NFL teams must cut their rosters from 90 to 53 by 2 p.m. on Aug. 26. Every year, much is made about players being sure bets to get claimed by other teams, and every year the number is lower than expected — often less than one per team. Payton thinks his team will be getting poached this summer rather than doing the poaching.

NFL teams typically carry three running backs on the active roster, but the Denver Broncos do not have a typical backfield.

7-8. ILBs Jordan Turner and Karene Reid: Turner impressed with five tackles, three quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one tackle behind the line of scrimmage on Saturday. One week earlier, Reid had two tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. Both should be practice squad targets if they clear waivers.

Former Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree has signed with the Houston Texans, according to his agent Mike McCartney. Winfree will get the chance to work with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and fit into that young offense.

Once they set a 53-man roster next week, the Denver Broncos can begin building a practice squad after cut players clear waivers. The NFL has a 16-player limit for the practice squad, but there's an exception for a potential designated international player taking a 17th spot.

The son of Deion Sanders, Shilo went undrafted this past April but was ultimately picked up by the Buccaneers in free agency. Sanders enjoyed a couple of solid seasons with the Buffaloes, most recently registering 67 tackles, a sack, a force fumble and a couple of fumble recoveries during the 2024 campaign.

With the Broncos trading Devaughn Vele to the Saints, one of Denver’s overlooked wideouts could emerge as the ultimate 2025 fantasy football deep sleeper.

With Nate Adkins and Michael Burton sidelined, the Broncos will monitor the TE/FB waiver wire. "We have to fill that void," Sean Payton said.