Broncos’ OTA Observations: Rookies step up as stars step out

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. — The future flashed in front of the eyes of the Denver Broncos as they began their final week of OTA practices on Monday.

As the sun beat down on the practice field for the team’s first gathering in June, there was a clear veteran absence on both sides of the ball. But as John Mellencamp so gracefully sings, life goes on, and as every coach constantly preaches, next man up.

Here’s who was in attendance and what BSN Denver saw during the team’s seventh OTA practice on Monday.

RISE OF THE ROOKIES

A week after Von Miller stated, “You really can’t put too much into OTAs,” the star pass rusher backed up his words with his actions by not attending Monday’s session.

On the other side of the ball, Case Keenum was left without his two starting receivers, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, as both did not attend practice.

“Those guys have been here all year, not here today. It’s not mandatory, so no big deal,” head coach Vance Joseph said after practice, reminding the media OTAs are not mandatory. “Not a big deal for the guys that weren’t here.”

According to the head coach, both receivers had “personal matters” they had to attend to. But as for Miller, Joseph did not give an indication as to why he wasn’t at practice, other than saying, “It’s their time.”

“We can’t take roll. I’m not concerned about it,” Joseph added, attempting to dismiss the matter. “They’ve been here all year. We’re good. We coached the guys that are here today.”

In their absence, it was the future of the Broncos’ receiving corps that stepped up. For a third-straight week second-round pick Courtland Sutton looked like he belongs, not only on the field but with the starting unit.

However, this week it was fifth-round pick DaeSean Hamilton that caught Keenum’s attention. On the day, the 6-foot-1 receiver was clearly Case’s favorite target all over the field. While he did have a drop on the day, that didn’t stop the veteran quarterback looking his way early and often.

“So far so good with those two guys. 14 (Sutton) and 17 (Hamilton) are very mature football players,” Joseph said after practice. “Obviously [Thomas and Sanders] missed [practice], they pushed up to the first team and we didn’t miss a beat… I was very pleased with those two guys today.”

Also getting love from the head coach was 2017 fifth-round pick, Isaiah McKenzie. Joseph said he was “very impressed” with the young speedster as he played the slot receiver position at practice.

QUARTERBACK WATCH

The word of the day to best describe each of the quarterback’s play was inconsistent. From Keenum on down the depth chart, each signal-caller had impressive moments, while all of them also exhibited poor ball placement and throws they wish they had back.

Keenum’s most impressive throw on the day came on a goal-to-go-situation from the 10-yard line. The starting QB evaded pressure from the middle and rolled to his right, buying time for his receivers down the field. He then rocketed a pass in the back-right corner of the end zone to Jeff Heuerman, who secured the ball, and got the tips of his toes down in the end zone before falling out of bounds.

Without his starting receivers on the field, Keenum struggled to find a consistent rhythm with anyone other than Hamilton.

After overthrowing many receivers on routes headed to the sideline in the first half of practice, Paxton Lynch threw a risky, yet successful, dart to Tim Patrick in the middle of the field for a 10-yard touchdown.

The former first-round pick also had a nice touchdown pass to Jake Butt in the left corner of the end zone, although the tight end was relatively open after burning Josey Jewell in coverage. Lynch also consistently looked the way of receiver Kenny Bell, connecting with him many times.

As practice progressed, Chad Kelly picked up steam. After not doing anything to be noticed in the first half of practice, Kelly performed the best during the situational period at the end of practice.

In fourth-and-goal situations from varying distances, Kelly threw touchdowns to both John Diarse and Jordan Leslie using a mixture of touch and heat on the passes. Kelly was also nearly picked off by linebacker Kieshawn Bierria when he attempted to fit a pass in the middle of the field.

For the first time in the practices the media has been allowed to watch, fourth-string quarterback Nick Stevens received his first team reps. In front of the CSU coaching staff — who visited practice on Monday — Stevens went 1-for-2 (more below.)

DYNAMIC OFFENSE

Days after sharing that the no-huddle would be a part of the offense, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave put that on display.

Along with no huddle concepts, Musgrave continued to show just how different this offense will be from last season, showing creativity in formations, routes and using players all over the field, not just in one set position.

Last week, it was the defense that looked significantly different. This week, it was Musgrave’s creativity that stood out.

INJURIES MOUNTING

Along with the five players that did not practice the last two weeks — Ron Leary (knee soreness), Jordan Taylor (hips), Jared Veldheer (foot), Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) and Clinton McDonald (shoulder) — there were three additional players that sat out of practice on Monday.

Tight end Austin Traylor and offensive tackle Billy Turner did not practice, but were both on the field observing. Joseph did not give an update on why either player did not practice.

Shane Ray, on the other hand, missed practice due to a “sore wrist” — the same wrist he had three surgeries on last season that forced him to miss a total of eight games. After practice, Joseph said he wasn’t sure whether Ray would be back at practice on Tuesday, stating, “We’re taking it slow.”

“Just being smart with guys — it’s the spring,” the head coach said. “Our goal is to get him healthy for training camp, but right now we’re being smart with Shane.”

OTHER TIDBITS

• Every running back on Denver’s roster has been getting significant looks with many different offensive units. However, to be completely honest, it’s been difficult to get a read on who has been standing out. After practice, Joseph addressed that won’t come until training camp.
  • “Most backs are better in pads, so it’s hard to tell how good they are right now without pads,” Joseph explained. “But as far as the (blocking) assignment check, it’s been excellent.”
• After slimming down to 228 pounds, linebacker Brandon Marshall has been moving around noticeably well through the team’s first few weeks of OTAs. At 10 pounds lighter than he played last year, Marshall looks faster and quicker.
• Less than one week after DeMarcus Ware joined the Broncos as a “Pass rush consultant” for OTAs, the future Hall of Fame player was not in attendance at practice on Monday. Joseph did say the team hopes to have him back at practice “in a couple of weeks.”
• Second-year cornerback Brendan Langley continues to quietly impress during OTAs. While he hasn’t had consistent flashy plays, he’s been all over receivers when quarterbacks throw his way.
• Outside linebacker Marcus Rush made some noise, stripping Jake Butt after the tight end made a relatively routine catch five yards down the field. Fellow defensive player Justin Simmons was unable to pick up the ball before it rolled out of bounds.

PLAY OF THE DAY

After two weeks of receivers being on the receiving end of “Play of the day” honors, Case Keenum took things into his own hands, kind of.

As Case sat in the pocket with his eyes downfield, Keenum threw a bullet to an intended receiver in the middle of the field. However, as the ball reached the line of scrimmage, Adam Gotsis put his hands up and got a piece of the ball, sending it high into the air — a quarterback’s nightmare.

While the rest of the field lost sight of the ball, Keenum took off for it, catching the ball on its way down and taking off for the first-down marker.

With the quarterback completely off-limits to touch, it’s unsure exactly how far Keenum would have gained, but one thing is clear: Case isn’t afraid to run. Or catch.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

On a balmy 90-degree day, past foes became friends right in front of the media.

During Stevens’ first pass — and only completion — on the day, he found an open running back in the middle of the field for what would have been a nice pickup.

What made it the moment of the day, however, was who that running back was.

After being rivals for their entire careers during college, the former CSU quarterback looked in the direction of former CU running back Phillip Lindsay for the completion. Rocky Mountain Showdown enemies are now both climbing the uphill battle of attempting to make an NFL roster as undrafted players.

The more they help the other out, the more they’ll likely help themselves.