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Broncos roster cuts: A final Denver Broncos depth chart projection

Projecting the 2014 Denver Broncos roster. This is version 3. See version 1 here. Version 2 here.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos roster cuts are due by Saturday afternoon. I already broke down the six big position battles in-depth, so let's get straight to the depth chart. Below that I'll go speed-round, position by position.

Broncos depth chart projection

Reminder: Player movements denoted in this depth chart represent changes from my previous depth chart, not the Broncos' official depth chart.


Offense (24)

Quarterback
Peyton Manning
Brock Osweiler
Zac Dysert

Running Back
Montee Ball
Ronnie Hillman
Juwan Thompson
Kapri Bibbs (new)

Wide Receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Wes Welker
Emmanuel Sanders
Andre Caldwell (up)
Cody Latimer (down)
Isaiah Burse

Tight End
Julius Thomas
Jacob Tamme
Virgil Green

Offensive Tackle
Ryan Clady
Chris Clark
Michael Schofield

Guard
Louis Vasquez
Orlando Franklin
Ben Garland (new)

Center
Manny Ramirez
Will Montgomery

Defense (26)

Defensive Tackle
Sylvester Williams
Terrance Knighton
Marvin Austin
Kevin Vickerson (new)
Mitch Unrein

Defensive End
DeMarcus Ware
Malik Jackson
Derek Wolfe
Quanterus Smith

Linebacker
Von Miller
Danny Trevathan
Nate Irving
Lerentee McCray
Brandon Marshall
Steven Johnson
Lamin Barrow

Cornerback
Aqib Talib
Chris Harris Jr.
Bradley Roby (up)
Kayvon Webster (down)
Omar Bolden (down)

Safety
T.J. Ward
Rahim Moore
Quinton Carter (up)
David Bruton (down)
Duke Ihenacho

Special Teams (3)

K Matt Prater*
K Brandon McManus* (new)
P Britton Colquitt
LS Aaron Brewer
PR Isaiah Burse
KR Isaiah Burse (new)

*McManus will fill Prater's roster spot during his suspension


Practice Squad (10)

C Matt Paradis
CB Louis Young
TE Cameron Morrah (new)***
TE Gerrell Robinson
LB Corey Nelson
LB Shaquil Barrett
RB C.J. Anderson (new)
OT Vinston Painter
WR Bernie Fowler
S John Boyett
DE Kenny Anunike**

**Injury status unknown (elbow strain), but I'm not going to assume IR for Anunike

***Morrah not eligible for PS (via)

Cuts from last time: DT Sione Fua, RB C.J. Anderson (practice squad), TE Gerrell Robinson (removed from practice squad)Still cut from last time: CB Tony Carter

Quarterback

Zac Dysert makes the team because John Fox has always kept three quarterbacks.

Running back

This looks shocking, but this is using my own two eyes. Juwan Thompson has a similar skillset to C.J. Anderson, and I like him better. Kapri Bibbs has exceptional vision and quickness and is a potential touchdown machine.  Ronnie Hillman is still ahead of them both thanks to an impressive preseason in the pass-catching department; he was one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets this preseason.

Wide receiver

Isaiah Burse makes the team thanks to his 151 all-purpose yards Thursday. My previous ranking of Latimer ahead of Caldwell was a typographical error.

Tight end

Virgil Green makes the team by the skin of his teeth. Hope he's healthy.

Tackle

Michael Schofield didn't have a great game Thursday, but he's had better games, and he's a rookie.

Guard

I think I've watched more Ben Garland than anyone else this preseason. He's a different player from a year ago. The development has paid off. It's time. Plus, no one else on the offensive line has really pushed for a spot harder than him.

Center

Will Montgomery isn't exactly a Swiss Army knife, but he makes the Broncos' offensive line one. If any starter goes down, he comes in first.

Defensive tackle

So tough. Can't the Broncos keep 70 guys? Also, can't they line up 12 men on defense with three DTs? Worlds would be destroyed.

Sione Fua is my odd man out this time, and it came down to measurables (he's the shortest and second-lightest of the group). He deserves a roster spot more than Isaiah Burse. He deserves a roster spot more than Michael Schofield. He deserves a roster spot more than Steven Johnson, Duke Ihenacho, and Zac Dysert. But that's not always the way these rosters work, and sixth defensive tackle is a position I just can't justify. Some team will pick him up and absolutely love him.

Defensive end

Malik Jackson still ahead of Derek Wolfe. Quanterus Smith has been looking good.

Linebacker

If Danny Trevathan wasn't currently hurt, I might have slotted one less linebacker here. Alas, depth is needed, along with special teams contributors.

Cornerback

Bradley Roby might be starting on the outside, with Chris Harris Jr. back home in the slot, before this season's over. Or maybe even Week One.

Safety

The Broncos have kept five safeties in each of the past two seasons. These five are pretty clear-cut after all. Quinton Carter jumped ahead of David Bruton and Duke Ihenacho thanks to some strong practices.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know how your depth chart differs in the comments!