Broncos Roster Battles Updates: Offense

In less than a week, the Denver Broncos have to cut their roster down from 90 to 53. Then, the Broncos can start putting together a practice squad.

But changes will be made to Denver's 53-man roster over the first few days. How have the Broncos' roster battles shaped up as the final cut-down moment approaches?

Let's start on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback

While there wasn't a battle for the starting job, some thought a competition could emerge after the loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Jarrett Stidham had a rough game, while Ben DiNucci did well.

However, no battle took shape, and after a solid showing from Stidham against the San Francisco 49ers and DiNucci struggling, the pecking order is clear. The remaining battle here is DiNucci against someone else and roster math to see whether the Broncos keep three quarterbacks on the roster.

It makes sense to keep a third quarterback with the re-emergence of the emergency quarterback rule. The rule states that a third quarterback who isn't a practice squad call-up can dress for the game while not factoring into the 48-man gameday roster.

So, if a team loses both quarterbacks in a game, the third quarterback can enter without taking up one of the 48 active spots. DiNucci is fighting to be that quarterback, but the Broncos can also look elsewhere.

Running Back/Fullback

Javonte Williams returning as early as he did settles a lot regarding the running back battles. The top guy is Williams, with Samaje Perine being his primary backup. That would always be the case if Williams were healthy, but getting him back means there isn't a fight for two spots, only the third spot.

It was clearly Tyler Badie's spot to lose early in camp. When Williams was held out, Badie got first-team reps with Perine. Badie was the second back to take the field against the Cardinals. However, he suffered an injury during the week leading up to the Niners game, derailing him.

Jaleel McLaughlin came in, took advantage of extra reps, and took the job. At this point, it would be a complete shock if McLaughlin does not hold the third spot. Tony Jones Jr. is behind and maybe can make a case for the practice squad.

As for fullback, it was Michael Burton's spot from the get-go. Nate Adkins made a slight push for it as a hybrid tight end, but Burton is too valuable on special teams to part ways with. There will be more on Adkins when we get to the tight ends.

Wide Receiver

Losing Tim Patrick is a significant blow, creating more of a battle at the position. Three of the spots of five, maybe six, are known. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Marvin Mims, Jr. take those three spots.

Brandon Johnson seems poised to take one of the remaining spots. He was the first one given a chance to take the spot opened up by Patrick, but Johnson has been sidelined with an injury. Along with Johnson, Marquez Callaway also has been a favorite to earn one of the spots, but he hasn't stepped up to take a hold of it.

One riser has been undrafted rookie Taylor Grimes, who has had some amazing moments in practice but has only played 16 snaps over the two preseason games, with two catches on three targets. Jalen Virgil was also making a push, but he was put on injured reserve, ending his season.

Kendall Hinton has let his opportunities slip through his grasp, especially with how abysmal he was against the Niners. Lil'Jordan Humphrey is also there, and he has done well and made a good case for a roster spot, but he's also had his issues, including a fumble, to balance it out.

With how things have shaped up, it could easily see the Broncos only keep five receivers. That would help with Denver's roster math by opening a spot elsewhere, which could help carry a fourth tight end or fourth tackle. It also could see the Broncos keep a pure returner, which we will get to later.

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Tight End

The top three here were never in doubt, though the order was questioned at the start of camp. Adam Trautman is set to be the top guy, with Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz behind him. The real question was always, do the Broncos keep four tight ends, and if so, who's the fourth?

Albert Okwuegbunam is a fan favorite, but with three different coaching staffs, he has found himself in the doghouse. It was an uphill battle, and his name has been floating around the trade market.

With how the performances went in the game, Adkins is the one to watch. He has been great in both preseason games and has lined up all over the field.

Not just in-line, as a fullback, but Adkins has also lined up in the slot and even on the boundary. If the Broncos' offense wants to live in two tight-end sets, keeping Adkins as the fourth tight end with his versatility is probably the way to go.

Okweugbunam has continued to struggle as a blocker and has never taken a special teams snap in the NFL during the regular season, and only six snaps in the preseason, five of them coming this year. Adkins has played 15 over four of the six special teams units and done well. The fourth tight end has to be a core special teams player.

Offensive Tackle

Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, and Cam Fleming are the top three tackles. Entering camp, that was all that stood out. However, after McGlinchey's injury and Fleming's concerning showings, a fourth tackle is needed.

Isaiah Prince got the first shot and seems to have lost it. Quinn Bailey got reps at tackle and can play inside; that versatility probably helps him make it as a depth guy, where he has been the primary backup right guard.

Alex Palczewski, the riser here, seems to have grabbed the fourth spot. He has to hold it against the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason finale to secure his spot. If he plays like he was over his 54 snaps in the first two games, where he allowed one pressure and opened up lanes consistently in the run game, he should be safe to make it.

Interior Offensive Line

Denver needs more out of Ben Powers in pass protection, but he is the left guard, with Quinn Meinerz starting on the right side. Bailey is also there as the primary backup to Meinerz and can play left guard and right tackle.

The Broncos could go heavy on the offensive line and keep 10 total linemen with four tackles, four guards, and two centers. That would make sense with how many injury concerns there are along the line. If the Broncos don't keep 10, there will probably be three guards, Powers, Meinerz, and Bailey, with their backup center having interior versatility.

Lloyd Cushenberry III hasn't been great in the preseason, showing issues on screenplays, in pass protection with his awareness, and not getting push in the run game without help. Luke Wattenberg and Kyle Fuller each got a game to be the primary backup center — Wattenberg against the Cardinals and Fuller against the Niners, with the other at left guard.

Wattenberg worked better as a center and started rough as a guard but bounced back. Fuller did alright as a guard but struggled more at center. It makes it a tough decision. As mentioned, though, the Broncos could go with 10 players on the offensive line, in which case both of these guys make it.

As for Alex Forsyth and Will Sherman, they have done quite well during the preseason. They both are third-string players and seem poised for the practice squad if they clear waivers.

Returner

Mims could be the returner, but Montrell Washington has looked improved. If McLaughlin can consistently field the ball, he can kill it as a kick returner.

Keeping a pure returner depends on what happens with the wide receiver room. Washington has a good chance to make it as the primary returner, with Mims and McLaughlin behind him.

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