Seven Broncos sat Week 1 out, opening unusual workload shifts for the backfield. Jaleel McLaughlin was inactive, prompting Tyler Badie to serve as the RB3 behind Dobbins and Harvey, and Badie drew six targets but only two receptions for 16 yards. Denver’s QBartooth Jarrett Stidham was active but did not play. The absence of Greenlaw and Adkins leaves room for future rotation adjustments as the Broncos head to Indianapolis for Week 2.

From a fantasy edge perspective, Badie’s six targets signal potential in passing-down situations if the RB3 role holds next week. Watch whether McLaughlin returns or if another back steps in, as the skew toward the passing game could lift Broncos’ non-elite RBs and any injury-motivated shifts carryover into Week 2 against the Colts.

Bo Nix and teammates from the Broncos turned a rain-soaked Colorado night into a subtle fantasy signal, jamming with Riley Green at Red Rocks and gifting him a Broncos jersey. The moment highlights a tightly knit locker room vibe and signals depth in the QB room as Denver heads toward Week 1 with Tennessee on the horizon.

Off the field, Nix’s visibility pairs with a familiar arms-length QB group in Stidham and Ehlinger, while Wil Lutz, Mike McGlinchey, and Brandon Jones anchor the周 offense and defense. For fantasy, keep an eye on how this chemistry translates to on-field consistency, QB competition dynamics, and how Lutz’s leg and Denver’s run game could shape weekly scoring.

The Broncos’ Year 2025 opener against the Titans could set the tone for notable value in a crowded QB room and a resilient special-teams unit, where off-field camaraderie and leadership often foreshadow real on-field upside.

Ehlinger chose to stay on Denver's practice squad after turning down offers to join 53-man rosters, a surprising move Payton called a credit to the program. The Broncos’ QB room now leans on Webb’s development and a veteran-stabilizing presence from Stidham, with the organization betting on a bright, long-term path rather than a quick roster move.

Davis Webb’s offseason promotion and the staff-building around him are repeatedly cited as a key factor in Ehlinger’s decision, underscoring Denver’s commitment to player development and a flexible offense for the future.

Sam Ehlinger chose the Broncos’ practice squad over accepting another 53-man roster offer, signaling a strong belief in Denver’s culture and Payton’s development plan. He impressed in the preseason, and his move underscored Denver’s quarterback depth, with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson cited as teammates in the recent past. Ehlinger’s NFL line—eight games, 573 yards, three TDs and three INTs—frames him as a veteran voice who could factor into the roster’s long-term strategy.

Sam Ehlinger starred in Denver's preseason finale against New Orleans, finishing 22-for-31 for 198 yards, adding six rushes for 25 yards and a TD with an INT. Sean Payton called the outing "fantastic" and highlighted his feet, moxie and leadership. Bo Nix praised his teammate, and Jarrett Stidham’s solid week kept Denver’s QB competition lively. The Broncos are likely to carry two QBs on the active roster, leaving Ehlinger as a high-upside No. 3 or prime practice-squad option.

Two-QB depth remains the theme for fantasy managers. Ehlinger’s rushing ability and leadership give him late-round appeal in superflex formats if he lands a clear path to opportunities, but his immediate upside hinges on roster moves and potential injuries in Denver's quarterback room.