You can forget thinking that the Broncos’ first depth chart would solve any quarterback decisions as QB1 is listed as “13 Trevor Siemian -OR- 12 Paxton Lynch.”
Read whatever you want into the fact that Siemian is listed first, but it’s likely just because he was the starter last season and coaches are still waiting for preseason games to choose their starting quarterback.
Though, of course, there’s already speculation that it’s Siemian.
Here's our first depth chart of the season » https://t.co/2aIQTHXxCS pic.twitter.com/gkRqQLKqeM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 7, 2017
And given how practice is starting already with the QB horserace reports, it’s likely speculation will be all over the place until Vance Joseph makes an official announcement - possibly today.
Personally, I think former MHR editor Kyle Montgomery’s response to this QB depth chart is absolute gold:
They should just throw in an "... OR Peyton Manning" for the fun of it.
— Kyle Montgomery (@kmonty7) August 7, 2017
Offense:
There aren’t too many surprises with the depth chart, but there are certainly some interesting things to note - among them that rookie and first-round draft pick Garett Bolles is indeed listed as the starting left tackle.
Max Garcia is ahead of Allen Barbre at left guard, but Barbre has been on the team for just over a week, so it is likely to change if the veteran can get up to speed in the coming weeks. Free agent right tackle Menelik Watson, who is very new to American football, is listed ahead of last season’s starter, Donald Stephenson, who was responsible for an offensive penalty in Saturday’s scrimmage that negated a big play by Lynch.
Virgil Green appears to be edging out Jeff Heuerman so far among tight ends, and among the very crowded wide receiver room, Jordan Taylor and Isaiah McKenzie appear to be on the bubble with Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer slightly ahead. What this means for rookie Carlos Henderson is yet to be determined. Certainly special teams work is a factor with all of these guys.
Defense
Perhaps the only real surprise on defense is that rookie Brendan Langley is ahead of Lorenzo Doss as the second cornerback behind Chris Harris Jr. Given Doss’ impressive camp (for a second year in a row), this seems odd but could be because of Langley’s special teams ability.
DeMarcus Walker also appears to be playing outside linebacker for now behind Von Miller.
Special Teams
Nothing surprising here as we already knew what kind of ass-kicking Isaiah McKenzie was doing on punt returning.
The biggest takeaway here should be that this is the FIRST depth chart after only a week of training camp. There are likely to be changes after the first preseason game, which thankfully comes Thursday in Chicago.
Poll
Which surprises you the most on this chart?
This poll is closed
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5%
Siemian not listed as QB1 for sure
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3%
Lynch not listed as QB1 for sure
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42%
Lorenzo Doss behind Brendan Langley
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16%
Max Garcia as No. 1 LG
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22%
De’Angelo Henderson as the 5th RB
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8%
"Shasta"