Denver Broncos depth chart going into the spring

Running back (7)

• RB1: J.K. Dobbins
• RB2: RJ Harvey
• RB3: Jonah Coleman
• RB4: Tyler Badie
• Depth: Jaleel McLaughlin, Cody Schrader, Deuce Vaughn

Coleman's arrival is particularly bad news for Tyler Badie, who served as the team's primary passing-down back last season. Coleman is an upgrade over Badie as a runner and as a receiver, and he's also a skilled pass blocker, which was Badie's main role in 2025.

Wide receiver (12)

• X WR: Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant
• Z WR: Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin
• Slot: Marvin Mims, Michael Bandy
• Depth: Lil'Jordan Humphrey
• UDFAs: Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Sean Brown, Joseph Manjack

Waddle figures to immediately take on a large workload, but Sutton remains the "X" receiver in Denver. It will be interesting to see how involved Mims will be as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

Tight end (7)

• TE1: Evan Engram
• TE2: Adam Trautman
• TE3: Justin Joly
• TE4: Nate Adkins
• Depth: Dallen Bentley, Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner

Adkins is well-regarded in Denver, so he probably has a good chance to make the active roster again in 2026. Last year, the Broncos carried four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. If that's the plan again this season, Adkins, Bentley, Krull and Lohner are set to have a fierce battle for one roster spot this summer.

Offensive line (17)

• LT: Garett Bolles, Frank Crum
• LG: Ben Powers, Kage Casey, Nick Gargiulo
• C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Michael Deiter
• RG: Quinn Meinerz, Calvin Throckmorton, Matt Peart
• RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski
• Depth: Marques Cox, Tyler Miller, Gavin Ortega, Nash Jones

Several linemen will be backups at multiple positions, such as Palczewski and Casey providing cover at both tackle and guard. Throckmorton and Peart will be key veteran swing backups to watch this summer as younger linemen push for their spots.

Defensive line (10)

• DE: Zach Allen, Tyler Onyedim
• DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach
• DE: Sai'vion Jones, Eyioma Uwazurike
• Depth: Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Kristian Williams

Sai'vion Jones feels like the early favorite to replace JFM in the starting lineup, but Onyedim and Uwazurike will get to compete. Denver loves Roach, but he's probably more of a rotational option behind D.J. Jones than a like-for-like replacement for JFM.

Outside linebacker (9*)

• OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman
• OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Que Robinson, Drew Sanders
• Wild card: Jonah Elliss
• Depth: Johnny Walker, Garrett Nelson, Dasan McCullough

The Broncos plan to give Jonah Elliss snaps at inside linebacker this year, but it's unclear if he will make a full-time position switch or rotate between roles. We still have Elliss listed among the OLBs for now. Denver added Dasan McCullough as a UDFA, adding more depth to an already-crowded room.

Inside inebacker (8)

• LB1: Alex Singleton, Karene Reid
• LB2: Justin Strnad, Jonah Elliss
• Depth: Lavelle Bailey, Jordan Turner
• Rookies: Red Murdock, Taurean York

It remains to be seen how involved Elliss will be at ILB, but it wouldn't be shocking if he emerged as the third-choice option behind Singleton and Strnad. Murdock and UDFA gem Taurean York will probably be fighting with Bailey and Turner for active roster spots.

Cornerback (10)

• CB1: Pat Surtain, Kris Abrams-Draine
• CB2: Riley Moss OR Jahdae Barron
• Slot: Ja’Quan McMillian
• Depth: Reese Taylor, Jaden Robinson
• UDFAs: Brent Austin, Ahmari Harvey, Will Wright

The Broncos brought McMillian back as their slot cornerback, so Barron might have to beat out Moss if he wants to start in Year 2. Moss is also entering the final year of his contract. Denver also added three UDFA cornerbacks, headlined by Brent Austin.

Safety (7)

• FS: Brandon Jones
• SS: Talanoa Hufunga
• S3: Devon Key, Miles Scott
• ST: Tycen Anderson, JL Skinner
• UDFA: Parker Robertson

Key is the current favorite to replace P.J. Locke, and Anderson (a special teams ace) was the club's only outside free agent signing in March. Scott will be the big name to watch at safety this summer as he fights for a roster spot.

The Broncos kicked off offseason workouts on Monday, and a rookie minicamp is on deck later in the week (May 8-10). The team will begin organized team activities (OTAs) in early June.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Depth chart going into spring workouts