Three QBs: Nix, Stidham, Wilson – lead Broncos’ 53-man roster

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Youth seemed to break most ties.

The Broncos’ 53-man roster is set. Rookie receivers Tony Franklin and Devaughn Vele made it, not Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson or David Sills.

Rookie Audrick Estime and second-year player Jaleel McLaughlin join Javonte Williams at running back, not Samaje Perine.

There was a decided youth movement among the offensive line reserves as undrafted rookie tackle Frank Crum, second-year center-guard Alex Forsyth and second-year tackle-guard Alex Palczewski made it over the likes of Sam Mustipher and Calvin Throckmorton.

The undrafted rookie run is alive and well as Crum, inside linebacker Levelle Bailey and running back Blake Watson made the season-opening roster. Bailey made it over Jonas Griffith in a mild surprise. Then again, Bailey’s 94-yard interception return for a touchdown may have clinched a spot for him. Watson made it as a fourth running back essentially over fullback Michael Burton.

That makes it 20 of the past 21 years an undrafted rookie has made the Broncos’ season-opening roster.

Oh, and head coach Sean Payton made good on his words – the team kept all three quarterbacks: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Here’s the Broncos’ 53-man roster as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. Understand it is subject to change with the possible awarding of waiver claims at 10 a.m. Wednesday:

Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson

Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Blake Watson

Cuts: Samaje Perine, Tyler Badie, Blake Watson

Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele

Cuts: Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson, David Sills V, Michael Bandy, Phillip Dorsett, Jalen Virgil, Lil’Jordan Humphrey

Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins*

*Adkins will serve as fullback and tight end.

Cuts: Hunter Kampmoyer, Thomas Yassmin** 

**Yassmin is from Australia and is eligible to receive international exemption on practice squad

Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey, Matt Peart, Alex Forsyth, Frank Crum, Alex Palczewski

Cuts: Calvin Throckmorton, Sam Mustipher, Will Sherman, Demontrey Jacobs, Nick Gargiulo, Oliver Jervis

Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Jordan Jackson, Eyioma Uwazurike 

Cuts: Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson, Elijah Garcia

Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Justin Strnad, Levelle Bailey

Cuts: Jonas Griffith, Andre Smith, Alec Mock

Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss

Cut: Dondrea Tillman, Thomas Incoom, Durrell Nchami (waived/injured)

Pat Surtain II, Ja’Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine

Cuts: Quinton Newsome, Reese Taylor, Omar Brown, Art Green, Kaleb Hayes

Short-term IR: Damarri Mathis

Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key, JL Skinner, Keidron Smith

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