Denver Broncos OTAs: Latest Player Reports and Analysis

The Denver Broncos are continuing their offseason program this week. Players—including rookies—have been at team headquarters during the first part of installation this offseason.

Dove Valley has been buzzing with news and activity as the Broncos inch toward the start of training camp later this year. There are a lot of things that need to be figured out before we get to the start of the regular season. News that is out now can have an impact on—or foreshadow—what’s to come.

Here’s the latest player reports and analysis coming out of Broncos OTAs.

Heuerman Injury Could Change Team Procedure

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

The Broncos selected Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft with the idea that he could spend this year developing behind Owen Daniels and Virgil Green. A season-ending knee injury in rookie minicamp now changes that plan.

Jeff Legwold, from ESPN.com, speculates that Heuerman’s injury might impact how the Broncos break in rookies.

The Broncos weren’t even wearing helmets when Heuerman was injured. As rookies prepare for the NFL draft, there are a specific group of drills most do to maximize their measurable and timed speed/quickness/burst. The drills are different during rookie minicamp, and these players are asked to move in ways they might not have since the end of the college football season.

In the future, we might see Denver ease the rookies into action a little slower.

Denver could have been counting on Heuerman more than some think this year. This injury certainly has a sting to it, as Heuerman was a player the Broncos were excited about. Now, the Broncos must wait to see him in action.

Shane Ray to Be Limited

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Josh Alper, from ProFootballTalk.com, reports the Broncos are going to start mixing rookie pass-rusher Shane Ray into practice in a limited role. Ray has been dealing with a turf toe injury this offseason, and that is an injury that can linger if not given proper time to heal.

The Broncos moved up in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft to select Ray. He’s an alpha male with a constant chip on his shoulder.

Ray is a relentless pass-rusher with good initial quickness, snap anticipation and the ability to get around tackles on the outside. He does a good job of diagnosing plays as they unfold, and Ray rarely takes false steps on his way to the ball-carrier.

He has good closing burst to get to the quarterback, and Ray’s presence should be able to help as a part-time pass-rusher. Ray is going to help keep DeMarcus Ware fresh this season, and he could even give Von Miller a breather if need be.

Ray is unlikely to have a full-time role with Denver as a rookie. However, he’s likely to make a big impact on the field—and on his teammates.

The toe did not require surgery, and if he heals properly we could see Ray at full strength by the time training camp starts.

Cody Latimer to Play Outside

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Broncos moved up in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft so they could select Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer. His skill set is quite intriguing, but Latimer barely saw the field during his rookie season. That should change this year as Latimer is going to get on the field when the Broncos are in three-wide receiver sets.

Kevin Patra, from NFL.com, projects Latimer to play on the outside during his second season as a pro.

This move was expected from the time Latimer was added to the roster. Emmanuel Sanders can move inside to his more natural position of slot receiver with Latimer on the outside opposite Demaryius Thomas. Latimer can play the slot if necessary, but Sanders is more dangerous at that position.

Having Latimer on the outside can take better advantage of his size-speed combination. Measuring in at 6’2”, 215 pounds, Latimer plays bigger than his size and can be dominant at the point of the catch. He can get downfield in a hurry, and Latimer does a good job of tracking passes over his shoulder.

His leaping ability and wingspan also make him a great target when in the red zone. The Broncos are going to be more balanced offensively this year, and that will hold Latimer’s numbers back as the third wide receiver. However, if he catches five to eight touchdowns, it would not be a surprise given his natural skill set.

Latimer has the upside of a star in this league. The Broncos are wisely going to use him more this season, and he should respond by showing his potential when on the field.

C.J. Anderson's Weight a Problem?

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The engine to the offense this year can be starting running back C.J. Anderson. The Broncos are going to have a more run-heavy offense than fans are used to in the Peyton Manning era. Anderson showed last year that he could be a feature back in this league, and he can make plays as a runner or receiver out of the backfield.

He led the league in rushing over the final six weeks of the season with 648 yards. His eight rushing touchdowns during that time also led the NFL, and Anderson's 779 all-purpose yards (rushing and receiving) were good for third in the NFL behind New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (853) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (780).

Nicki Jhabvala, from The Denver Post, reports that former Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase said Anderson got “a little chubby sometimes” last year. So what is his conditioning like this offseason?

Watching Anderson out at Dove Valley this offseason, you can tell that he’s serious about his conditioning. Anderson has always had a large lower body, as this is where his trademark power comes from. In addition to powerful legs, Anderson shows good upper body strength.

Gone is any sort of bad weight around the midsection. Anderson is likely to play this season around 215-220 pounds as the battering ram for the Broncos.

There’s a chance that he could finish the season as the NFL’s leading rusher. The system is there for him to be featured early and often. Anderson doesn’t need to come off the field that often because of his all-purpose skill set. In order to keep Peyton Manning healthy this year, the Broncos might lean on their rushing attack more than some think.

Anderson will be ready for the expanded workload.

No Progress with Demaryius Thomas

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Earlier this year, the Broncos slapped the franchise tag on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The one-year tender guarantees him a salary of $12.8 million in 2015. At this time, Thomas has not signed his franchise tender, as he instead wants to come to a new long-term agreement with the Broncos.

According to Jeff Legwold, from ESPN.com, general manager John Elway is not ready to say progress has been made in contract negotiations between the Broncos and Thomas.

There’s no rush at this time, as Thomas is not technically holding out. He has not signed his tender, so Thomas is essentially not under contract with the Broncos. The two sides have until July 15th to work out a new long-term deal.

Broncos fans should not be worried about Thomas’ absence from voluntary minicamp—or even when the workouts become mandatory.

This staring contest is just part of the process when it comes to franchise-tagged players. The Broncos went through this with Ryan Clady a few years ago. Clady—like Thomas could—signed a big-money deal with the Broncos right before the deadline to do so.

At this time, there’s no need to worry about this contract situation. Thomas is a top-five receiver in the NFL, and he will be compensated as such. Expect an 11th-hour deal with the Broncos sometime in July.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.