ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos open the 2022 NFL regular season at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 12 at Lumen Field.
As the Broncos point toward July's training camp, their blockbuster, franchise-altering, AFC West-rocking trade to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson has been at the heart of virtually every move the team has made this offseason. Oh, at least other than the new coaching staff and owner.
This is a team general manager George Paton believed could be shoved back into the playoff conversation -- it hadn't played a postseason game since the Super Bowl 50 win to close out the 2015 season -- with the right player at quarterback. Wilson is that player.
Overall, Paton likes the mix of young talent on offense, such as wide receiver Courtland Sutton and running back Javonte Williams, with some big-play potential in the defensive backfield in cornerback Pat Surtain II, safety Justin Simmons and pass-rushers such as Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb and rookie Nik Bonitto.
There are plenty of roster decisions still to come, especially along the offensive line where even a former second-team All-Pro selection like left tackle Garett Bolles said "everybody is fighting for a job."
Here's a 53-man roster projection heading into the summer break:
QUARTERBACK (2): Russell Wilson, Josh Johnson
Wilson's has missed only three games in his career -- all last season because of a fractured finger. That durability, along with his experience level and his desire to take as many snaps as possible in practices, makes it unlikely the Broncos would keep three quarterbacks. Coach Nathaniel Hackett has already spoken of the luxury of having a veteran backup like Johnson "who doesn't need a lot of snaps" to stay ready to play.
RUNNING BACK (3): Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon III, Mike Boone
This is a position where the Broncos, when the roster goes to 53, could add a player if special teams forces the issue. Damarea Crockett, for example, has seen plenty of special teams work in the offseason, and Paton has made no secret of his weariness over the Broncos' struggles on special teams last season.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Tyrie Cleveland, Travis Fulgham
The Broncos had just five wide receivers on the 53-man roster at the end of preseason last year, but Cleveland has been a core special teams player throughout the offseason. That includes the coverage units and serving as a kickoff returner as well. With Hamler working his way back from ACL surgery, a player like Kendall Hinton could make things interesting here and force a decision. This doesn't include rookie Montrell Washington, who projects as a specialist as the team's returner.
TIGHT END (4): Albert Okwuegbunam, Greg Dulcich, Eric Tomlinson, Andrew Beck (also FB)
Another player could be added here if the Broncos keep just five wide receivers. Eric Saubert is a quality receiver/blocker option in that fifth spot. Paton kept just three tight ends to go with Beck when the cuts were made last season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Netane Muti, Calvin Anderson, Billy Turner, Graham Glasgow, Quinn Meinerz, Tom Compton
The Broncos kept nine linemen heading into last season's opener, and overall this might be the most difficult position to predict. Turner (knee) didn't participate in OTAs or minicamp, and the Broncos used several different combinations at guard throughout the practices.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Dre'Mont Jones, D.J. Jones, McTelvin Agim, Mike Purcell, Matt Henningsen, Eyioma Uwazurike
Like the offensive line, there is room for some movement among this group during training camp beyond the two Joneses. Henningsen was injured early in OTAs (a calf strain) and battled some injuries in college, but his versatility gives him a chance to be one of the rookies who finds his way onto the 53.
LINEBACKER (9): Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory, Josey Jewell, Jonas Griffith, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Alex Singleton, Jonathon Cooper, Aaron Patrick
Special teams will likely tip the scales for the final few spots here, as well as Gregory's health at the start of the regular season after offseason shoulder surgery. If Gregory is full go in camp, the Broncos could lean to Patrick's special teams work or some additional depth at inside linebacker over Malik Reed's experience. If Gregory is still limited by the time September rolls around, then Reed could be a need player.
CORNERBACK (6): Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Michael Ojemudia, K'Waun Williams, Damarri Mathis, Faion Hicks
Williams was signed in free agency to be the team's nickel cornerback, and no player drew more praise in the offseason program, from both his coaches as well as his teammates, than Ojemudia did. Hicks, a rookie, might be a wild card, but he showed savvy during 11-on-11 work.
SAFETY (4): Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell
Two things: Sterns needs the good fortune of good health to continue to be a player on the rise, and special teams will get the final spots here. Turner-Yell flashed the kind of speed Paton wants on those units, so he'll have to show enough of a comfort level on defense to make the September roster. This is certainly a spot where the Broncos could keep an additional, more experienced, player like P.J. Locke at the expense of one of the rookie cornerbacks.
SPECIALIST (4): Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS), Montrell Washington (returner)
If Washington consistently shows he's a reliable option, especially in the punt return game, the question will be whether he makes the roster as a return-only specialist or if the Broncos need a roster spot elsewhere and he is among the five or six wide receivers who are on the roster Week 1.