The Broncos released their first depth chart of the regular season on Sept. 3. Here is the list and comments:
OFFENSE
Wide receiver
Emmanuel Sanders
Courtland Sutton
Tim Patrick
Comment: Patrick made the 53-man roster ahead of River Cracraft and is expected to be the fifth receiver.
Left tackle
Garett Bolles
Elijah Wilkinson
Comment: Wilkinson’s ability to also play guard gave him the edge over Cyrus Kouandjio.
Left guard
Ron Leary
Max Garcia
Comment: Leary was limited to one preseason game because ankle and knee issues but is expected to start against Seattle.
Center
Matt Paradis
Sam Jones
Comment: Jones, a rookie draft pick, missed two preseason games with a back injury but returned to play against Arizona and can also play guard.
Right guard
Connor McGovern
Billy Turner
Comment: Turner emerged as a swing right tackle/right guard when the team cut Menelik Watson.
Right tackle
Jared Veldheer
Billy Turner
Comment: Turner took most of the second-team right tackle snaps in training camp.
Tight end
Jeff Heuerman
Jake Butt
Matt LaCosse
Comment: LaCosse got the nod over Austin Traylor and Brian Parker for the No. 3 tight end spot. Rookie Troy Fumagalli (groin) was placed on injured reserve.
Wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
DaeSean Hamilton
Isaiah McKenzie
Comment: McKenzie was waived Saturday and re-signed to the roster on Sunday.
Running back
Royce Freeman
Devonte Booker
Phillip Lindsay
Comment: Freeman was listed No. 1 on the depth chart (three touchdowns in the preseason) and Booker was during camp.
Quarterback
Case Keenum
Chad Kelly
Kevin Hogan
Comment: Hogan was claimed off waivers on Sunday and Paxton Lynch was released.
Fullback
Andy Janovich
DEFENSE
Defensive end
Derek Wolfe
Zach Kerr
Comment: Wolfe looked like his old self following neck surgery.
Nose tackle
Domata Peko Sr.
Shelby Harris
Comment: Harris can play end and nose tackle.
Defensive end
Adam Gotsis
DeMarcus Walker
Comment: Walker beat out Clinton McDonald for the sixth and final defensive line spot.
Strongside outside linebacker
Bradley Chubb
Shaquil Barrett
Comment: Barrett is listed as the backup but if Chubb plays defensive end in some packages, Shane Ray could play here, too.
Weakside outside linebacker
Von Miller
Shane Ray
Comment: The Broncos moved Ray from starting strongside linebacker to Miller’s backup during camp, but we can still list him as Chubb’s backup as well.
Inside linebacker
Todd Davis
Joseph Jones
Alexander Johnson
Comment: Jones beat out Zaire Alexander because of his special teams play.
Inside linebacker
Brandon Marshall
Josey Jewell
Keishawn Bierria
Comment: No changes at this spot since the early August depth chart.
Left cornerback
Bradley Roby
Tramaine Brock
Comment: Brock missed time early in camp with a hamstring injury but returned to claim the No. 3 cornerback role.
Right cornerback
Chris Harris Jr.
Adam Jones
Isaac Yiadom
Comment: Jones was signed last week and slid right into the No. 4 cornerback spot.
Strong safety
Darian Stewart
Will Parks
Comment: Su’a Cravens was put on injured reserve. Stewart and Parks can play strong and free safety.
Free safety
Justin Simmons
Dymonte Thomas
Comment: Thomas won a roster spot with a strong preseason.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
Brandon McManus
Kickoff
Brandon McManus
Punter
Marquette King
Holder
Marquette King
Long snapper
Casey Kreiter
Kick returner
Phillip Lindsay
Adam Jones
Comment: Lindsay handled the first try on kick returns during the preseason.
Punt returner
Adam Jones
Isaiah McKenzie
Comment: It took one preseason game for Jones to replace McKenzie.
