Can Matt Henningsen overcome the odds and climb the depth chart?
After turning a college walk-on into third team all- Big 10 at Wisconsin, Matt Henningsen was drafted in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He saw consistent snaps as a reserve defensive end and special teamer in each of his first two seasons.
After seeing consistent play as a reserve for the Broncos in his first two campaigns, Matt Henningsen was a somewhat surprising cut before the 2024 season. He was signed to the Broncos practice squad and spent the entire season on the squad for the Broncos. He was elevated for the week 17 game against the Bengals, but did not have any snaps – even on special teams. Like most players who end a season on the practice squad, Henningsen was offered an off-season roster spot with Denver and accepted. His offseason work has so far not been noteworthy enough to get mentioned by coaches in press reports. Henningsen is incredibly athletic, though he is viewed as a slow thinker on the field.
Player Profile
Matt Henningsen | Defensive End | Broncos | #91
College: Wisconsin
Height: 6-3
Weight: 291 pounds
Age: 26 years old
Experience: 3rd year
2023 stats: 19 tackles, one quarterback knockdown, 2 batted passes. Played 20% of defensive snaps, playing in all 17 games.
How he fits in with the Denver Broncos
Henningsen has almost certainly moved further down the Broncos depth chart since the last time we saw him in action. Last year Denver generally kept 6 defensive linemen on the roster, and D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, John Franklin-Myers, Zach Allen and Sai’vion Jones are substantially ahead of Henningsen if healthy. That leaves him fighting against Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike for one roster spot between. Both Uwazurike and Jackson beat out Henningsen last year for roster spots. For a spot on the practice squad, he would have to fight against either Jackson or Uwazurike, as well as undrafted free agent Kristian Williams and former UDFA Jordan Miller. Right now, he is a player who I expect to not make the practice squad, but who will be told to stay in shape and keep their phone on because at some point an injury or two could happen.
Final Thoughts
Henningsen is a good football player, running up against a situation filled with really excellent players. Denver has two truly special starters on the defensive line in Zach Allen and John Franklin Myers, and good depth alongside them. It is a tough position for Henningsen to be in, but unless he puts together a great pre-season, I expect this is the end of his NFL career.