The juggling act of forming Broncos’ 53-man roster

For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, the hours between the end of Denver’s preseason finale and the roster cut-down deadline on Tuesday were a juggling act of many variables.

It consisted of late-night film sessions at the team’s training facility, painful breakups, and asking the tough questions. Are youth and upside more important than veteran talent? Does Denver run the risk of cutting a player, hoping he clears waivers?

Payton made it clear Wednesday afternoon that Denver’s 53-man roster isn’t set in stone. But each tough decision he made to meet the league’s requirements was a reflection of his vision for the Broncos.

“It’s beginning to calm down,” Payton said. “I would always say the week of (the season opener), which we are in now, there’s always some (moving around) with the back end (of the roster).”

The flexibility of a 16-man practice squad (17 if a team keeps an international player) eases the process a bit. Payton is allowed to retain developmental talent and veterans who could be used in games during the regular season.

“It’s really 70 (players on the roster) because once they are here, guys are coming up and down,” Payton said. “It benefits the pool of players that wouldn’t be on rosters right now and I also think it helps in their development.”

Among the beneficiaries of Denver’s practice squad are wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton. Humphrey spent the entire 2023 season bouncing between the practice squad and active roster, playing in 17 games (eight starts).

Payton said he built enough trust with Humphrey and Burton for them to know they would be called upon at some point.

“When I called one of those guys into the room (and shook) their hands, I said, ‘Just trust me here and listen to me,’” Payton said. “It’s just a part of managing the roster and having guys that have been with you and trust you.”

The waiver wire creates a bit of anxiety due to teams potentially grabbing a player with value. That played a part in Denver’s decision to keep undrafted rookies Blake Watson and Frank Crum. Despite Crum struggling in pass protection, Payton said the offensive tackle has size and upside. Payton added that Watson —the running back from Memphis — is strong in traffic and has good ball skills.

“We felt strongly it was going to be hard for us to clear (Watson) through waivers,” Payton said. “That was based on the six or seven teams that we were competing with.”

On Wednesday, Payton sent a congratulatory text message to former Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick, who signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad after Denver released him. Payton said it was extremely hard to move on from Patrick, who spent six seasons in Denver and fought relentlessly to return to full strength after back-to-back season-ending injuries.

The Broncos are not only trying to win now but also trying to build toward the future. Denver remains high on rookie wideouts Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele. Payton said Franklin has to improve his lower body strength, but the fourth-round pick has rare speed and can generate yards after the catch.

But making room for Franklin, Vele and other young players on the roster came at the cost of moving on from Patrick, Brandon Johnson and Jalen Virgil. All three players, as well as running back Samaje Perine, were picked up by other teams. Perine stayed in the AFC West, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The exits hurt, but it’s the nature of the business.

“In 2006 (with the Saints), we had a young receiver, Marques Colston, that we drafted in the seventh round. And then we had receiver Donte Stallworth,” Payton said. “Marques struggled in the spring but came back, had a really good camp, and we ended up trading Stallworth (to the Eagles). It was a good decision. (Colston) ended up having a fantastic career.”

Inside the Broncos training facility at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Payton was in his office, grinding away on film.