Regardless of talent, regardless of pedigree, Sean Payton writes his rookies last in ink.
The Broncos dropped their first depth chart on Wednesday ahead of this week’s preseason game with San Francisco, and, predictably, every single rookie on the roster was slotted last at their position group. There are no takeaways to be made there. Bo Nix was labeled as the Broncos’ QB3 this time last year, after all, and current RB6 RJ Harvey isn’t actually the sixth-lowest on Payton’s backfield totem pole.
Still, there are a number of interesting takeaways from Wednesday’s groupings — namely at wide receiver. Second-year receiver Troy Franklin has put together a stellar camp, but he’s still listed as a second-team WR behind Marvin Mims Jr., who’ll have a shot at a true breakout in his third season in Denver.
“The depth of our receiver room is something that isn’t talked about enough, and I think it’s a really strong thing for us going into the season,” Mims said last week.
Second-year RB Audric Estime, meanwhile, is still stuck behind Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield. On defense, inside linebacker convert Drew Sanders, who’s rehabbing a torn tendon in his foot, is listed as a third-team ILB behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
Here’s the full layout of the Broncos’ first depth chart of 2025:
OFFENSE
QB: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger
RB: J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, Blake Watson, RJ Harvey
FB: Michael Burton
WR: Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele, Trent Sherfield Sr., Pat Bryant, Courtney Jackson
WR: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Michael Bandy, Joaquin Davis, Jerjuan Newton, Kyrese Rowan
TE: Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, Caleb Lohner, Caden Prieskorn
LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart, Frank Crum, Marques Cox
LG: Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton, Will Sherman
C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Joe Michalski
RG: Quinn Meinerz, Nick Gargiulo, Clay Webb
RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Xavier Truss
Defense
DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen
DE: John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones, Kristian Williams
NT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Jordan Miller
OLB: Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Andrew Farmer II
OLB: Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman, Garrett Nelson, Que Robinson
ILB: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Drew Sanders, Karene Reid
ILB: Dre Greenlaw, Levelle Bailey, Garret Wallow, Jordan Turner, J.B. Brown
CB: Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Quinton Newsome
CB: Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine, Jaden Robinson, Joshua Pickett
NCB: Ja’Quan McMillian, Reese Taylor, Jahdae Barron
S: Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Delarrin Turner-Yell
S: Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Keidron Smith, Sam Franklin Jr.
Special teams
K: Wil Lutz
P: Jeremy Crawshaw
LS: Mitchell Fraboni
KR: Marvin Mims Jr., Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Courtney Jackson
PR: Marvin Mims Jr., Michael Bandy, Courtney Jackson