Denver Stock Watch: Which Players Are Rising and Falling Through 2 Weeks of Camp

The Denver Broncos are nearly two weeks into training camp and are quickly approaching their first preseason game. Thursday night, the team will take on the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park.

As seen on DenverBroncos.com, the team has released their first depth chart of the season, possibly giving some insight into how camp and practices are going for certain players.

However, as reported by Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post, head coach John Fox downplayed the depth chart, saying they only released it because "the league makes us."

But just two weeks into camp, the stock of some players is rising while that of others has gone down a notch. Here is a look at those players.

Rising: Tavarres King, Wide Receiver

Despite never catching more than 47 passes in a season while at Georgia in college, the Broncos used a fifth-round draft choice to select Tavarres King.

King was known to drop passes in college, however he is dangerous with the ball in his hands and can run the deep route effectively.

The Broncos were hoping to get a versatile receiver who could complement the three terrific players they already have at the position in Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker.

The Broncos may have done just that. King has done quite well in camp to this point and should be a lock to make the team.

Falling: Gerell Robinson, Wide Receiver

Gerell Robinson nearly made the team last season before being let go in the final round of roster cuts, but the team thought enough of him to bring him back to see what he could do.

Robinson was listed towards the bottom of the initial depth chart, behind guys like Greg Orton and Quincy McDuffie.

As Cecil Lammey of ESPN Denver notes, Robinson does have some issues as a route-runner and tends to tip off the defensive back. This was a concern last season as well.

Robinson will need to make the most of the preseason and show the coaching staff he belongs on the team. Robinson was a talented receiver at Arizona State, where he starred with Brock Osweiler.

Hopefully, he can take advantage of his relationship with Osweiler and the two can connect on some big plays.

Rising: Julius Thomas, Tight End

The tight position will be one of the most interesting for the Broncos as the team heads towards the season.

Joel Dreessen seemed to be the clear-cut starter at the position, but his recovery from knee surgery isn't going according to plan and the tight end will likely miss the rest of training camp.

With Jacob Tamme also hobbled with an injury, the door is open for Julius Thomas, a player the Broncos have long had high hopes for.

Is this the year Thomas emerges as a threat in the passing game? It will be very interesting to see if he can overtake Tamme, Dreessen or both.

Falling: Manny Ramirez

Sure, Manny Ramirez may be running with the starters at center following the season-ending injury to Dan Koppen, but how long will that be the case?

Ramirez played in 11 games at guard last season with Chris Kuper missing time, but he had his struggles and was clearly the weak link on the offensive line.

For now, Ramirez may get the most reps at center but if the Broncos weren't concerned about that, they wouldn't have signed veteran lineman Steve Vallos as well as talked Ryan Lilja out of retirement.

Rising: Duke Ihenacho

Safety Duke Ihenacho has arguably had the best camp of any player on the Broncos' roster.

Anyone who witnessed last year's divisional round playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens will agree that the secondary needed a player to step up.

That player appears to be the relatively-unknown Ihenacho who has quickly risen up the depth chart. He has made several interceptions in training camp while impressing the coaching staff and his fellow teammates alike.

Ihenacho was most likely considered a bubble player to even make the roster two weeks ago. Now, he could make a move into the starting lineup.

Falling: Quinton Carter, Safety

After missing almost all of last season with an injury, Quinton Carter is fighting the same thing thus far in camp.

That, along with the emergence of Duke Ihenacho, puts Carter in a position where he has some catching up to do.

Carter showed plenty of talent in his rookie season of 2011, making 56 tackles and registering one sack, but he has to be on the field in order to show he can be that player again.

Rising: David Bruton, Safety

David Bruton has been considered a special teams player throughout his career in Denver—and a very good one. However, his natural position is safety.

Bruton has had his chance to play with the starters on defense this offseason and much like Duke Ihenacho, has made the most of it.

The player who shows the best ability to defend the pass, especially when matched up against a tight end, could easily wind up the starter at this position.

Mike Adams has his work cut out for him if he is to remain in Denver for a second year.

Falling: Omar Bolden, Cornerback

As a rookie, Omar Bolden had just 12 tackles. Then he watched as the Broncos signed free-agent cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason.

According to the first depth chart released, Bolden is listed behind Tony Carter and he is the one player he must outperform if he is to stay in Denver.

The Broncos will keep Champ Bailey, Chris Harris, Rodgers-Cromartie and Kayvon Webster. Unless they hang onto six cornerbacks, the last slot will go to Bolden or Carter.

The one area Bolden could be a solid contributor is as a return specialist, but Trindon Holliday isn't going anywhere either.

Rising: Ronnie Hillman, Running Back

How many people had Ronnie Hillman pegged as the starting running back this season? Well, that could easily be the case.

Hillman was listed as the No. 1 running back on the team's first unofficial depth chart and though rookie Montee Ball should see plenty of carries, this is encouraging for Hillman.

With that said, some expect the job to go to Ball eventually (NFL.com) but if Hillman has improved in the area of pass-blocking, he could very well be the guy out there on September 5 against Baltimore.

Falling: Lance Ball

On the same depth chart that lists Ronnie Hillman as the No. 1 running back, Lance Ball has fallen to the bottom.

Ball has chipped in nicely for the Broncos over the course of the last three seasons, rushing for 718 yards. Now, he finds himself buried beneath a lot of talent at the position.

Jacob Hester may be the biggest reason Ball is out this year. Hester is a good receiver and short-yardage runner but he can also serve as a lead blocker on running plays. He would be a very tough player to cut.

Ball will have four preseason games to change the minds of those in charge, but his time in Denver may soon be up.