ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Making an initial 53-man roster is an impressive accomplishment.

Even running back Javonte Williams, a second-round pick who started 13 games for Denver last season, acknowledged the importance of making the team for another season.

"A lot of people take it for granted, but that's a big day for people in the NFL," Williams said Wednesday. "A lot of people's lives change. … I'm just glad to be on the right side of it."

And yet, as Head Coach Sean Payton explained Wednesday, far more players than the 53 on Denver's initial roster will contribute in 2024. That begins, largely, with the Broncos' practice squad.

Denver added 15 players to the practice squad on Wednesday, including veterans Mike Burton and Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Both Burton and Humphrey played all 17 games for the Broncos last season, though Humphrey took a unique path. The wide receiver was elevated for the first game of the year, then signed to the active roster, then released, then elevated again for two more games before he finally joined the active roster for the final stretch of the season.

Payton said there's trust between him and several of the veteran players who were released Tuesday and then able to return to the practice squad without clearing waivers.

"When I call one of those guys into the room and shake their hand and say, 'Just trust me here. Listen to me,' it's just part of managing the roster and having guys that have been with you and trust you," Payton said.

This sort of roster management allows teams to feature a variety of players that can make an impact on game days.

"Once they're here, I can't tell you how many times — and you guys know this — that guys are coming up or coming down [from the practice squad]," Payton said. "… We have 70 guys on the team, and I think that was different … years ago. Just even the ability and the flexibility that clubs have."

For players like running back Tyler Badie and wide receiver David Sills V, a stint on the practice squad can provide an opportunity to make an impact and build a role.

"I had an hour conversation with Badie just relative to, 'Hey, you're doing well,'" Payton said. "Part of the challenge is then roster management and trying to [figure out], how do I have my cake and eat it too? One way, you might lose a player and get one and the other way, you might be able to keep two good young players. I think he's had a fantastic camp. He and Sills, you can't help but notice them each day."

Payton noted that while the practice squad is "never etched in stone," it's mutually beneficial to have an expanded practice squad.

"I think it benefits everyone," Payton said. "It benefits the pool of players that wouldn't be on rosters right now. I also think it helps in their development."

And in Denver, it has helped the Broncos put together the best possible roster.