Broncos Notebook: Quick observations from the second day of rookie minicamp

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After their first-ever NFL practice on Friday, the Broncos’ rookies were back on the field Saturday for the second day of rookie minicamp.

With the butterflies and the new-job smell in the rearview mirror, it was all work for the fresh-faced rookies. Here’s what we learned from the first portion of practice, which was open to the media.

• Once again, Drew Lock was on point on Saturday, not just with his accuracy, either. Rich Scangarello put he and Brett Rypien under center working on quick drops backs. Lock’s footwork was precise, and it didn’t appear he was having to put too much thought into it. His passes, however, were too hot to handle on multiple occasions as they flew right through receivers hands, specifically on routes in the middle of the field.
• Denver’s (first) second-round pick, Dalton Risner, continued to show off his versatility as he played multiple positions just during the individual period of practice. Vic Fangio said Risner could very well begin at left guard, but will “eventually” learn tackle and will “take a look” at center before training camp ends. The Colorado Native is in a league of his own among the offensive linemen during this minicamp.
• While on Friday first-round pick Noah Fant showed off his natural receiving abilities, he and his fellow tight ends were put in the trenches to develop their blocking abilities on Saturday. The tight ends were mixed in with the offensive lineman in blocking drills that were run by assistant offensive line coach Chris Kuper.
• Fifth-round pick Justin Hollins began practice working with the outside linebackers. According to Fangio, during Friday’s practice, Hollins played outside backer in the team’s base defense and inside backer in nickel. Fangio said he’ll continue to get work at both spots.
• Hollins initially playing with the outside linebackers allowed inside linebacker Joe Dineen to lead the way for Reggie Herring’s unit. Herring, the inside linebacker’s coach, was teaching Dineen along with two other UDFAs—Josh Watson from CSU and tryout player Chase Hancock.
• Sixth-round pick Juwann Winfree and UDFA Trinity Benson both made impressive extended catches near the sidelines while going against air. Both high passes were thrown by Rypien.
• John Elway and Matt Russell also took in practice, and like most of the media, were glued to the offense—aka the quarterbacks.
• Unlike the first practice, and unlike his boss, Vic Fangio stayed outside mainly with the defense the entire viewing period instead of taking in his young quarterbacks.
• UDFA Trinity Benson looks pretty big for a speedster. He’s listed at 6-feet, 180 pounds
• All 47 players were in attendance for a second straight day on Saturday.

The Broncos wrap up rookie minicamp with a final practice on Sunday before jumping into OTAs with the veterans on Monday.