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Comparing the MHR Community Depth Chart with Broncos 1st Depth Chart

July 28, 2012; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) warms up before the start of training camp at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
July 28, 2012; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) warms up before the start of training camp at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE


So today the Denver Broncos released their first official depth chart. While it is still very earlier and this chart may not matter much come week 1 of the regular season, we wanted to see how the recent MHR Community Depth Chart stacked up against the official chart. We'll continue to do this as the pre-season progresses since while the MHR Depth Chart may be off right now it may be closer at the end of the pre-season, or it could be even more off.

*For those who haven't voted yet, feel free to do so here*

Quarterback:

MHR Official
Peyton Manning Peyton Manning
Brock Osweiler Caleb Hanie
Adam Weber Brock Osweiler
Caleb Hanie Adam Weber

- No big surprises here, it's obvious while Hanie hasn't impressed in camp, having game experience matters more to the coaching staff than how well they are playing.

Running Back:

MHR Official
Willis McGahee Willis McGahee
Ronnie Hillman Lance Ball
Knowshon Moreno Ronnie Hillman
Lance Ball Knowshon Moreno
Jeremiah Johnson Jeremiah Johnson
Mario Fannin Xavier Omon

- Biggest difference here is Lance Ball's rise, which may have to do with his balanced skill set. Moreno and Hillman still round out the top 4 RB's and Johnson was the 5th running back on both depth charts.

Wide Receiver:

MHR Official
Demaryius Thomas Demaryius Thomas
Eric Decker Eric Decker
Andre Caldwell Andre Caldwell
Brandon Stokley Matt Willis
Matt Willis Brandon Stokley
Jason Hill Jason Hill

- Possible the fewest surprises so far, only big difference was Stokley and Willis for the #5 and #6 spots. The rest of the spots were identical.

Tight End:

MHR Official
Joel Dreessen Joel Dreessen
Jacob Tamme Jacob Tamme
Julius Thomas Virgil Green
Virgil Green Julius Thomas
Cornelius Ingram Anthony Miller
Anthony Miller Cornelius Ingram


- Virgil Green beating out Julius Thomas may have been one of the biggest surprises of camp for some.

Defensive End:

MHR Official
Elvis Dumervil Elvis Dumervil
Robert Ayers Jason Hunter
Jason Hunter Robert Ayers
Malik Jackson Derek Wolfe
Jeremy Beal Cyril Obiozor
Ben Garland Jeremy Beal


- This is the first time the community really broke away from the first depth chart. Hunter and Ayers switched spots as basically start #3, Derek Wolfe moved outside (though it's not exactly clear if it's permanent or just part of a change in the scheme. The MHR community was also higher on Ben Garland, but he and Malik Jackson moved inside to defensive tackle. Overall some key differences in this early depth chart.

Defensive Tackle:

MHR Official
Ty Warren Ty Warren
Justin Bannan Justin Bannan
Derek Wolfe Kevin Vickerson
Kevin Vickerson Mitch Unrein
Mitch Unrein Sealver Siliga
Sealver Siliga Malik Jackson


- As we saw with defensive end, most of the surprises came because of personnel changes because of the scheme. Overall the starters were teh same, but the rest is a bit of a muddled mess.

Outside Linebacker

MHR Official
Von Miller Von Miller
Wesley Woodyard D.J. Williams
D.J. Williams Wesley Woodyard
Danny Trevathan Nate Irving
Mike Mohamed Jerry Franklin
Steven Jackson Danny Trevathan


- What big personnel changes the defensive line started continued into the linebackers. D.J. Williams was surprisingly allowed to keep his spot (or no one earned it) and Nate Irving and Jerry Franklin moved from the inside outside.

Inside Linebacker:

MHR Official
Joe Mays Joe Mays
Nate Irving Mike Mohamed
Jerry Franklin Steven Johnson
Elliot Coffey


- Joe Mays has only secured his hold on the starting position further while a number of outside linebackers moved inside and the inside backers moved outside. Luckily this is the end of the personnel changes.

Cornerback:

MHR Official
Champ Bailey Champ Bailey
Tracy Porter Tracy Porter
Chris Harris Chris Harris
Drayton Florence Drayton Florence
Syd'Quan Thompson Tony Carter
Omar Bolden Omar Bolden
Tony Carter Syd'Quan Thompson
Joshua Moore Joshua Moore


- MHR got the first four corners right, but after that it got more complicated. Syd'Quan Tompson slid down and Tony Carter moved up. Tough competition for those last corner spots.

Safety:

MHR Official
Rahim Moore Rahim Moore
Mike Adams Quinton Carter
Quinton Carter Mike Adams
David Bruton Rafael Bush
Jim Leohnard David Bruton
Rafael Bush Jim Leohnard


- The biggest surprise here is Mike Adams' and David Bruton's slip while Rafael Bush rises.

Overall the MHR Community Depth Chart is fairly accurate, especially in terms of the offense. Also keep in mind this is a fairly early depth chart by the Broncos, so in a month it may be even more accurate. As we get new depth charts we'll continue to compare to see how our depth chart stands up.