Aug. 21, 2026, 9:30 a.m. MT
As the Denver Broncos put together for his or her second preseason recreation this Friday evening at residence in opposition to the Green Bay Packers, the belief that a number of gamers will quickly be launched in an effort to get right down to a 53-player roster is beginning to sink in.
The workforce can have some tough cuts to make inside a talent-laden roster because it tries to seek out the best mixture of gamers able to reaching and successful Super Bowl LXI.
Many issues can nonetheless happen over the course of the subsequent two preseason video games as gamers jockey for spots on the roster, however which cuts are going to be essentially the most tough to make? Taking a take a look at the workforce’s most tough selections, we are going to choose one participant from all sides of the ball and mission that they will not make this yr’s workforce. However, letting them go won’t be a straightforward option to make.
Broncos‘ most tough projected roster cuts
Offense: Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
Jaleel McLaughlin is a hard-working working again who offers an important prompt the bench. He will not be lower due to an absence of skill, however somewhat, he’ll possible be a sufferer of the numbers recreation.
The Broncos have J.Ok. Dobbins, who was re-signed on a two-year deal this offseason. That was a considerably shocking transfer made by the workforce, which additionally used a fourth-round choice on Washington’s Jonah Coleman. Along with RJ Harvey, the workforce has its current and future on the working again place.
McLaughlin scored a landing within the preseason victory over Atlanta final week and is a type of gamers who simply does what’s requested of him. However, he is not nice in go safety and he does not play particular groups, two components that precipitated him to lose snaps to Tyler Badie in 2025. He additionally misplaced a fumble within the win over the Falcons, which will not do him any favors, both.
It can be a tricky transfer to make, however it’s onerous to see McLaughlin making this yr’s workforce.
Defense: Drew Sanders, LB
Like McLaughlin, Drew Sanders flashed in opposition to the Falcons with a sack, however he has a giant hill to climb after lacking a giant chunk of his profession because of accidents. The former third-round decide has by no means been capable of present a lot on the sphere consequently.
He is a participant who would possible get snatched up shortly by one other workforce because of his draft standing and untapped potential, however because the Broncos are attempting to win a Super Bowl, there will not be room for gamers who cannot be counted on repeatedly.
Sanders may wind up turning his profession round, however do the Broncos have the endurance for that proper now? In addition, the workforce has a very good group at exterior linebacker with Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson all prone to make the workforce, leaving Sanders on the fallacious facet of a burst bubble.
Sanders would possible be scooped up off the waiver wire if lower, however his time in Denver may very well be coming to an finish.
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