Denver Broncos Rookie Report at Season's Quarter Mark
The Denver Broncos had a bye in Week 4. They went into their bye with a 2-1 record coming off their first loss of the season suffered at the hands of the world champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
The Broncos have a roster chock-full of stars who are veterans of the game. They do have a nice mix of young players, including a rookie class with some upside.
NFL head coaches will often refer to the regular season in quarters. Coming out of Week 4, the season is one-quarter complete.
Let’s take a look at the rookie class and their progress report through this season.
1st Round: CB Bradley Roby
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In the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected cornerback Bradley Roby out of Ohio State. Roby was one of the fastest players in the draft, and his speed was his best asset on film for the Buckeyes.
That speed was evident right off the bat when Roby started practicing for the Broncos at rookie minicamp. Roby has the speed to stay with the fastest receivers on downfield routes. He also has good click-and-close ability when the play breaks down in front of him.
The Broncos have needed Roby sooner than some originally thought.
Starting cornerback Chris Harris is coming back from a partially-torn ACL, and the Broncos have somewhat limited his snaps in the first three games of the season. Second-year corner Kayvon Webster was inactive for the team’s first game, and Roby was asked to play a big role against the Indianapolis Colts.
Over three games, Roby has played 169 snaps for the Broncos. During the regular season, he has recorded 18 tackles and one fumble recovery. Opposing quarterbacks have gone after Roby somewhat regularly when he’s on the field. Roby has responded with three pass breakups.
Roby has amazing natural ability and supreme confidence in himself. These attributes could help make Roby a superstar shutdown corner in the NFL.
2nd Round: WR Cody Latimer
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In the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected wide receiver Cody Latimer out of Indiana University. During his final season with the Hoosiers, Latimer made big plays on short and long passes. He is a large target that can run the entire route tree.
Latimer immediately stood out during minicamp for the Broncos. His circus catches became a regular occurence out at training camp as well. Latimer worked with the second- and third-team offenses in training camp, but he stayed after practice every day to get tips from Emmanuel Sanders and Peyton Manning.
Over the course of the preseason, Latimer hauled in five catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. During the regular season, Latimer has only been active for one game. He’s been inactive for the Broncos in Week 2 and Week 3.
Broncos head coach John Fox says that Latimer being inactive is no reflection on his ability.
“They don’t let us suit everybody up. We have to make a decision every week. The good news is those are tough decisions. I think when [WR] Wes [Welker] was out it gave him more of an opportunity. Now that Wes is back, we’ve got decisions to make and not everybody gets a uniform.”
Fox continued, “This is about numbers, no different than when we cut from 75 to 53. We have to go from 53 to 46 every Sunday or whenever the game is.”
Latimer is one of the most naturally talented wide receivers to enter the league this year. He’s not playing now, but when he does get a chance to prove himself we could see the birth of a star player for the Broncos.
3rd Round: OT Michael Schofield
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In the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected offensive tackle Michael Schofield out of the University of Michigan. During his time playing for the Wolverines, Schofield excelled at both right tackle and left guard.
He’s a huge prospect, measuring in at 6’7”, 301 pounds, and Schofield has a large wingspan which helps him control opponents at the point of attack. He worked at both right tackle and left guard for the Broncos during training camp.
Schofield made the final roster, but he’s only working as a reserve offensive lineman. He’ll continue to work as a backup player with the idea that one day he could be developed into a starter.
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5th Round: LB Lamin Barrow
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In the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected linebacker Lamin Barrow out of Louisiana State University. He was an excellent coverage linebacker for the Bayou Bengals, and Barrow has a nose for the ball as the play unfolds in front of him.
Barrow was added to play middle linebacker for the Broncos. He worked primarily at that position during minicamp and training camp. Once weak-side linebacker Danny Trevathan went down with a leg injury in training camp, Barrow was moved to that position to help depth.
During the preseason, Barrow had eight tackles in four games. Over the course of the regular season, Barrow has played sparingly but racked up four tackles.
Barrow has the upside to be a quality starter for the Broncos. His athleticism and position versatility will help him be a solid pro if he plays up to his potential.
6th Round: C Matt Paradis
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In the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected center Matt Paradis out of Boise State. In high school, Paradis was a small-school standout playing eight-man football. After walking on with Boise State, Paradis worked hard to be a quality college player. Paradis was known as a smart player with toughness as he transitioned from defensive lineman to center during his sophomore season.
When selected by the Broncos, Paradis felt amazing to be on the same team as Peyton Manning.
“It’s pretty surreal. I came from a really small town as a walk-on, and it’s just kind of a situation you never think can happen and it happened. It’s pretty amazing.”
Paradis did not make the active roster, but the team saw enough in training camp to put him on the practice squad. He will work as a developmental interior lineman and center for Denver going forward.
7th Round: LB Corey Nelson
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In the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft, the Broncos selected linebacker Corey Nelson out of the University of Oklahoma. As a member of the Sooners, Nelson stood out because of his position and scheme versatility. He’s a three-down player with the ability to make plays in coverage, and Nelson can play outside or inside linebacker.
After he was selected by the Broncos, Nelson commented on his versatility.
"I feel like my style of play—I have a knack for finding the ball," he said. "Explosive, fast, can run sideline to sideline, pretty strong. And I would say covering and playing inside the box, I can do both of those well since I played in two separate defenses at Oklahoma. I can do both of those pretty well, I can play in both of those, depending on wherever the coach wants to put me."
Nelson has one tackle during the regular season. During the preseason, Nelson totaled 18 tackles over the course of four games. Even though he was a late-round pick, Nelson has the developmental upside to be a quality reserve player for years to come.
Undrafted Free Agent: RB Juwan Thompson
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After the 2014 NFL draft, one college free agent the Broncos signed was running back Juwan Thompson out of Duke University. In college, Thompson was a multipurpose player as he lined up at running back, fullback and even played linebacker for the defense. Thompson is a bruising back who can move the sticks in short-yardage situations.
It was clear early in camp that Thompson had what it takes to make an active roster in the NFL. That evidence was even stronger when Thompson became a standout player during the preseason with 29 carries for 143 yards in four games. Thompson ran over the competition and into the hearts of Broncos fans.
Thompson has not received any carries during the regular season. There are some fans calling for Thompson to get some playing time due to starter Montee Ball struggling. That scenario is not impossible, but it does have to be considered a long shot as Thompson is fourth on the depth chart behind Ball, C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.
Undrafted Free Agent: WR Isaiah Burse
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Another undrafted free agent that made the final roster is wide receiver Isaiah Burse out of Fresno State. In college, Burse was known as a slot receiver with big-play ability and a quality return man. Burse is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, and he can easily make defenders miss in the open field.
During training camp, Burse was getting outplayed as both a receiver and a return man by veteran Jordan Norwood. When Norwood was lost for the season due to a knee injury, the door was opened for Burse to make the final roster.
Burse has not broken off any big returns for the Broncos, but he is doing a good job of securing the punts when they come in. In the preseason, Burse had four catches for 65 yards—all coming in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. In the regular season, Burse has five punt returns for 19 yards.
Undrafted Free Agents: Practice Squad
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In addition to sixth-round pick Matt Paradis, the Broncos have a few other rookies that didn’t make their active roster but instead found a home on the practice squad.
Kapri Bibbs, running back from Colorado State, had a chance at making the final roster. The team decided to put him on the practice squad as a developmental player. Bibbs ran with good balance and explosiveness in the preseason. In addition, Bibbs also showed well as a receiver out of the backfield.
Shaquil Barrett, linebacker from Colorado State, has a nose for the play and rarely takes false steps on his way to the ball. Barrett can get after the passer, and he has a knack for forcing fumbles.
Bennie Fowler, wide receiver from Michigan State, showed well during training camp and the preseason for the Broncos. He’s a big target with good run-after-the-catch ability. Fowler can make difficult catches seem routine, and he’s a good red-zone target because of his willingness to box out smaller defenders for the ball.
Zach Thompson, defensive end from Wake Forest, was originally signed as a college free agent by the New York Jets. He failed to make the final roster, and the Broncos signed him to their practice squad on Sept. 1st. During his time in college, Thompson compiled 151 tackles, 22 for a loss, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four passes defensed and two interceptions.
Undrafted free agents Greg Latta, Chase Vaughn and Kenny Anunike have all been placed on season-ending injured reserve with various injuries.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record information provided via email from the Denver Broncos. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.
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