DENVER — Sean Payton didn’t hide from the reality of the week ahead. With one preseason game left before the NFL’s mandated cutdown from 90 to 53 players, the Denver Broncos have hard choices looming.

“I think there’re going to be a number of tough decisions, but I’d rather be in that position than the position we were in two years ago at this time,” Payton said. “I think that the talent level has gradually gotten better. These guys, they’re all competing, and we say this to them, and it’s serious. We’re rooting for all of them. We’re rooting for their best, and because I think there’s going to be some players that end up on other teams’ rosters playing. That’s part of the deal.”

The Broncos’ depth is both a blessing and a burden. After an offseason filled with draft additions, trades, and injury recoveries, Denver no longer has to force developmental players onto the roster. Instead, they will be saying goodbye to some familiar names, including a handful of recent draft picks.

Quarterback is one area where there will be no drama. Bo Nix has emerged as Denver’s future centerpiece, and Jarrett Stidham has established himself as one of the league’s most dependable backups. Sam Ehlinger is expected to slide onto the practice squad as the third option but there are teams that may require his services. The team’s specialists are also set, with kicker Wil Lutz, rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni locked in under new special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

The competition has been much more intense in the backfield. JK Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey headline a versatile group, while Tyler Badie and Jaleel McGlaughlin round it out. That leaves 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estimé on the outside looking in. Estimé has slipped behind not only the top four but also undrafted rookie Blake Watson, who could stick on the practice squad. Denver may try to trade Estimé rather than cut him outright.

Running Backs (4):

• JK Dobbins
• Jaleel McLaughlin
• Tyler Badie
• RJ Harvey

Receiver is another area where questions linger. Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and rookie Troy Franklin are safe, while Pat Bryant and Trent Sherfield add depth and special teams value. The wild card is Devaughn Vele, who was held out of Denver’s second preseason game despite practicing all week. Whether that absence was tied to a minor injury or trade talks, his status will be worth watching as final cuts approach.

Wide Receivers (6):

• Courtland Sutton
• Marvin Mims
• Troy Franklin
• Devaughn Vele
• Pat Bryant
• Trent Sherfield

The tight end position is unsettled after injuries complicated the depth chart. Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are secure, but behind them the Broncos face a choice between the raw upside of Caleb Lohner and the steadier production of Lucas Krull. Nate Adkins is expected to open the season on injured reserve, as is veteran fullback Michael Burton, whose hamstring injury led to the signing of Adam Prentice. That may leave Denver searching for outside help to shore up the group.

Tight Ends/Fullbacks (3):

• Evan Engram
• Adam Trautman
• Caleb Lohner

Along the offensive line, the biggest setback was rookie Nick Gargiulo’s season-ending injury. The 2024 draft pick had been making a strong case for a spot before being sidelined. The Broncos now must decide whether to keep a veteran like Calvin Throckmorton for depth or lean fully into youth by protecting developmental pieces such as Frank Crum and Alex Palczewski. The starting five remains stable with Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey and Luke Wattenberg.

Offensive Line (9):

• Garett Bolles
• Ben Powers
• Quinn Meinerz
• Mike McGlinchey
• Luke Wattenberg
• Alex Palczewski
• Frank Crum
• Alex Forsyth
• Matt Peart

On defense, the front seven features a mix of returning veterans and rising rookies. Zach Allen, DJ Jones and John Franklin-Myers anchor the line, while third-round pick Sai’vion Jones has impressed enough to push former fourth-rounder Eyioma Uwazurike off the roster bubble. At edge rusher, the picture is clear: Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper return after leading Denver to the league’s top sack total in 2024, with Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman and rookie Que Robinson rounding out a deep, dynamic group.

Defensive Line (6):

• Zach Allen
• DJ Jones
• John Franklin-Myers
• Malcolm Roach
• Jordan Jackson
• Sai’vion Jones

Edge Rushers (5):

• Nik Bonitto
• Jonathon Cooper
• Jonah Elliss
• Dondrea Tillman
• Que Robinson

Linebacker is thinner, especially with Drew Sanders expected to open the year on injured reserve. Injuries have kept the former third-round pick from carving out a consistent role. For now, Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton remain entrenched as starters, with Justin Strnad and rookie Levelle Bailey providing depth.

Linebackers (4):

• Dre Greenlaw
• Alex Singleton
• Justin Strnad
• Levelle Bailey

The secondary may be Denver’s strongest unit, though it comes at a cost. All-Pro Pat Surtain II headlines a cornerback room that also features Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine. That depth leaves little room for Damarri Mathis, a former fourth-round pick whose cap hit and regression have put him firmly on the bubble. At safety, the addition of Talanoa Hufanga gives the Broncos one of the league’s top tandems alongside Brandon Jones. PJ Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner provide depth, while Delarrin Turner-Yell is expected to be released after missing last season with a knee injury.

Cornerbacks (5):

• Pat Surtain II
• Riley Moss
• Ja’Quan McMillian
• Jahdae Barron
• Kris Abrams-Draine

Safeties (5):

• Talanoa Hufanga
• Brandon Jones
• PJ Locke
• Devon Key
• JL Skinner

Taken together, the roster crunch reflects how far the Broncos have come in just two years. Players who once would have been protected for their draft status or potential are now expendable in favor of proven contributors. Payton and general manager George Paton are no longer managing scarcity — they are making choices from a position of strength.

The decisions won’t be easy, but that in itself is a sign of progress. As Payton noted, several players who don’t make Denver’s roster are likely to land elsewhere. For the Broncos, the challenge now is not just to find 53 players, but to choose the right 53 to carry them into a season with legitimate playoff aspirations.

*Cover photo by Aaron Ontiveroz/Denver Post