ENGLEWOOD, CO - Denver kept two quarterbacks and stacked playmakers and corners around them, emphasizing speed on offense and takeaway length on defense as Sean Payton's group trimmed to the initial 53 and then filled a full practice squad.
The biggest decisions
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QB room (2): Bo Nix and Zach Wilson; veteran Sam Ehlinger returned on the practice squad.
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RB mix (4): J.K. Dobbins' burst plus Jaleel McLaughlin's juice, with Tyler Badie and RJ Harvey rounding out a versatile room.
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Corner depth: Kris Abrams-Draine joins Riley Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian in a long, sticky trio; Brandon Jones headlines the safety group.
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Specialists: Jeremy Crawshaw wins the punter job.
Who was cut (highlights)
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Series of waives/releases to reach 53 ahead of practice-squad signings; several vested vets were released then re-added via PS elevations as needed.
Practice squad signings
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Levelle Bailey (ILB), Michael Bandy (WR), Sam Ehlinger (QB), Caleb Lohner (TE), Joe Michalski (C), Jordan Miller (NT), Quinton Newsome (CB), A.T. Perry (WR), Adam Prentice (FB), Jaden Robinson (CB), Keidron Smith (DB), Reese Taylor (CB), Calvin Throckmorton (G), Jordan Turner (ILB), Delarrin Turner-Yell (S), Garret Wallow (LB).
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International exemption: TE Patrick Murtagh added as an extra PS spot.
Initial 53 by position
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QB (2): Bo Nix, Zach Wilson
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RB (4): J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, RJ Harvey
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WR (6): Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Tim Patrick, Trent Sherfield Sr.
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TE (3): Greg Dulcich, Cade Stover, Nate Adkins
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OL (9): Garett Bolles, Graham Glasgow, Quinn Meinerz, Luke Wattenberg, Alex Palczewski, Andru Phillips*, Frank Ragnow**, Zak Zinter, Demontrey Jacobs
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DL/EDGE (9): Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, DJ Jones, Byron Murphy II, Matt Henningsen, Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Marcus Haynes
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ILB (4): Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Justin Strnad, Steele Chambers
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CB (6): Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine, Jahdae Barron, Darnell Savage Jr.***, Nehemiah Pritchett
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S (3): Brandon Jones, Devon Key, JL Skinner
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Specialists (1+): Jeremy Crawshaw (P); kicker/long snapper moves handled via subsequent transactions and elevations.
What it means
Denver built the initial 53 to support a rookie QB without overexposing him. A two-quarterback setup frees a spot elsewhere while signaling confidence in Bo Nix to run a streamlined, play-action-friendly offense built around multiple tight ends and a committee backfield. On defense, the roster leans into rotation: a deep front can roll fresh rushers in waves, and the secondary's mix of length outside and versatility inside gives Vance Joseph the flexibility to live in big-nickel and dime without subbing. Special teams stay stable, and the practice squad keeps immediate insurance at quarterback and off-ball linebacker for quick elevations if injuries hit early.
