Broncos’ Mini Camp Observations: Another big day from a rookie receiver

Editor’s note: Welcome into one of many, many BSN Denver observation pieces to come this offseason. A fan favorite in the past, these stories will be posted anytime we get a view of the Broncos on the field between now and the end of training camp. Who is standing out, who is lagging behind and who is looking like the favorite in each of the position battles? Those questions and many more will be answered right here.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Oh, how time flies when you’re having fun.

On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos wrapped up their final full-speed practice of the offseason conditioning program — Thursday’s practice will be a “cap day,” according to head coach Vance Joseph — that began way back in April.

Following Tuesday’s “long” practice, in which Joseph challenged all of his players with a difficult practice that he described as a “grind,” Wednesday had a similar feel to it.

Here’s who will be riding into the summer break on a high note along with everything else BSN Denver observed from the UCHealth Training Center on Wednesday.

Next stop: Training camp.

HAVE A DAE-SEAN

Fourth-Round pick DaeSean Hamilton is quickly evolving from a “Diamond in the rough,” as Emmanuel Sanders called him during OTAs, to Case Keenum’s favorite target.

For a second day during the team’s offseason program, the rookie receiver was Keenum’s favorite target as No. 4 turned to him early and often.

“DaeSean is just in the right place at the right time,” Keenum said during mandatory mini camp. “He doesn’t act like a rookie, and he’s not playing like a rookie. To have a receiver that you can count on to be in the right place at the right time, that’s always a huge plus.”

After practice on Wednesday, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave spoke to Hamilton’s maturity and understanding of the game as to why he’s allowing him to get so many opportunities with the first-team offense.

No. 17 took advantage of those opportunities, as well, brining in multiple passes from the starting quarterback. It was one play, however, that ended the day as the “Play of the day” runner-up.

With Bradley Roby in tight coverage, Keenum tossed one up to Hamilton down the right sideline 30 yards downfield. Hamilton grabbed the ball out of the air and then hit the backward juke stick to avoid a defender and continue down the sidelines.

CYCLING THROUGH RUNNING BACKS

Last year, C.J. Anderson turned to cycling to stay in shape during the offseason.

This year, without Anderson, the Broncos are cycling through their stable of running backs to find his replacement.

“Most backs are better in pads, so it’s hard to tell how good they are right now without pads,” Joseph said when asked to evaluate the running backs. “As far as assignment check, it’s been excellent.”

While it’s difficult to truly evaluate the running back position during OTAs and mini camp, the Broncos are letting everyone get a shot.

From Devontae Booker, the veteran of the group, to undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay, all five of the team’s running backs have rotated with multiple different units during the offseason program. Wednesday was no different.

In the first seven plays with the first-team unit on Wednesday, all five of Denver’s running backs had been on the field. After practice, Musgrave admitted that even the smallest and most under-valued player — in terms of draft position — Lindsay, had seen the field a lot with the ones.

Also after practice, the head coach highlighted the veteran of the group.

“I’ve been impressed with his football I.Q,” Joseph said of Booker. “We want two or three guys to be our main corps of backs, but ‘Book is definitely going to be in that mix. He’s our most experienced back, so I am expecting big things from ‘Book.”

Once the pads come on in training camp, the evaluation will quickly begin. Until then, every back has had a fair opportunity to show what they’ve got.

INJURIES PILING UP

Along with the five players that haven’t practiced all offseason — Ron Leary (knee soreness), Jordan Taylor (hips), Jared Veldheer (foot), Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) and Clinton McDonald (shoulder) — four other players did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

Demaryius Thomas was on the sidelines the entire practice after “tweaking” his foot. He sat out the team portion of practice on Tuesday as well.

Kenny Bell was also on the sidelines as “he’s been nicked all offseason,” according to Joseph.

The most intriguing injury on the day was to former third-round pick Carlos Henderson. After practice, the head coach stated Henderson suffered a hamstring injury in Phase Two of the offseason conditioning program and decided to have him not practice on Wednesday.

Joseph followed that up with a bold statement after, adding, “He’s got to get back on the field if he wants to make this football team.”

Shane Ray was also not at practice as he is getting set for his fourth wrist surgery on Thursday.

OTHER TIDBITS

• Jake Butt was incredibly impressive in the area the Broncos desperately hope he can help them: The red zone. At one point in practice, Denver’s offense had two touchdowns. Both were catches from Butt in goal-to-go scenarios — one from Keenum and one from Paxton Lynch.
• As a unit, the quarterbacks had an impressive day going up against a stout Joe Woods defense. With pressure constantly in their face, all three quarterbacks performed well.
  • To end practice, Keenum and Lynch — Kelly wasn’t given an opportunity — drove both of their respective units down the field in a hurry-up, no-huddle, end-of-game situation and both came away with field goals, which impressed their head coach.
• Much as he has for the entire offseason, Gary Kubiak once again was on the field for the entirety of both Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices along with other big names such as Matt Russell and even former CU Buffs head coach Gary Barnett.
• Jerrol Garcia-Williams has been seeing the field a good bit, specifically on the edge. He’s a player to keep an eye on as training camp rolls around.
• Chris Harris Jr. was at practice less than 24 hours after he and his wife, Leah, welcomed in another member of their family, Aliyah.
• Wide receiver Tim Patrick has caught the eyes of many, including the coaching staff and he’s seeing the field more and more.

PLAY OF THE DAY

Second-round pick Courtland Sutton continues to make highlight-reel plays, and Wednesday was no different.

In a crowd of defenders, led by safety Dymonte Thomas, the ultra-talented receiver stormed 30 yards down the field, adjusted for a back-shoulder catch on a sharp pass from Lynch and positioned his body perfectly for the ball to zip right into his left arm.

After immediately securing the ball with just his left hand, Sutton touched both of his feet down in bounds, completing the catch before falling out.

At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, Sutton has impressed all over the field, but his playmaking abilities down the field in 50-50 balls have been unmatched by anyone else this offseason.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Hours after signing with the Broncos to be their pass rush specialist for the entire 2018 season, DeMarcus Ware was out on the field with his sleeveless shirt tucked into his athletic shorts, doing his best to resemble a coach.

With his arms potentially more toned than any player on the team — a testament to him more than anything else — Ware was surrounded by players of all different types the entirely of practice. After working with the outside linebackers at the beginning of practice, Ware moved inside to work with the defensive lineman.

But along with Ware just being on the field, the moment of the day came when he and Bradley Chubb worked one-on-one on the sideline. For over five minutes, Ware was going through moves with Chubb, showing him tips from a future Hall of Fame pass rusher.

Adam Gotsis was also spotted pulling Ware off to the side and picking his brain.

The sound-bite of the day was also from Ware when he was asked if he could still give the Broncos 10 snaps a game.

“I could actually give them 25,” he said with a big smile, “but we’re not gonna talk about that.”

Ware will be with the team throughout the entire season, but will only work about four times a month, according to Joseph.

“Watching him teach pass rush is special,” the head coach said. “He has so much knowledge.”