It is officially Sean Payton’s unofficial favorite day of the year.
The Broncos put out their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason — a requirement because they play a game this week — which always makes for interesting reading.
Payton, though, does not like depth chart day.
For one, not everything on the depth chart is how it will actually play out come Sept. 14 when the Broncos kick off their season against Kansas City. He intentionally puts rookies at the back of the line in the preseason depth chart, even if they might contribute.
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A couple of interesting notes: Marvin Mims, Jr. gets the first nod on the starting line at wide receiver along with Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle. The second line features camp standout Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin.
On the defensive line, veteran Malcolm Roach is listed as the starter next to Zach Allen and D.J. Jones, while Eyioma Uwazurike is listed with the No. 2s. And at outside linebacker, Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman are the No. 2s with Que Robinson listed behind them.
Jarrett Stidham is listed as the No. 2 quarterback ahead of Sam Ehlinger, though that looks like a good battle brewing as Denver's preseason opener at Atlanta at 5 p.m. Friday draws closer.
Again, all of this is unofficial, meant to not give much real information and isn’t really reflective of what the lineups and rotations will look like in full a month from now.
That won’t stop this train.
Offense
QB: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger
RB: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin, Cody Schrader, Jonah Coleman
FB: Adam Prentice
WR: Marvin Mims, Jr., Troy Franklin, Michael Bandy
WR: Jaylen Waddle, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
WR: Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Hakeem Butler, Dane Key
TE: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner
LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart, Frank Crum
LG: Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton
C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Michael Deiter
RG: Quinn Meinerz, Kage Casey Gavin Ortega
RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Reid Holskey
Defense
DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson, Sai’Vion Jones
DT: D.J. Jones, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams
DE: Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim
WLB: Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson
SLB: Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman, Drew Sanders
ILB: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid, Jordan Turner
ILB: Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey, Red Murdock, Taurean York
CB: Pat Surtain II, Kris Abrams Draine, Sean Fresch Jr.
CB: Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron, Brent Austin
Nickel: Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Reese Taylor
S: Talanoa Hufanga, JL Skinner, Tycen Anderson
S: Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Miles Scott
Special teams
P: Jeremy Crawshaw
PK: Wil Lutz
LS: Mitch Fraboni, Luke Basso
KR: Marvin Mims, Tyler Badie, RJ Harvey
PR: Marvin Mims, Michael Bandy, Cam Ross
