The Denver Broncos will hold their first full training camp practice of the summer on Friday, and it won't be long before the team is fully immersed in preseason games and looking at how to pare down the roster to the league-mandated 53 players.
Of course, those 53 players on the final roster before the start of the regular season won't be the same 53 players the team uses every game. The NFL just doesn't work that way. Injuries happen, and in today's league, the practice squad is more valuable than ever.
But at least initially, how will that final roster look before the Week 1 matchup with the Tennessee Titans? Here's a prediction as training camp kicks off.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster projection
Quarterback (2)
Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham
Cut: Sam Ehlinger
This seems pretty cut and dry. Bo Nix is the starter, Jarrett Stidham is the clear-cut backup. The Broncos kept three QBs on the 53-man roster last year, but Sam Ehlinger will likely go to the practice squad and be the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Running Back (4)
J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime
Cuts: Michael Burton, Blake Watson, Tyler Badie
Look for: Watson to push for a spot
The Broncos should keep four running backs on the final roster. With the injury history of J.K. Dobbins, that should not even be in question. Jaleel McLaughlin should be all but a lock for a spot. If Audric Estime's fumbling issues continue, he could be a guy who could lose out. Look out for Blake Watson, who is still an exciting prospect.
Wide Receiver (6)
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Jr., Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Trent Sherfield
Cuts: Michael Bandy, A.T. Perry, Courtney Jackson, Jerjuan Newton, Joaquin Davis, Kyrese White
Look for: Joaquin Davis to use his size to make a difficult decision for the coaching staff
This seems like an easy group to predict, as Trent Sherfield will get the last spot based on his special teams prowess. Joaquin Davis is an intriguing undrafted prospect, however. His 6-foot-4 size should make him a lock for the practice squad as long as he shows an ability to make plays this preseason.
Tight end (3)
Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins
Cuts: Lucas Krull, Caden Prieskorn, Caleb Lohner
Look for: Caleb Lohner to steal a spot
There will be a lot of questions to answer here. Will the team really turn the page on Lucas Krull? I've stated my case that Nate Adkins, not Michael Burton, should be used in the fullback role that Payton employs and that will free up a roster spot.
The wild card is seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner. Primarily a basketball player in college, Payton sees something in him that he wants to take advantage of. If he flashes potential this preseason, he may just keep him on the roster and not risk him to the waivers process. At the very least, he will be part of the team's practice squad.
Offensive Line (9)
Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Luke Wattenberg, Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers, Matt Peart, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum, Clay Webb
Cuts: Alex Forsyth, Xavier Truss, Nick Gargiulo, Calvin Throckmorton, Will Sherman, Joe Michalski, Marques Cox
Look for: Matt Peart to be a surprise cut
There are some intriguing options here as the Broncos not only have a great starting offensive line but quality depth to go with it.
If the Broncos feel that young players Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum can hold down the swing tackle spot, Matt Peart could be sent packing and one of Alex Forsyth, Calvin Throckmorton or Nick Gargiulo could stick around as strong interior options.
Something about undrafted free agent Clay Webb seems too good to pass on. Let's see if he can back that up in camp.
MORE: Young Broncos player needs to step up and knock this veteran off the roster
Defensive Line (6)
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones. John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Jordan Jackson, Sai'vion Jones
Cuts: Eyioma Uwazurike, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Christian Williams
Look for: Uwazurike to push hard to stay around
Four of these players are locks — Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Frankin-Myers and Sai'vion Jones. Eyioma Uwazurike could easily take a spot from either Malcolm Roach or Jordan Jackson.
Outside Linebacker (5)
Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Johan Ellis, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson
Cuts: Johnny Walker, Jr., Andrew Farmer
There won't be much to discuss here, barring a serious injury, though Johnny Walker should be a prime option for the practice squad.
Inside Linebacker (5)
Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders, Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey
Cuts: JB Brown, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid
Look for: Two of the players cut to make the practice squad
The Broncos are solid with the starting combination of Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton, so long as their health holds up, but Drew Sanders remains a major question mark.
Levelle Bailey was too good last preseason not to continue developing and there are some fantastic undrafted options on this roster as well. JB Brown and Karene Reid will be guys that can be added to the practice squad and become true impact players down the road.
Cornerback (5)
Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron, Ja'Quan McMillian, Kris Abrams-Draine
Cuts: Damarri Mathis, Quinton Newsome, Mario Goodrich, Reese Taylor, Joshua Pickett, Jaden Robinson
Look for: A big decision regarding McMillian
Only five cornerbacks may seem a little light, but the Broncos have a good group here as long as they don't move on from Ja'Quan McMillian just because he won't be in the starting lineup. If they do, they should first look to trade him.
The team could, and likely would, decide to keep a sixth corner and waive someone like Bailey before bringing him back to the practice squad. That could allow someone like Damarri Mathis to hang around a little longer or it could open the door for one of the young players buried on the depth chart.
Safety (5)
Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Sam Franklin, Jr.
Cuts: Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key, Keidron Smith
P.J. Locke could be a surprise cut, particularly with Sam Franklin having a chance to become the team's special teams maven. For now, he stays, as his experience could come in handy with the injury history carried by Talanoa Hufanga, who was brought in to replace him in the starting lineup.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Wil Lutz
Punter: Jeremy Crawshaw
Long snapper: Mitchell Fraboni
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