ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Youth seemed to break most ties.
The Broncos’ 53-man roster is set. Rookie receivers Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele made it, not Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson or David Sills.
Rookies Audrick Estime and Blake Watson, plus second-year player Jaleel McLaughlin join Javonte Williams at running back, not Samaje Perine.
There was a decided youth movement among the offensive line reserves as undrafted rookie tackle Frank Crum, second-year center-guard Alex Forsyth and second-year tackle-guard Alex Palczewski made it over the likes of Sam Mustipher and Calvin Throckmorton.
The undrafted rookie run is alive and well as Watson, Crum and inside linebacker Levelle Bailey made the season-opening roster. Bailey made it over Jonas Griffith in a mild surprise. Then again, Bailey’s 94-yard interception return for a touchdown may have clinched a spot for him. Watson made it as a fourth running back essentially over fullback Michael Burton, who was released in what appears to be a roster gymnastics move.
That makes it 20 of the past 21 years an undrafted rookie has made the Broncos’ season-opening roster.
"Sean (Payton) has said it a number of times, we're young and hungry,' and that was before the cuts,'' Broncos' general manager George Paton said on a post-roster-setting conference call with the media Tuesday. "But we also have experience in key areas. We're going to try and put together our best 53 and win regardless of youth. But it is nice to have some youth. As you know the roster is fluid ... so that could change a little bit. But we don't mind young players that's for sure."
Oh, and head coach Sean Payton made good on his words – the team kept all three quarterbacks: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.
Here’s the Broncos’ 53-man roster as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. Understand it is subject to change with the possible awarding of waiver claims at 10 a.m. Wednesday:
Offense (25)
Quarterbacks (3)
Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
Cuts: None.
Paton: "We looked at last year and almost half the league kept three quarterbacks. And so with the rule changes (allowing a third QB on 53-man roster to dress as an emergency and not count against 48-player game roster) we think that number will increase and we're glad to have all three."
Running backs (4)
Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Blake Watson
Cuts: Samaje Perine, Tyler Badie
Fullback (1)
Nate Adkins
Cuts: Michael Burton
Receivers (5)
Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele
Cuts: Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson, David Sills V, Michael Bandy, Phillip Dorsett, Jalen Virgil, Lil'Jordan Humphrey
Paton on Patrick: "Obviously, not an easy one. On behalf of everyone in our organization, just can't say enough great things about the type of player and the person Tim has been while a Bronco for the last seven seasons. ... The perseverence the last two years to come back from the injuries and play like we did, we just wish him the very best. What went into it was a number of things. We really liked our depth at receiver. ... Special teams comes into play, the new element of the kickoff, kickoff return, there will be over 200 more plays. It wasn't just one thing. Tim we wish him well and we're going to miss him."
Tight ends (3)
Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins*
*Adkins will serve as fullback and tight end.
Cuts: Hunter Kampmoyer, Thomas Yassmin**
**Yassmin is from Australia and is eligible to receive international exemption on practice squad
Offensive linemen (9)
Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Forsyth, Frank Crum, Alex Palczewski
Cuts: Calvin Throckmorton, Sam Mustipher, Will Sherman, Demontrey Jacobs, Nick Gargiulo, Oliver Jervis
Defense (24)
Defensive line (6)
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Jordan Jackson, Eyioma Uwazurike
Cuts: Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson, Elijah Garcia
Paton on how team liked Uwazurike first to allow him back after serving year-long gambling suspension, and secondly to put him on 53-man roster when he has yet to get his football legs back: "Inny's taken full responsibility for his actions. Feel like he's learned from it, he's moved forward, he's shown remorse. Been accountable. Since he showed up here, he showed up in shape. He's only been here three weeks and he's not quite there, he's rusty. But he's big, he's athletic, he's talented. He plays hard. We thought the talent was too much. And we love the kid. It's a really good kid who made a mistake. We weren't able to see him for a year so when he showed up and looked like he did, we thought that was really positive. We're glad he's here, he's going to help us."
Inside linebackers (4)
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey
Cuts: Jonas Griffith, Andre Smith, Alec Mock
Note: Broncos are looking to upgrade this position. Singleton is Pro Bowl-caliber. Other starter, Barton, is with third team in three years. Strnad has been standout special teamers the past 2 1/2 years but hasn't played linebacker since mid-2021. Bailey an undrafted rookie worthy of developing.
Outside linebackers (4)
Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss
Cut: Dondrea Tillman, Thomas Incoom, Durrell Nchami (waived/injured)
Cornerbacks (5)
Pat Surtain II, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine
Cuts: Quinton Newsome, Reese Taylor, Omar Brown, Art Green, Kaleb Hayes
Short-term IR: Damarri Mathis
Safeties (5)
Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key, JL Skinner, Keidron Smith
Cuts: Tanner McCalister
Special teams (4)
Kicker
Wil Lutz
Punter
Riley Dixon
Cut: Trenton Gill
Long snapper
Mitchell Fraboni
Gunner
Tremon Smith
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