3 Broncos Players Who Lock Up Roster Spots in Preseason Week 1 and 2 Face Uncertain Futures

The Denver Broncos have Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, and they showcased their depth as a team against the Atlanta Falcons in the first week of the preseason. The Broncos have one of the best and most complete rosters in the entire NFL heading into the 2026 season, and spots on the 53-man roster will be extremely difficult to come by. Although there's still time left in the preseason for players to make an impression, several players have already locked up roster spots, while others are in serious trouble. Notable performances from players like Red Murdock, Adam Prentice, and Jarrett Stidham have solidified their positions on the team, but fourth-year player Jaleel McLaughlin and offensive lineman Matt Peart are facing uncertain futures.

Murdock, the 7th-round rookie, looked like a steal in his preseason debut against the Falcons. He led the team with 8 tackles, demonstrating his ability to fill holes and make stops. His performance was impressive, and he quickly proved himself to be a valuable asset to the Broncos' defense. Murdock's background is marked by his success in forcing fumbles, a skill he showcased at the college level, where he set the NCAA record with 17 forced fumbles. He was great at it, consistently demonstrating an ability to wrap up and remove the ball from players' grasp. He did not force any fumbles against the Falcons, but his effort was evident, as he continually attempted to punch the ball out on every tackle.

Fifth-year fullback Adam Prentice's roster status has been a topic of debate, mainly due to the Broncos' depth and flexibility on the roster. The working theory has been that the Broncos might stash another player on the 53-man roster and bring Prentice back on the practice squad as a veteran addition. However, after seeing how heavily involved he was in the offense during the first half of the preseason win over Atlanta, and how successful he was on his own opportunities, the Broncos might not even consider cutting him. Prentice was utilized as a lead blocker and converted a third-and-short to keep the opening touchdown drive alive, capping off the drive himself with a physical touchdown run. Throughout the first half, Prentice played with great energy and showed why he's been a valuable asset to the Broncos' offense for years.

Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been locked in a position battle with Sam Ehlinger throughout the offseason. It appears that Stidham has solidified his status as a roster lock after his performance against the Falcons. He was accurate and showed great ability to escape pressure in the pocket, making aggressive throws downfield. He completed big chunk plays to Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Evan Engram while he was in the game. Stidham's performance was impressive, and it's hard to see him being cut, especially given his past performances and the depth at the quarterback position.

Fourth-year player Jaleel McLaughlin is facing serious trouble after his performance against the Falcons. While he had a couple of nice plays, he also fumbled and gained only 12 yards on five carries, aside from a solid 12-yard run. McLaughlin's performance has raised questions about whether he can earn a spot on the Broncos' 53-man roster. The depth and competition at the running back position, as well as the emergence of other players like Jonah Coleman, may make it challenging for McLaughlin to secure a roster spot.

Jonah Coleman, on the other hand, has quickly ascended to third on the depth chart behind RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins. He was inserted into the game before McLaughlin and was pulled shortly after, indicating that the Broncos are leaning towards keeping a smaller running back corps. Coleman's early emergence is a testament to the depth and competition at the running back position this season.

Offensive lineman Matt Peart's performance against the Falcons has raised significant concerns about his position on the team. He picked up right where he left off last season in London, committing penalties, specifically a false start on fourth-and-three. This forced the Broncos to attempt a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down, ultimately resulting in no points. Later in the game, Peart had to rush onto the field as the play clock was winding down during a field goal attempt. This mishap ultimately led to the kick being pushed left of the uprights. Sean Payton's reaction to Peart's performance on the sideline is a telling sign of his current standing with the team.

The Broncos' preseason matchup against the Falcons has provided a glimpse into the team's potential strengths and weaknesses. Players like Red Murdock, Adam Prentice, and Jarrett Stidham have demonstrated their worth to the team, while others like Jaleel McLaughlin and Matt Peart are facing uncertain futures. As the preseason progresses, the competition and depth at various positions will only intensify, making it challenging for players to secure roster spots. The Broncos' Super Bowl aspirations for 2026 will rely heavily on the performances of their players in the upcoming games.