Buying or Selling Denver Broncos Week 1 Preseason Standouts
The Denver Broncos began the preseason with a win over the world champion Seattle Seahawks, 21-16 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
During the game, there were many players who stood out for the Broncos. Some were free-agent additions who made an instant impact with their new team. Other standouts were young players—some undrafted—who wanted to shine with their opportunity at the pro level.
As the preseason goes on, the young players will need to continue standing out if they want to make the final roster. Older veterans want to keep building momentum for the start of the regular season.
So can we trust these Week 1 preseason standouts to keep performing through the preseason? Or should Broncos fans be selling the idea of these players continuing their success? Let’s take a look.
Buy: Juwan Thompson
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The Denver Broncos picked up three running backs as college free agents after the draft earlier this year. Juwan Thompson, Brennan Clay and Kapri Bibbs were added to the roster to bolster the running back depth.
It didn’t take long for Thompson to emerge from the pack.
Thompson is a good all-purpose runner who can contribute as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. He’s a running back/fullback ‘tweener who is arguably the best pass-protecting back the team has.
In the game against the Seahawks, Thompson finished with six carries for 59 yards. His long carry went for 20 yards, and he trucked over the tackler at the end of the run. This power play certainly grabbed the attention of Broncos fans, and it emphasized what he could do at the pro level.
The first depth chart the Broncos released revealed that Thompson was fourth on the depth chart behind Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson. So long as he keeps up his preseason performance, Thompson should make the final roster.
Thompson has the ability to continue this preseason hype train. With Ball (appendectomy) and Anderson (concussion) out of practice, Thompson has been able to showcase his talent with a larger opportunity.
Sell: Ronnie Hillman
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Starting running back Montee Ball is currently missing time due to an appendectomy he had last week. We may not see Ball get any playing time in the preseason as the team prepares him for the start of the regular season. In the meantime, the top back on the depth chart is third-year pro Ronnie Hillman.
Rewind a year ago, and Hillman was the first-string back for the Broncos. Knowshon Moreno was still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and Ball was an inexperienced rookie. Three fumbles in the preseason (two returned for touchdowns) caused Hillman to tumble down the depth chart.
This year, Hillman is getting a fresh start.
Hillman ran with the first team during the preseason game against the Seahawks. He ended the contest with six carries for 15 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Hillman made plays against the Seahawks, but their defense was playing without two run-stuffers in linebacker Bobby Wagner and strong safety Kam Chancellor. Had those two players been in the game, perhaps Hillman would have been stopped at the goal line.
Most importantly, Hillman didn’t fumble the ball.
So long as he hangs onto the rock, Hillman could hold onto the change-of-pace back role behind Ball. He is the fastest back on the roster, and his explosiveness could come in handy on a team that features the league’s best passing game.
Expecting Hillman to go through the preseason without fumbling is a hazardous outlook. He has the reputation as a fumbler and teams are going to test him on every carry.
Buy: DeMarcus Ware
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One of the biggest moves in free agency—across the entire league—was the Broncos acquisition of future Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Coming off a disappointing six-sack season in Dallas, Ware is looking to bounce back this year with his new team.
Ware was bothered by an elbow injury last year, and it caused pain on every snap that he played through. His elbow is not 100 percent, but Ware feels close to full strength. He’s certainly been playing like a guy who is healthy—and a guy who has something to prove.
During minicamp, OTAs and training camp, Ware has been a standout player. He has the speed to get around the corner quickly. Ware also has the closing burst and length to get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye.
His snap anticipation is still elite, and this helps him get off the line of scrimmage cleanly. Ware is more than just a speed guy, and he has multiple moves to get into the backfield.
Against the Seahawks, Ware had a good night. He finished the game with one sack, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit. Ware put pressure on Russell Wilson on almost every snap.
Yes, the Seahawks were playing without starting left tackle Russell Okung, but Ware has looked great in practice against Broncos All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady.
Broncos fans should have confidence that Ware can compile at least double-digit sacks in 2014.
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Sell: Tony Carter
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Veterans who are on the bubble get plenty of playing time in the preseason. Cornerback Tony Carter has been in the league since he came out of Florida State as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He has played with a chip on his shoulder from day one, and Carter has made a few plays during his pro career.
Carter does not back down from a challenge. He can be matched up against a top receiver, and he still believes in his ability to cover him. Carter is a feisty veteran who likes to take chances in coverage.
This ability can work against him.
Carter will bait quarterbacks into bad throws, but if he misses it leads to big plays. He’s always looking for the interception, but he can play with bad timing as the pass is coming in.
Against the Seahawks, Carter was among the leaders in tackles with three (all solo) on the night. Broncos fans should look at Carter as a player who will gamble and take too many chances. He’s not a lock to make the final roster, and Carter will have to shine in the preseason if he wants to stay with the Broncos.
Buy: Brock Osweiler
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The Broncos are grooming Brock Osweiler to be the quarterback of the future. Drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, Osweiler has been studying and developing behind Peyton Manning since then.
Against the Seahawks, Osweiler looked good on most throws.
He finished the game 6-of-12 passing for 85 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Osweiler also scrambles six times for 17 yards against Seattle.
The interception was a bad throw that he forced to tight end (and former college teammate) Gerell Robinson. Osweiler made an off-platform throw, when he could have set his feet for better accuracy. The read was correct, but his mechanics were off and he was late with the pass.
Osweiler had some receivers let him down. Undrafted rookie Bennie Fowler dropped a pass in the second half, but Osweiler came back to him on the very next play. He split two defenders with the ball, and Fowler gathered in the catch.
Undrafted rookie Greg Hardin was on the other end of a 45-yard pass from Osweiler. Hardin lost the pass in the lights, and the perfectly thrown deep pass fell incomplete near the sideline.
Osweiler had exceptional pass placement on most throws—including the 34-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Norwood. The third-year quarterback led his receiver perfectly, and Norwood was able to haul in the pass for the game-winning score.
I interviewed Osweiler on Tuesday out at Dove Valley on my ESPN radio show in Denver. He was feeling good about his comfort within the Adam Gase offense.
“My confidence is at a level I could only dream of two years ago.” Osweiler exclaimed. When asked if he was ready to take over as the starter if needed, Osweiler proclaimed “Without question I’m ready.”
Broncos fans should know that Osweiler should continue to look good as the preseason goes on.
Honorable Mentions
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There are a few players to keep monitoring as the preseason continues.
Jordan Norwood is currently listed as the sixth wide receiver on the depth chart. He has a chance of making the final roster—and that’s the only way he can make the team as his practice squad eligibility has run out. Norwood is a savvy route-runner with good concentration, and he can help on special teams as a return man. His primary competition right now is UDFA Isaiah Burse.
Kapri Bibbs scored a touchdown against the Seahawks, but he fumbled the rock as he crossed the goal line. The UDFA rookie back was a standout player with over 1,700 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns at Colorado State last year, and he’s fighting to win a roster spot with guys like Juwan Thompson, Brennan Clay and Jerodis Williams.
Corey Nelson led the team in tackles (5) on Thursday night against the Seahawks. The 2014 seventh-round pick was flying all over the field during the final quarter of the game. He has the speed, explosion and nose for the ball to make it in the NFL. Week 1 of the preseason was a good start for the former Sooners star.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.
Cecil Lammey can be followed on Twitter @CecilLammey
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