CENTENNIAL, Colo. — When it comes to setting a team’s first depth chart, let there be no doubt Sean Payton defers to the veterans.
Rookies? Let’s just say they are put in their place.
"Rookies are at the back of line,'' Payton said Tuesday after his team's 12th training camp .
The Denver Broncos’ head coach listed Jarrett Stidham, not Bo Nix, as the No. 1 quarterback. Nix isn’t even listed as No. 2. He’s a rookie so he's listed at the very end, No. 3. Zach Wilson is No. 2.
That’s not how it’s gone during practice – Nix and Stidham have split first-team reps while Wilson has clearly been No. 3.
But so it goes for all rookies like Nix, Jonah Elliss and Audric Estime – back of the depth chart they go.
It may be too strong to say Payton hates all rookies, but he does very much dislike depth charts before the first preseason game.
"I'm not ready for a depth chart,'' Payton said. "But I have to have a depth chart (to the league office by 2 p.m. Tuesday) so it's easy to push the (rookie) players to the back of the line. ... I'm not trying to send messages at all."
It should be noted Stidham has earned the No. 1 distinction.
He is the incumbent starter as he replaced the deposed Russell Wilson in the final two games of the 2023 season. Stidham was also the leader of the Broncos’ 2024 quarterback competition that included Nix and Zach Wilson throughout the offseason OTA practices and early part of training camp.
Only in the past week has Nix, the team’s first-round rookie, moved even with Stidham in the battle for season-opening quarterback at Seattle. It even appears Nix has edged slightly ahead.
But for initial depth-chart posting purposes, Stidham earned top billing. Unless he didn't.
"There wasn't a lot of thought,'' Payton said. "I mean, we just got the depth chart out and that's it. That's where we're at now. He'll get work with the 1s in this preseason and we'll see what we do with the other guys."
Stidham’s listing as No. 1 quarterback would indicate he will start in the Broncos’ preseason opener Sunday at Indianapolis, although Payton wouldn't announce his decision Tuesday.
The second-most notable depth chart listing belongs to veteran receiver Tim Patrick. After missing the entirety of the past two seasons with two different training camp injuries (ACL, Achilles), Patrick is a No. 1 wide receiver, along with Courtland Sutton.
This is partly a nod to Patrick’s dedicated rehab, toughness and selfless spirit. But it’s also testament to how well Patrick has been playing this offseason, especially of late. Patrick was one of the Broncos’ most consistently production receivers in 2020-21, the two seasons before he was beset by injuries.
Marvin Mims Jr. and Josh Reynolds, who may be the starters alongside Sutton when the regular season begins, are listed as second-team receivers. Troy Franklin, a fourth-round rookie who is all but certain to make the season-opening, 53-man roster, is listed as a fifth teamer, behind Patrick, Mims, Brandon Johnson and Phillip Dorsett.
Two points about the Broncos’ depth chart: One, it uses the old-time formation formula. A fullback, which is hardly used, is listed while there are only two receivers. Michael Burton is the team’s one and only fullback. Payton uses a different formation nearly every play with around 20 different setups used in a game. The most common formation will have three receivers and no fullback.
And two, depth charts are proverbially written in pencil, not ink. There will be differences from what’s listed today and who lines up to start the game Sept. 8 at Seattle.
"We're spending too much time on this depth chart,'' Payton said.
Including, perhaps, the quarterback position.
Especially on offense, it can even be suggested this depth chart has multiple inaccuracies.
On defense, there is a nod to two of the top position battles in training camp. Cody Barton and Jonas Griffith are listed as tied for first team at the inside linebacker spot next to stalwart Alex Singleton.
"I look at it every day, obviously, it's part of my job,'' Griffith said about his competition with Barton.
Same with the cornerback slot opposite star Pat Surtain, where Damarri Mathis and Riley Moss are listed as co-first teamers, and at punter where incumbent Riley Dixon and newcomer Trenton Gill are in the co-top spot for punter and holder.
Other depth chart notables:
— Greg Dulcich is the No. 2 tight end behind Adam Trautman while Lucas Krull is No. 3. Dulcich missed OTAs to recover from foot surgery but has had a fine training camp. Krull had some impressive OTAs.
"First, I'm hearing that,'' Krull said when asked about the depth chart overall. "I have no idea about any of that stuff. I just come out here and work my tail off every day that I get the opportunity and keep grinding. Doing everything I can to help this team."
— Tremon Smith is the No. 2 returner on both punts and kickoffs behind Mims.
— Fifth-round rookie Audric Estime, who is making the team, is nevertheless listed as tied for the No. 5 running back with fellow rookie Blake Watson, and behind Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
— Elliss, who has been a second-team outside linebacker, is listed with the third team.
Here's the depth chart with players in listed in order – first name is with first team, second name with second team, third name with third team, etc.:
Denver Broncos depth chart
OFFENSE
- QB Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson, Bo Nix
- WR Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims Jr., Brandon Johnson, Phillip Dorsett II, Jalen Virgil, Troy Franklin
- LT Garrett Bolles, Matt Peart, Demontrey Jacobs
- LG Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Gargiulo
- C Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Sam Mustipher
- RG Quinn Meinerz, Will Sherman, Oliver Jervis
- RT Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum
- TE Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins, Hunter Kampmoyer, Thomas Yassmin
- WR Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, David Sills, Michael Bandy, Devaughn Vele
- RB Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Audric Estime, Blake Watson
- FB Michael Burton
DEFENSE
- DE Zach Allen, Angelo Blackson, Jordan Jackson
- NT D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller
- DE John Franklin-Myers, Elijah Garcia, Eyioma Uwazurike
- SLB Jonathon Cooper, Thomas Incoom, Jonah Elliss, Jaylon Allen
- WLB Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Durell Nchami, Dondrea Tillman
- ILB Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Andre Smith
- ILB Cody Barton -OR- Jonas Griffith, Levelle Bailey
- LCB Pat Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Tremon Smith, Kris Abrams-Draine
- RCB Damarris Mathis -OR-Riley Moss, Art Green
- NCB Ja'Quan McMillian, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome
- S P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Tanner McCalister, Omar Brown
- S Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Keidron Smith
SPECIAL TEAMS
- PK Wil Lutz
- KO Wil Lutz, Trenton Gill
- P Riley Dixon or Trenton Gill
- H Riley Dixon or Trenton Gill
- LS Mitchell Fraboni
- KR Marvin Mims Jr., Tremon Smith, Jaleel McLaughlin
- PR Marvin Mims Jr., Tremon Smith, Michael Bandy
