Denver Broncos' 53-man roster projection: Is Zach Wilson's spot in danger? (2024)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos open the 2024 regular season Sept. 9 against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Their first offensive snap of that game will provide the answer to Denver's biggest offseason question, as the season opener is the proverbial "end date" coach Sean Payton has referenced in deciding the Broncos' starting quarterback.

Rookie Bo Nix, who the Broncos drafted with the 12th overall pick, has split first-team work evenly with Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham during the offseason program. Payton has resisted giving hints on when he plans to make the call, but the search overshadows any other Broncos depth chart debate.

Payton has said that this might be one of his youngest teams in his 17 seasons as an NFL head coach. As the opener approaches, the Broncos hope they can avoid the injuries that happened in the early stages of camp last year, when wide receiver Tim Patrick and linebacker Jonas Griffith went down in the first week and were lost for the season.

Here is the 53-man projection:

QUARTERBACKS (2): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham

With Nix expected to be the starter, it is difficult to square the idea the Broncos would spend "weeks" -- Payton's word -- to put together a trade for Wilson and then not keep him on the 53-man roster. But keeping Wilson could cost a team fighting depth issues at other positions a player of greater need.

The Saints kept four quarterbacks on the roster to open the 2021 season, when Payton was the coach in New Orleans, so he could certainly lobby to keep three this year, but that decision would come with a price.

RUNNING BACKS (4): Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin

The price of keeping three quarterbacks could be felt here, as this group could go from four to three if Denver keeps an extra signal-caller. Getting down to three RBs would be tough, since Perine has a heavy dose of third down and special-teams duties, the Broncos have big plans for Estime and McLaughlin is the leading change-of-pace option while providing much-needed explosiveness.

FULLBACKS (1): Michael Burton

Burton is a long-time Payton favorite, a "culture" player who has a place in the offensive scheme to go with a hefty special-teams résumé.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin, Josh Reynolds

The Broncos kept six receivers last season, but don't be surprised if a familiar name or two is left off in what should be one of the most intriguing camp battles. In this scenario, Brandon Johnson -- who finished second to Sutton in touchdown catches last season with four (on just 19 receptions) -- wouldn't make the cut, nor would rookie Devaughn Vele. Franklin, a fourth-round pick, will have to show far more physicality than he did in the offseason program to get the nod.

TIGHT ENDS (4): Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull

The Broncos kept four tight ends last season at the 53-man cut and Dulcich's health could determine if they repeat that this time around. Dulcich (hamstring) played only 32 snaps last season and did not participate in any of the team's on-field work this offseason. His progress will bear watching as camp unfolds, as a stint on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) would create a spot elsewhere.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Alex Forsyth, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Luke Wattenberg, Calvin Throckmorton, Quinn Bailey, Alex Palczewski

This is the most settled returning group from last season. The Broncos had the same five starters for 16 games in 2023 (McGlinchey missed the finale with a rib injury). Center Lloyd Cushenberry III moved on in free agency, with Forsyth and Wattenberg splitting most of the first-team center work this offseason. Lack of proven depth is a bit of a concern.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Angelo Blackson, Matt Henningsen

This is one of the sturdiest spots on the roster, especially with the addition of Franklin-Myers. His arrival should free up Allen, who saw an increasing number of double-teams as last season wore on. Roach's arrival will help Jones play a more attacking role.

LINEBACKERS (8): Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning, Drew Sanders, Justin Strnad, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss

The Broncos kept nine linebackers last season, but that will be much more difficult this year and could cost a player like Griffith a spot. Barton, who signed a one-year deal in free agency, got most of the work in Josey Jewell's old spot in the offseason, as Jewell signed with Carolina in free agency.

CORNERBACKS (5): Pat Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine

Moss and Wallace got most of the work with the starters at the open right cornerback spot in the offseason program. Abrams-Draine and veteran Tremon Smith could be among a fierce battle for the last spot in the group and youth might win out for a team that has more than $67 million in dead money against this year's salary cap. Damarri Mathis is also in the mix for the last spot here.

SAFETIES (5): Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell

The quarterback competition has provided camouflage for a safety room that could be the most unsettled on the roster, given the decision to release Justin Simmons early in the offseason. Jones, who signed the biggest deal (three years, $20 million) the Broncos handed out in free agency this year, comes in with the most expectations he's faced in the NFL. The Broncos will need him to live up to most of them.

SPECIALISTS (3): Wil Lutz (K), Riley Dixon (P), Mitchell Fraboni (LS)

Lutz went through the offseason program unopposed after being re-signed this offseason. Trenton Gill, who spent two years with the Bears, and Dixon will open camp in competition at punter, though Dixon is favored. Gill finished last in the league in net average last season as the Bears struggled on special teams.