The WAY too early, 53-man roster projection (Defense)
By Adam Uribes
· General
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· 2 min read
Does anything much change from last year's top-10 defense?
The 2025 Broncos have a different vibe heading into training camp. At the same time, last year’s team came in with little to no expectations. Fresh off a playoff berth for the first time since the 2015 Super Bowl and picking up steam as the next challenger to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, a solid training camp will be the springboard for a great season.
There may not be many unanswered questions on this roster, but that doesn’t mean that battles aren’t raging every day to make this year's 53-man roster. Switching places and moving to the defense, let’s project who makes the final roster.
**Defensive lineman –** Matt Henningsen DE, Sai’vion Jones DE, Zach Allen DL, John Franklin–Myers DL, Jordan Jackson DL, Eyioma Uwazurike DL, D.J. Jones DT, Malcom Roach DT, Kristian Williams DT, Jordan Miller NT
**Who Makes the Cut? (Probably)** – Allen DL, Franklin-Myers DL, Jones DT, S. Jones DE, Roach DT, Jackson DL.
With D.J. Jones returning this offseason, the same starters and primary backups will be returning for 2025. Rookie 4th round pick Jones figures to make the rotation, but who knows how much he will play in acclimating to the NFL. The battle for the last two spots figures to be between Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, and Uwazurike. Jackson’s versatility give them the edge to make the team.
**Inside Linebackers –** Levelle Bailey, J.B.Brown, Dre Greenlaw, Karene Reid, Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Jordan Turner, Drew Sanders.
**Who Makes the Cut? (Probably) –** Greenlaw, Singleton, Strnad, Bailey.
This group is top-heavy, with two studs at the starting spot (Greenlaw and Singleton) and not much behind them. At the time of writing, Drew Sanders will miss at least 4-6 weeks with a foot ligament injury. With only perennial backup Justin Strnad waiting in reserve, this is a top-heavy group that won’t be able to sustain a major injury to either starter without a noticeable drop off.
**Outside Linebackers –** Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Ellis, Andrew Farmer, Que Robinson, Dondrea Tillman, Johnny Walker Jr.
**Who Makes the Cut? **(Probably) – Bonitto, Cooper, Ellis, Robinson, Tillman
Can Denver retain all the talent at outside linebacker due to the potential in the backend? Nik Bonitto and Jon Cooper are ballers, and Jonah Ellis should build on a solid rookie season as the top backup. The real question? Can the Broncos keep a solid vet like Tillman AND promising rookie Robinson, or will one need to be let go to make room for the other?
**Cornerbacks –** Kris Abrams- Draine, Jahdae Barron, Mario Goodrich, Damarri Mathis, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Quinton Newsome, Josh Pickett, Jaden Robenson, Reese Taylor, Pat Surtain II
**Who Makes the Cut?** (Probably) Abrams- Draine, Barron, McMillian, Moss, Surtain, Goodrich
This is the deepest spot on the field for the Broncos, if not the league as a whole. Forget the trio of Surtain, Barron, and Moss. With McMillian and Abrams-Draine, the Broncos have two players who could be starters on several NFL teams. Keep an eye on Damarri Mathis as a surprise cut as the Broncos brought in UFL veteran Goodrich to compete for a spot.
**Safties – **Sam Franklin Jr., Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Devon Key, P.J. Locke, J.L. Skinner, Keidron Smith, Delarrin Turner-Yell.
**Who Makes the Cut? (Probably) –** Hufanga, Jones, Key, Locke, Turner-Yell
In Hufanga and Jones, the Broncos have a dynamic starting unit that resembles the 2015 No Fly Zone. 2024 starter Locke can be the “big” nickel defender in certain packages, backing up both safety spots as well. Key and Turner-Yell have previous starting experience and are good on the coverage unit, meaning they fill out the group.
Final Count – 26
If our basic math is correct, fingers crossed, this brings us to our 53-man roster. With no major starting battles to sort through and only the perpetual backend roster shuffling taking place, all is quiet so far. That will change in a few weeks when the commotions of cuts and waiver claims for each of the NFL’s 32 teams signal the start of the 2025 season.
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