Broncos depth chart ahead of AFC Championship

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Broncos depth chart ahead of AFC Championship

January 21, 2026

The Denver Broncos have released an updated depth chart ahead of their AFC Championship game showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Broncos made several transactions this week, but none so far related to the active roster. Denver added a quarterback and wide receiver to the practice squad and cut an outside linebacker and center to make room.

We’ll see if any other moves are on deck later this week. After suffering a season-ending ankle injury, quarterback Bo Nix will presumably be a candidate for injured reserve.

Fans should note that while it comes straight from the team, the Broncos still call this an “unofficial” depth chart, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. With that in mind, here’s a look at how players stack up ahead of the AFC title game.

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

Quarterback (3)

QB1: Bo Nix
QB2: Jarrett Stidham
QB3: Sam Ehlinger

Jarrett Stidham is set to start this week following the Bo Nix injury, but the Broncos have not yet updated their depth chart to reflect that.

Running back (3)

RB1: R.J. Harvey
RB2: Tyler Badie
RB3: Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver also has Deuce Vaughn and Cody Schrader available on the practice squad.

Tight end/fullback (4)

TE1: Evan Engram
TE2: Adam Trautman
TE3: Nate Adkins
FB: Adam Prentice

Marcedes Lewis was bumped down to the practice squad after Nate Adkins returned from a knee injury.

Wide receiver (5)

WR1: Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
WR2: Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin

Pat Bryant (concussion) and Troy Franklin (hamstring) left the Buffalo game with injuries, so they will be key names to monitor on the team’s injury report this week.

Offensive line (8)

LT: Garett Bolles, Frank Crum
LG: Ben Powers, Alex Palczewski
C: Alex Forsyth, Sam Mustipher
RG: Quinn Meinerz, Alex Palczewski
RT: Mike McGlinchey, Frank Crum

After splitting time with Alex Palczewski in his first two games back from injured reserve, Ben Powers reclaimed his starting job and played all 59 snaps on offense in Week 18. Powers played all 72 snaps in the divisional round.

Defensive line (7)

DE: Zach Allen, Jordan Jackson
DT: D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach
DE: John Franklin-Myers, Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones

Malcolm Roach is perhaps one of the best “backup” defensive linemen in the NFL. He’s a key part of Denver’s defensive line rotation.

Outside linebacker (5)

OLB1: Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss
OLB2: Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson

Elliss, Tillman and Robinson form quite the trio of rotational pass rushers behind starters Cooper and Bonitto.

Inside linebacker (5)

ILB: Alex Singleton, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid
ILB: Dre Greenlaw, Justin Strnad

Karene Reid was activated from IR ahead of Week 18. Denver also has Levelle Bailey available on the practice squad, giving them good depth at the position going into the playoffs.

Cornerback (6)

CB1: Pat Surtain, Jahdae Barron, Reese Taylor
CB2: Riley Moss, Kris Abrams-Draine
Slot: Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron

Pat Surtain missed three games earlier this season with a pectoral injury, but he’s back in the lineup now and has been elected to his fourth-straight Pro Bowl.