Houston Texans

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 20-1; Over-under win total: 9.5

Strengths: A truly dominant defense at all three levels. The Texas were 3-5 before ripping off nine straight wins to finish the regular season, then the defense punked Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in a wild-card game. Will Anderson is a defensive player of the year candidate. He and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. were first-team All-Pro selections, while four other members of the defense either made the Pro Bowl (Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock and Azeez Al-Shaair) or earned second-team all-Pro honors (Danielle Hunter). Now the scary part: Houston’s defense could be even better this year.

Weaknesses: After Nico Collins, who is a legit No. 1 wideout that just needs to stay healthy, there are plenty of questions on offense. C.J. Stroud was a mess, to put it kindly, by the end of last season. David Montgomery is here to potentially add some stability at running back and the offensive line is revamped. With just minor improvements on offense, this is a Super Bowl contender.

Jacksonville Jaguars

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 30-1; Over-under win total: 9.5

Strengths: The Liam Cohen-Trevor Lawrence partnership helped the Jaguars become one of the surprise teams in 2025. Lawrence set a career high with 29 touchdown passes, plus nine rushing scores, and finished fifth in league MVP voting. Parker Washington had multiple first-round picks in front of him on the depth chart at the start of the year, but became the team’s leading receiver in a breakout year. The defense was the NFL’s best against the run and forced the second-most turnovers.

Weaknesses: Second-team all-Pro middle linebacker Devin Lloyd is in Charlotte with the Panthers. Leading rusher Travis Etienne, Jr. is in New Orleans with the Saints. Former Colorado superstar Travis Hunter is a big wild card in his second year. He’s likely to focus mostly on the defensive side of the ball after the two-way player plan mostly fizzled as a rookie. The schedule will be much tougher this season.

Indianapolis Colts

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 66-1; Over-under win total: 7.5

Strengths: Jonathan Taylor led the league in carries (323) and touchdowns (18) while racking up his best yardage total (1,585) since 2021. Tyler Warren was as advertised in his rookie year, finishing tied for sixth in catches (76) and fifth in receiving yards (817) among tight ends. Sauce Gardner was a huge in-season trade addition, but got hurt after playing in just four games for the Colts. He and Charvarius Ward, who missed nine games with multiple concussions, are both Pro Bowl-level cornerbacks when healthy.

°Ā±š²¹°ģ²Ō±š²õ²õ±š²õ:ĢżAlec Pierce had a 1,000-yard season on just 47 catches, but No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman is off to Pittsburgh and the Colts’ receiving corps looks like it could be one of the worst in the league. Warren might need to catch 100-plus balls. Nearly every key player outside of Taylor and Warren are coming back from injury or dealing with one. That includes quarterback Daniel Jones, who was having a breakout season before an achilles tear.

Tennessee Titans

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 250-1; Over-under win total: 6.5

Strengths: Cam Ward had an inconsistent rookie season, but he could have beaten the Broncos in Week 1 if it weren’t for about a half-dozen drops by his receiving targets. The No. 1 pick in 2025 should be throwing a lot of passes to the No. 4 pick from 2026, Carnell Tate, who hopes to continue to the Ohio State-to-NFL star wideout assembly line. Jeffrey Simmons is an elite defensive lineman who should either be the building block on defense or fetch a huge return in a trade at some point.

Weaknesses: The defense has a long way to go around Simmons, though ex-Broncos pass rusher John Franklin-Myers is one of a bushel of new additions alone with defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh. The offensive line needs to be much better to help Ward develop into the franchise quarterback the Titans desperately need him to be.

Denver Broncos

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 18-1; Over-under win total: 9.5

Strengths: The offensive line will feature the same five starters for a third straight season is one of the better units in the league. John Franklin-Myers is in Nashville, but the talent and depth up on defense remains elite as well. If the pass rush doesn’t get home, Pat Surtain II is a perennial defensive player of the year candidate and leads a strong secondary. Adding Jaylen Waddle gives Bo Nix a true No. 1 target and the group behind the ex-Dolphins wideout is deep and versatile.

Weaknesses: What will be the resolution after Jonathon Cooper was arrested twice in early July amid domestic violence allegations? Will Nix’s surgically repaired ankle hold up? The running backs might be just be solid, even as Sean Payton and Co. continue to say the Broncos want to run the ball more.

Kansas City Chiefs

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 15-1; Over-under win total: 10.5

Strengths: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones are all getting older — the latter two in particular — but remain elite players to anchor another season when the expectations will be Super Bowl or bust. Mahomes is coming back from a major knee injury that was the final blow in a season that had already gone off the rails. Kenneth Walker III, fresh off Super Bowl MVP honors, could help the running game provide a little more balance.

Weaknesses: Is the supporting cast around Kansas City’s ‘Big Three’ good enough? Rashee Rice spent part of his injury rehab in jail this offseason, and the pass catchers in general look pretty underwhelming beyond Kelce. The interior of the offensive line should be solid, but the tackles are a question mark, and Chiefs fans will be holding their breath the first time Nik Bonitto gets around the edge on opening night.

Los Angeles Chargers

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 17-1; Over-under win total: 10.5

Strengths: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are one of the best 1-2 punches at offensive tackle in the league, but both are coming off season-ending injuries. The line should be a strength, and the running back duo of Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal should get plenty of work. The defense, led by do-it-all safety Derwin James and breakout pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, should again be among the top 10 in just about everything. Justin Herbert can make every throw and often looks like one of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL …

Weaknesses: … but Herbert is also 0-3 in the playoffs in six seasons as the starter, and the offense has been uncompetitive in wild-card losses the past two years. The Keenan Allen return season went pretty well with 81 catches, but he’s gone, and the depth chart behind Ladd McConkey has intriguing options but could also be a group that looks one quality option short. The Chargers went 3-0 against the Broncos and Chiefs in games they were trying to win before the season finale, but one of these teams is going to have to end up in third place in this division.

Las Vegas Raiders

BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 150-1; Over-under win total: 5.5

Strengths: Brock Bowers is a rock star at tight end. Ashton Jeanty could certainly still be a franchise running back as the rest of the pieces around him and Bowers get upgraded. That starts with the two biggest additions of the offseason — No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is the franchise quarterback-in-waiting and free agent Tyler Linderbaum at center to anchor a work-in-progress offensive line. Maxx Crosby is also here, still, after a trade with the Baltimore Ravens fell through.

Weaknesses: The Raiders had the No. 1 pick for a reason. There are a bunch of new faces on defense, which was necessary. The rest of the offensive line could still be pretty bad. That alone might be enough reason to let Kirk Cousins start over Mendoza to begin the year. The pass-catching options beyond Bowers are among the worst in the league. Considering the other teams that could be vying for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft could all be interested in quarterbacks, Jeremiah Smith or Cam Coleman might be checking out real estate listings in Sin City next summer.

Same, most likely, for players who find themselves on the edge of Denverā€™s roster or any other NFL team.

Hard deadlines approach.

By the time players clear out of the locker room after the Broncosā€™ preseason finale Friday night at home against Minnesota, the cut-off for teams to reduce their rosters from 90 down to 53 will only be about 40 hours away.

That means coach Sean Payton, general manager George Paton and their staffs will go essentially right from the game to finalizing their 53-man roster. After Sundayā€™s 4 p.m. cutdown deadline, theyā€™ll get back to scouring the waiver wire and assembling their 16-man practice squad, which can be finalized after 11 a.m. Monday.

For a team as deep and talented as the Broncos and with as many defined starters and roles as the club already has set, there are still a unique group of decisions to make.

Denver may place up to two players on injured reserve with designations to return on Sunday, but it¶¶Ņõap unclear if any of its injured players currently are set to miss enough time to warrant such a move. The Broncos, as of Friday morning, are awaiting clarity on Jonathon Cooperā€™s status with the NFL ahead of a Monday arraignment on a felony assault charge and other lesser charges. They have veterans who could be asked to start the season on the practice squad, too. Perhaps thereā€™s a trade candidate or two on the roster, too.

Essentially, the playbook is wide open and Denver will use all tools at its disposal to keep as many players as possible in the building beyond just the 53 that make the initial cut.

But first, 60 minutes against the Vikings. Quarterback Bo Nix isnā€™t playing. If other Broncos starters do, it likely wonā€™t be for long.

It¶¶Ņõap a bubblelicious weekend.

Here are five storylines to watch.

The closing days of bubble watch arrive with questions to answer on both lines

For the Broncos on the defensive line, the question is as simple as whether theyā€™ve got room to go as heavy as last year. Denver kept seven on the 53-man roster a year ago. If it does the same this year, the likelihood is the same six plus plus rookie third-rounder Tyler Onyedim instead of the departed John Franklin-Myers. If the Broncos take six, then the question becomes whether the last spot goes to veteran Jordan Jackson or second-year man Saiā€™Vion Jones. Could Denver trade one of them? Jackson made the roster cleanly the past two years and is a trusted role player. Jones hasnā€™t cracked the rotation yet, but Denver traded up into the third round to draft him in 2025. The Broncos have been loath to part with depth up front in past years.

Questions on the offensive line are more injury-related. They have been without Alex Forsyth on and off for the past two weeks and without Frank Crum this week. How long will each be out? They have a pair of veterans in Calvin Throckmorton and Matt Peart who could be needed as key reserves but also could be asked to start the season on the practice squad.

That leaves several moving pieces. Could a young guy like Tyler Miller snag a spot? Tackles are popular targets on the waiver wire and the Broncos have lost one at the cutdown each of the past two years.

Looking for clues at linebacker and tight end

There are also interesting decisions to make at inside linebacker and tight end. Theyā€™re similar positions in a way, because there are a pair of veterans at the top of each room and then a lot of unproven first- and second-year players behind.

At tight end, the room behind Adam Trautman and Evan Engram is going to come down to style preference and who Denverā€™s front office thinks it can get through to the practice squad. Justin Joly is a fifth-round pick, but he and seventh-rounder Dallen Bentley have each had relatively quiet camps. Nate Adkins had a down 2025 season due to injuries, but teams around the league like players with his versatility. Lucas Krull has been a regular presence here the past two seasons. Caleb Lohner is a wild card. Payton raved about him this spring, but heā€™s missed all of camp with lower-body injuries. Perhaps heā€™s an injured reserve stash candidate.

At linebacker, behind Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton, there are four candidates for two or three spots. The consistent No. 2 line recently has been Karene Reid and Jordan Turner, but the Broncos like seventh-round rookie Red Murdock and undrafted rookie Taurean York has done good things, too.

Will Denver roll the dice with Murdock (or Reid/Turner) on the waiver wire? Or do they feel the need to keep five from the jump?

QBs Sam Ehlinger, Jarrett Stidham again take center stage

With Nix not playing, Denverā€™s other two quarterbacks will take center stage for what the Broncos certainly hope is the final time this season. Stidham is set to start but ,Ehlinger is in line to play most of the game, perhaps as much as three quarters depending on how the game flows and how many possessions unfold in the first quarter.

This could just be a carbon copy of the 2024 season, where Stidham played 10 snaps in the preseason finale, Zach Wilson handled the rest and then shortly after they both found out they made the 53-man roster.

Or, it could be a continuation of an actual battle. Payton said categorically on Wednesday that the club had not yet determined who the No. 2 is behind Nix, though given the way the preseason and reps have played out so far, Stidham has played the role of a No. 2 every day but two that reporters have been present.

Ehlinger told The Post this week that he trusts the Broncos and has had good conversations with them so far through training camp. Perhaps it¶¶Ņõap just as simple as Denver keeping all three, whether that¶¶Ņõap on the 53-man roster or Ehlinger starting off with a brief practice squad stint like he did last year.

Either way, neither Ehlinger nor Stidham will want to leave anything to chance on Friday.

Any conspicuous players held out of the game?

Payton on Wednesday acknowledged that teams this time of year not only are careful not to show their cards scheme-wise, but theyā€™ll also try to hide a player theyā€™re trying to sneak through waivers. Paytonā€™s tried it before —Ā and eventually got burned anyway by his own mentor. He was excited by tackle Jeremy Parnell as a developmental project during New Orleansā€™ Super Bowl run and had plenty else on his mind when he invited Bill Parcells ā€” then the Miami Dolphinsā€™ president ā€”Ā to watch a pre-Super Bowl practice.

The next fall, Payton tried to sneak Parnell through waivers at the roster cutdown and get him on the practice squad. He hadnā€™t played in games and had essentially no film. And yet, the Dolphins claimed him.

ā€œThere was literally no evidence at all,ā€ Payton recalled this week. ā€œA year after that, Bill had retired and I asked him, ā€˜Hey, what allowed you guys to claim Parnell?ā€™ And he said, ā€˜Well, you invited me to practice and every time you broke the huddle, all I saw was that 6-7 tackle.ā€™

ā€œAnd he said, ā€˜Donā€™t invite the fox in the hen house.ā€™ I learned a lesson.ā€

Parnell played 111 games in his career, including 64 starts, but funny enough, they all came for Dallas and Jacksonville from 2012 on.

Payton also often says it¶¶Ņõap not easy to hold a lot of players out of preseason games because you risk exposing those who carry a heavier workload to injury. Plus, holding a player out could be a tip-off in its own right.

Regardless, it¶¶Ņõap good to remember that this is roster gamesmanship season.

Any conspicuous stat lines that add up to ā€œtrade candidate?ā€

The Albert O. Special, as it¶¶Ņõap known in Denver. In 2023, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam didnā€™t feel like a fit on Paytonā€™s first roster. Then in the teamā€™s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. That¶¶Ņõap how you play yourself onto a 53-man, right? Well, yeah, but in Philadelphia. The Broncos traded the tight end to the Eagles between the finale and the roster cutdown. If Philly thought it could have landed Okwuegbunam as a waiver claim, it wouldnā€™t have traded for him. It wasnā€™t much — Okwuegbunam and a seventh-rounder for a sixth-rounder ā€” but it was better than nothing.

Then Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers showed him the light.

Uwazurike, a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Iowa State, was starting to work his way into the Broncos’ rotation for the first time in his career and the first time since missing all of 2023 due to a gambling-related suspension.

Uwazurike has confidence in his own game. That¶¶Ņõap easier when youā€™re 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. Heā€™s strong, heā€™s got athleticism. He calls himself a good pass-rusher.

But how do you deploy that?

ā€œIt¶¶Ņõap not just knowing how to do moves against people,ā€ Uwazurike told The Post. ā€œIt¶¶Ņõap knowing, ā€˜OK, this guy likes to set this way. This guy likes to shoot his hands this way. This center leaves this little bit of air here when he does this. Then this is where we need to attack at.ā€™

ā€œEvery week weā€™re switching up moves and going based off what certain teams did. It¶¶Ņõap different than doing one-on-ones in practice. Learning from them and watching them do that last year, that was everything.ā€

Uwazurike saw first-hand what that preparation looked like. He learned what to look for.

ā€œZach, the notes that Zach takes, he knows the opponent¶¶Ņõap middle name,ā€ Uwazurike said. ā€œHe knows everything about them. He dissects everything down on how to pass-rush vs. a certain person, a certain team, how the o-line slides.

ā€œThey definitely school you when it comes to studying. It¶¶Ņõap been good to learn.ā€

This fall, he just might get the chance to put it all to work.

Uwazurike has been one of the breakouts so far in Broncos training camp. Heā€™s been disruptive against the run and the pass. Regardless of who he lines up against.

ā€œThe leap he’s taking right now is pretty scary,ā€ defensive tackle D.J. Jones said recently, calling Uwazurike, ā€œunblockable.ā€

Which raises an interesting situation as the regular season approaches: The Broncos have several high-profile players entering the final year of their contracts this fall. Most of the attention has been on whether players like Riley Moss and Jaā€™Quan McMillian will receive contract extensions this summer. Same for safety Brandon Jones and wide receiver Marvin Mims, Jr.

However high Uwazurike is perceived to be externally on the priority list, it¶¶Ņõap probably not high enough.

The 28-year-old says heā€™s not thinking about whether it¶¶Ņõap a possibility in the coming weeks. Instead, heā€™s focused on what ultimately makes him valuable.

ā€œAll I can do is learn and — I feel like what Iā€™m doing now in camp, learning from the guys in front of me and all that, that¶¶Ņõap what¶¶Ņõap going to help me get to that point,ā€ Uwazurike said. ā€œMoney is made here. Money is made in practice and in the film room. That¶¶Ņõap my main focus. If I do all of that right and play as hard as I can, then whatever comes for me is whatever comes for me.

ā€œThat¶¶Ņõap all I can do. That has to be the mindset.ā€

Uwazurike has seen that approach work for his teammates. Franklin-Myers last year played well for the Broncos and parlayed it into a $21 million per year deal with Tennessee.

The since-departed defensive lineman, though, went out of his way to help Uwazurike.

One misconception about Uwazurike is the notion that heā€™s always been a run defender first. Really, he says, he thinks of himself more as a rusher. Heā€™s learned the art of stopping the run and, in 2025, did so at a high level.

He got those chances, in part, because of Franklin-Myers.

The veteran saw enough from Uwazurike to go to defensive line coach Jamar Cain and tell him that Uwazurike should take some of his early-down work and help keep JFM fresh for pass-rushing situations.

ā€œThereā€™s a difference between people saying ā€˜I know that you can do it,ā€™ and actually doing it and showing it,ā€ Uwazurike said. ā€œThat¶¶Ņõap what it was. The season before that, my first season with JFM, it was constantly ā€˜I know you can do it,ā€™ this and that.

ā€œLast year, it was, let¶¶Ņõap put it on film. Let¶¶Ņõap put it on film, let¶¶Ņõap stop some runs and actually show that you belong.ā€

Franklin-Myers went to defensive line coach Jamar Cain, Uwazurike said, and vouched for Uwazurike to play early downs.

ā€œIt allowed him to have more pass-rush opportunities,ā€ Uwazurike said. ā€œWhen you have that chemistry and stuff opens up like that, it allowed us to be how productive we were last year. More bodies in the game, more air for JFM.ā€

Now with JFM gone, there is playing time up for grabs. Malcolm Roach is undoubtedly going to take some of that. Uwazurike likely will, too. Jordan Jackson and young players like Saiā€™Vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim could also force their way into the mix.

Uwazurike, though, looks primed to play a major role.

ā€œHeā€™s always been a big man. Now heā€™s leaned out, heā€™s moving very well,ā€ defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said recently. ā€œHeā€™s powerful. ā€¦ It¶¶Ņõap been fun to watch him improve.ā€

When last season ended on a refrigerated afternoon at Empower Field, neither was expected to be in charge in training camp.

Sean Payton figured to give up his ATM PIN before surrendering his call sheet. Through collaboration, conversation — and perhaps a contract extension —Ā  Payton acquiesced, promoting Webb to offensive coordinator.

The bigger shock was that Joseph did not land a head coaching job. Despite multiple interviews, and some less-than-desirable vacancies, Joseph came up empty.

It is also not surprising when the NFL features only three black head coaches — Houston’s DeMeco Ryans, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles and the Jets’ Aaron Glenn.

That Webb was closer to landing a gig in Buffalo and Las Vegas explains the kind of obstacles Joseph faces. He’s not young. And he’s not in charge of the offense.

He can remove all doubt by coaching the league’s No. 1 defense. Everyone wants the next Sean McVay. What about the next Mike MacDonald with a few more gray hairs?

With coach Payton presenting Drew Brees into the Hall of Fame, Joseph was put in charge of Saturday’s scrimmage. He looks the part.

Joseph is back. That means the Broncos should be back atop the AFC West. Leaving other contenders to chase.

While everyone slobbers over the return of Patrick Mahomes, the rebound of Lamar Jackson and the arrival of Joe Brady, the Broncos are in the best position to win.

It doesn’t matter what happens with Kenneth Walker or Trey Hendrickson or D.J. Moore when the Broncos have a defense capable of calling checkmate on anyone.

Joseph has inspired a brotherhood with his defense, creating players who lean on him and each other. They know he believes. They know he will put them in position to win. And they know he will give them all the credit.

Time to give him a parting gift: the No. 1 ranked defense and another shot in the cockpit.

V.J., as his players call him, is back. So is the relentless effort of Zach Allen, the SaranWrap-tight coverage of Pat Surtain II and the playmaking of Ja’Quan McMillian. V.J. is back in an orange-and-blue ball cap, and the Broncos are poised to leave all comers in a black-and-blue wake.

“It is what VJ has molded since he got here. It¶¶Ņõap player-led. Heā€™s going to give you the grasp of the defense. Once you show you can do the job, he has trust in you. And he also has trust that you are showing the younger guys how to be a pro,” cornerback Riley Moss said. “And I think personally, it is a developmental program. You are going to get better no matter what stage you are in. He wants you to get better. It¶¶Ņõap the coolest thing. And it makes it fun.”

Well, unless you are an opposing quarterback. The Broncos set a franchise record with 63 sacks in 2024. Then bested it with 68 last season. With all due respect to Bo Nix and his fourth-quarter pixie dust, the defense was behind the 14-3 record.

“It all starts with V.J.,” said Allen. “It is about playing fast, and playing violent.”

There is another level to this defense. As good as the unit has been, there is a red dot on the cashmere sweater. The Broncos must produce more turnovers.

“That’s true,” Surtain said.

It makes no sense that 68 sacks led to only 14 takeaways. It is like a boxer landing 30 uppercuts and no knockouts.

They forced nine fumbles. They recovered four. Only the Commanders (two) had fewer.

Joseph sets a high standard. He knows the defense was good. But this is one area where the Broncos must improve.

Get the ball on the ground, especially with strip sacks. That happened only twice last season, inconceivable given the speed, power and chop of Nik Bonitto.

The 50-50 ball in the air has to be theirs. Anything less than four picks for Moss will be a disappointment. And it is past time for Talanoa Hufanga to end his 25-game streak without an interception. Conservatively, he should have had four or five last season.

“I really messed up last year when it came to those things,” Hufanga said. “I left a lot of — we call it money — on the field.”

There is no guarantee that the Broncos will win a fourth Super Bowl. But I can guarantee they will not reach one without Joseph. ¶¶Ņõapountry wanted him gone in 2018. And then again after the 70-point Miami Mauling in 2023.

All Joseph did was look in the mirror, accept blame, and keep fixing, adjusting and coaching until he found the right balance of controlled aggression.

Under his tutelage, Bonitto has evolved from unplayable to unstoppable. McMillian has gone from undrafted to producing unfathomable plays.

And, wouldn’t you know it, who are the biggest surprises a week-plus into camp? Defensive linemen Malcolm Roach and Eyioma Uwazurike. D.J. Jones predicted Roach would fill the defensive end vacancy left by John Franklin-Myers, and called Uwazurike “unblockable.”

When the 10 NFL head coaching jobs were filled this offseason, there was anger and relief. There is no way Joseph should not be in charge of a team. By staying for another season, he has a chance to make his candidacy undeniable.

Win a championship with the league’s No. 1 defense, and owners must give him a second chance.

Did not practice:Ā OLB Nik Bonitto (left leg injury), WR Courtland Sutton, C Luke Wattenberg (undisclosed injury), CB Jaden Robinson, OLB Dasan McCullough, TE Caleb Lohner (lower-body injury)

Limited in practice:Ā OLB Dondrea Tillman (hamstring injury)

Left practice:Ā WR Jaylen Waddle (muscle tightness)

A fascinating development unfolded Wednesday, as star receiver Waddle was seen walking into the locker room with his helmet off but no visible signs of pain. Minutes passed. Team periods passed. And Waddle never re-emerged, a massive warning sign for the most important skill-position weapon on Denver’s roster.

Head coach Sean Payton said after practice he believed Waddle was dealing with some “muscle tightness.”

“We’ll evaluate him,” Payton said. “I think he’s fine.”

Bonitto, meanwhile, wasn’t in pads Wednesday but was seen observing and moving around without any signs of obvious discomfort after suffering an apparent left-leg injury during Tuesday’s practice. Sutton, meanwhile, was mysteriously watching practice in a baseball cap and no pads for the second straight day of practice Wednesday, but Payton said the star receiver will be back practicing Thursday. Denver appears to be taking considerable efforts to load-manage Sutton.

Lohner, meanwhile, has been spotted watching the last two days of practice with a boot on his left foot.

Roach ready to tackle a bigger role

Breaths caught across Dove Valley Wednesday when Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach bumped into the one man who needs no hint of contact in Denver’s camp: quarterback Bo Nix.

The two fell to the grass, briefly. And got up without any real incident. Still, it wasn’t something that exactly delighted head coach Sean Payton.

“He wasn’t trying — he wasn’t going to tackle Bo,” nose tackle D.J. Jones said after practice. “But, I mean, it got quiet. It got quiet real quick. Everybody stopped.”

The fact that absolutely nothing came of it in the moment — no pushing and shoving, no dismay shown from offensive linemen — perhaps spoke to the roster’s respect for the 28-year-old Roach. He bumped into Nix, after, all, because he got to the quarterback, a sight that played out often Wednesday. Roach was responsible for forcing a would-be safety later in that team period, and has shown a clear ability to create interior pressure while working with the first-team defense in camp.

Jones, often Roach’s rotational partner at nose tackle for the last two seasons, offered a point-blank endorsement of Roach as a starter for 2026.

“I believe heā€™s going to take that JFM job,” Jones said, speaking of the departed John Franklin-Myers. “And heā€™s going to run with it. Like, heā€™s doing a great job as we speak.ā€

Roach came to Denver in 2024 known primarily as a run-stopper, but has developed rapidly on passing downs across the last two seasons. He finished 2025 with a career-best four sacks, and had a standout playoff run: two sacks, five quarterback hits and three tackles for loss in two Denver postseason games.

“We got to work out a little bit before the season started … he was focused on his pass-rush,” Jones said. “And it¶¶Ņõap shown.”

Top play

Denver’s first-team offense has still not quite rounded out of offseason form, as coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense has swallowed up virtually any run looks the Broncos have tried across the first few days of camp. And after a hot start, quarterback Bo Nix has fallen back into inconsistency, with even fewer windows available in Wednesday’s team periods given the absences of his two top receivers in Waddle and Sutton.

That gave third-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine a ready-made opportunity to pounce, as Nix dropped back during one rep and stared down receiver Marvin Mims Jr. on an out route. Abrams-Draine, in sticky coverage, read Nix’s eyes the whole way. And on the toss, Abrams-Draine jumped the route, sailing the other direction for the first interception off Nix of training camp.

The Broncos rested star cornerback Pat Surtain II for several team periods Wednesday, on the longest day of training camp thus far. That gave a heap more outside reps for youngsters Jahdae Barron and Abrams-Draine. And the Mizzou product capitalized, just as he’s done across a handful of spot starts in his first two NFL seasons.

“Heā€™s one of those players — the ball kinda finds him, too, with his instincts,” Payton said. “And I would say, heā€™s got tremendous hands. Heā€™s gotten stronger since his first year.ā€

Thumbs Up

An old favorite has learned new tricks.Ā If the Broncos are keeping a counter on reception leaders through the first five days of camp, veteran Lil’Jordan Humphrey is likely at the top. The 28-year-old Humphrey took full advantage of increased WR reps Wednesday, snaring at least five passes and cycling through all three sets of offensive units.

In little surprise, Denver re-signed Humphrey on a one-year deal in March, a 6-foot-4 receiver who’s become well-known as one of Payton’s favorites. Long known as a blocking specialist, though, Humphrey appears to have added some tangible juice to his game further into his career. In fact, he’s actually measured faster in top-end speed the past two years — via the team’s Catapult trackers — than he did in Denver in 2023 and 2024, according to Payton.

“Heā€™s extremely smart,” Payton said. “That¶¶Ņõap probably one of his superpowers. Like, he can play all three positions, and heā€™s a big target.”

Can Humphrey beat out any of Denver’s young corps of Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. for a spot? Almost certainly not. But as long as Payton remains the Broncos’ head coach, Humphrey will haveĀ ²õ“Ē³¾±šĢżkind of role.

Thumbs Down

Running into several walls. Here’s the flip side of Denver’s early defensive-line dominance. Payton has pointed several times throughout the offseason to the need for a more consistent run game, and has even hinted that Davis Webb’s promotion to play-caller could bring new and productive ideas on the ground. So far in training camp, though, that has yet to materialize.

It’s hard to measure run success in pads beyond first contact, but the Broncos’ offensive line appears to be losing more battles than they’re winning against Denver’s defensive front. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey haven’t had any standout rushes thus far, although rookie Jonah Coleman has flashed some promising tenacity between the tackles. Any offensive progress in this area will be hard to measure until Denver’s first preseason game.

Odds and Ends

*Payton continued to insist that there’s “no official battle” for the Broncos’ QB2 spot, and the team is simply rotating reps. That’s growing harder to believe, as Sam Ehlinger once again worked with Denver’s second team offense Wednesday and Jarrett Stidham slid back to operating the third-string unit.

Maybe it’s not a battle. But Denver wouldn’t be switching reps if they didn’t want to get a better look at Ehlinger’s development.

“The spaghetti sauce is the other stuff that¶¶Ņõap one of his superpowers — he gets in and out of some plays, maybe,” Payton said, noting Ehlinger’s freestyling. “He can move. I like how heā€™s looked. You donā€™t get to appreciate a quarterback like him until youā€™re out there, and everyoneā€™s on the sideline, and then the ball moves.”

*Nose tackle Jones is not one to wax excessively poetic about any of his teammates to reporters. Ears should perk up, then, at his comments on fellow defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who seems directly poised to take on a greater role in 2026.

“He canā€™t be blocked,” Jones said. “Heā€™s a man. Heā€™s a grown man. I think it took some time for hi, but now heā€™s falling into his role of not being blocked. He can play every position. So, he scares you.ā€

To Jones’ point, Uwazurike single-handedly blew up one run-sweep to Harvey in a 9-on-7 period, arriving in the backfield the near second Harvey even touched the ball.

“The leap he’s taking right now,” Jones said, “it’s pretty scary.”

*Payton reiterated Wednesday that the Broncos’ practice plans this week won’t change, despite his planned Saturday absence for Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The head coach told reporters that six other members of the Broncos’ staff will join him in Canton this weekend, as New Orleans ties run deep through his coaches in Denver.

“We have more coaches than we know what to do with out here,” Payton said, “so weā€™re going to be fine without seven.”

*Receiver Troy Franklin, who has had a first-hand look at the development of CB2 Riley Moss the past three years, said he’s seen a clear leap from Moss entering his fourth season in the NFL.

“Riley’s definitely been playing tighter coverage,” Franklin said Wednesday.

Did not practice: WR Courtland Sutton (rest day), C Luke Wattenberg, TE Caleb Lohner, OL Nick Gargiulo (Physically Unable to Perform list), LB Jordan Turner (non-football injury list), CB Jaden Robinson

Injured during practice:Ā OLB Nik Bonitto

Denver saw a nightmare scenario on the club’s second day in pads, as star pass-rusher Bonitto exited during a 9-on-7 drill and limped off with trainers Tuesday. Head coach Sean Payton said post-practice that Bonitto “will be fine,” but the All-Pro talent was seen in a considerable deal of pain Tuesday. Bonitto leaned on trainers while walking off the field before limping on his own power entering the locker room.

Sutton was given a veteran rest day Tuesday, as Payton has spoken previously of being mindful of the 30-year-old WR1’s reps.Ā Wattenberg, the Broncos’ starting center, didn’t practice Tuesday but was back watching from the sideline.

Riley Moss, camp winner

The Broncos have a white man who can, in fact, jump.

On Wednesday, as a member of his defensive front jumped offsides, Moss sprinted downfield to track a deep ball and attach to WR1 Sutton’s hip. Both leapt, a roughly 6-foot cornerback grappling with 6-foot-4 receiver known for his jump-ball ability. When they tumbled to the grass, Moss — somehow — had reached into Sutton’s arms and wrestled the ball away for a would-be interception.

“Heā€™s a very athletic human being,” safety Talanoa Hufanga said later Monday, on Moss. “Like, a lot of people kinda discredit it because it¶¶Ņõap the, ā€˜white corner.ā€™ Iā€™m not gonna say that, but that¶¶Ņõap just what everybody else does. But heā€™s probably, actually, one of the most athletic corners Iā€™ve ever been around. Quick-twitch. And now it¶¶Ņõap really just, what can we do to get his technique to where it¶¶Ņõap at?”

Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Moss’s technique now appears to be creeping towards the level of his athleticism. After a strong three days of camp, Tuesday was his best yet, as Moss saw several targets through team periods and didn’t allow a single completion. He leapt to knock away a Bo Nix deep ball for Troy Franklin. He forced another deep incompletion by blanketing Marvin Mims Jr. HeĀ knocked a deep ball away from Pat Bryant in a one-on-one period. No receiver — not even Jaylen Waddle — has been able to consistently beat Denver’s No. 2 corner in camp thus far, and that’s a scary proposition for the Broncos’ back-end.

Now, can Moss put himself in better regular-season positions to reduce his hand-grappling? A late-season experiment to wear boxing gloves in team periods during practice actually paid off, as Moss was dinged for just one penalty across his final eight games of 2025. If he can continue to put dynamic reps on tape in camp while avoiding grabbing a few opposing jerseys, there will be no hint of a CB2 competition between Moss and second-year prospect Jahdae Barron.

“I think learning to play with his feet, really working on reducing some of those fouls,” Payton said on Moss Monday. “Man, he competes his tail off. Like, I love that about him. Heā€™s got those traits where it¶¶Ņõap a short mindset, short memory, and heā€™s moving around really well right now.ā€

Top play

How about a top moment? It was an inexplosive day of camp, as the Broncos’ defensive front swallowed up a variety of run looks in team periods and Denver’s first-team offense often fell flat. Nix was off-target on a couple throws. The offensive line let linebacker Alex Singleton come unblocked on one rep. All the while came the first introduction of “competition periods,” or higher-intensity simulated 11-on-11 situations.

It all boiled over on a late route from Evan Engram over the middle, as Nix rolled right with nowhere to throw. The quarterback fired a grounder at Engram’s feet, clearly waving a white flag. Engram, though, appeared to feel some contact from a shadowing Ja’Quan McMillian.

Engram turned and had words for McMillian. Shoving ensued. Bodies quickly surrounded the two, and were broken up within a couple minutes.

It was a flash of frustration from Engram, who has rarely seen any touches in recent practices after a breakout day of camp. And a flash of frustration from Denver’s offense, as running back J.K. Dobbins walked across the sideline barking at Denver’s defense in the minutes to come. Payton, though, shrugged it all off post-practice.

“All I saw was just, a lot of bodies,” Payton said, of the dust-up. “Whoeverā€™s in the skirmish, I just donā€™t want to see the third person. The bystander who decides heā€™s going to be tough.ā€

No bystanders Tuesday.

Thumbs Up

Ehlinger still challenging.Ā The best quarterback on Denver’s roster Tuesday was its third-string captain, as Sam Ehlinger continued a strong camp amid a clear challenge to backup Jarrett Stidham for the No. 2 job behind Nix. On a disjointed day for most of Denver’s offensive units, Ehlinger moved the ball well and lofted a beauty to running back Jaleel McLaughlin for a touchdown at the end of team work Monday.

There’s an argument to be made, too, that Ehlinger has been the most consistent quarterback on Denver’s roster through four days of camp. Nix has flashed brilliance and increased poise, but has yanked a few throws. Stidham has been fairly boom-or-bust.

Thumbs Down

Butler out of service?Ā When asked last week about early camp darling Hakeem Butler, Payton didn’t even reference the 30-year-old UFL product by name. The 6-foot-5 Butler is immediately noticeable when lining up at receiver, but has plenty of work to do to make his name stick. And he took a step back Tuesday after a strong start to camp, with two low-effort reps on a missed ball over the middle from Stidham and a one-on-one deep incompletion forced by 5-foot-11 rookie cornerback Brent Austin.

Butler’s physical tools and professional-level production are tantalizing, and he’s getting plenty of work in Denver’s second- and third-team units. But he needs to put more on tape.

Odds and Ends

*There’s a clear difference, at the moment, between Moss and Barron’s competitive reps. Barron was beaten twice by Franklin in a one-on-one period Tuesday, first on an out route and then on a deep ball. The second-year cornerback hasn’t looked out of position in camp, but also hasn’t been in any positions to make plays on the ball. The sky is not falling, but this is a point to watch.

*Does Denver have a clear next ILB up if either Alex Singleton or Justin Strnad misses any time? Not yet. But Payton shrugged off any concern on that position’s depth Tuesday, saying he was “excited” to see who steps up from a defensive and special-teams perspective.

That means the Broncos, clearly, haven’t identified their ILB3, which Strnad knows plenty well has been a vital depth need for Denver’s defense the past two seasons. Turner was a candidate, but still hasn’t tugged on pads yet in camp with a non-football injury. Rookies Red Murdock and Taurean York are an intriguing pair, but haven’t captured attention. Levelle Bailey and Karene Reid — the latter of whom made the Broncos’ 53-man roster as a rookie — could be the two best candidates.

*Speaking of Austin — keep an eye on him. The Cal product went undrafted in April, but has good physical tools and has flashed well in coverage in camp thus far. Denver loves quality cornerbacks, and Austin could end up sticking if he shows special-teams value.

*The Broncos’ defensive-line carousel continues to spin. Eyioma Uwazurike, Jordan Jackson, Tyler Onyedim, Sai’vion Jones and Matt Henningsen have all gotten first-team reps in units where the departed John Franklin-Myers used to play. Uwazurike, though, looks the current favorite to absorb much of Franklin-Myers’ old work.

“We had a mechanic,” Uwazurike recalled Monday, “for a D-line coach.”

The Broncos defensive lineman knew, from young, that he would have to push himself out of the rubble. It was all he knew. He learned it from watching his mother, who worked days and nights to provide for him and his two brothers. He learned it from taking care of his younger brother, born with a heart disease that brought a developmental disability. This became Uwazurike’s purpose. And he learned he’d have to fulfill it all his own, because Southfield-Lathrup ceased to exist after his senior year of high school in 2016, and fielding a competitive football program did not exactly seem a massive institutional priority.

“Thereā€™s pages on this kid,” said Eli Rasheed, Uwazurike’s old defensive-line coach at Iowa State. “And all the reasons people would say — ‘You canā€™t be successful.'”

He is, now, despite a near-career-ruining series of decisions. Uwazurike served a year-long suspension in 2023 for betting on NFL games, and was reinstated in 2024 in the middle of Denver’s training camp, a then-raw former fourth-round pick now starting at Ground Zero with learning Vance Joseph’s defensive playbook. Get a year-long suspension as a fourth-round pick, as Rasheed said, and you normally get discarded.

But Uwazurike has known what it’s felt like, all his life, to work in the dark.

“You had to go learn on your own,” Uwazurike told The Denver Post Monday, on his high-school development. “Go to camps, and learn things. And pick up on your own. It taught us how to be self-driven.

ā€œIf we wanted it, we had to actually go find it,” he continued. “So, I always kinda had that. Still got that today.”

Now entering his fifth NFL season — or really, his fourth — Uwazurike is finally primed for a share of the spotlight in Denver. John Franklin-Myers’ looming free-agency departure was the worst-kept secret inside the Broncos’ building in 2025; Uwazurike even publicly campaigned for his old running mate’s impending starting spot in January. And after riding out several drastic forks in the road, the not-so-veteran is now the odds-on favorite to pick up Franklin-Myers’ key vacated snaps at the heart of Denver’s defense.

“I feel like I’m definitely ready to start in that position,” Uwazurike reiterated Monday, “and whatever that comes with. But I feel like I play a big role no matter what, you feel me? Because I play nose, 3-technique and 4-technique, so Iā€™m all over the field.

“Regardless, I gotta have a good season ā€¦ if it¶¶Ņõap to start at that 4i position, so be it,” Uwazurike continued, a few words later. “I know for sure Iā€™ll be ready.ā€

On the Broncos’ first ramp-up day of training camp last week, head coach Sean Payton said there were “two to three” players in the defensive-line room vying for Franklin-Myers’ old job. The leading man, now, has emerged, in a race to develop interior chemistry with returning All-Pro Zach Allen.

“I definitely find myself doing, right now, a lot of that stuff that JFM was doing with Zach last year,” Uwazurike said.

Uwazurike played 36% of Denver’s defensive snaps last season in a key role on the defensive line. Close to half of his looks last year, though, came against the run; Franklin-Myers held a much larger role on passing downs. And recently, Uwazurike has begun sitting with Allen for 10 to 15 minutes to go over pass-rush looks after the team’s final meetings of the day during camp.

“Iā€™m not gonna lie, I’ve learned a lot right now off of him,” Uwazurike said, speaking on growing rapport with Allen. “So big salute to Zach. He knows what heā€™s doing in that world. It¶¶Ņõap not just about being able to pass-rush ā€“ it¶¶Ņõap about knowing your opponents, and knowing what¶¶Ņõap going on, and how to work with each other properly in that pass-rushing aspect. And heā€™s doing a good job teaching us, for sure.ā€

This is far from a one-man, plug-and-play job. Joseph’s defense rotates interior defensive linemen constantly, given the type of on-field package and situational down. Third-round pick Tyler Onyedim has acquitted himself quite well since summer offseason workouts, and 2025 third-round pick Sai’vion Jones has as much pass-rushing upside as anyone in the bunch; veterans Jordan Jackson and Matt Henningsen, too, have both gotten first-team reps at times in team periods. And ascending nose tackle Malcolm Roach has been the other most frequent body, as Uwazurike said, who has played in Franklin-Myers’ old position.

The 6-foot-6 Uwazurike, though, offers the best blend of versatility, proven reps and untapped upside. After a career-best 3.5 sacks and 49 tackles in 19 total games last season, he turned 28 in May. Virtually nobody views him as such.Ā Payton, in fact, called him “young” Monday.

“I think he grew a lot last season,” Payton said. “I mean, thereā€™s some really good tape. Iā€™m excited about what¶¶Ņõap up for him, because heā€™s got all those traits youā€™re looking for. And it¶¶Ņõap important to him.”

In a football sense, really, Uwazurike has always been younger than his age. Rasheed recruited Uwazurike for two to three years out of Southfield-Lathrup, and never met his head coach; everyone back at Uwazurike’s old high school, as Rasheed recalled, “knew they weren’t going to have a job there.”

Even after five stacked seasons of improvement at Iowa State — with nine sacks as a senior — old Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock would tell NFL scouts that Uwazurike’s best football was ahead of him.

“I just felt like, he, mentally, was young in the game of understanding the whole big picture,” Heacock recalled.

In those years of high school ball and beyond, Uwazurike often found YouTube as his best teacher, with no pass-rush coach to learn from. He studied tape of All-Pros like the Steelers’ Cameron Heyward and Chiefs’ Chris Jones, trying to find havoc-wreaking defensive lineman with similar statures; Uwazurike spent plenty of time this offseason, too, watching now-Bengals star Dexter Lawrence to study his nose-tackle reps.

“But (now),” Uwazurike grinned, “I’m playing the — whatever’s available.”

What is available, he knows, is Franklin-Myers’ next to Allen. That will require some adaptability. Uwazurike is used to that.

“Last season was the year I got to do everything,” Uwazurike said. “Go into OTAs, have a good camp, good preseason ā€“ right into the season, had a really good season last year. So yeah, I feel like we got the whole thing going over, starting over again, this year. And hopefully I can take off with it.ā€

J.K. Dobbins has promised to be healthy, and if not, there is an MRI machine on site. Evan Engram’s key card permits him to leave witness protection on Sundays. Ben Powers’ foot is surgically repaired. Brandon Jones has his biceps back, and his bare feet are more calloused for the journey ahead.

The Broncos are not fighting recent history — of no winning seasons, of zero playoff victories. They are poised to make history.

They broke the Bills. And they would have punked the Patriots had their starting quarterback or running back played.

Two days into the 2026 training camp, the Broncos have their doubters, especially from sportsbooks who believe they will finish with nine wins and miss the playoffs.

None are inside the 320,000-square foot headquarters.

In coach Sean Payton’s fourth season, the Broncos are positioned to win the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl.

Watching practice, two reasons why emerge on loop: Bo Nix’s brains and Jaylen Waddle’s feet.

The Broncos boast a championship-caliber defense, steeped in familiarity. There will be one new starter at defensive end for the departed John Franklin-Myers, with Malcolm Roach and Eyioma Uwazurike capable of filling the void.

It is the offense that has held the Broncos back. It still sounds weird to say about a Payton team, but the truth is obvious. The Broncos were terrible on early downs and early in games last season.

It is why they were chasing more than limes after tequila.

They are not going 12-3 in one-score games again. They will likely play only eight, needing five victories.

For the first time since Peyton Manning started, the Broncos will be dynamic, explosive.

It traces back to Nix. He looks better physically than at any point of his career, his right ankle fixed, and lingering college injuries a distant memory.

Feel good, play better. And faster.

While focus remains on Nix’s feet — he is already making plays off script — it is his head that matters. There is a point in a quarterback’s career where he becomes focused on the defense, not his own personnel.

Nix has reached this intersection.

He is not Manning changing plays at the line of scrimmage, but he is more equipped to audible because he knows what he is seeing. Davis Webb getting the calls in more quickly will also help Nix diagnose with roughly 10 seconds on the play clock.

All those exotic sub packages and third down defenses will no longer look like a foreign film without subtitles.

“Those can be a little more complex and it begins to slow down a little bit when you get into year two and year three. You begin to not get fooled as much,” Payton said. “And in that area he is a lot further along.”

Nix will go from making sure he didn’t turn the ball over as a rookie to making a star turn as a 26-year-old. He is entering his prime as the Broncos’ championship window opens wide and says aaagh!

“You have a second-nature thought process. You know the play, so you are not thinking about the operation, the motion, the route concept or the handoff point. You can attack the defense in a more strategic way,” Nix said Saturday. “My eyes are up a little more. It’s by memory at this point.”

The next two seasons — before an expected huge contract extension for Nix kicks in — are the time to win at a level not witnessed in more than a decade.

When the Broncos claimed their last title, it was more oil can than Vatican. But lost in the No Fly Zone’s gravitational pull and Von Miller’s matrix bend around the edge, the offense had weapons.

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders eclipsed 1,000-yards receiving. There was also balance. C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman combined for 1,583 rushing yards and 78 first downs.

The Broncos fell far too short of those numbers last season.

Dobbins is trying to speak 17 games into existence. Even if he gives the Broncos 13, they will be fine.

It is Waddle who will be the catalyst.

There is no reason the Broncos cannot have a pair of 1,000-yard targets (Courtland Sutton and Waddle).

Waddle is what Nix needed. A player who can pile up yards after the catch, a trash talker who can break ankles on slants and beat corners deep.

It is not a coincidence that Nix’s first pass in 11-on-11 drills keeps going to Waddle. He is the hack. The shortcut on long gains, a receiver capable of winning from hash mark to hash mark.

“Middle of the field, outside, vertically, behind the line of scrimmage. Anywhere — we are going to utilize him,” Nix said.

It has been on display in the limited sample size. Waddle does not look like the other receivers, other than Marvin Mims Jr. Payton has a type, and it is 6-foot-3-ish and 210 pounds. Waddle measures 5-10, 185.

But he is tremendous and amphibious, breaking free of the prototype because “he is one of those players who can walk on water,” Payton said.

Already in camp, he has scored on deep strikes and made a one-handed grab in full sprint that dropped jaws.

“He might be faster than when he was in Miami, and I didn’t think that was physically possible,” said safety Brandon Jones, who was Waddle’s teammate with the Dolphins. “He brings a different type of juice. He is a guy that can line up anywhere, catch any ball on any route.”

The Broncos have not talked about a receiver like this in more than a decade. It happened in 2015 when the Broncos overcame the odds.

This looks similar. It feels like that.

This Broncos offense should go from the turtle to full throttle.

Nix will throw 30 touchdown passes and reach 4,000 yards. Holding leads longer will free the defense to create more turnovers.

This team is almost identical to the group that was a Jarrett Stidham turnover and a Payton brain freeze on eschewing a field goal from going to the Super Bowl.

Now Nix is wiser, and Waddle is better.

Walk through the new facility, which houses 300 employees, features 95 underground parking spots, a golf simulator, a locker room with a sunken lounge, and a cafeteria with a chef making everything from salmon to bison burgers, and nothing is spared.

This season, the Broncos, if healthy, should win the Super Bowl.

There are no excuses or Bo excuses.

The Broncos are headlong into a stretch in which theyā€™ll be on the practice fields 10 of 11 days.

After that comes a shorter week of practice before a trip to Atlanta for Denverā€™s Aug. 14 preseason opener against the Falcons. The roster cutdown isnā€™t until more than two weeks after that.

Bottom line: The action is just getting started. The vast majority of the Broncosā€™ work remains ahead. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, as head coach Sean Payton is fond of saying.

As Denver heads into the heaviest workload of the summer, it¶¶Ņõap as good a time as any to take a look at the roster and what a potential 53-man group could look like. Injuries will change the picture some over the next month. So, too, could trades, free agent signings or just good old-fashioned competition.

There is also always the dance the Broncos and teams do around the deadline to retain as many of their players as possible. This is an inexact science.

Weā€™ll run this exercise again at least a couple of times — after a preseason game is in the books and again ahead of the cutdown ā€”Ā but for now hereā€™s a look at how a group could shake out.

OFFENSE (25)

QBs (3): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger

Quickly: Two questions that go hand-in-hand: Whoā€™s No. 2? And do the Broncos keep three despite a deep roster elsewhere? Early stab at answers: Ehlinger and yes.

RB (4): J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Adam Prentice (FB)

Quickly: The top three are solid. Does Denver have room for Tyler Badie or Jaleel McLaughlin on the 53? It¶¶Ņõap hard to see with three QBs, but maybe one gets to the practice squad. Prentice gets the nod unless Nate Adkins gets a lot of FB time in training camp.

TE (4): Adam Trautman, Evan Engram, Justin Joly, Dallen Bentley.

Quickly: The back of this room feels wide open. Caleb Lohner is promising but has missed the first two days of camp. If he returns and plays well through August, heā€™ll be tough to leave off. Bentley over Adkins for now based mostly on size and play profile.

WR (5): Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant

Quickly: This group is straightforward unless injury or trade shakes it up in a major way. Lilā€™Jordan Humphrey will factor in, too, even if he begins the year on the practice squad.

OL (9): Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum, Alex Forsyth, Kage Casey

Quickly: Payton and Co. like Matt Peart, too, but in terms of 53-man spots, the four reserves listed above all have versatility and fairly clearly defined roles. ā€˜Palcho,ā€™ Crum and Casey all feel like potential future starters in Denver.

DEFENSE (25)

DL (7): Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike, Tyler Onyedim, Saiā€™Vion Jones, Jordan Jackson

Quickly: Seven is heavy, but this group remains a strength of Denverā€™s roster despite John Franklin-Myersā€™ departure. Heā€™s replaced on the roster and in number by the rookie, Onyedim. Perhaps in the starting lineup, too.

OLB (5): Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson

Quickly: Cooper may not actually be on the initial 53 if heā€™s suspended by the NFL, but the Broncos clearly appear to be moving forward with him as part of their plan after a pair of June arrests on domestic violence-related charges, including felony assault. A healthy Drew Sanders would be a wild card regardless of Cooperā€™s status.

ILB (3): Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Red Murdock

Quickly: Yes, three is light for an initial roster. The Broncos, though, can likely get multiples of Levelle Bailey, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid and Taurean York to the practice squad. And Ellissā€™ versatility gives them some flex, too, if they were to get caught short on a gameday early in the season.

CB (5): Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Jaā€™Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, Kris Abrams-Draine

Quickly: Reese Taylor did nice special teams work for the Broncos last year and was on the roster the second half of the season. Can they get him to the practice squad? Tough to see much more room beyond the five guys Denver trusts in just about any situation.

S (5): Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, JL Skinner, Tycen Anderson

Quickly: On the field, the major question is who Denverā€™s third safety is. It could be Key or Skinner. The most interesting option might be Barron. In terms of roster construction, what the reserves in this room lack in proven defensive chops they make up for on special teams. Key is a first-team All-Pro and Skinner and Anderson are both high-end guys, too.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

PK Wil Lutz, P Jeremy Crawshaw, LS Mitch Fraboni

Quickly: Pretty straightforward here. The same trio as last year and a group that has a chance to give Denver consistent, high-level play.