Denver's Week 1 inactive list against Tennessee includes seven players: Dre Greenlaw, Nate Adkins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Que Robinson, Sai'vion Jones, Sam Ehlinger, and Frank Crum. McLaughlin being a healthy scratch opens a path for Tyler Badie as the third back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, a scenario fantasy managers should monitor as touches could shift if the game script favors Denver's ground game.

Ehlinger will dress as an emergency third quarterback per NFL rules, a reminder that Week 1 could feature a late-inning QB contingency. Meanwhile, the Broncos' depth at outside linebacker and DL signals a rotating early-season approach, with Robinson and Jones competing for roster-time shots.

Fantasy takeaway: prioritize backfield depth and opportunistic plays, especially if Badie receives elevated usage and Denver leans on short-yardage packages while Ehlinger stays mostly ceremonial in the quarterback rotation.

Denver’s backfield was shaken up as Audric Estime was waived, opening a door for RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and a pack of challengers—Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson—to battle for touches. The move reinforces a committee approach in a crowded room, with preseason pecking orders likely to shape Week 1 expectations. Fantasy players should monitor Harvey’s burst, Dobbins’ workload, and the depth players for late-round upside.

Estime’s departure narrows the path for a fifth-round Notre Dame pick, while the Broncos add a veteran in Dobbins who could anchor early-down duties if healthy. Harvey and McLaughlin offer speed and change-of-pace capabilities, Badie and Watson provide depth and return-game potential, and the whole group signals a multi-headed Denver attack that could sap single-back fantasy ceilings in 2025.

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.

The Broncos are weighing a rare four-back roster for 2025, with J.K. Dobbins leading Denver’s backfield as the top option, RJ Harvey sliding into a high-leverage role, and Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin eager to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. The coaching staff has floated the idea that roster construction isn’t a fixed template—the right 53 is the priority, even if it means carrying an extra running back to boost special-teams value or flexibility. If Denver keeps four backs, Audric Estime and Blake Watson could be out of the initial 53 and seek spots on the practice squad or in free agency as cuts loom on August 26.

Payton’s comments underline a method: depth at some positions can outpace the model, and the Broncos will adjust based on the next 10-to-13 days of cuts, signings, and practice-squad opportunities. The question isn’t just about talent, but about which four players give the team the best game-day edge, and how much value a fourth tailback brings in a league where every roster spot counts. Fantasy managers should monitor how this dynamic unfolds as cuts approach and depth charts solidify.