Denver Broncos post-draft depth chart

Taking a look the Broncos projected depth chart after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Denver Broncos came out of this event with a first-round quarterback, a promising-looking edge rusher, a speedy and explosive wide receiver, some corner depth, a physical and powerful runner, and more much-needed depth. They also traded a future 6th-round selection to the Jets for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers who will greatly improve their defensive line. So, overall, it was a pretty successful three days for the Broncos.

Let us take a look at how the Denver Broncos’ current projected depth chart looks after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Thoughts

• Quarterback: This is Bo Nix’s job to lose and I think Payton and the Broncos will lean into that this summer. He needs reps and to learn Payton’s offense so get him all the reps he needs. As for Wilson and Stidham, they are likely competing for one spot on the roster. The fact that the Broncos added two quarterbacks during draft week, trading for a former second-overall selection and drafting one at 12th overall, is not great news for Stidham. Unfortunately for Ben DiNucci, I think his time on the roster is coming to an end here in the coming days.
• Running back: The Broncos running back room needed some additions and the Broncos did just that. Javonte Williams is probably your starter still but he’s coming off a down year and could face competition from rookie Audric Estime. I think we could see Estime push for the starting job this summer. Veteran Samaje Perine is on the hot seat with these additions and looks like the odd man out right now, but injuries can and probably will change things. Jaleel McLaughlin is probably safe but undrafted rookie Blake Watson is a promising UDFA who has a good shot at making the roster and could surpass McLaughlin on the depth chart. Tyler Badie is in trouble and may not be on the roster by the time we reach camp, but we shall see.
• Wide receiver: This is probably the most intriguing unit on the roster. Courtland Sutton wants a new contract and who knows how that will all work out. Marvin Mims Jr. is expected to become a starter but we’ll see if he has improved his route running. Recently signed Josh Reynolds is probably the surest thing at the position right now. Veteran Tim Patrick is a huge question mark because he has not played in two seasons because of an achilles and ACL injury in back-to-back years. Rookie Troy Franklin will factor in as a deep threat most likely, but where he lands on the depth chart remains to be seen. As for the rest? They’re all fighting for one or two spots on the roster. It’s a crowded room that likely will see a few releases in the coming days.
• Tight end: I expected the Broncos to use a premium pick on a tight end but they did not and did not draft one at all. Either, that’s a good sign for Greg Dulcich and his hamstrings, or the board just never fell in their favor. I would expect Adam Trautman to start again this season but hopefully, he is not their main receiving threat once again. Lucas Krull is a big athletic tight end with upside but he needs to prove himself before he is anything more than that. Nate Adkins is likely their blocking specialist at the position along with UDFA Dylan Leonard. Thomas Yassmin is an intriguing rookie but he had limited production and dealt with injuries at Utah, but he is a name I am keeping an eye on this summer.
• Offensive Line: Not a lot changed here. Your four starters are penciled in while the center job will be a competition between Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, and veteran Sam Mustipher. At swing tackle, Alex Palczewski and Matt Peart look like your backups but keep an eye on UDFA OT Frank Crum. As for the interior guys, they’re all fighting for two or three spots with others landing on the practice squad. I like the depth here better than in past years but we shall see how it plays out throughout the spring and summer months.

• Defensive line: The addition of John Franklin-Myers really helps this unit. It gives them another legit starter on their line while also giving them someone who can pair with Zach Allen as interior pass rushers in the middle of their defense. D.J. Jones is your starting nose tackle for now while Malcolm Roach was signed to be a run defense specialist for the Broncos. Veteran Angelo Blackson was added to beef up their defensive line and replace Mike Purcell. As for the rest, they are all competing for one or two roster spots with Henningsen likely the favorite for one of them.
• Edge rushers: Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper are your likely starters with Nik Bonitto and rookie Jonah Elliss being your pass rush specialists. All four figure to see snaps likely in a heavy rotation throughout the season. There is no real true alpha of this group so playing time can be earned or lost from any of these four. Incoom, Perkins, and the rest are all fighting for one or two spots and will need to prove themselves on special teams most likely if they want to make the roster.
• Linebackers: Alex Singleton is your starter while Jonas Griffith and Cody Barton likely will have designated roles on defense. Griffith may start while Barton, who is better in coverage, comes in on certain sub-packages. Justin Strnad is your special teams ace once again while the rest will have a shot to earn a spot on the roster. Linebacker is not really a strength of the Broncos so there is an opening here for one of the UDFA’s if they play well.
• Drew Sanders: He is either an edge rusher or linebacker but where he fits exactly remains to be seen. He struggled as an off the ball linebacker last year and was being moved to edge but with Jonah Elliss added, he’s in a weird spot.
• Cornerback: Like the wide receiver position, this is another very intriguing unit. After Patrick Surtain II, it is a pretty wide-open competition. Veteran Levi Wallace, Riley Moss, Damarri Mathis, and rookie Kris Abrams-Draine are all competing for playing time. I believe Ja’Quan McMillian is still your slot but we shall see If he gets an opportunity to play outside. As for the rest, this is a pretty wide-open group so if one of the UDFA’s or second-year players steps up, they can certainly earn a roster spot.
• Safety: Barring injury, this unit seems pretty figured out. Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke are your expected starters while Caden Sterns and JL Skinner are your backups. Delarrin Turner-Yell is coming off a torn ACL but at best, he is on the roster bubble. As for the rest, their best shot is to prove themselves on special teams if they want to make it.