Denver’s 91-man offseason roster faces a tight sprint to a 53-man limit, with five players on the roster bubble as preseason opens. Tyler Badie is the marquee name among the bubble backs, needing a bigger role to dislodge Jaleel McLaughlin or Blake Watson if Denver sticks with four running backs; a healthy return from a back injury raises his upside. Caleb Lohner, a seventh-rounder at tight end, must beat out Lucas Krull and Caden Prieskorn for a spot, or land on the practice squad. Joaquin Davis has flashed in camp and gets his live-game chance tonight, while Jordan Jackson and Reese Taylor must show they belong in a crowded DL and CB room. The chatter extends to Damarri Mathis, where Denver could swap theCB depth via a trade or cut, potentially opening a path for Taylor. Audric Estime remains in the mix, but the math around roster spots is anything but settled. The sequence after this week’s 49ers game is Cardinals, then Saints, crafting a small but meaningful window for fantasy managers to gauge Week 1 upside based on depth-chart shifts and injury luck.

The Denver Broncos excelled in the 2024 NFL season, achieving a 10-7 record and securing a playoff berth, their first since 2015. The defense was a standout, ranking high in multiple statistical categories: eighth in takeaways (25), seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1), third in points allowed (18.3), and leading the league with 63 sacks.

Key defenders included safety Brandon Jones, who had an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 84.8, while cornerback Pat Surtain II closely followed at 83.8. Other notable performances came from outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (78.7) and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (78.3). Meanwhile, the team had its struggles, with defensive end Jordan Jackson and linebacker Justin Strnad receiving significantly lower grades at 41.3 and 49.9, respectively. Overall, the defense's robust performance played a crucial role in the Broncos' success this season.

The Denver Broncos are making strategic moves as they prepare for the 2025 NFL free agency. They have officially tendered contracts to all five of their exclusive-rights free agents: Dondrea Tillman, Ja'Quan McMillian, Devon Key, Jordan Jackson, and Lucas Krull. This allows the Broncos to retain these players for the upcoming season at minimum salaries while maintaining flexibility for future roster adjustments.

Among these players, Tillman, who recorded 23 tackles and five sacks last season, has been praised for his physicality and work ethic behind All-Pro linebacker Nik Bonitto. McMillian, a key contributor in the secondary, has 15 pass breakups and four interceptions in his career thus far. The team's decision to move forward with these players indicates their commitment to building depth and competition across various positions.

The Denver Broncos are entering the 2025 offseason in a surprisingly stable position, following a 10-win playoff season. After years of turmoil, including quarterback issues, salary cap struggles, and draft pick shortages, they now boast $48 million in salary cap space and a full set of draft picks. However, the team faces the challenge of potentially losing 19 players to free agency, including 13 unrestricted free agents, necessitating critical roster decisions.

The unrestricted free agent list features significant contributors such as D.J. Jones, Javonte Williams, and Michael Burton. The team may prioritize retaining Jones and Williams, given their essential roles and the potential for favorable contract negotiations. A backup quarterback situation looms as well, with speculation surrounding Jarrett Stidham's return. Meanwhile, restricted free agent Mitchell Fraboni is expected to rejoin, along with several exclusive rights free agents like Lucas Krull and Ja’Quan McMillian.

The Denver Broncos are facing offseason challenges with nine positions needing attention, but they are projected to have approximately $63.4 million in cap space for the upcoming season.

This figure comes with conditions, as it is based on a projected salary cap of $272.5 million and the current contracts of 36 players. The Broncos will need to sign more players while adhering to the top 51 salary cap rule.

Strategies for managing their cap include signing futures contracts for practice squad players, retaining exclusive rights free agents, and re-signing their own players with expiring contracts. While their cap situation is improved, they may not be major players in free agency.