During their 20-point preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, the Denver Broncos showed they have one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NFL. That was expected.
The team should have one of the most complete 53-man rosters in the league once the 2026 season kicks off, but the team will be forced to make some tough decisions in the process of getting down to that league-mandated limit.
Several players are sitting right on that roster bubble, and whether or not they make the team could come down to one game or, in some cases, even one play. This will serve as a stock report of sorts as we navigate through the preseason schedule. Here, we will take a look at some of those players on the bubble and determine whether they are on the right side of it or the wrong side, based on the team's most recent game.
Broncos roster bubble: Who's in and who's out following preseason opener?
1. Jarrett Stidham, QB
The Broncos stand to gain about $4.5 million in cap relief if they move on from Jarrett Stidham, but he showed nothing in this game to suggest that he won't be the team's backup quarterback this coming season. In fact, he may have already ended that discussion.
Verdict: In
2. Sam Ehlinger, QB
If Stidham is in, then Sam Ehlinger has to be out; the Broncos might not keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. They could try to keep Ehlinger around on the practice squad again, but it's likely that another team in the league would want to bring him aboard. Even if he does remain on the active roster, it would presumably be as QB3.
Verdict: Out
3. Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
This is going to be one of the more difficult cuts for the team to make, as Jaleel McLaughlin deserves to be on the roster. But unless the Broncos go a surprising route and keep only eight offensive linemen instead of nine or five cornerbacks instead of six, McLaughlin likely won't be on the roster this season.
Because the team will hang on to Adam Prentice so it has a fullback for Sean Payton's offense, it makes for a tough road for McLaughlin to find a path onto the roster.
Verdict: Out
4. Wide receivers outside the top 5
Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant are going to make this team. However, because of the way the Broncos will construct this roster, they likely won't keep a sixth. That presumably leaves the likes of Hakeem Butler, Cam Ross, Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key and Joseph Manjack fighting for spots on the practice squad.
Verdict: Out
5. Matt Peart, OL
Matt Peart is one of the more interesting names on this year's roster bubble. He has a lot of playing experience, but he's anything but a lock to make this team. In one instance against the Falcons, he was late to report for a field-goal attempt, throwing off the procedure and contributing to Wil Lutz missing his ensuing kick. Things like that don't sit well with coaches like Payton.
Throw in the fact that Alex Palczewski, Frank Crum and Kage Casey are all likely to make the team, and it leaves Peart fighting for a roster spot against a guy like Alex Forsyth, an important backup center.
Verdict: Out
6. Alex Forsyth, OL
The Broncos should continue with Forsyth in favor of Peart.
Verdict: In
7. Red Murdock, ILB
Red Murdock already had good odds of making the roster despite being a seventh-round pick, but after leading the team in tackles against the Falcons, he only improved those odds. The belief all along is that the Broncos got great value with this pick and he is going to make the team.
Verdict: In
8. Karene Reid, ILB
Karene Reid may have already stood on the right side of the roster bubble, but the loss of Levelle Bailey to a broken leg gives him one less player to compete against. The Broncos like Reid for his ability on special teams, and he is a guy who has had a year in Vance Joseph's system.
Verdict: In
9. Drew Sanders, OLB
Drew Sanders helped his cause against the Falcons by registering the team's only sack in the game, but he still faces an uphill climb to make the team, and it seems that his past injury history may be too much to overcome.
He might present the most difficult decision on the entire roster this year, but it's hard to see who the Broncos would release in his favor. However, another big play or two in the preseason could completely change things.
Verdict: Out
That was a great rush by Drew Sanders. Pushed the tackle back so quickly it was like it took him a second to realize that he was already at the quarterback.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 15, 2026
10. Luke Basso, LS
Luke Basso always faced a difficult task in unseating Mitchell Fraboni as the team's long snapper, but it was a notable move for the Broncos when they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon. However, his first performance against the Falcons, which included a botched snap and a shaky operation on another field goal, all but sealed his fate.
Verdict: Out
11. Mitchell Fraboni, LS
If Basso is out, that means Fraboni will continue in the role he has held since 2022.
Verdict: In
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos roster bubble update after preseason win: Who’s in, who’s out?