12 hardest and most surprising cuts on Broncos’ projected 53-man roster

These were the hardest players to cut on our projected 53-man roster for the Broncos.

After wrapping up preseason on Sunday, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton must now trim the squad from 91 players down to a 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon.

Before the cuts begin (likely later today), we put together one final 53-man roster prediction for the Broncos. It featured a dozen difficult decisions, and some of the players we cut might be surprising to fans in Denver.

At wide receiver, for example, Brandon Johnson was cut despite scoring a 46-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. On the defensive line, Jordan Jackson was cut after totaling two sacks on Sunday. Pass rusher Dondrea Tillman is also a cut candidate despite his standout performance in the preseason finale.

Linebacker Levelle Bailey’s 94-yard pick-six didn’t guarantee him a spot on the squad. Safety Keidron Smith’s three preseason takeaways weren’t enough for him to make it, either.

Such is life in the NFL.

12 hardest (projected) Broncos roster cuts

1. WR Brandon Johnson
2. RB Tyler Badie
3. RB Blake Watson
4. OL Nick Gargiulo
5. OL Sam Mustipher
6. OT Alex Palczewski
7. DL Jordan Jackson
8. DL Matt Henningsen
9. OLB Dondrea Tillman
10. ILB Levelle Bailey
11. DB Keidron Smith
12. P Riley Dixon

If they clear waivers, most of the above players would likely return on the practice squad. Our projected cuts are also just that — projections. Several of these players could end up making the 53-man roster. We’ll find out soon enough. All of Denver’s roster cuts will be tracked on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos injuries: Denver is healthy going into preseason finale

The Broncos are in good health going into their preseason finale against the Cardinals.

The Denver Broncos are in good health going into their preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals this week.

After holding out nine players last week, the Broncos had all but one active-roster player back on the practice field on Wednesday.

Offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (undisclosed) was held out. Denver cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring), wide receiver Devaughn Vele (undisclosed) and safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) were back at practice on Wednesday.

Three other injured players who were sidelined on Sunday — cornerback Art Green (concussion) and offensive linemen Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed) and Ben Powers (ribs) — were also back on the field.

Throckmorton was the only active-roster player to not participate. Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) also remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Denver Broncos injuries

1. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles; PUP)
2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL; PUP)
3. OL Calvin Throckmorton (undisclosed)

Denver will practice again on Thursday and Friday ahead of Sunday’s preseason finale against the Cardinals. The showdown with Arizona will be nationally televised on CBS.

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9 players did not play in Broncos’ second preseason game

The Broncos held out nine players from Sunday’s game against the Packers. We’ll see how many can return in time for the preseason finale.

The Denver Broncos held out nine players when they faced the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of NFL preseason on Sunday night. Eight of the players are sidelined with injuries.

Broncos safety Brandon Jones (hamstring), cornerback Art Green (concussion), guard Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed), guard Ben Powers (ribs), wide receiver Devaughn Vele (undisclosed) and cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) are recovering from injuries. Linebacker Alec Mock was held out after joining the team just days before Sunday’s game.

Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) remain on the physically unable to perform list. That brought the team’s total of sidelined players to nine against Green Bay.

Broncos coach Sean Payton indicated last week that Green could be on track to return for the preseason finale, and he said Vele’s injury is not serious.

Broncos players who did not play

1. DB Brandon Jones (hamstring)
2. CB Art Green (concussion)
3. OL Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed)
4. OL Ben Powers (ribs)
5. WR Devaughn Vele (undisclosed)
6. CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
7. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles)
8. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL)
9. LB Alec Mock (rest?)

Denver will return to the practice field on Wednesday and we’ll know more about the status of the injured players then.

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53-man roster prediction after Broncos’ first preseason game

Following the Broncos’ preseason opener, we have updated our 53-man roster prediction.

After defeating the Indianapolis Colts 34-30 on the road in their preseason opener on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are now set to host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.

Following the first game action of the summer, we have updated our 53-man roster prediction for the Broncos. This projection will also be updated after each of the team’s two remaining preseason games.

Denver will have to make especially tough decisions at wide receiver, running back and cornerback after preseason.

Denver has until Aug. 27 to trim the roster from 90 players down to 53. After finalizing an active roster, the Broncos can build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the roster moves on Broncos Wire.

Broncos 53-man roster prediction

Quarterback (2)

(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
  • Bo Nix
  • Jarrett Stidham 

For now, we have Stidham edging out Zach Wilson for the QB2 job based on his experience in Sean Payton’s offense. That could obviously change if Wilson finishes preseason on a strong note.

Running back (4)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
  • Javonte Williams
  • Jaleel McLaughlin
  • Audric Estime
  • Blake Watson

The first three RBs listed seem to be locks. The toss-up is the fourth spot between undrafted rookie Blake Watson and veteran Samaje Perine. If the Broncos don’t think Watson would clear waivers to get down to the practice squad, Perine could become a cap casualty this summer.

Wide receiver (5)

(Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Courtland Sutton
  • Josh Reynolds
  • Marvin Mims
  • Troy Franklin
  • Devaughn Vele

It’s a very difficult decision to cut Tim Patrick, but Vele has impressed this summer and Patrick is 30 years old and coming off back-to-back serious injuries. The Broncos might be able to get Patrick down to the practice squad, and he could be elevated three times during the season. Injuries also happen during the year, so starting the season on the practice squad does not mean Patrick would have to spend the entire campaign there.

Tight end/fullback (5)

(Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Adam Trautman
  • Greg Dulcich
  • Lucas Krull
  • Michael Burton (FB)
  • Nate Adkins (TE/FB)

No surprises at tight end. Denver could use a difference-maker at the position when they make roster changes in 2025.

Offensive line (9)

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
  • OT Garett Bolles
  • OT Matt Peart
  • OG Ben Powers
  • OG Quinn Meinerz
  • C/G Luke Wattenberg
  • C/G Alex Forsyth
  • G/T Will Sherman
  • OT Mike McGlinchey
  • OT Alex Palczewski

It’s not ideal to cut a draft pick (Nick Gargiulo), but the Broncos have pretty good depth on the interior offensive line. Frank Crum could be a sleeper to upset one of the veterans for a backup tackle spot.

Defensive line (6)

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
  • Zach Allen
  • D.J. Jones
  • John Franklin-Myers
  • Malcolm Roach
  • Angelo Blackson
  • Matt Henningsen

The first four players are locks. Eyioma Uwazurike has a real chance to make the team after returning from his suspension, but he’ll need to impress in the final two preseason games.

Outside linebacker (5)

(Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
  • Baron Browning
  • Jonathon Cooper
  • Nik Bonitto
  • Jonah Elliss
  • Thomas Incoom

The top four seem to be locks and Incoom has impressed at camp.

Inside linebacker (4)

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
  • Alex Singleton
  • Cody Barton
  • Jonas Griffith
  • Justin Strnad

Cody Barton appears to have an initial lead over Griffith in the competition for a starting job. Justin Strnad remains a key special teams player.

Cornerback (6)

(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Pat Surtain
  • Ja’Quan McMillian
  • Riley Moss
  • Kris Abrams-Draine
  • Levi Wallace
  • Tremon Smith

Riley Moss seems to be a potential front-runner to start across from Pat Surtain. Kris Abrams-Draine was just drafted this year, Tremon Smith is a key special teams player and Levi Wallace is a veteran with plenty of starting experience. That could leave Damarri Mathis as a surprise cut.

Safety (4)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • P.J. Locke
  • Brandon Jones
  • Devon Key
  • JL Skinner

Following the departures of Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this year, it’s easy to pick four safeties from the remaining group.

Special teams (3)

(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
  • K Wil Lutz
  • P Riley Dixon
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni

Riley Dixon punted twice in the team’s first preseason game and Trenton Gill didn’t get an opportunity because the offense did such a good job staying on the field. We’ll see if Gill can push Dixon in the final two games.

Injured (2) 

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • LB Drew Sanders (Reserve/PUP)
  • DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (Reserve/PUP)

Drew Sanders and Delarrin Turner-Yell seem likely to begin the season on a reserve list, so they won’t count against the initial 53-man roster.

Broncos players will get another chance to impress when Denver hosts the Packers in Week 2 of preseason on Sunday. The Broncos’ game against Green Bay will be nationally televised on NFL Network

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11 players did not play in Broncos’ first preseason game

Most healthy Broncos starters played against the Colts on Sunday with a few exceptions that included star cornerback Pat Surtain.

The Denver Broncos played most of their healthy starters in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday with three exceptions on defense.

Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain did not play — just like last year — and he was joined on the sideline by defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen, who have been given sporadic rest days at training camp.

Denver also held back defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who just returned from a year-plus-long suspension last week.

“I think for someone who’s been out for a year, I just would regret it if we hurried him back and then he had a pulled muscle or something,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Uwazurike last week. “So I think it’s a tick early.”

Payton suggested Uwazurike will play against the Green Bay Packers in Denver’s second preseason game next week.

The rest of the players who sat out the Broncos’ preseason opener are recovering from injuries.

Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Denver safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) have been sitting out at practice. Linebacker Justin Strnad is recovering from a groin injury, pass rusher Nik Bonitto is nursing a back injury and rookie guard Nick Gargiulo has an undisclosed ailment.

Broncos players who did not play

DB Brandon Jones (hamstring)
CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
ILB Justin Strnad (groin)
OLB Nik Bonitto (back)
OL Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed)
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL)
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles)
DL Eyioma Uwazurike (just returned)
CB Pat Surtain (rest)
DL John Franklin-Myers (rest?)
DL Zach Allen (rest?)

We’ll get an update on the Broncos’ injuries when the team returns to practice on Wednesday. Denver will wrap up training camp next week with their final three open practices of the summer.

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10 takeaways from the first week of Broncos training camp

Here are 10 takeaways following the first week of Broncos training camp.

The Denver Broncos started their ramp-up sessions last Wednesday, but the team did not begin official full-speed training camp practices until last Friday. So based on official practices, today marks the end of the first week of Broncos training camp.

So far there’s been one fight — tight end Nate Adkins and outside linebacker Durell Nchami got into it after a run play on Tuesday.

“It’s a scuffle,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the incident after Tuesday’s practice. “Sometimes it doesn’t bother me. In that case, I think we’ll look at the film. I think one player gets blocked pretty well and frustrated. I don’t want discipline fouls, and we’ve all seen it. We talked a little bit about it afterwards, but the guys are working hard.”

That was perhaps Payton’s diplomatic way of telling Nchami to keep a cool head after getting thoroughly blocked by Adkins. That kind of retaliation on a game day would have led to a 15-yard penalty.

Scuffle aside, what did we learn from the first week of training camp? Here are ten quick takeaways from Denver.

1. Injury report: Quinn Bailey suffers ankle injury

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Broncos backup swing tackle/guard Quinn Bailey fractured his ankle at Tuesday’s practice, a brutal injury for the 28-year-old lineman. Bailey was set to serve as the team’s “No. 6 lineman” this season, used in “jumbo” formations and filling in whenever a starting tackle or guard was sidelined. It’s now uncertain if Bailey will be able to return in 2024.

“It’s always tough to see and to be a part of when you’re at a practice,” Payton said of the injury. “It’s one of the bitter realities of our game. He was having a really good camp.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) will be out another week or so, Caden Sterns (knee) is being eased into action and lineman Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed) remains sidelined.

2. Quinn Meinerz’s contract exemplifies Payton’s view of o-line

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Denver rewarded guard Quinn Meinerz with a four-year, $80 million contract extension before kicking off training camp. Giving big-money contracts to offensive linemen is nothing new for Payton.

“I think it is the most important position group on your roster,” Payton said last week when asked about valuing the offensive line. “I think it permeates your building. I believe that and it has served us well everywhere I have been.”

Since he arrived last year, Payton quickly emphasized improving the offensive line. He brought in two new starters through free agency last year and gave Meinerz an extension this year. Garett Bolles is up next (more on that later).

“I think it was really stressed to us a lot last year about how for the most part, the team goes as far as the offensive line,” Meinerz said. “So that kind of shows this offensive system and its success that Sean has had in the past. So we’ve understood since this new staff came that came in that the pressure was going to be put on the offensive line and that in the same breath, the way the games go, it’s on us.

“If we win a game, it’s on us, if we lose a game it’s on us and that’s the kind of mentality that we have. Whether it be in practice, individual period, team periods, one-on-ones, weight room, meetings, we know what’s at stake. We know what the pressure is — but I mean the cliché is that pressure makes diamonds. We’re ready for it.”

3. Pat Surtain and Garett Bolles are now on deck

(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

Following the big extension for Meinerz, star cornerback Pat Surtain and left tackle Garett Bolles are now next in line for new contracts.

Payton said “we will keep you posted” when asked about a potential extension for Surtain, and he confirmed that he wants to re-sign the cornerback. PS2, meanwhile, is focusing on his play.

“There’s no specific timeframe right now,” Surtain said when asked if there’s a timeline for a new deal. “I’m going to let my agent handle that and let that process speak for itself. Right now, my ongoing focus is the football field for sure.”

Bolles is in a similar scenario.

“This team counts on me, so any time that we have voluntary or team meetings or whatever it is, I’m going to be the first one there,” Bolles said. “I love this city and I love this organization. I want to play my whole career here. The front office knows that. They know I want to be a Bronco for life.

“My family is here and established here. We love it here. We don’t want to go anywhere else. My job is to just play good football and the ball is in their court. I just have to do my job and the rest will take care of itself.”

4. Javonte Williams lost weight at Payton’s request

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Payton asked Javonte Williams to get back to his college weight this offseason and the running back took it to heart, dropping from 232 pounds down to 221 pounds.

“He set me a goal weight and I got to it,” Williams said last week. The running back stopped eating after 7 p.m. and cut out snacks, including Takis, one of his favorites.

“The type of coach Coach Payton is, he’s seen a lot of great running backs come through,” Williams said. “Anything that he says, I’m going to listen to it. Just for him to even care and just to tell me, ‘This is what I want you to be when you come back to have the best chance to do what you have to do.’ That by itself just showed me that he cared, and if he put that much effort into it, I will too.”

Payton has praised Williams this summer, saying early in camp that the fourth-year running back has looked “real sharp.”

5. Meanwhile, the backfield is crowded

Some fans and pundits speculated this offseason that Williams might have a reduced role in 2024. The team’s backfield rotation, however, suggests that Williams will remain the RB1. The other spots are still up for grabs.

Denver drafted Audric Estime and then signed Blake Watson as a college free agent this spring, adding them to a backfield that already included Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.

“I think we have good competition there,” Payton said. “We have good skill sets and guys that can do different things there. Historically speaking for me, I’ve always believed that that depth is important because there’s a lot of wear and tear in 17 weeks to play with just one runner. It’s good to have him out there.”

It seems fair to assume the Broncos will carry four running backs on the 53-man roster. If they don’t believe Watson can sneak down to the practice squad, Perine could end up being a cap casualty.

“It’s going to be real intense and that’s the way you should want it to be,” Williams said of the RB competition. “No days off, like it says right here, ‘Compete Street,’ and every day we’re coming in and competition [should] be excellent. We’re all just going to get better from it.”

6. Courtland Sutton’s glad to be back with a revised deal

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton skipped the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program in protest of his contract situation. Sutton reported for all of the mandatory sessions and Denver agreed to revise his contract one day before official training camp practices started last week.

Sutton can now earn an additional $1.5 million through new incentives in 2024 and he’s glad to have the negotiations behind him.

“It was nice,” Sutton said of the incentives being added. “I think it was made pretty clear that this is home for me, and this is where I wanted to be. I’m grateful that we were able to come to some form of an agreement to be able to help both of us move forward.”

With his contract situation sorted out, Sutton is now “like a kid in a candy store” at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit.

“It’s been amazing,” Sutton said. “I think the last time I talked to you guys, I told you that it was killing me not being out on the field with the guys. I’ve just been out here enjoying it like a kid in a candy store. Every little thing is a big thing, and just enjoying it.

“From the individuals [drills], to stretching with the guys, to route on air, being able to finally run plays against the defense, being in the huddle and hearing plays. All of those different things have been such a blessing to be able to do. [I’m] just enjoying each step of the way. It’s been a lot of fun.”

7. Sean Payton likes to have big wide receivers

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Broncos have 12 wide receivers on the 90-man offseason roster. Of those receivers, all but three are at least 6-1. Seven are 6-3 or taller. That’s not a coincidence — it’s a Payton preference.

“That position group is going to be interesting as you guys look at it, try to put it together and piece together,” Payton said of the WR room. “It’s a big group, size wise. First year I ever coached in the NFL in 1997 in Philadelphia, we played the 49ers.

“I want to say it’s ’97 — could have been ’98. It was at the old Veteran’s Stadium, and I remember when the Niners’ receivers walked out, it was Jerry Rice, and John Taylor and it was [J.J.] Stokes. I couldn’t get over how they looked. There is a prototype. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be smaller — then they have a different skill set — but in this league, that’s what we’re looking for. This is a big group.”

Courtland Sutton is 6-4, as are Tim Patrick and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The tallest receiver on the roster is Devaughn Vele (6-5), and Payton’s appreciation of height is something to keep in mind when predicting Denver’s final WR depth chart.

8. Levi Wallace could be a sleeper at cornerback

(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

In an ideal world, one of Riley Moss or Damarri Mathis will step up this summer and emerge as the team’s No. 2 cornerback across from Pat Surtain. That’s the preferred scenario. But a veteran like Levi Wallace stepping in as a short-term solution might be a more likely scenario.

“We have a good smart veteran player who has played in a lot of games,” Payton said of Wallace. “With the amount of multiple receiver sets we get, there’s that level of expertise and experience he brings. [He is] steady. I think he brings something to the room as well. I think quietly, he’s been a real good addition for us.”

Wallace has also drawn praise from Surtain, which is notable.

“It’s great,” PS2 said. “Another ‘Bama’ boy, so that’s great for sure. Levi, he’s provided a great presence to our secondary room. His experience — I think this is Year [7] for him. Going into it, he knows a lot about the game, a lot about Xs and Os. It helps a lot because when you have a veteran presence in the defensive back room it helps your game for sure.”

9. The center competition might be Luke Wattenberg’s to lose

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

Luke Wattenberg handled the first-team center duties through the first few days of practice before Alex Forsyth eventually joined the rotation. Forsyth has also been getting some looks at guard, a position Wattenberg has also played in the past. That versatility will serve both players well. Whoever does not end up starting at center can serve as a backup swing guard/center. That might leave center Sam Mustipher as the odd man out.

“He’s smart,” Payton said when asked about Wattenberg. “I think he’s got good versatility. There are traits that you look forward to in a center. You look for guys that obviously are strong inside handling the pash rush. Then it’s how are they at the second level? Often times, that player is able to combo and get up to a linebacker—can they finish? So he’s someone that’s pretty athletic and has a really good ability to get to his second-level blocks.”

10. Quarterback competition seems to have two contenders

It’s no surprise, really, but Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix seem to be pulling ahead of Zach Wilson in the quarterback battle.

Stidham already has a year of experience in Payton’s offense, which gives him an obvious advantage in the competition. It’s no surprise, then, that many pundits believe Stidham is the best QB1 option at this very moment.

That could change over the next few weeks, though, especially if Nix continues to impress.

The competition will ultimately be decided during preseason. It would be a big upset for Wilson to bounce back and win the job. Whoever looks the best between Stidham and Nix this summer will line up under center when the Broncos go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

First things first, Denver will have three preseason games in August, starting with a road game against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 11. This is just a hunch, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Stidham start the first preseason game and Nix start the second. Perhaps the Broncos could then decide on a starter around the third week of preseason.

That’s just a guess, though. Payton hasn’t revealed his timeline for naming a starter. It’s obviously the story at training camp, and one we’ll continue to follow on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos injuries: Blake Watson returns; 5 others still sidelined

Broncos RB Blake Watson has returned from the NFI list. Five other injured players worked on a side field on Thursday.

Denver Broncos undrafted rookie running back Blake Watson (leg muscle) passed his physical on Thursday and was activated from the non-football injury list to the active roster.

Watson suffered the injury while away from the team’s facility this offseason, which is why he went on NFI list. Now healthy again, the running back was back on the practice field Thursday.

Elsewhere on the injury front, offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) was officially placed on injured reserve on Thursday, ending his 2024 campaign.

Meanwhile, safety Brandon Jones (hamstring), outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (back), guard Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) worked on a side field during Thursday’s practice.

Sanders and Turner-Yell remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Denver Broncos injuries

RB Blake Watson: leg muscle (returned to practice)

LB Drew Sanders: Achilles (PUP list; worked on side)

DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: knee (PUP list; worked on side)

OLB Nik Bonitto: back injury (worked on side)

DB Brandon Jones: hamstring (worked on side)

G Nick Gargiulo: undisclosed (worked on side)

OL Quinn Bailey: ankle (placed on IR)

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Broncos roster series: No. 66, OL Nick Gargiulo

Nick Gargiulo is a versatile offensive lineman who spent time at tackle, guard and center in college. He’ll compete at guard this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, No. 66.

Before the Broncos: Gargiulo (6-5, 310 pounds) spent five years at Yale, earning a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection in 2022. After playing left tackle at Yale, Gargiulo made a graduate transfer to South Carolina ahead of the 2023 season. The versatile offensive lineman spent time as a guard and as a center with the Gamecocks. Gargiulo was a team captain at Yale and at South Carolina before entering the NFL.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Gargiulo in the seventh round of this year’s NFL draft. Although he finished his college career as a center, the Broncos view him as a guard first who can move around if needed.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers are locked into the starting spots and Luke Wattenberg might be the favorite to serve as the top backup guard in 2024. Gargiulo will get a chance to win a spot on the active roster, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie begin his first season on the practice squad.

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Nick Gargiulo willing to play anywhere on Broncos’ offensive line

Nick Gargiulo finished his college career as a center, but the Broncos view him as a guard. He’s willing to play any position.

With their final pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos used a seventh-round selection to add South Carolina offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo.

Gargiulo (6-5, 310 pounds) will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but he’ll get a chance to compete this summer.

“[It’s been] good,” Gargiulo said last month. “[I’m] just trying to get better and trying to improve on my technique.”

Gargiulo finished his college career as a center, but Denver’s staff views him as a guard first. He’s willing to line up anywhere up front.

“I feel comfortable,” he said. “Anywhere that I can improve and get better on the [offensive] line, that’s what I’m trying to do.”

The Broncos’ starting guards are Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers and top backup candidates include Luke Wattenberg and Quinn Bailey. If he doesn’t end up on the active roster, Gargiulo will likely be a top candidate for the team’s 16-player practice squad.

Denver will trim the roster from 90 players down to 53 in August.

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Broncos signing OL Nick Gargiulo to 4-year contract

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo signs his four-year contract.

The Denver Broncos have agreed on a four-year contract with offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, according to 9New’s Mike Klis.

The 6-5, 318 pound offensive lineman from both Yale and South Carolina was the second-to-last pick in the 2024 NFL draft (256th overall). Gargiulo performed well in the NFL combine, running a 5.25 40-yard dash.

The projected terms of Gargiulo’s four-year deal is $4.1 million with a $80,732 signing bonus, according to the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel.

Gargiulo is an extremely versatile offensive lineman, who played both guard and center during his college career. The Broncos are looking for depth along the offensive line, where there has been severe injury problems throughout the past couple years. Gargiulo could have a legitimate spot at providing a solid backup at either guard or center.

His size, speed and experience in college should be an asset to an offensive line that features Mike McGlinchey and Garett Bolles in the trenches up front.

Gargiulo was part of the first batch of draftees by the Broncos to sign their rookie contracts. He was joined by wide receiver Devaughn Vele and running back Audric Estime.