate Adkins and linebacker Drew Sanders. Both are expected to land on the IR to start the season, and this will open up two extra roster spots for the Broncos. I’ll also explore how the Broncos could construct their 53-man roster after the Vele trade.
Made the team: Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Sam Ehlinger
Nothing surprising here. Bo Nix is your starter and is coming off a great joint practice with the Cardinals, and backup Jarrett Stidham has been absolutely dealing as the backup. Ehlinger has been solid, too, but only carrying two quarterbacks makes sense for the roster construction, and they will try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Made the team: J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie
Cut: Blake Watson, Audric Estime, Adam Prentice, and Michael Burton
J.K. Dobbins and rookie R.J. Harvey are your starters, and I believe Jaleel McLaughlin will be your RB3. After that, is where things could get interesting. I have Tyler Badie making the team because he has looked like the best all-around back of the group. However, he has cleared waivers three separate times in his career and most likely would be able to do it again. You could waive him and keep either Blake Watson or Audric Estime on the 53-man roster and no risk them to waivers.
I’m personally not worried about that. I believe Badie will make the 53, and he has earned it, while Blake Watson will make the practice squad. I don’t think Estime has a future with the team, and I think he’ll either be traded or waived and be on another roster come week one.
As for the fullbacks, I don’t think any of them make the 53-man roster. Michael Burton is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the team just signed Adam Prentice. One or both of them will be on the practice squad come week one.
Made the team: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Trent Sherfield Sr., and Courtney Jackson
Cut: A.T. Perry, Michael Bandy, Kyrese Rowan, Jerjuan Newton, and Joaquin Davis
With Vele traded to the Saints, it changes things a bit for the Broncos at the wide receiver position. Sutton, Mims, Franklin, Bryant, and Sherfield are all obviously making the roster. However, it does open up a spot for one of the other receivers on the roster. They could just roll with five receivers, but I think they’ll carry...
