Training Camp

Quarterbacks

QB Bo Nix continues to stack good days. He is good at looking off safeties with whom he plays mind games. Denver’s pass catchers like Nix’s ability to make the gimme throws, and his willingness and aggressive instinct to push the ball. QB Jarrett Stidham continues to stay in the pocket and play it safe. He needs to push the ball more if he wants to win the quarterback competition. There are no designed runs for Stidham. There are for Nix and running is a Wilson strong suit. QB Zack Wilson is getting time with the twos hoping to win the backup spot for Denver (Long shot, but he, like Nix, pushes the ball and plays to win).

Running Backs

RB Samaje Perine seems to be the odd man out with Jaleel McLaughlin slated to take over Perine’s 2023 role. Blake Watson is unlikely to clear waivers so he will likely make the 53-man roster and have a special role on special teams. Audric Estime will pair with Javonte Williams to pound the rock. Both Williams and Estime have the burst/speed for long runs if not home run speed. Tyler Badie has the best chance to slip through to the practice squad with Perine unlikely to clear waivers. Badie has looked good (joker) and would possibly crack the the 53-man roster if not for Watson.

Wide Receivers

The Broncos have a real problem at wide receiver-too many good ones to make the 53-man roster. Sean Payton likes tall receivers with length, and he has a lot of them. But he also has some smaller receivers who are consistently making plays everyday. Additionally, he has experienced veterans (Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Josh Reynolds) to lead the unproven talent (Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele). Both Sutton and Reynolds have a "my ball" mentality and should be the starters in two wide receiver sets. Add Marvin Mims in the slot for speed and big play ability although, he won’t make a big leap as a receiver this season. Rookie Troy Franklin brings speed and route running ability as the fourth wide receiver. Tim Patrick is a team leader and veteran depth as the fifth wide receiver. If the Broncos keep six wide receivers it will be a hard choice. Special Teams and ability to clear waivers for the practice will be considerations.

Tight Ends

The big question for tight end is do they need to keep more than three on the active roster. Veteran TE Adam Trautman is is the veteran blocker with some receiving skills. Second-year TE Lucas Krull is the camp sensation and potential complete tight end. Greg Dulcich is a game changing receiver if he stay healthy and blocks enough not to be a "tell". Nate Adkins and Thomas Yasmin should both make the practice squad.

Defense

The defense needs players like Thomas Incoom, Dondrea Tillman and Angelo Blackson to emerge. DL Eyioma Uwazurike does not look rusty in first two practices, but won’t see pre-season game action until game two.

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1) Mark August 3, 2024 on your calender as the day Bo Nix began is career as Denver’s number on Quarterback. He displayed the traits of a starting NFL quarterback as Jarrett Stidham displayed the traits of a long-term career backup.

2) Beginning on August 5, the Broncos entered their first week of game planning practices. The first pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts (Aug. 11) begins the separation of the keepers and the rest.Sean Payton’s first depth chart is a joke which doesn’t reflect what is being seen in practice.

3) Aug. 6 padded practice emphasizing red-zone and the run game (1ST after depth chart) left Payton mostly unhappy.

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Bronco Concerns

1. Who can they trust at corner back opposite Pat Surtain with youth and injured players?

2. How do they maximize value int running back room without losing too much talent?

3. Too many unknowns at the safety position.

4. Where are: S Brandon Jones; Edge Nik Bonitto; WR Jalen Virgil?

5. They are relying on journeyman and/or rookies to replace lost players.

Denver 34 Indianapolis 30

What the broncos wanted to see from their quarterbacks in the game was clean operation and good football in the situation they were in with little game planning.

Payton "… pleased. All three of those guys I thought did a good job,"

Payton was happy with no sacks.

Payton liked what his rookies showed on Sunday.

The Broncos put the ball on the ground too many times. However, 16 different Broncos receivers caught passes on Sunday. TEs Lucas Krull 4/31 and Hunter Kampmoyer 3/29 an RB Audric Estime 3/13 had the most targets.

RBs Audric Estime 10/31, and Blake Watson, 9/26 got the most carries, but Jaleel McLaughlin 7/30 was the most effective.

Green Bay 2 Denver 27

On the heels of a solid debut in Indy, QB Bo Nix got his first start on Sunday. He diced up the Packers second team In two series of work with Denver’s first-team offense. Nix went 8/9-80-1-0 for the night. He hit WR Tim Patrick for the touchdown two plays after he had a 14-yard touchdown pass to RB Javonte Williams called back because Nix was past the line of scrimmage.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin out-snapped Javonte Williams (5.7YPC) and they were the only two RBs to played with Nix.

WRs Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Josh Reynolds look like Denver's top three WRs. But Patrick and Reynolds will be challenged by Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.

The tight ends were targeted 13 combined times Adam Trautman 5 and Lucas Krull and Greg Dulcich four each.

Penalties continue to be a problem for the Broncos

Practice Squad

Wednesday, August 30, the practice squad may be formed (16+ one international player) may be assembled. Practice squad players will earn a minimum of $12,500 per week in 2024, up to $21300 depending on league experience.

Transactions Placed OT Quinn Bailey on season-ending IR. Signed rookie OT Oliver Jervis (CSU) 6’5", 305. Activated RB Blake Watson. Reinstated DL Eyioma Uwazurike. Released S Caden Sterns (signed with Eagles). Re-signed ILB Alec Mock. Waived OLB Ronnie Perkins (injury designation). Waived ILB Alec Mock;/awarded second-year DB Kaleb Hayes.

Once Payton was sure that Bo was ready to go and just needed some reps out there and that he’d continue to get better, he named Nix the starter. Nix won the job based on his accumulation of work over (training camp and the preseason), his offschedule moving throws, his consistency, the things that he was able to do pretty quickly, and his arm strength down the field. There will be some tough moments as he starts against the opponents and as defensive coordinators get film on him/scheme for him, but Nix seems ready to handle the tough situations. Unlike last year, the offense has shown the ability to overcome mistakes and move the ball. The defense is a work in progress and will be throughout the season. It is young and needs its young players to learn and grow for the 2025 season. There will be an emphasis on special teams in hopes that they will give the team an edge over their opponents. This season is all about understanding what the team has and where they need help for 2025. Payton wants to win games in 2024, but his emphasis is on building a great team for 2025 and beyond

End.