Broncos' updated depth chart for preseason finale vs. Saints

The Denver Broncos had a busy week before their preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

First, the team placed backup offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo (knee) on injured reserve. After that, Denver filled Gargiulo's former spot on the active roster by signing veteran fullback Adam Prentice. 

Three days later, the Broncos signed defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour and waived rookie inside linebacker JB Brown. One day after that, Denver traded wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the Saints.

Following those moves, here's an updated look at the team's "unofficial" depth chart. Note that coach Sean Payton always puts rookies at the back of the line on preseason depth charts, so this list should be taken with a grain of salt.

We'll have a better idea of how the Broncos' actual depth chart shakes out after the 53-man roster is set next week. For now, though, this is how the depth chart looks going into Week 3 of preseason.

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

Quarterback (3)

• QB1: Bo Nix
• QB2: Jarrett Stidham
• QB3: Sam Ehlinger

No surprises on the quarterback depth chart. Stidham will serve as the primary backup again this season, and Ehlinger might be bumped down to the practice squad when the 53-man roster is set next week.

Running back (6)

• RB1: J.K. Dobbins
• RB2: Jaleel McLaughlin
• RB3: Audric Estime
• RB4: Tyler Badie
• RB5: Blake Watson
• RB6: R.J. Harvey

It wouldn't be shocking to see the Broncos carry four running backs on the active roster. Don't read into Harvey being listed as RB6 on the initial list -- Payton's initial depth charts are never kind to rookies.

Tight end/fullback (8)

• TE1: Evan Engram
• TE2: Adam Trautman
• TE3: Nate Adkins
• TE4: Lucas Krull
• TE5: Caleb Lohner
• TE6: Caden Prieskorn
• FB: Michael Burton, Adam Prentice

Engram is the team's top receiving threat at the position, and Trautman is safe as a blocking TE. Krull, Lohner and Prieskorn might be competing for the last TE spot.

Wide receiver (11)

• WR1: Courtland Sutton, Trent Sherfield, Pat Bryant, Courtney Jackson
• WR2: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Michael Bandy, Joaquin Davis, Jerjuan Newton, Kyrese Rowan
• Injuredwhen depth chart announced: A.T. Perry

Following the Vele trade, there's an opening for somebody else to win the WR6 job. Potential contenders include Jackson, Davis and Bandy.

Offensive line (15)

• LT: Garett Bolles, Matt Peart, Frank Crum, Marques Cox
• LG: Ben Powers, Calvin Throckmorton, Will Sherman
• C: Luke Wattenberg, Alex Forsyth, Joe Michalski
• RG: Quinn Meinerz, Clay Webb
• RT: Mike McGlinchey, Alex Palczewski, Xavier Truss

All five starting offensive linemen from last year are returning, so the competitions will be for the backup spots this summer. The interior backups will be asked to play both guard and center, and the backup tackles should be able to play on the left and right in a pinch.

Defensive line (10)

• DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson, Michael Dwumfour
• DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Jordan Miller
• DE: John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai'vion Jones, Kristian Williams

Third-round pick Sai'vion Jones improves the team's depth, and Eyioma Uwazurike will look to have a breakthrough campaign in his second season back from a gambling suspension.

Outside linebacker (7)

• OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Andrew Farmer
• OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman, Garrett Nelson, Que Robinson

Denver's already-deep room got even deeper this spring when the team drafted Robinson, but his biggest contributions might come on special teams as a rookie.

Inside linebacker (8)

• ILB: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Drew Sanders, Karene Reid
• ILB: Dre Greenlaw, Levelle Bailey, Garret Wallow, Jordan Turner

Reid and Turner have looked sharp this summer, but there might not be room for either undrafted rookie on the active roster. Both should be top contenders for the practice squad.

Cornerback (10)

• CB1: Pat Surtain, Damarri Mathis, Quinton Newsome, Micah Abraham
• CB2: Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine, Jaden Robinson, Joshua Pickett
• Slot: Ja'Quan McMillian, Reese Taylor, Jahdae Barron

Again, don't read into Barron being buried as a rookie. He is likely set to serve as the team's nickelback this season with McMillian providing depth.

Safety (8)

• S: Brandon Jones, Devon Key, Keidron Smith, Sam Franklin,
• S: Talanoa Hufanga, P.J. Locke, JL Skinner, Delarrin Turner-Yell

It's hard to predict how the safety room will shake out, but there are several contenders to win a spot on the active roster based on their special teams contributions.

Special teams (3)

• K/KO: Wil Lutz
• P/H: Jeremy Crawshaw 
• LS: Mitchell Fraboni
• KR: Marvin Mims, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Courtney Jackson
• PR: Marvin Mims, Michael Bandy, Courtney Jackson

Bandy and Jackson are fighting for a spot on the active roster as returners. If they don't make it to the final 53, they should be practice squad candidates.

Denver will trim the roster down to 53 players by Aug. 26, then the club will build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. Last year, the team's initial practice squad included Burton, Tillman, Bailey and Badie.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos depth chart: Starters and backups vs. Saints