Sean Payton’s path to finalizing the 53-man roster for his second season as Denver’s head coach begins this week.
With a young roster showing up to start Broncos training camp, and uncertainty at several key positions, the task will be daunting.
“Let’s not lose track of the No. 1 goal of when camp starts: It’s to arrive at the right 53-(man roster),” Payton said in June. “We spend a lot of time on that because you don’t want a player in your camp that ends up leaving and excelling somewhere else.
“There is a lot that goes into that. We are rooting for them all and coaching them hard, regardless of how they got here. At this point, we have to go by what we see.”
Those observations begin in earnest on Friday when training camp officially kicks off for Year 2 of the Payton era. Here are five position battles to watch:
Quarterback
All eyes will be on rookie Bo Nix, veteran Jarrett Stidham and 2021 No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson as the Broncos try to decide which quarterback will be the starter this fall.
The Broncos drafted Nix 12th overall last spring after 61 starts between Auburn and Oregon over five college seasons. Payton was impressed with Nix during the offseason program, praising the 24-year-old’s maturity and patience in the pocket. But if the Broncos want to be patient with Nix, they could turn to Stidham. The fifth-year pro is well-acquainted with Payton’s offense after backing up Russell Wilson last season and starting in the final two games. Zach Wilson, who was traded from the Jets ahead of the draft, has all the arm talent in the world but has struggled to deliver during his time in the league.
At the moment, the quarterback battle seems like a two-player race between Nix and Stidham. But a lot could change during camp and preseason games.
Running back
The running back competition could come down to the wire. Denver had inconsistent production from the run game last season, and the additions of rookies Audric Estime (fifth-round) and Blake Watson (undrafted free agent) could force the coaching staff to make some difficult choices. Even though Javonte Williams started in 2023, Payton believes Estime has the potential to fill that role at some point in his career. Veteran Samaje Perine has value as a blocker and receiver, but second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin and Watson also can make an impact in the passing game.
Realistically, the Broncos’ running back room could look much different this fall.
Cornerback
The search for Denver’s second starting cornerback could be one of the most heated position battles of the summer. Levi Wallace, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss and rookie Kris Abrams-Draine are among those competing for the role.
Even though Moss’ playing time as a rookie was limited, Payton believes he has the speed and athleticism required to play outside cornerback. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been impressed with Mathis’ technique and eye placement and said the 2023 Week 1 starter has improved his football IQ. Wallace, who has started 70 games in his career, could fill the role left behind by veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau.
Center
Lloyd Cushenberry III signing with the Titans left Denver searching for a new starting center. Training camp will feature a three-way battle between Alex Forysth, Luke Wattenberg and Sam Mustipher.
Forsyth, a seventh-round pick in 2023 and college teammate of Nix is viewed as a starting center by general manager George Paton. Mustipher has the most experience amongst the three, playing in 52 games, including 42 starts, in four seasons. During Denver’s offseason program, the team rotated each center like the quarterbacks. Expect the Broncos to do the same during camp.
Wide receiver
Will Marvin Mims Jr. emerge as a reliable target in the passing game? If so, Denver’s top three wide receivers could be Mims, Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. The remaining two spots will likely come down to Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson and rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.
Patrick is a solid presence in the slot, but he is 30 and returning from two season-ending injuries. Meanwhile, Vele had a strong offseason program, and the Broncos saw enough value in Franklin to trade up to take him in the fourth round. Franklin was Nix’s top target at Oregon last season, catching 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 13 touchdowns. The added competition might make it hard for Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey to carve out roster spots after having decent roles in 2023.
Broncos make Meinerz deal official: Denver announced Monday that it has signed starting right guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year contract extension that will run through 2028. The contract, which sources indicated was an $80 million pact, establishes him as a pillar of the franchise moving forward and makes the former Wisconsin-Whitewater standout one of the highest-paid guards in the league.
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