# 🔥 Depth Chart Shockers: Broncos’ First Roster Reveal Sparks Hype, Hope, and Heated Debates
**Denver, CO — August 7, 2025**
The Denver Broncos have officially dropped their **first unofficial depth chart** of the 2025 NFL preseason, and while many spots landed as expected, a few eyebrow-raising placements have fans buzzing, experts speculating, and social media lighting up with hot takes.
While this early chart is far from final, it’s the first glimpse into how Head Coach **Sean Payton** and his staff view the team’s current pecking order — and it may offer a few clues about what’s to come in the weeks ahead.
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### 🧠 Rookie Games: Payton’s Mind Trick?
Perhaps the most surprising — and talked-about — listing is rookie running back **RJ Harvey** sitting **at the bottom** of the depth chart. Despite glowing reviews from training camp and flashes of potential, the UCF product is listed **fifth** among the backs.
But before fans panic or fantasy football owners rush to change their draft boards, it’s worth noting this is likely **part of Sean Payton’s long-standing policy**: all rookies, regardless of talent or performance, start at the bottom on the initial depth chart. It’s not punishment — it’s psychology.
“It’s about making them earn it,” Payton said in past seasons. “We don’t give anything away.”
Translation? Don’t read too much into Harvey’s spot — it’s more motivational tool than organizational ranking.
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### 🧩 QB1 Revealed: Bo Nix Era Begins?
No real surprises under center. First-round rookie **Bo Nix** is listed as the team’s **starting quarterback**, ahead of veterans **Jarrett Stidham** and **Sam Ehlinger**. Nix has had solid showings in camp, and while it’s still early, it’s clear the Broncos are giving him every chance to claim the QB1 role permanently.
His presence at the top of the chart suggests confidence — but with Payton’s systems notoriously complex, fans should expect competition to stay tight into the preseason.
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### 🚀 Offensive Battles Heating Up
At wide receiver, **Courtland Sutton** leads the pack, but the race behind him is getting interesting. Second-year receiver **Marvin Mims Jr.** has impressed in drills, and rookie **Troy Franklin** is already making a name for himself. Could one of them force their way into the starting rotation before Week 1?
Tight end remains steady, with **Greg Dulcich** and **Adam Trautman** listed 1–2. But keep an eye on undrafted rookie **Lucas Krull**, who’s had a sneaky good camp and could emerge as a red zone weapon.
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### 💥 Defense Bringing the Heat
On defense, familiar names like **Patrick Surtain II**, **Josey Jewell**, and **Justin Simmons** remain locked into starting roles, but new additions are pushing hard. Linebacker **Jonah Elliss**, another rookie, is buried deep — but again, that’s typical for Payton’s rookie listings.
The front seven looks deeper than it has in recent years, with rotations expected to keep players fresh — and quarterbacks uncomfortable.
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### 📣 What’s Next?
With the Broncos set to face the 49ers in their preseason opener, expect the real sorting to begin on the field. These early depth charts are just the first draft — the real test is how players perform under the lights.
Fans should watch closely for:
* **Snap counts**, not chart positions
* **Chemistry** between Nix and the receivers
* **Running back usage**, especially how early Harvey enters the game
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### 🔁 Final Word
Depth charts don’t win games — but they do start conversations. And in Broncos Country, that conversation just got a lot more interesting.
So whether you’re thrilled, worried, or just hungry for football, this first look gives us all something to talk about.
The 2025 Denver Broncos are shaping up to be anything but boring.
