Broncos' depth chart for preseason game vs. Falcons

August 15, 2026 - 01:22

The Denver Broncos have officially posted their initial depth chart for Friday night's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. While these early charts are often more about practice order than final roster decisions, they do offer a first real look at how the coaching staff is lining up the competition heading into game action.

The most notable storyline sits at quarterback, where rookie Bo Nix is listed as the third-string option behind Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. That placement is not a surprise, as the team has said all along that Nix would need to earn his way up the ladder. Still, fans will be watching closely to see how many snaps each signal-caller gets against Atlanta, and whether Nix can push for more reps in the following weeks.

On the offensive line, the starters are listed as Garett Bolles at left tackle, Ben Powers at left guard, Luke Wattenberg at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard, and Mike McGlinchey at right tackle. That group looks fairly settled, but depth behind them remains a question mark.

Defensively, the Broncos list a base front with Zach Allen and D.J. Jones on the interior, and Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning on the edges. The secondary shows Pat Surtain II and Damarri Mathis as the outside corners, with Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke at safety.

Special teams also got some attention, with Wil Lutz listed as the kicker and Riley Dixon as the punter. The returner spots are still open, with several players listed as possibilities.

Friday's game will be the first chance for many backups and undrafted rookies to make an impression. The coaching staff has emphasized that the preseason is about evaluation, not just winning, so expect a lot of rotation, especially in the second half. The depth chart will likely shift significantly after this first live action, but for now, it gives a clear picture of where things stand heading into the weekend.