A guide to Sean Payton’s team ahead of free agency, draft

The Broncos came within four points of the Super Bowl.

They appear to have their long-term answer at quarterback.

They had an upper-echelon defense last season, are going to get coordinator Vance Joseph back and should return a solid core in 2026.

They have stability at the top of the organization in head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton.

They have nearly a full set of draft picks and plenty of cap space to work with over the next couple of months.

Overall, things are good on the Front Range.

Like every year in the NFL, though, there are questions and concerns to address in the offseason.

So, as the NFL Combine arrives and free agency comes onto the horizon, here’s the current status of Denver’s roster and where each position group finds itself heading into the spring.

Quarterback

Player	Age	Contract	Cap hit	Acquired
Sam Ehlinger	27	UFA	—	UFA-25
Bo Nix	26	2027^	$5.08	D1-24
Jarrett Stidham	29	2026	$8.00	UFA-23

^2028 fifth-year option

Analysis: Nix didn’t make a big statistical leap in his second season, but he developed a reputation as being among the league’s most dangerous players in crunch-time situations. He’s got the full and abiding trust of his teammates and, going into Year 3, this is squarely his team. Now the challenge is for him to truly ascend up the pecking order in terms of week-in and week-out performance. Around him, Denver’s got a good thing going with backup Jarrett Stidham and a No. 3 spot that has gone from Zach Wilson to Sam Ehlinger. Will he be back? Will Denver look elsewhere? Either way, one goal should be to keep the tight-knit feeling in the room that the Broncos cultivated over the past couple of years. There is also a change at the front of the room, as Davis Webb is now the offensive coordinator and Logan Kilgore is the new quarterbacks coach.

Running back

Player	Age	Contract	Cap hit	Acquired
Tyler Badie	26	ERFA	$1.08	FA-22
Mike Burton (FB)	34	UFA	—	UFA-23
J.K. Dobbins	27	UFA	—	UFA-25
RJ Harvey	25	2028	$1.67	D2-25
Jaleel McLaughlin	25	RFA	—	CFA-23
Adam Prentice (FB	29	UFA	—	FA-25

Also: Cody Schrader and Deuce Vaughn

Analysis: The Broncos have a lot of decisions to make after they saw this room come up short without J.K. Dobbins over the second half of the season. The only player who doesn’t have some version of free agency ahead is RJ Harvey. Denver likely needs to bring a veteran into the room again, whether that’s Dobbins or a free agent. The club will have the resources to explore the top of the free agent market like Breece Hall, Travis Etienne or Kenneth Walker, depending on who actually hits the market next month. They could also look to the draft, whether that’s to pair somebody at the top with Harvey or to rebuild the back part of the room. Even if Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie each are tendered a contract, they will have to earn a roster spot during training camp after multiple seasons each without a big breakthrough.

Wide receiver

Player	Age	Contract	Cap hit	Acquired
Michael Bandy	28	2026	$1.08	FA-23
Pat Bryant	23	2028	$1.46	D3-25
Troy Franklin	23	2027	$1.29	D4-24
Lil’Jordan Humphrey	28	UFA	—	FA-25
Marvin Mims	24	2026	$6.01	D2-23
Courtland Sutton	30	2028	$13.98	D2-18

Analysis: The Broncos have invested in few positions more consistently since Payton was hired than receiver. They took Marvin Mims Jr. in the second round in 2023, traded up to select Troy Franklin at the top of the fourth round in 2024 — Devaughn Vele, a seventh-rounder in 2024, was flipped for a fourth-rounder this spring — and snagged Pat Bryant in the third round a year ago. That trio, along with Courtland Sutton, are all at this point poised to return in 2026. The question: How can that group and whoever else joins the party produce at a higher level going forward? Is it as simple as hiring Ronald Curry to replace the fired Keary Colbert as the group’s coach? Can they find a difference-maker in the draft, via free agent or trade in the coming months? There is an understandable allure to making a big move like trading for Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown or Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, playing at the top of the free agent market or drafting a receiver in the first round. Denver doesn’t necessarily have to do that to be good enough in 2026. But they need every one of their returning players to be better than he was in 2025.

Tight end

Player	Age	Contract	Cap hit	Acquired
Nate Adkins	27	RFA	—	CFA-23
Evan Engram	31	2026	$14.14	UFA-25
Lucas Krull	28	RFA	—	FA-23
Adam Trautman	29	UFA	—	T-23

Also: Caleb Lohner

Analysis: There are no two ways about it: The tight end position has held Payton’s offenses back his first three seasons in Denver and the Broncos must figure out something new in 2026 or risk having the same thing happen again. The only player in the room under contract at present is Evan Engram, who underwhelmed in 2025 but, for reasons contractual and logical, figures to return in 2026. Adam Trautman is a trusted Payton guy and has utility both on the field and in the locker room, so a return for him cannot be ruled out. Denver, though, must get better overall. They must find a player who can excel on run downs and in the passing game. That might be a free agent, either in an upside player like Cade Otton or perhaps a veteran bridge player like Dallas Goedert. It could be in the draft, as early as the first round. Some way, somehow, though, the Broncos have to find somebody who can stress a defense in multiple ways and handle himself in the run game.

Offensive line

Player	Age	Contract	Cap hit	Acquired
Garett Bolles	34	2028	$8.45	D1-17
Frank Crum	26	2026	$1.08	CFA-24
Alex Forsyth	27	2026	$1.15	D7-23
Nick Gargiulo	26	2026	$1.03	D7-24
Mike McGlinchey	31	2027	$23.78	UFA-23
Quinn Meinerz	27	2028	$21.72	D3-21
Sam Mustipher	29	UFA	—	FA-25
Alex Palczewski	26	RFA	—	CFA-23
Matt Peart	29	2026	$3.98	UFA-24
Ben Powers	29	2026	$18.16	UFA-23
Luke Wattenberg	28	2029	$3.57	D5-22

Also: Marques Cox, Michael Deiter, Nash Jones and Calvin Throckmorton

Analysis: The Broncos’ offensive line continued its ascension in 2025, clocking in among the league’s best across a variety of metrics. They have a pair of All-Pros in left tackle Garett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz, a newly extended center in Luke Wattenberg and a veteran right tackle in Mike McGlinchey, who played perhaps the best football of his career this fall. They could run the whole group back in 2026, including left guard Ben Powers and top reserves Alex Palczewski and Alex Forsyth. At some point in the not-so-distant future, though, this group is going to have to get cheaper. That doesn’t absolutely have to happen for 2026, but it also can’t be ruled out. Powers would be the most natural to move on from given his contract and the fact that ‘Palcho’ played well in a 10-game stint while Powers recovered from a torn bicep. ‘Palcho’ could also be the right tackle of the future, though McGlinchey’s 2025 makes it easy to give him the ‘26 season before considering what to do with his contract. This isn’t a young group and it isn’t a cheap one, but Denver doesn’t have to be in a big rush to make major changes just yet — though one or two could be on the table.

Defensive line

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Zach Allen	28	2029	$16.48	UFA-23
John Franklin-Myers	29	UFA	—	T-24
Matt Henningsen	27	RFA	—	D6-22
Jordan Jackson	28	ERFA	$1.08	FA-23
D.J. Jones	31	2027	$14.57	UFA-22
Sai’Vion Jones	23	2028	$1.40	D3-25
Malcolm Roach	28	2028	$3.10	UFA-24
Eyioma Uwazurike	28	2026	$1.15	D4-22

Also: Jordan Miller and Kristian Williams

Analysis: The Broncos ran back their entire group from 2024 and got even better. The result? Perhaps the most disruptive front-line unit in football. Zach Allen signed a $100 million extension in August and then put forth a dominant season. John Franklin-Myers played his normal disruptive football. D.J. Jones was stout against the run. Malcolm Roach turned in his best season as a pro and Eyioma Uwauzrike had a breakout campaign. Now the group goes forward knowing it is likely to lose JFM in free agency. Perhaps for Denver, it is as simple as Roach and Uwazurike essentially splitting the duty of replacing Franklin-Myers. If Sai’Vion Jones takes a jump in Year 2 or the Broncos add in the draft or free agency, all the better. Denver can’t pay everybody on defense, and JFM is an understandable apparent cap casualty. There is a risk in letting him walk, though. He played a major role in unlocking Allen over the past two years and the others must be up to the task, or JFM’s loss could be a compounding one. The optimistic view: Every player who has spent time working with defensive line coach Jamar Cain and consultant B.T. Jordan has developed and improved. If that happens again going into 2026, these guys will be just fine.

Outside linebacker

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Nik Bonitto	26	2029	$8.42	D2-22
Jonathon Cooper	28	2028	$14.00	D7-21
Jonah Elliss	23	2027	$1.60	D3-24
Que Robinson	25	2028	$1.22	D4-25
Dondrea Tillman	28	ERFA	$1.08	FA-24
Johnny Walker Jr.	24	2027	$0.89	CFA-25

Also: Garrett Nelson

Analysis: The Broncos entered 2025 feeling like they had one of the deepest edge groups in football and now appear to be even more flush before free agency and the draft even arrive. Nik Bonitto turned in an All-Pro caliber season, though he came up one vote shy of Associated Press honors. Jonathon Cooper got off to a powerful start before fading down the stretch. Second-year man Jonah Elliss had a rugged year on the injury front but formed a formidable second line with Dondrea Tillman. Tillman is an easy call as an ERFA, meaning this group is as good as back next fall. The interesting wrinkle is Que Robinson, a rookie who showed such flash in limited time that general manager George Paton said after the season the fourth-rounder might have more upside than anybody in the Broncos’ 2025 draft class. He could allow Denver to play a five-man rotation and take even more weight off Bonitto and Cooper’s shoulders or he could prompt the Broncos to look into creative moves elsewhere. Teams across the league are starving for edge talent. The Broncos have it in spades.

Inside linebacker

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Dre Greenlaw	29	2027	$10.36	UFA-25
Karene Reid	26	2027	$1.01	CFA-25
Drew Sanders	25	2026	$1.82	D3-23
Alex Singleton	32	UFA	—	UFA-22
Justin Strnad	29	UFA	—	D5-20
Jordan Turner	24	2027	$1.01	CFA-25

Also: Levelle Bailey

Analysis: Denver’s inside linebackers played better overall in 2025 than they probably got credit for. Especially in the second half of the season, Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad proved an effective pair. When Dre Greenlaw was healthy and on the field, he was a force against the run. Now, though, the complexion of the position is an open question for 2026. Singleton and Strnad are each free agents and likely to command starter-level money should they hit the open market. Greenlaw is under contract but moving on would not be prohibitive. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has a long history and deep trust with Singleton and Strnad, so at least one of them returning and calling Denver’s defense on the field makes some sense. But which one? Singleton has been a tackling machine and played well in 2025, but so did Strnad, who is three years younger. How much faith does Denver have in young players like Jordan Turner — a guy who came on strong on special teams down the stretch — Karene Reid and Levelle Bailey?

Cornerback

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Kris Abrams-Draine	24	2027	$1.16	D5-24
Jahdae Barron	24	2028	$4.11	D1-25
Ja’Quan McMillian	26	RFA	—	CFA-22
Riley Moss	26	2026	$3.86	D3-23
Pat Surtain II	26	2029	$16.83	D1-21
Reese Taylor	26	2026	$1.01	FA-23

Also: Jaden Robinson

Analysis: The Broncos had their depth tested at cornerback when Pat Surtain II missed 3.5 games with a partially torn pectoral muscle and it stood up to the test. Everybody in the NFL needs cover men, but the Broncos have a bunch. Surtain is in his own league, but Riley Moss and Kris Abrams-Draine can really cover, Ja’Quan McMillian is among the best slot men in football and Jahdae Barron showed versatility and promise as a first-round rookie. The depth of the group allowed Joseph to matchup in several different ways around Surtain, which is an enviable position for any coordinator. There are interesting questions ahead, though. McMillian is a restricted free agent and will command a major long-term extension at some point soon. What the Broncos decide to do with him will have a ripple effect on Barron, but also perhaps beyond. If McMillian gets locked in long-term at nickel, Barron will likely compete with Moss and Abrams-Draine outside. Moss is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Teams looking for corners could well at least ask about Denver’s collection of talent. If McMillian doesn’t get an extension in the coming weeks, somebody could try to pry him away with a restricted free agent offer — it will likely cost money and a high draft pick. Overall, it’s a very talented group with some sorting to come in the next 12 months.

Safety

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Talanoa Hufanga	26	2027	$13.50	UFA-25
Brandon Jones	28	2026	$9.24	UFA-24
Devon Key	28	ERFA	$1.08	FA-22
P.J. Locke	29	UFA	—	FA-19
JL Skinner	25	2026	$1.19	D6-23

Analysis: When the Broncos had both Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga healthy, they were pretty darn good in the back end. They’ll have to make a decision about whether to bring trusty veteran P.J. Locke back instead of letting him hit free agency after he played well down the stretch of the season when forced into action. The final two guys in the room, Devon Key and JL Skinner, are tremendous special teams players. One thing Denver hasn’t done in recent years, outside of Locke, though, is develop a high-quality safety from its own ranks. It will be interesting to see if Skinner can take a leap in his fourth pro season. That’s not of critical time sensitivity right now, considering Jones has a year left on his deal and Hufanga has two, but the future is never as far away as it seems in the NFL. The ideal scenario for the Broncos in 2026 is to get another high-level year from Jones and Hufanga but to come out of it having a better idea who the next in line is, just in case.

Special teams

Name	Age	Contract	Cap Hit	Acquired
Jeremy Crawshaw	25	2028	$1.05	D6-25
Mitchell Fraboni	29	2027	$1.42	FA-22
Wil Lutz	32	2028	$2.50	T-23