Attendance
Did not practice: Physically Unable to Perform List — S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles). Non-Football Injury list — RB Blake Watson (muscle strain). Out — Brandon Jones (hamstring).
QB Race Today
The pads were on, so even though rookie Bo Nix received the first-team reps, there was an emphasis on the run game during team work.
Overall, Jarrett Stidham had the cleanest day inside the pocket. Stidham rolled to his right and fired the ball to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey for a solid completion. Later, he did a good job maneuvering out of pressure before checking it down to tight end Nate Adkins.
But Zach Wilson had the best play among the three. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick threw a deep ball across the field to tight end Greg Dulcich, who made the catch near the sideline as cornerback Art Green tried to disrupt the pass.
Nix showed off his wheels. There were a few occasions when he had to keep the ball and take off, including a run where he escaped pressure and burst down the field for a nice gain. But for the most part, he seemed overmatched by Denver’s defense.
Top Play
Abrams-Draine makes nice play on the ball: During the final team period, rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine went toe-to-toe with veteran wideout Courtland Sutton and came out on top. Sutton ran a go-route as Stidham threw the ball down the sideline. Abrams-Draine, who applied tight coverage on Sutton, leaped up and knocked the ball away for an incompletion.
Thumbs Up
Defensive line continues to dominate: The millions of dollars spent on Denver’s offensive line couldn’t prevent the defensive line from blowing up run play after run play on a blazing hot Monday morning. Outside linebacker Baron Browning and defensive end Zach Allen each got to the backfield for a loss of yards. Undrafted rookie linebacker Levelle Bailey quickly stopped running back Audric Estime for no gain.
Franklin is making strides: Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin is starting to make progress after a disjointed start to camp. After he caught a touchdown pass during Saturday’s 7-on-7 period, the former Oregon standout ran a nice route across the middle before catching a pass near the sideline from Stidham.
Thumbs Down
Pre-snap issues from offensive line: The offense had operational issues at the start of 11-on-11 with Nix taking snaps. The left side of the offensive line committed false start penalties on back-to-back plays.
“I don’t think it’s significant. Now a year ago, it was significant. But I think it’s something that is easily cleaned up,” Payton said.
Odds and Ends
• Bo Nix received the rookie treatment. After practice, Nix had to carry Wilson and Stidham’s pads into the locker room.
• Wide receiver Tim Patrick didn’t participate in individual drills or team work. He drifted to the side field and rode an exercise bike.
• Payton said outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is a more confident player compared to this time a year ago. Bonitto had eight sacks in his sophomore season, but Payton wants to see improvement as a run defender in Year 3.
“He is someone that plays the edge well. I think setting the edge in the run game is something he’ll continue to work on with his added strength,” Payton said.
• Right tackle Mike McGlinchey seems to be excited blocking for a fellow Notre Dame alumnus in Estime. McGlinchey called Estime a talented player with great vision. “I think he’s got the biggest arms I’ve seen on a running back. He runs hard,” McGlinchey said.
• Payton doesn’t want to set a bar for Allen. But with the new additions to the defensive line, he thinks Allen, who totaled five sacks in 2023, has a chance to improve his production.
“When you get good on one side of the ball, your better players have a chance to excel,” Payton said. “I think the depth around has a chance to benefit him.”
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Originally Published:
