Broncos Training Camp: Takeaways, Awards & Players on Thin Ice
Englewood, Colo. — The Denver Broncos' three-week training camp is officially in the books. On Thursday, the Broncos hosted the Dallas Cowboys in a joint practice that saw a ferocious Denver defense and dynamic, playmaking offense.
Thursday’s practice was a rehearsal, if you will, before the Broncos and Cowboys square off on Saturday night in Denver for each team’s first preseason matchup. Broncos' head coach Nathaniel Hackett explained that the joint practice was “unbelievably important,” and that the “preseason mindset is limited" — furthering the old maxim: NFL preseason games don’t count, but they do matter.
While I thought the Broncos had their best practice of the entire training camp on Thursday, it’s important to reflect on my critical takeaways after covering all 14 practices as Mile High Huddle's boots on the ground. Let's hand out awards and highlight those players currently on thin ice.
Offensive Camp Standout: TE Eric Saubert
Defensive Camp Standout: OLB Baron Browning
Most Improved Player: Center Lloyd Cushenberry III
Training Camp MVP: QB Russell Wilson
Players who Could be in Jeopardy
- WR Seth Williams: He's loaded with playmaking ability and physical potential but has failed to demonstrate reliability in a new-look offense.
- OL Graham Glasgow: He's been primarily working with the third team as rookie center Luke Wattenberg is currently backup to Cushenberry.
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam: He's poised to make the team and is currently TE1 but has failed to take over as a reliable receiving option. Potential trade bait?
- DL McTelvin Agim: He threw punches at a teammate last week in fully padded practice, then inserted himself in a scuffle with Cowboys (practice).
- OLB Jonathon Cooper: He's quickly losing ground behind Jonathan Kongbo and has had an average training camp. He needs to have impactful preseason.
- LB Alex Singleton: He's severely limited athletically and has been lost in the mix during team period. He must make an impact on special teams in preseason.
- CB Michael Ojemudia: He started training camp hot, then fizzled out the last two weeks. Rookie CB Damarri Mathis is quickly ascending in the depth chart.
- Safety Caden Sterns: Sterns is athletic and hardworking, but he's continually out of position with missed assignments in team period.
- WR/KR Kendall Hinton: Although he caught a touchdown from Wilson in the red-zone period of Cowboys practice, there may not be enough room in the wideout corps with the emergence of rookie phenom Montrell Washington.
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