Starters
DT Dewayne Robertson
The biggest addition to a front four that struggled to stop the run and generate a pass rush last season. A former first-round pick who has been durable despite a gimpy knee.
Did you know? The Broncos had no players last year who played their college ball at Kentucky but three this year — Robertson, Marlon McCree and Wesley Woodyard.
DT Marcus Thomas
Started the final five games as a rookie and will open as starter this season. An athletic tackle, like Dewayne Robertson, which means he is capable of disrupting the backfield.
Did you know? Thomas was born in Yokosuka, Japan, and can do a standing backflip.
DE John Engelberger
Might be the most dedicated player on the team. Strong and a solid technician against the run. Comes out on passing downs.
Did you know? Perhaps more than any other player, Engelberger keeps up with world events and politics. Has degree in interdisciplinary studies.
DE Elvis Dumervil
The Broncos’ best pass rusher, he has 21 sacks in 29 career games. Tied for NFL lead among defensive linemen by forcing four turnovers last year (three fumbles and an interception). Must get stronger against the run.
Did you know? Growing up in Miami, Dumervil had 30 sacks as a junior and 30 more as a senior in high school. He then led the NCAA with 20 sacks as a senior at Louisville.
LB Boss Bailey
The Broncos’ highest-paid offseason acquisition, Boss received a five-year, $17.5 million contract with a $4.3 million guarantee. Strength is covering tight ends, which the Broncos need because they’ll play four games against Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.
Did you know? One of Boss’ inspirations has been his son, Khalil, who was born with a heart defect but in July hit a home run in a Little League state tournament.
LB Nate Webster
A starting strongside linebacker last year, Webster’s starting days appeared numbered after he was shifted back to his natural middle linebacker position and Broncos signed free agent Niko Koutouvides to a three-year, $7.5 million contract. But the attacking Webster won the job in preseason. He will be asked to stop the run on first and second down, but will come out in passing situations.
Did you know? Webster only started 11 games in his first seven NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and Denver before he had 13 starts last year.
LB D.J. Williams
A weakside linebacker by trade, Williams is playing his natural position for the first time since his first season of 2004, when he finished third in balloting for NFL defensive player of the year.
Did you know? Williams went to Concord (Calif.) De La Salle High School, arguably the No. 1 football prep team in the country. His high school went 36-0 while he was there.
CB Champ Bailey
Arguably the NFL’s best all-around athlete. A four-time all-pro and eight-time Pro Bowler in his first nine seasons.
Did you know? Bailey picked off Jake Plummer the most of any quarterback (five times). Plummer was playing with the Arizona Cardinals at the time, Bailey with the Washington Redskins.
CB Dre Bly
Led the Broncos with five interceptions last season and has 38 in his career. The 80 combined interceptions by Champ Bailey and Bly are the most among cornerback tandems.
Did you know? Bly has intercepted Brett Favre most of any quarterback (five times).
SS Marquand Manuel
A box safety, he has started for five teams in seven years. He took over at strong safety after Hamza Abdullah couldn’t shake a strained groin.
Did you know? At Miami Senior High School, Manuel’s classmates included six other future NFL players: Andre Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, Atari Bigby, Blue Adams, Sedrick Irvin and Jamaal Jackson.
FS Marlon McCree
McCree is starting for his fifth team. Has good ballhawking skills and leadership qualities.
Did you know? Born and raised in Orlando, Fla., McCree once received the key to the city from the mayor for his charity work.
Specialist
P Brett Kern
Broncos picked him over the more experienced Sam Paulescu primarily because Kern has a stronger leg. Capable of booming the 60-yarder, but must make sure he maintains height so he doesn’t outkick his coverage.
Did you know? Kern was not among the five punters invited to the combine, but he was one of only two rookie punters — No. 1-rated prospect Durant Brooks (Redskins) was the other — who made NFL rosters.
Reserves
DT Kenny Peterson
Played for Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik in Green Bay in 2003 and 2004, and it is no coincidence Peterson was picked up by Denver and Slowik in 2006 after the Packers cut him. The kind of quick, athletic tackle Slowik prefers in his 4-3 defense.
DT Nic Clemons
Signed and cut four times by Washington from 2003-06. Signed and cut by Atlanta in 2007. But switch from defensive end to defensive tackle gave him another chance.
DT Josh Shaw
It’s possible the Broncos signed Shaw six days before the season opener because they need his beef in the middle as part of their plan to stop the run. Or, the Broncos may have signed Shaw because they’re playing the Raiders in the season opener, and he had just got cut by the Raiders.
DE Jarvis Moss
His rookie season was cut short by a lower leg and ankle injury that required surgery. He comes in to pass rush on nickel package.
DE Tim Crowder
Had his big-play moments as a rookie, recording a sack in three consecutive games in one stretch and returning a fumble 50 yards for a TD.
DE Ebenezer Ekuban
Missed all of last season with an Achilles injury and sat out most of the preseason with back problems. But the Broncos want his leadership for Marcus Thomas, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder. They also want Ekuban to rush from the inside on pass situations.
LB Spencer Larsen
Modern-day Chuck Bednarik, Lar- sen’s ability to play fullback is probably why he was among the eight linebackers kept on the 53-man roster.
LB Jamie Winborn
Cut out of training camp last year by Tampa Bay, Winborn was quickly signed by the Broncos and played extensively in the second half of season. Could start the opener ahead of injured Boss Bailey.
LB Louis Green
Can’t keep Green down. He was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field with a neck injury in the preseason opener and suffered a dislocated finger in final preseason game, but the Broncos need his special-teams play.
LB Niko Koutouvides
It appeared Koutouvides would be the Broncos’ new middle linebacker when they signed him to a three- year, $7.5 million contract in March. But Nate Webster edged him out.
LB Wesley Woodyard
Undrafted, but earned roster spot by recording a team-high 13 tackles in the first two preseason games.
CB Jack Williams
Showed good ballhawking skills in training camp. Probably is a year away from significant playing time.
CB Karl Paymah
Paymah is a legitimate No. 3 or 4 cornerback. He started the final two games last season.
SS Hamza Abdullah
A strained groin sidelined him much of the preseason, and it cost him his starting job to Marquand Manuel.
FS Calvin Lowry
Started 11 games for 10-6 Tennessee Titans last year in just his second season.
