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ESPN's Jeff Legwold 53-man roster projection for the Denver Broncos

ESPN's Jeff Legwold takes a shot at seeing who makes and doesn't make the Broncos roster

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Jeff Legwold took a shot at projecting the Broncos 53 man roster. There are a few surprises sprinkled in, but overall it's what everyone believes will happen.

So let's take a look at his projections.

Quarterbacks(2):

Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler

Cut: Zac Dysert and Trevor Siemian

Thoughts:

No surprises here. Peyton Manning is your starter and Osweiler is your backup. I don't see Kubiak keeping a third quarterback on the active roster.

The real battle here will be for the practice squad spot. Will that go to Dysert or Siemian?

Running backs(3):

C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball, and Juwan Thompson

Cut: Ronnie Hillman, Kapri Bibbs, and Jeremy Stewart

Thoughts:

The first big surprise comes here. Legwold projects running back Ronnie Hillman to be cut. It appears that Anderson and Ball are locks to make the roster. I am a big believer in Juwan Thompson, and I believe his versatility will help him win a roster spot.

That leaves Hillman as the odd man out if the Broncos keep three running backs. If this were the case, I could see them working a trade with someone instead of just cutting him.

This will be an interesting battle to watch during camp.

Fullback(1):

James Casey

Cut: Joe Don Duncan

Thoughts:

Joe Don Duncan is a longshot to make the roster so there are no real surprises here. I see Joe making the team's 10 man Practice Squad.

Wide Receiver(5):

Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Cody Latimer, Andre Caldwell, and Jordan Norwood

Cut: Isaiah Burse, Jordan Taylor, Bennie Fowler, Solomon Patton, Nathan Palmer, David Porter, and Kyle Williams)

Thoughts:

This is the most likely outcome for the wide receiver position. DT, Sanders, and Latimer are locks to make the team. That leaves a battle for the fourth and fifth spot. Legwold believes the veterans Andre Caldwell and Jordan Norwood will be the ones to make the cut.

Now that all could change if rookie Jordan Taylor or young guys like Solomon Patton and Isaiah Burse step up during camp and the preseason.

Tight End(3)

Virgil Green, Owen Daniels, and Dominique Jones

Cut Marcel Jensen and Jeff Heuerman(IR'd)

Thoughts:

No real surprises here. I would guess that Kubiak would keep four tight ends, but I guess Casey could serve as that guy. The battle between Jones, Jensen and possibly Joe Don Duncan will be a fun one to watch

Offensive Tackles(4):

Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield, Chris Clark and Ryan Harris

Cut: Connor Rains and Kyle Roberts

Thoughts:

This is the most likely outcome here. It will be interesting to see if either of Connor Rains or Kyle Roberts can push for one of those roster spots.

Offensive Guard(4):

Louis Vasquez, Ben Garland, Shelley Smith, and Max Garcia

Cut: Andre Davis

Thoughts:

No real surprises here. The thing to watch here is who wins the left guard job. I could see Davis latching on to the team's Practice Squad.

Center(2):

Gino Gradkowski and Matt Paradis

Cut: Dillon Day

Thoughts:

I could see this position shaking out many different ways. Gino could win the starting job, Paradis could win the starting job, or Dillion Day could knock one of them off the roster.

The center position is up in the air.

Nose Tackle(2):

Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin

Cut: Darius Kilgo

Thoughts:

Austin and Williams are locks for the roster. Who wins the starting job is the question

I would be disappointed if Kilgo didn't make the team. I think the suspension of Derek Wolfe could open up a spot for Kilgo.

Defensive End(5):

Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe(suspended), Vance Walker, Kenny Anunike, and Antonio Smith

Cut: Josh Watson

Thoughts:

With Derek Wolfe getting suspended for the first four games of the season yesterday, this made the defensive end position looks a little shaky. Look for Vance Walker to move into a starting job with Anunike and Smith being the backups.

Josh Watson is a longshot to make the roster, but because of the depth issues here he could latch on with the practice squad.

Outside Linebackers(4):

Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray, and Lerentee McCray

Cut: Shaq Barrett, Danny Mason, Gerald Rivers, and Chase Vaughn

Thoughts:

No real surprises here. I think they will keep 5 outside linebackers allowing Shaq Barrett to make the team. I believe he will add some value on special teams.

Inside Linebacker(5):

Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan, Todd Davis, Steven Johnson, and Reggie Walker

Cut: Lamin Barrow, Corey Nelson and Zaire Anderson)

Thoughts:

The only thing noteworthy here is Reggie Walker making it over Barrow and Nelson. I have a hard time seeing the Broncos moving on from two of their 2014 draft picks.

The battle for the final linebacker spot will be a fun one to watch

Cornerback(5):

Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, and Lorenzo Doss

Cut: Tony Carter, Tevrin Brandon, Curtis Marsh, and Taurean Nixon

Thoughts:

Will this be the end of Tony Carter's tenure with the Broncos?

This is how I see things working out. Nixon probably takes a Practice Squad spot.

Safeties(4):

T.J. Ward, Darien Stewart, Omar Bolden, and David Bruton Jr.

Cut: Josh Bush, Josh Furman, and Ross Madison

Thoughts:

Again, this is probably how things shake out. It will be interesting to see if Josh Furman can carve out a role on the team. Probably a Practice Squad addition.

Specialist(4):

Connor Barth(K), Karl Schmitz(KO), Britton Colquitt(P), and Aaron Brewer(LS)

Cut: Brandon McManus

Thoughts:

I'd be shocked if the Broncos kept a kickoff specialist after Elway's comments this offseason. The special teams could shake out a number of different ways. It will be an interesting battle to watch.

What do you agree with Legwold's projection's Mile High Report? What would you change about his projections? Let's talk some football!