Breaking Down the Denver Broncos Rookie Class After the Preseason

The preseason is over, and the Denver Broncos' season opener vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers is just two days away. The Broncos had seven selections in the NFL draft this past year, and all seven rookies made the 53-man roster.

There are some rookies that made an impact from the onset and throughout the preseason to the point where they are starting for the team.

Meanwhile, there are also some rookies who were slowed down by injuries and haven't been able to make the impact that was expected. And there are some rookies on Denver's roster that have been basically non-existent.

Having said that, here's a breakdown of the Broncos rookie draft class after the preseason.

DE Derek Wolfe

Derek Wolfe was Denver's first overall selection in the 2012 draft and has been the most successful of his draft class on the team thus far.

Wolfe will start out the season as Denver's starting left defensive end, after Jason Hunter was placed on injured reserve with an injury suffered early on in the preseason.

Wolfe had two sacks in his first career game as a Bronco vs. the Chicago Bears, and he constantly demonstrated his motor throughout training camp.

Of all of Denver's rookies, Wolfe has the best chance of making an impact for this team in 2012 during his rookie season.

He is the only Bronco rookie starting on the team, and depending upon if Ronnie Hillman ever reaches his potential this season, Wolfe should be Denver's best rookie.

Grade: A

QB Brock Osweiler

Brock Osweiler was rather up and down throughout the preseason. 

After having an impressive performance in his first preseason game, Osweiler went through a lot of growing pains in his final three preseason games.

He failed to lead the Broncos to any touchdown drives in his final three games. Osweiler also failed to lead the Broncos offense past the 50-yard line in the team's game vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

Through four games, Osweiler stats looked like this: 16-of-33 (48.5 percent) for 139 yards, 4.2 yards per attempt, and one touchdown to go with one interception.

As it stands right now, Osweiler is the third-string quarterback, with Caleb Hanie entrenched in the backup role.

It was somewhat expected that Osweiler would outperform Hanie to be Peyton Manning's backup, but things didn't work out as planned, and Hanie will likely play out the season as Denver's backup quarterback.

Grade: C-

RB Ronnie Hillman

Ronnie Hillman was expected to not only be Willis McGahee's backup entering the season, but he even threaten McGahee's spot as starting running back.

Boy, Hillman has a ways to go to complete that expectation.

As of this writing, Hillman is No. 4 on the depth chart, behind not only McGahee but Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball. Hillman missed vast amounts of training camp reps with a recurring hamstring injury and did not play in the preseason until the third game.

Hillman led the team in rushing in the final preseason game vs. the Arizona Cardinals, but it wasn't enough to move up the depth chart. Hillman's peak thus far on the team depth chart has been at No. 3.

Hillman has shown the ability to make plays when he's been on the field, but unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down from reaching his potential so far.

Grade: D

CB Omar Bolden

Omar Bolden made the roster, while Drayton Florence did not. 

Why was this the case despite Florence outplaying Bolden in the preseason? Florence was owed money, while Bolden was Denver's fourth-round draft pick. It's really as simple as that.

Bolden is listed third on the team's depth chart at RCB. He likely won't play in nickel or dime packages, and at this point in time, is more of a developmental player rather than a player that will make an impact in 2012.

Barring injuries in the secondary, don't expect Bolden to appear on the radar too much in his rookie season.

Grade: D

C Philip Blake

Speaking of non-existent rookies on Denver's roster, Philip Blake is the one that comes most to mind.

Blake is third on Denver's depth chart at center, behind J.D. Walton and C.J. Davis. To make matters worse, Blake has been stuck at third on Denver's depth chart since minicamp.

Blake was a fifth-round draft pick, and even though people didn't expect him to be the next Jeff Saturday, observers still expected him to at least push the inconsistent Walton.

Blake never came close, and thus far, has made the least progress of any of Denver's rookies.

Grade: F

DE Malik Jackson

Malik Jackson was Denver's second-to-last draft selection, and for a fifth-round draft pick, he has made an impact.

He had a sack in two of Denver's four preseason games and even had a forced fumble vs. San Francisco.

Jackson is currently the top backup to Derek Wolfe at left defensive end. Outside of Ronnie Hillman and Danny Trevathan, Jackson has the best opportunity to make an impact as a rookie backup for the Broncos in 2012.

Grade: A-

LB Danny Trevathan

Early on in training camp, Danny Trevathan was Denver's best rookie. 

He was one of the linebackers on the starting nickel defense, had gained the attention of the coaching staff, and with the impending suspension of D.J. Williams, had all of the opportunities in the world to move up the depth chart.

Well, a month makes a huge difference, and as of this writing, he is third on the team depth chart behind Wesley Woodyard and Keith Brooking at WLB.

Keep in mind that Brooking has barely practiced since signing with the Broncos and is 36 years old.

Trevathan's fast start quickly fizzled, but he did make the roster, and with Brooking on his last legs and the Broncos looking for linebackers to eventually replace nine-year veteran D.J. Williams, Trevathan should have his moments to shine in 2012.

Grade: C