New coaches, armed with new schemes, want to turn over a depth chart that fits their view, appropriate considering the Broncos have missed the playoffs three consecutive years.

But how many of those new guys will stick on the initial 53-man roster? Will coach wave good-bye to drafted players he inherited? Will more than one undrafted free agent make the team?

Now that the Broncos’ offseason program is complete and the players are off for the next month, it����ap time to predict how the roster will look after cutdown day. Here’s my best guess:

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

In: , Drew Lock and Kevin Hogan.

Out: Brett Rypien.

Analysis: The first of many decisions that was difficult to finalize. Two or three quarterbacks? Hogan took all of the second-team snaps during the Broncos’ minicamp. If the coaching staff exits the preseason confident Lock could help them win a game if forced to play, it makes Hogan expendable. If Lock’s sledding is tough in August during training camp, it creates a need to keep Hogan. Rypien should be ticketed for the practice squad either way.

Running backs (5)

In: , , , (FB) and George Aston (FB).

Out: Khalfani Muhammad and Devontae Jackson.

Analysis: Yes, two fullbacks! Janovich is entering the final year of his contract, creating the need to keep Aston around to use as a pass-catching fullback and get him ready for full-time duty in 2020. It����ap a long shot, but we think the fullback will be a big part of coordinator Rich Scangarello’s offense. Three tailbacks sounds reasonable, but if Janovich/Aston are both active and Freeman becomes well-versed enough in pass protection to also be a third-down back, does that make Booker a healthy scratch?

Receivers (5)

In: , , , and Juwann Winfree.

Out: , Trinity Benson, Brendan Langley, Aaron Burbridge, Kelvin McKnight, Fred Brown and Romell Guerrier.

Analysis: The extra fullback keeps the Broncos from keeping a sixth receiver. Winfree makes the team as a sixth-round pick if he can win the punt return spot. Converted from cornerback, Langley has the athleticism to maybe develop and he could merit practice squad consideration. The key is Sanders. If he is deemed healthy for the season opener, but doesn’t play much in August, that may force the Broncos’ hand to keep Cracraft or Langley, at least to start the season.

Tight ends (4)

In: Noah Fant, , and .

Out: Bug Howard and Austin Fort.

Analysis: The Broncos figure to run a lot of two-tight end personnel, which creates a spot for Fumagalli if he can make it through training camp/preseason healthy after missing all of last year. Fant, the first-round pick, should emerge as the lead pass-catching tight end and Heuerman can deliver consistent blocking. Butt is a wild-card who will make the team, but whose role will be defined by how he comes back from his ACL tear sustained last October.

Offensive line (8)

In: Ja’Wuan James (RT), Garett Bolles (LT), (C), (RG), Dalton Risner (LG), Don Barclay (G), (G/T) and Sam Jones (G/C).

Out: Chaz Green, , Nathan Jacobson, Ryan Crozier, Jake Brendel, Jake Rodgers, John Leglue and Quinn Bailey.

Analysis: We went with eight linemen instead of the nine most teams carry. The caveat is the Broncos could be scouring the waiver wire on Labor Day Weekend looking for a back-up tackle.�� There appears to be decent interior depth since Barclay is experienced. Wilkinson started games last year at guard, but is best suited to being a swing tackle.

DEFENSE (25)

Defensive line (6)

In: (DE), (DE), Shelby Harris (NT), Zach Kerr (NT/DE), Dre’Mont Jones (DE) and (DE).

Out: DeMarcus Walker, Mike Purcell, DeShawn Williams, and Deyon Sizer.

Analysis: The top five spots are pretty much locked in. That leaves the sixth position for Winn in our projection. Walker was a second-round pick only two years ago, but will start camp on the bubble. If the Broncos are loathe to not give up on Walker, he could get the slot we have reserved for the 10th linebacker. Overall, this should be a good group. Wolfe, Gotsis and Harris are entering their contract years, Kerr is a reliable rotation player and Jones, the Broncos’ third-round pick, showed flashes during the offseason program.

Outside linebacker (5)

In: , , Justin Hollins, , and Jeff Holland.

Out: Malik Reed and Ahmad Gooden.

Analysis: Miller and Chubb will be expected to match or exceed last year’s combined total of 26 1/2 sacks. But getting some production from the back-up players will help. We listed Hollins as an outside linebacker although he also learned the sub-package inside linebacker spot after being drafted in the fourth round. Watson will make the team because he is viewed as a core special teams player. Holland is one to monitor. Can he defend the run if asked? He certainly has the pass-rushing pop to contribute. He will need a productive preseason to convince the new coaching staff to keep him.

Inside linebacker (5)

In: , Josey Jewell, Joseph Jones, and Joe Dineen.

Out: Alexander Johnson, Aaron Wallace and Josh Watson.

Analysis: Davis and Jewell will enter training camp as the starters and could both be every-down players if Fangio decides nickel (five defensive backs/four linebackers/two defensive linemen) is his best sub-package option and Hollins isn’t viewed as ready. They will stay on the field in those situations if they can cover receivers. Things then get interesting. We settled on 10 total linebackers because that����ap what Fangio’s opened up with last year. Jones and Bierria will be special teams contributors and we opted for the undrafted Dineen over the unproven Johnson.

Cornerback (4)

In: , Bryce Callahan, De’Vante Bausby and Isaac Yiadom.

Out: Horace Richardson, Linden Stephens, Trey Johnson and Alijah Holder.

Analysis: ’s ability to play cornerback in general and cover the slot receiver, in particular, gives the Broncos roster flexibility. Harris and Callahan will be the starters entering camp assuming Jackson is at safety. Bausby has experience in Fangio’s scheme, which is an obvious plus. Holder could squeeze his way onto the roster if his preseason performance makes it too big of a risk to put him on waivers. The Broncos have to think about the future since Harris is a free agent next March.

Safety (5)

In: , Kareem Jackson, , Shamarko Thomas and Jamal Carter.

Out: Su’a Cravens, Dymonte Thomas and Trey Marshall.

Analysis: Simmons and Jackson are the projected starters and Parks is expected to be the second safety in nickel when Jackson moves to cover the slot receiver. If the Broncos are committed to nickel instead of dime (three safeties/three cornerbacks), does that require an extra cornerback and only four safeties? Something to watch in the preseason games. Carter was on track to make the team last year until a hamstring injury in the preseason opener. Cravens ended 2018 as a healthy scratch so we think his bubble will burst. We chose Shamarko Thomas over Marshall because of Thomas’ special teams ability.

SPECIALISTS (3)

In: (K), Colby Wadman (P) and (LS).

Out: Tyler Bertolet (K).

Analysis: Pretty simple here. McManus, Kreiter, and Wadman will enter their sixth, fourth and second seasons, respectively, with the Broncos.

“I felt all three pops,” he said. “It was one of those moments where it����ap, ‘Oh, (bleep).’ I just knew something wasn’t right.”

Winn tore his meniscus cartilage and ACL and MCL that night.

In 2016, Winn played all 16 games as a rotational defensive end for the Broncos and re-signed via one-year contract. He could have been on his way to carving out a niche after stints with Cleveland and Indianapolis, but the injury derailed everything.

He missed 2017 and sat out last year to finish his rehab. Winn returned to the Broncos on April 22 and will start camp next month trying to beat out other players for a roster spot. After his kind of layoff, he knows the task is tall.

“It����ap definitely going to be tough, but anybody who knows me knows I’m a competitor and will do anything and everything to get where I want to be,” he said. “If it doesn’t happen, there are 31 other teams I’m building a resume for.”

Winn spent the 2017 season rehabilitating at the Broncos’ facility. When he was not re-signed, he trained near his home in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; his wife, Brooke, a personal trainer, served as his support system.

“Without her, this opportunity wouldn’t be possible because she pushed me every day to go to the gym, go run, work on my diet — she’s a straight shooter and she’s always had my back,” Winn said. “I stayed the course (during the ’18 season) and prepared like I was going to get signed somewhere, but nothing happened.

“There were times when I was like, ‘(Not playing) is my life now,’ but then I had to snap out of that and believe I was going to get another opportunity. It was tough to balance the two.”

Around the Broncos

Replacing practice. The Broncos did carnival-like activities instead of a third mandatory minicamp practice Thursday.

It didn’t take long for one reader to chime in, emailing: “The last day of minicamp should have been the hardest and then some fun afterward.”

That teams like the Broncos tend to bag a final OTA or a final minicamp practice is noble by the coaches who want to reward the players, but it also gives the NFLPA a talking point if/when the owners (via their coaching staff’s request) complain about the restricted offseason program. It was a point the union has made in the past.

Media hat-tip. A salute to CBS4’s Bob Burke, whose 38-year run at the station ended last week with his retirement. He was the station’s chief photographer for the last 26 years.

Burke was on the camera from the sidelines for “The Drive,” the Broncos’ Super Bowl losses to the Giants, Washington and San Francisco and their first win (over Green Bay) and preseason games in London, Berlin and Tokyo.

Burke produced the “Broncos Beat,” pregame show, which featured players such as linebacker Tom Jackson and receiver Mark Jackson and hosts that included Peter Rogot, Les Shapiro and Gary Miller.

Burke’s wife, former CBS4 sports reporter Marcia Neville, said one of the people he most enjoyed was former Broncos media relations czar Jim Saccomano.

Around the NFL

Eagles-Wentz commitment. The Eagles and quarterback Carson Wentz agreed to a four-year contract extension (through 2024) that includes $107 million on Thursday. As much as we like fellow North Dakotans, the Eagles are taking a risk. Wentz tore his up his knee in 2017, when he was on his way to the NFL MVP award, missing the final three games and Super Bowl run. Last year, he was limited to 11 games because of the aforementioned knee injury and then a back issue. Wentz’s deal sets the market for Dallas’ Dak Prescott and the Rams’ Jared Goff.

LaCosse rises up. Part of New England’s mix to replace retired tight end Rob Gronkowski is Matt LaCosse, who ended last year as the Broncos’ starter. Austin Seferian-Jenkins took a leave of absence last week and his future is uncertain. Benjamin Watson is suspended for the first four games. “The other guys are getting up to speed,” quarterback Tom Brady said. “Matt����ap done a good job, Ben’s done a good job, Stephen Anderson’s done a good job. That����ap got to be a position of strength even if it����ap not one player but multiple players doing different roles.”

Williams-Redskins feud. Washington left tackle Trent Williams skipped minicamp because of his frustration with the team’s training staff. “Where the frustration might lie is in the timing of a diagnosis (of a growth on Williams’ head),” coach Jay Gruden said. “Trent knows we want him back.” Our rub on Williams: 1. Going after the training staff publicly and 2. His reliability. He has played all 16 games just twice in nine years (2012-13).

Nearly every member of the Broncos’ defensive line entered the 2017 season with something to prove.

Domata Peko, at 32 years old, came to Denver to prove he had more in the tank. wanted to prove a rocky rookie season wasn’t an indicator of what he could bring to the table as a former second-round pick. Shelby Harris just wanted to prove he deserved a shot from somebody.��And, as a whole, the Broncos wanted to prove their failures against the run in 2016 were an aberration.

The motivations weren’t hard to find, and they helped Denver’s defensive line form a tight bond while becoming arguably the team’s best overall unit in 2017 — a silver lining in a forgettable 5-11 season.

“Everyone is over here grinding,” Harris said after the defensive line led the way in a shutout of the Jets on Dec. 10. “We play for each other. You can see it in our emotions on the field. We love the game. We love playing. I am just happy to be a part of this. It might not be the best season in our eyes, but I love the guys I am playing with. This is a blessing just being here with them.”

The Broncos finished fifth in the NFL against the run, surrendering just 89.4 yards per game. It was a major leap from a 2016 performance that was 28th against the run at 130.3 yards per game. During the team’s 3-1 start this season, the Broncos held opponents to an average of just 50.8 yards per game, constructing a wall against a gauntlet of talented running backs like , Ezekiel Elliott, and .

That’s not to say the defensive line was immune to setbacks, most notably when the Broncos surrendered 197 rushing yards in a loss to the Eagles. Injuries to veterans and and free-agent acquisition Zach Kerr at times tested the team’s depth. Wolfe’s injured neck especially hampered the line’s pass-rushing ability. Wolfe played in 11 games but was limited in several of those, and he finished the season with just two sacks. In fact, no member of the defensive line had more than five sacks.

Still, there were several players who made big impressions and provided hope that they can be a key pieces to the puzzle as the Broncos aim to return to playoff form for the first time since their -winning season in 2015. That started with Peko, whose 325-pound presence as the anchor of the line was an obvious boon to the team’s rush defense. His ability to hold ground even while absorbing two blocks helped the Broncos swarm to the football and earned him recognition as a alternate.

There was some doubt as to whether Peko, who signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the Broncos last spring, would perform at a high level after struggling in the last of his 11 years in Cincinnati. The jovial nose tackle erased it quickly.

“I had to come in here and prove myself again; show these guys, new locker room and new staff, that I can still play,” Peko said. “I had to show them that I wasn’t over the hill. I really thank God for that; for keeping me strong this season and being able to go out there and prove myself.”

Gotsis, too, silenced some doubt after struggling as a rookie. The 2016 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech played in all 16 games, starting 13, and finished with 41 tackles and four passes defensed.

But perhaps the biggest revelation on the defensive line was Harris, who signed a future/reserve contract with the team one year ago. The seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2014 had failed to find any traction in the NFL this season, and he never made it onto a roster in 2016. But he finished with five sacks this season, second on the team behind (10).

For all the growth along the defensive line, there is still plenty to address at the position in the offseason. Harris is a restricted free agent. Wolfe’s neck injuries raise doubt about whether he can return to his dominating 2015 form. DeMarcus Walker, the 2017 second-round draft pick, showed some promise late in the season after switching back to the defensive line from outside linebacker. Will he stay there in 2018 and grow into a contributor?

It’s no secret the Broncos struggled to get to the passer this season. They could use more pressure from the defensive line, an addition that could be addressed in the draft. But the Broncos know they have a good foundation and that’s more than they could have been assured of before the start of 2017.

When the play during the first quarter was over Saturday night, and Zach Kerr’s 334-pound body remained on the grass, alarm bells sounded for the Broncos.

The defensive line for Denver had already been ravaged by injuries this month. There was ‘s season-ending knee injury. ‘s right ankle that swelled to the size of a softball. ‘s back that jolted with a spasm so painful, he had to leave the practice field more than two weeks ago and hasn’t returned. Wolfe and Crick are expected to return near the start of the regular season, but the last thing the Broncos needed was another defensive lineman sidelined.

While all the bumps and bruises on the Denver defense have caused a level of concern this preseason, Saturday’s game displayed the silver lining that continues to sprout. Namely, that the Broncos have been afforded a deep look at their defensive depth and there’s a lot to like.

Shelby Harris became the latest backup to capture the spotlight, doing so in Denver’s 20-17 victory over Green Bay. The 26-year-old defensive end, who was signed by the Broncos to a futures contract in January, had three sacks, seven tackles and three quarterback hurries. That followed a performance against San Francisco in which he deflected a pass and recovered two fumbles.

“Shelby’s an animal, dude,” defensive lineman Domata Peko said after the Broncos improved to 3-0 in the preseason. “He’s a great player. He’s been doing a great job. He’s had a (heck) of an OTA, a (heck) of a minicamp and doing a great job here in the preseason. I’m really happy for him. He did a great job for us tonight.”

In the first quarter Saturday, the 290-pound Harris shoved 317-pound Packers guard Justin McCray several yards into the backfield, then pushed McCray aside and gobbled up quarterback Brett Hundley for a 9-yard loss. Harris registered his second sack of Hundley midway through the fourth quarter by staying disciplined. Harris held his ground on a key third-down play as he pushed back against guard Kofi Amichia. When blitzing Broncos linebacker Kevin Snyder forced Hundley to step up in the pocket, Harris was there once again. Then, with the game clock inside 10 seconds in the fourth quarter and the Packers near midfield, Harris simply sprinted through the Green Bay offensive line and took down Hundley to end the game.

His three sacks left a major impression with the 53-man roster deadline of Sept. 2 approaching rapidly.

“He’s been great,” said all-pro outside linebacker . “Shelby’s definitely going to help us, especially at a spot where we’re light right now. It’s refreshing to get some great play out of him.”

The standout game from Harris followed a similar pattern. Against the 49ers, starting because of injuries to Wolfe and Crick, Kerr made his presence felt in the Broncos’ stifling first-half effort against the run. Undrafted rookie Jamal Carter, inserted early in the preseason opener against the because of an injury to safety , recovered a fumble and had a team-high six tackles.��Cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris, playing extended minutes in the first two preseason games as starters rested, has a pass deflection in every game and made an interception against the 49ers.

“It is great being here with these guys picking their brains,” said Lewis-Harris, a five-year veteran. “Some are Pro Bowlers, learning��from the No-Fly Zone. I am honored to be here at the moment, really. I do whatever I can to��put this on film and show what I can do.”

The backups on Denver’s defense indeed keep showing up on film. Harris was the latest to put pressure on and the rest of his coaching staff as they prepare to make cuts after Thursday’s preseason finale against the . There will be no easy decisions.

“You know, that’s how it should be,” Joseph said last week.

The hits keep coming for the Broncos’ defense.

Defensive end Jared Crick was taken off the practice field on a cart after suffering an apparent back injury Monday morning, adding to a growing list of absences on the defensive side of the ball.

Crick was undergoing an MRI when the Broncos concluded their practice.

“As we speak, the first thought is, it was a back spasm,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “But we’re not sure, to be honest. We’ll know later on after the MRI comes in, just so we’re sure.”

After being helped off the cart, Crick gingerly walked from the edge of the field into the locker room with the help of trainers. It was the second time in two practices a defensive end left practice with an injury.

Derek Wolfe suffered a serious ankle sprain during practice Saturday when he appeared to get tangled with offensive tackle Menelik Watson. Joseph said Monday that Wolfe’s timetable for a return is “day-to-day.”

“It’s a lower-ankle sprain, so we’re going to be smart with this thing,” Joseph said. “We’re not going to rush him back and put him out there at 80 percent — not during preseason. We’re going to make sure he’s back at 100 percent before he plays again. Right now, it’s day-by-day and we’re taking it slow.”

Crick’s injury, which occurred during a run play in 11-on-11 drills, could be another blow to a defense that is dealing with a rash of injuries.

Defensive lineman Billy Winn sustained a season-ending right knee injury during the Broncos’ preseason victory over Chicago on Thursday. To replace Winn, who was placed on injured reserve, the Broncos signed Nelson Adams, an undrafted rookie who spent two weeks in training camp with the Steelers before being cut.

The Broncos also are without outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett (hip) and Shane Ray (wrist). Safety T.J. Ward (hamstring) has missed more than a week of practice and will not travel with the team this week for their joint practices and preseason game at San Francisco. Nose tackle Kyle Peko has yet to make his training camp debut as he continues to recover from a foot injury he suffered in June. Inside linebacker Todd Davis missed about a week of practice with a shoulder strain but returned to practice Saturday.

Joseph conceded he had some “concern” about the injuries along the defensive line, and that was before Crick, who joined the Broncos in 2016 after four seasons in Houston, went down.

If Crick misses any significant time, the Broncos could make a move to bolster their defensive line.

“If it’s a long-term injury, absolutely,” Crick said. “Probably just for legs for camp. But if it’s not (a long-term injury for Crick), we’re not sure.”

Injuries to Wolfe and Crick have moved Adam Gotsis, the Broncos’ second-round pick in 2016, and free-agent signing Zach Kerr, who spent his first three seasons in Indianapolis, to the top of the depth chart at defensive end. Shelby Harris, who last played a regular-season NFL game in 2015, and undrafted rookie Shakir Soto represent the rest of the depth at the position.

Rookie DeMarcus Walker, the team’s second-round pick, began training camp at defensive end before being shifted to outside linebacker. Joseph said he has no plan to move Walker back to end.

“You’ve got 90 guys in camp and everyone’s got injuries,” Joseph said. “Whoever is competing behind those guys, they naturally step up and play. It’s different than the season. You’re more concerned there, obviously, because those games count. But right now we have guys in those spots who are going to push up and play.”

Gotsis missed time at the beginning of training camp as he recovered from a right knee scope he underwent in June. But the native of Australia has come on strong since returning to full-team drills and performed well in Thursday’s preseason game.