Broncos Release Unofficial Week 1 Depth Chart ahead of Chiefs showdown

CENTENNIAL, CO - August 18 : Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix answers questions from reporters at Broncos Park in Centennial, Colorado on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images

The Denver Broncos have released their unofficial Week 1 depth chart ahead of their Monday Night showdown vs. their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. It is an unofficial depth chart"; Head Coach Sean Payton isn't giving away everything, but we still can learn a few things about the Broncos roster from this depth chart reveal.

The Denver Broncos have released their unofficial 2026 Week 1 depth chart

Marvin Mims is listed as a starting WR and Jonah Elliss is listed as a starting edge rusher. Otherwise, no real surprises. pic.twitter.com/9GOB9bQP5E

- MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 9, 2026

The biggest overall surprise, in my opinion, was Marvin Mims Jr. being listed as a starting wide receiver over Pat Bryant. Again, this might not mean much in the grand scheme, but it does show they value Mims as a receiver and that he will be a factor in the passing game. Pat Bryant is the backup behind Courtland Sutton and is expected to be heavily involved in the Broncos' offense this season. The other noteworthy tidbit we learned was that Jonah Elliss will be getting the start opposite of Nik Bonitto. This was expected, but the Broncos confirmed as much with this release.

With all that said, here is your complete 2026 Denver Broncos unofficial Week 1 depth chart ahead of their Monday Night game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

Offense

Position	Player	Player	Player	Player
WR	Marvin Mims Jr.	Troy Franklin
WR	Jaylen Waddle	Lil'Jordan Humphrey
LT	Garett Bolles	Matt Peart
LG	Ben Powers	Kage Casey
C	Luke Wattenberg	Alex Forsyth
RG	Quinn Meinerz	Kage Casey
RT	Mike McGlinchey	Alex Palczewski
TE	Evan Engram	Adam Trautman	Nate Adkins	Dallen Bentley
WR	Courtland Sutton	Pat Bryant
QB	Bo Nix	Jarrett Stidham	Sam Ehlinger
RB	JK Dobbins	RJ Harvey	Jonah Coleman	Tyler Badie

Notes

• QB: As expected, Jarrett Stidham is listed as QB2, with Sam Ehlinger listed as QB3.
• RB: The running back room looks as expected; we just have to see how they spread out the carries/touches between their backs.
• WR: I already touched on Mims being listed as a starter, but I fully expect Bryant to be heavily involved in the offense.
• TE: Evan Engram listed as the starter is interesting, but we'll have to see how involved he is in the Broncos' passing offense.
• OL: Looks as expected, to be honest. Rookie Kage Casey is listed as the backup for both guard spots; Forsyth is the backup C, Peart is the backup LT, and Palcho is the backup RT.

Defense

Position	Player	Player	Player
LDE	Zach Allen	Jordan Jackson	Tyler Onyedim
NT	DJ Jones	Sai'vion Jones
RDE	Malcolm Roach	Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB	Nik Bonitto	Que Robinson
WLB	Jonah Elliss	Dondrea Tillman
ILB	Alex Singleton	Jordan Turner
ILB	Justin Strnad	Karene Reid
LCB	Pat Surtain II	Jahdae Barron
RCN	Riley Moss	Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB	Ja'Quan McMillian	Jahdae Barron
SS	Talanoa Hufanga	JL Skinner	Tycen Anderson
FS	Brandon Jones	Devon Key

Notes

• DL: Looks as expected, but some interesting notes with the backups. Jordan Jackson is listed ahead of rookie Tyler Onyedim, so the rookie could be looking at an early-season inactive while Sai'vion Jones is the backup nose tackle. We'll see if Jones ends up playing nose, but that is how they have it listed.
• EDGE: No real surprises here. Jonah is listed as the starter, but Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman will rotate in throughout the game.
• LB: Again, no real surprises here.
• CB: The only real note is Jahdae Barron being listed as Pat Surtain II's backup and as the backup slot corner
• S: Is JL Skinner the Broncos' third safety? Based on this depth chart, it seems like it.

Special Teams

Position	Player	Player	Player
PK	Wil Lutz
KO	Wil Lutz
P	Jeremy Crawshaw
H	Jeremy Crawshaw
KR	Marvin Mims Jr.	Tyler Badie	RJ Harvey
PR	Marvin Mims Jr.	Riley Moss

Notes

• Lutz and Crawshaw are your kicking specialists; Lutz kicks off, and Crawshaw is the holder
• Marvin Mims is your lead returner in both the kick and punt return games. Tyler Badie and RJ Harvey are listed as your backup kick returners, while corner Riley Moss is your backup punt returner.
• No long snapper is listed due to Mitchell Fraboni being on the Broncos' practice squad. He will be elevated to the game-day roster.