Roach's calf strain sidelines him for at least four games, forcing Denver to lean on Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike for early-season interior disruption. The Broncos promoted Sam Ehlinger to the 53-man roster as an emergency No. 3 quarterback, ensuring depth on game days without counting toward the active roster. Adam Prentice and Levelle Bailey were elevated from the practice squad to bolster fullback and linebacker depth ahead of Week 1 against Tennessee, while SF's injury to Dre Greenlaw looms as a defensive angle for fantasy managers.

Denver's early-season path leans on improved DL rotation, with Roach out and Jackson/Uwazurike stepping up. Ehlinger’s return adds a mobile quarterback option in emergency scenarios, and Prentice Bailey provides insurance at crucial HB/LB spots. Week 1 becomes a test of depth, roster construction, and adaptive game plans as the Broncos navigate Roach's absence and SF's defensive matchup.

Denver keeps seven defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, a trench-forward move led by Eyioma Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson. They join Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, and rookie Sai'vion Jones to form a deep interior DL unit. The stance signals a emphasis on run defense and interior pressure; Week 1 against Tennessee will be the first real test and could boost IDP value for multiple Bronco linemen.

The decision frames Paton’s trench-first philosophy, suggesting more consistent snaps for the interior group and potential fantasy upside if the rotation remains disruptive up the middle.

Denver’s depth is the headline as Sean Payton vows the right 53 will be found, not just assembled. A blockbuster Week 1 dynamic is possible after Denver traded Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for draft capital, signaling a willingness to move pieces for leverage. With Sam Ehlinger in the mix, the Broncos could pursue additional assets if circumstances allow. Strong camp performances from Eyioma Uwazurike, Audric Estime, and Damarri Mathis heighten the roster’s ceiling, even as waivers loom on cut day.

Cut-downs loom as the Broncos trim from 90 to 53 by Tuesday, then parse waivers through Wednesday’s 11 a.m. ET deadline. The Broncos must balance depth across positions while preserving flexibility for practice squads (up to 16) and potential waivers. The storyline centers on Payton’s philosophy: depth breeds competition, and Denver’s 53 will shape fantasy rosters for weeks to come.

Payton’s latest roster drill echoes a Giants camp memory: one decisive play can swing a 53-man cut. Five Broncos heads are on the line this week as they face New Orleans, with Audric Estime, Caleb Lohner, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sam Ehlinger and Damarri Mathis all in the crosshairs. The lesson from Levingston’s kickoff return is simple: a single spark at the right moment can tilt the bubble. Denver’s staff insists the roster isn’t settled after the Saints game, and the depth chart remains fluid across RB, TE, DL, QB and CB spots. The emphasis is on tape, versatility and special-teams value as Payton prioritizes what each player can carry into Week 1. Denver is betting on depth and leverage, not just star power, to shape the final 53.

Estime has shown burst and short-yardage impact, but his current preseason numbers keep him squarely in the fight for one of the last RB spots. Uwazurike and Mathis bring upside but must prove consistency and special-teams worth to survive. Ehlinger has flashed efficiency, yet Denver must decide whether a third signal-caller fits the opening-day roster. Lohner, a draft-era curiosity in this narrative, faces a steep path given the TE room’s competition. Payton’s message is crystal: the Saints game isn’t the end, it’s the test that can flip the bubble in a day’s work.

The Denver Broncos head into the Saints showdown with a clean slate on several depth spots, turning each snap into a make-or-break audition. Key players to watch include Keidron Smith, Eyioma Uwazurike, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime, all fighting for spots behind the Denver starters. The defensive backs room is crowded, with Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillan, Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine locks at corner, leaving a final DB spot up for grabs that Smith appears poised to win thanks to his versatility and special-teams impact.

Eyioma Uwazurike is stapled to rotational trenches, coming off a strong week where he logged significant defensive snaps. The last cut could come down to Uwazurike vs. Jordan Jackson for the final defensive-line roster spot, a decision that could shape depth on Payton’s front. On offense, Jaleel McLaughlin’s speed in outside-zone looks fits Denver’s scheme, giving him a real chance to carve out a third-down role or a change-of-pace carry behind Dobbins and Harvey in 2025. Estime remains a name to watch as roster decisions loom late in the preseason, with a few depth backs in the balance and potential special-teams value left on the line.

Bottom line: this game isn’t about stars so much as who sticks as a depth piece. The Saints present a stern test, and Denver’s ability to identify a few hidden gems could determine the roster and even hint at fantasy upside for a few players who could surge if given opportunities in relief roles. Broncos Country should be watching the reps closely for roster and fantasy signals alike.