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Denver Broncos | News

First Look at Broncos' Week 1 Depth Chart

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- **Along with the 53-man roster being finalized, the official depth chart for Week 1 of the 2013 season was released Saturday.

From the starting lineup in Week 1 of the 2012 season, there are 11 new starters between the offense and defense. Click here for the full depth chart.

The first name that might jump out in the starting lineup in 2013? Julius Thomas.

The tight end worked his way into more and more repetitions during training camp -- part of his first healthy offseason as a pro -- and eventually led the team in preseason catches and tied for the lead in preseason receiving yards.

Now, Thomas has moved all the way to No. 1 on the tight end depth chart, ahead of -- in order -- Joel Dreessen, Jacob Tamme and Virgil Green.

"It's extremely exciting for me," Thomas said this preseason of his role in the offense. "I've had to battle through a lot in my football career so far and I'm just really excited to be out there playing. The more versatile I can be, the more I can help my team. So I'm just looking forward to doing whatever our coaches and our team needs of me. Just trying to get some wins this season."

At running back, Ronnie Hillman gets the starting nod ahead of Montee Ball, then Knowshon Moreno, Jacob Hester and C.J. Anderson.

Hillman led the team in rushing yards during the preseason.

"I would say that the group as a whole is about as good a group as you want," Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase said of the running backs last Tuesday. "We've pretty much said, 'Hey, this is going to be a by committee-type backfield.' We've never shied away from that and right now those three guys (Hillman, Ball and Moreno) have done a good job of handling the workload."

Also on offense, Manny Ramirez has established himself as the starting center with Steve Vallos as his backup.

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Duke Ihenacho is another preseason standout that has now officially positioned himself as a starter. He gets the nod at strong safety alongside free safety Rahim Moore. Mike Adams and David Bruton are their respective backups, and Omar Bolden is on the depth chart as a safety behind Bruton. Meanwhile, Quentin Jammer has moved back to cornerback on the depth chart.

"I just love his aggression and his instincts," cornerback Champ Bailey said of Ihenacho earlier this month. "His whole game is pretty impressive."

With Von Miller suspended for six weeks, Nate Irving is currently listed as the starter in his place at strongside linebacker. Wesley Woodyard's move to the middle is reflected on the depth chart, as is Danny Trevathan's ascension into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker.

For the record, those 11 new starters are Thomas, Hillman, right guard Louis Vasquez and wide receiver Wes Welker on offense and defensive tackles Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton, right defensive end Robert Ayers, Irving, Trevathan, right cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Ihenacho on defense.

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