Winning feels different in Denver these days. After years of wandering through a literal quarterback desert, Sean Payton finally found his oasis in Bo Nix. But as we look at the Broncos 53 man roster projection for the 2026 season, the conversation isn't just about finding a guy—it’s about keeping a window open.
Denver is heading into the 2026 offseason with something they haven't had in a decade: real, flexible capital. Russell Wilson's massive dead cap hit is officially a ghost of the past. The training wheels are off. This isn't just a list of names; it's a blueprint for a team trying to transition from a "nice story" to a perennial AFC powerhouse.
Honestly, the roster you see today is going to look a lot different by August. Between aging veterans on expiring deals like Alex Singleton and the looming necessity of getting Bo Nix another elite weapon, the front office has some gut-wrenching decisions ahead.
The Quarterback Room: Bo Nix and the Security Blanket
There is zero drama at the top. Bo Nix is the franchise. Coming off a 2025 campaign where he flirted with 4,000 passing yards and proved he can handle Payton’s complex "processor" offense, his spot is cemented. The real question is who sits behind him.
Jarrett Stidham has been the ultimate pro. He’s the mentor, the extra set of eyes on the sideline, and the guy who knows the playbook as well as the coaches. However, Stidham carries a $8 million cap hit in 2026. For a backup, that’s a spicy meatball.
- Bo Nix: The undisputed QB1.
- Jarrett Stidham: Likely stays, but don't be shocked if Denver looks for a cheaper developmental option in the late rounds of the draft to save cap space.
- Sam Ehlinger: He spent 2025 as the emergency third, and unless a rookie blows him away in camp, his familiarity with the system keeps him in the mix.
The Backfield Shakeup: Beyond the RJ Harvey Breakout
RJ Harvey was a revelation as a rookie. The guy just finds holes where they don't exist. But let’s be real—the running back room looked thin once J.K. Dobbins went down with that foot injury. Relying on Harvey alone is a recipe for a late-season collapse.
Jaleel McLaughlin is a restricted free agent. He’s the lightning to Harvey’s thunder, but his struggles in pass protection have kept him in Sean Payton’s doghouse more than once. If Denver targets a guy like Breece Hall in free agency—which some local insiders are already whispering about—the bottom of this depth chart gets crowded fast.
- RJ Harvey: The lead dog.
- Tyler Badie: Consistent, reliable, and a special teams contributor.
- Jaleel McLaughlin: Needs to prove he can block to stay on the 53.
- New Addition/Draft Pick: Expect a "bruiser" type to be added. Someone like Nicholas Singleton out of Penn State would be a dream fit here.
Wide Receivers: Is a Blockbuster Trade Looming?
Courtland Sutton is 30. He’s still the heartbeat of the locker room and the most reliable red-zone threat on the team, but he can't do it alone. The Broncos 53 man roster projection at wideout is the most volatile part of this team.
Troy Franklin showed flashes of being a true vertical threat, but he’s also been floated as a potential trade chip. Why? Because Denver needs a true #1 alpha. If the Broncos swing for a superstar—think a trade for someone like Marvin Harrison Jr. or a massive free-agent splash—Franklin might be the "young talent" sent the other way.
Marvin Mims Jr. is still the primary returner, but his role in the actual offense remains a bit of a head-scratcher. He’s too fast to be sitting on the bench for 40 snaps a game.
Projected WR Group
- Courtland Sutton: The veteran anchor.
- Marvin Mims Jr.: Year 4 is the "make or break" for his offensive output.
- Pat Bryant: Earned his way onto the field as a rookie and should stick.
- Troy Franklin: Unless he's traded, he's your WR3.
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey: Every Payton team needs "his guy." That’s Lil’Jordan.
The Trenches: Protecting the Investment
The offensive line is mostly "set," but there’s a $18 million elephant in the room named Ben Powers. He’s a good guard. Actually, he's a great guard when healthy. But with Quinn Meinerz and Mike McGlinchey eating up huge chunks of the cap, and Luke Wattenberg recently extended, Powers is a prime candidate for a "cap casualty" or a trade.
Alex Palczewski filled in admirably while Powers was sidelined in 2025. In the NFL, "cheap and good" usually beats "expensive and slightly better."
On the defensive side, Zach Allen is a superstar. Period. John Franklin-Myers is an unrestricted free agent, and while he’s been productive, Denver might let him walk to prioritize younger guys like Jonah Elliss and Nik Bonitto. Bonitto's 14 sacks in 2025 have him looking like a foundational piece rather than just a rotational rusher.
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Linebackers and Secondary: The Surtain Era
Patrick Surtain II is the best cornerback in football. You don't need a projection to know he’s on the roster. The interesting part is the "Riley Moss vs. The Field" battle. Moss has held his own, but with a deep 2026 CB draft class, Denver might look to add another lockdown defender to play opposite PS2.
At linebacker, the Dre Greenlaw experiment was a bit of a heartbreaker. He’s elite when he’s on the field, but he missed more than half of 2025. Denver can get out of his contract easily this spring. If they do, expect a heavy pursuit of someone like Kaden Elliss or a first-round investment in a guy like Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas.
- CBs: Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Kris Abrams-Draine.
- Safeties: Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner. (Brandon Jones' injury makes his future murky).
- LBs: Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey, and likely two new faces via the draft or FA.
Special Teams: The "Lutz" of the Draw
Wil Lutz is a robot. He doesn't miss. Mitchell Fraboni is as steady as they come at long snapper. The only real question is Jeremy Crawshaw. The rookie punter had a "hang time" problem in the preseason last year. If he doesn't show more consistency in camp, a veteran minimum punter could easily take that spot.
Actionable Insights for Broncos Fans
If you're watching the roster develop this spring, keep your eyes on the salary cap maneuvers. The Broncos have roughly $38 million in space, but cutting or trading guys like Ben Powers or Jarrett Stidham could push that over $50 million.
Next Steps to Watch:
- Monitor the "Legal Tampering" Period: If the Broncos don't sign a linebacker in the first 48 hours of free agency, they are almost certainly targeting one in the first round of the draft.
- The WR Trade Market: Watch the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals. If those teams start selling, Denver will be the first one on the phone to get Bo Nix a new target.
- The Draft Board: Denver picks late in the first round. Look for them to "best player available" their way into a Tight End or an Interior Defensive Lineman to help Zach Allen.