Broncos rookie stock report: One month into camp & preseason

Which way is the arrow trending for the Broncos' 2019 rookie class?

The Denver Broncos are moving on from the purity of training camp practices to more game-preparation oriented sessions. 

The last camp session that was open to the fans was on Tuesday and the Broncos will now soon turn their attention to the San Francisco 49ers and the joint-practices the two teams will hold.

Then we'll get another Broncos' preseason game on Monday night vs. the Niners. Meanwhile, with a month of Vic Fangio's first training camp as head coach in the books, our sample size on the Broncos' rookie class has grown. 

We've gotten to see each and every rookie in action. How has each young rookie looked and which way is the stock ticker pointing? Let's dive in.

Noah Fant, TE | First round | Stock up

Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

Snaps: 29

Key stats: three rec., 21 yards

Analysis: Fant's training camp started slow, as you might expect from a rookie entering the NFL. But things are beginning to "slow down" for him. 

So much of Fant's summer has been bogged down by the learning process but when he's been out on the field in the preseason, he's looked good — and perhaps in the least expected way. Fant has showcased a surprising aptitude for blocking, while hauling in three catches over two games in very limited reps. 

I'm encouraged by what I've seen from Fant so far, but fans should still mitigate their expectations somewhat. Fant will always have the potential to make an impact in every game. But look for things to really come together for him in the second half of the 2019 season. 

Dalton Risner, OG | Second round | Stock up

Alika Jenner/Getty

Snaps: 29

Analysis: The Broncos have been very selective with how many preseason reps they've given Risner but the reason for that is because he's already made himself indispensable. Inserted as the starting left guard on the Broncos' O-line, Risner has frankly played like the best guy in the starting five. 

There's no other way to quantify it. Risner's stock is sky-high. The Broncos seemingly have themselves a 10-year starter upfront. 

Drew Lock, QB | Second round | Stock up

Snaps: 76 snaps

Key stats: 24-of-39 (61.5%), 214 yards, one TD, one INT, one two-point conversion, sacked five times. 

Analysis: After a slightly underwhelming debut in the Hall of Fame Game, Lock stormed back in Game 2 vs. Seattle. He played nearly three full quarters and was able to get into a rhythm for the first time. 

In that game, Lock made about half a dozen big-boy throws that made me sit up and take notice. The type of throws that NFL dreams are made of. 

The more reps Lock has gotten, the better he's performed. Now the Broncos have chosen, and rightly so, to improve the quality of reps Lock is getting. One of the ways a team can do that is by giving Lock reps with better players. 

That's exactly what's happened since the Seahawks game, as Lock has exclusively operated the second-team offense. No question, his stock is on the rise. 

Dre'Mont Jones, DE | Third round | Stock static

Joe Robbins/Getty

Snaps: 73

Key stats: six tackles (four solo)

Analysis: Jones was quiet to open camp but stormed onto the screen in the HoFG. He was a constant threat to the Falcons' QBs and forced an ill-advised throw that led to a Trey Johnson interception. 

Jones was kind of quiet in Game 2 and drew a couple of defensive holding penalties. But the fouls were ticky-tack and likely wouldn't have been called in a game that counted. They were more point-of-emphasis calls than anything. 

Still, the Broncos' D-line was pushed around vs. the Seahawks and Jones kind of faded into the background and failed to make a positive impact. But it's nothing, I remind you, to write home about. Jones is doing just fine. 

Justin Hollins, LB | Fifth round | Stock static

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Snaps: 72

Key stats: five tackles (two solo)

Analysis: Hollins has been thrust into a unique situation as a rookie. The Broncos' coaching staff has asked him to learn two positions — inside and outside linebacker. 

The concern with that, is that he becomes a jack of all trades but a master of none. At 6-foot-5, he's super athletic and his height stands out when he's playing off-ball in the middle of the defense. 

When he's played on the edge, he's been able to create a few pressures but he hasn't gotten home quite yet. As it stands, for a player being asked to learn two positions, while he hasn't flashed yet, I'm not sure you could expect to ask for more than what Hollins has produced thus far. 

Juwann Winfree, WR | Sixth round | Stock up

Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

Snaps: 53

Key stats: one rec., 15 yards, one TD, one two-point conversion

Analysis: Call it the 'clutch gene' but Winfree, through two preseason games, has found a way to play his best ball when it matters most. In both the HoFG and vs. the Seahawks, Winfree was quiet throughout the contest but came through bigtime for his team int he clutch. 

In Game 1, Winfree hauled in the game-winning touchdown in acrobatic fashion and in Game 2, Drew Lock threaded the needle to Winfree, who secured the catch in traffic and took a sandwich shot from two Seahawks defenders for his trouble. 

Winfree's stock is most definitely trending upward in the eyes of the Broncos. He might have started out camp on uncertain ground, but he's headed for the 53-man roster.

Undrafted rookies 

Malik Reed :: Scott W. Grau/Getty

Standout(s): Malik Reed (OLB), Khalfani Muhammad (RB), John Leglue (OL), Josh Watson (LB).

Analysis: No doubt, Reed has been the star of his group. He leads the Broncos in sacks with two (one in each game) and has played well enough to bounce Jeff Holland off the roster. Earmark the Broncos' OLB4 slot for Reed. 

Brett Rypien, QB: I'd like to see more from Rypien but the Broncos held him out of Game 2 completely, after he led the game-winning drive in the HoFG. I'd say his stock currently is static but a good performance in Game 3 vs. San Fran would go a long way toward giving him some momentum, while also providing the Broncos the reassurance to cut bait with the increasingly obsolescent Kevin Hogan. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.