The Denver Broncos have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2026 season, and as always, there were a few surprises. The team waived 27 preseason participants on Sunday, leaving a roster that has fans and analysts talking. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable moves and what they mean for the upcoming season.
Surprising Cut: Justin Joly
One of the biggest shocks was the release of rookie tight end Justin Joly, who was selected with the 152nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. According to Andrew Mason, Joly is the highest draft pick waived by the Broncos at the roster deadline as a rookie since Maurice Clarett in 2005 (who was picked 101st overall).
Joly’s preseason performance was inconsistent. He had one reception for zero yards against Atlanta, two receptions for 10 yards against Green Bay, and a standout performance against Minnesota with two receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Despite that breakout game, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the roster. The Broncos don’t typically cut a third-round pick unless it’s clearly earned, so there’s likely more to this story than what we’ve seen on the field.
Roster Flexibility Moves
The Broncos are employing some strategic roster maneuvers to maximize flexibility, particularly at the fullback and long snapper positions. Currently, the team does not have a fullback or long snapper on the 53-man roster.
Fullback Adam Prentice
According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, the Broncos are releasing fullback Adam Prentice with the intention of elevating him from the practice squad for the first three games and likely promoting him to the 53-man roster by game four. This approach avoids guaranteeing his $1.215 million salary for the season.
Long Snapper Mitchell Fraboni
The Broncos also released long snapper Mitchell Fraboni. General Manager George Paton indicated that Fraboni will be signed to the practice squad, providing additional roster flexibility.
Lucas Krull
Veteran tight end Lucas Krull is also part of this maneuvering. He is expected to join the practice squad in the coming hours, though it’s likely an added aggravation for the player to go through this process.
Jonathon Cooper’s Status
Linebacker Jonathon Cooper is not on the Broncos’ 53-man roster, but he wasn’t cut either. Due to two offseason incidents of alleged “profound stupidity,” Cooper will start the season on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. There’s no telling how long he’ll be in NFL purgatory, but estimates suggest at least two games, with the possibility of extending the entire season if his legal defense stalls in court.
Looking Ahead to the Season Opener
Despite these roster changes, the Broncos’ marquee players—including Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle, and Nik Bonitto—will be ready for the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks. The team is aiming to return to the AFC Championship game and beyond.
As for the practice squad, stay tuned for updates throughout the day as the Broncos finalize their signings.
