Perhaps the biggest problem the Denver Broncos are facing headed into the regular season is that they have too much talent and not enough roster cuts — an emotional process that could see several talented defensive players given their walking papers.
While those players will likely find new homes almost instantly, it still stings, and ESPN’s Jeff Legwold has the Broncos predicted to part ways with a pair of talented pass rushers in his latest 53-man roster projections — edge rusher Dondrea Tillman and interior defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones are the ones left on the outside looking in.
“In this scenario, Jordan Jackson edges out Sai’vion Jones, last year’s third-round pick, for the sixth (defensive line) spot,” Legwold wrote on August 24. “While Jonathon Cooper’s roster spot might have looked shakier in the spring given the tone of the team’s statements at the time, he’s on track to be on the 53 unless he is suspended by the NFL before Week 1 under the personal conduct policy. In that scenario, Dondrea Tillman likely earns the fourth spot.”
Dondrea Tillman Signed New Contract in April
The Broncos signed Tillman to a new contract right before the NFL Draft in April.
“Tillman, who turns 28 on April 30, had 4.0 sacks in 2025, which marked a step down from his 5.0-sack rookie campaign in 2024,” Heavy’s Josh Buckhalter wrote on April 20. “Despite his slight regression in sacks, Tillman recorded 2 interceptions, displaying his play-making ability in other ways. Tillman’s success should come as little surprise. He was a three-time champion with the Birmingham Stallions, winning titles in 2022 and 2023 in the USFL and in 2024 in the UFL.”
Long and Winding Road to NFL Roster Spot
Tillman, 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, was a 3-time All-PSAC selection at NCAA Division II Indiana (Pa.) with 174 tackles, 30 sacks, 10 pass deflections and 7 forced fumbles in 48 career games.
Tillman was out of football for almost 2 years before the Stallions drafted him in the third round of the USFL supplemental draft in 2022. He won 3 championships in 3 seasons — consecutive USFL titles in 2022 and 2023 and a UFL title in 2024, when he had 33 tackles and 4.0 sacks.
Tillman was put on the Broncos active roster in Week 3 of the 2024 regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had 2.0 sacks in a 27-6 win. Tillman became the first Denver player to record 2.0 sacks in his NFL debut.
“Just the fourth undrafted player since 1990 with at least two sacks in his first career game,” the Broncos wrote on their official X account.
“We weren’t going to just let the other three play 60 snaps or 50 snaps,” Denver head coach Sean Payton told USA Today after Tillman’s debut. “A guy like that was coming up, he’s got to be playing in the kicking game and then getting snaps on defense. I was pleased with his effort. He’s strong. I’ve mentioned earlier in the week, we’ve seen a lot from him. I was excited to see him take advantage of the opportunity.”
Broncos Predicted to Part Ways With Pair of Defensive Standouts