5 biggest names on Broncos' roster bubble with OTAs underway

The Denver Broncos started OTAs on Tuesday. The team is scheduled to OTAs for the next three days and then again June 9-11. That should give fans some early insight into this year's team. 

Though training camp won't start until late July, it will be an early chance for some of those players who could be on the fringe of making the roster to make a good impression. The Broncos have one of the league's deepest rosters, meaning roster spots are not secure for a large group of players. 

That will all sort itself out in camp and preseason games, but here is an early look at some of the more recognizable names on the roster who could be sitting squarely on the bubble. 

Broncos on the roster bubble: How many of these players will make the 53-man roster?

Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR

Lil'Jordan Humphrey has brought himself an extended stay in Denver as a favorite of Sean Payton, largely because of his ability as a blocker. But the team has five wide receivers clearly ahead of him on the depth chart and he has to be wondering how many the team will keep. 

Five seems like a good number, but there is a chance Payton will decide to keep six. Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant make up the team's core, but Humphrey could stay on the team if six wide receivers are kept or if a guy like Franklin or Mims is traded before the start of the season. 

Nate Adkins, TE

Nate Adkins dealt with an injury last season, but he is still arguably the team's best blocking tight end. He can also play fullback if needed. But the emergence of 2025 seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner leaves his status in doubt. 

Evan Engram is going to make the team. Adam Trautman likely will, too, though you could easily argue that Adkins is a better player than him. Fifth-round pick Justin Joly could have an extremely bright future. If the Broncos only keep four tight ends, and that fourth spot goes to Lohner, Adkins will be out. 

That's without even bringing up seventh-round pick Dallen Bentley, who could prove to bring huge value for the spot the Broncos got him at. 

Drew Sanders, LB

Drew Sanders is clearly down to his last chance in Denver. The former third-round pick has hardly played due to injuries, and now he's switching positions again. 

After beginning his career on the outside, Sanders was moved inside, but now he will be going back to the outside with the team moving Jonah Elliss inside. The Broncos just need something out of him.

Matt Peart, OL

The Broncos have built a solid offensive line that goes beyond the five starters. With Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum in good position to remain with the team as rotational players, the veteran Matt Peart, who missed most of last season, will have to fend off undrafted free agents Tyler Miller and Gavin Ortega. 

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB

When the Broncos chose to re-sign J.K. Dobbins and then use a fourth-round pick on Jonah Coleman, it left Jaleel McLaughlin at tough odds of making this year's team. 

Though McLaughlin was re-signed this offseason as well, he plays a far less significant role in the rushing attack than Dobbins and RJ Harvey and will likely take a back seat to the rookie Coleman. Last season, he lost snaps to Tyler Badie due to not playing special teams or being the best in pass protection. 

HOT READ: Broncos' two-time Pro Bowler predicted to be available in potential trade

He'll need to dazzle this summer to have any chance of sticking around. 

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