Broncos Roundtable: Breaking down the biggest storylines entering training camp

 

It’s almost that time.

Summer heat is in full swing, baseball is on the home stretch and, most importantly, football is nearly back on the field.

On Thursday, July 18, the Broncos will be the first team in the NFL to kickoff their 2019 training camp. As always, BSN Denver will have their boots on the grass, literally, every single day.

Here’s what you need to know entering the team’s first camp under Vic Fangio.

BIGGEST STORYLINE ENTERING TRAINING CAMP

Ryan

Health — Joe Flacco is interesting, the two news systems on offense and defense will be fun to follow, but the key to this season for the Broncos lies within the health of their offense.

Between Emmanuel Sanders, Phillip Lindsay and Ron Leary, the fate of the offense relies within the recovery from three serious injuries. We saw what the offense looks like without Sanders and Lindsay and the Broncos can’t afford any issues on the offensive line.

If Denver can get all of those guys fully involved before the end of camp, and stay relatively healthy elsewhere, camp will be considered a success.

Zac

Drew Lock’s development — Let me be crystal clear, much as John Elway and Vic Fangio have been surrounding this topic for the past few months: Joe Flacco is the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback.

Flacco’s got the job locked up not just for the start of camp, but for Week 1. So why is Lock, a man competing for the backup spot, the biggest storyline entering training camp?

It’s because this is bigger than just this year. During training camp, Drew can nearly lock up the starting role down the road.

If the 6-foot-4, 228-pound quarterback absolutely lights it up during camp and the preseason, it will be much easier for Elway and Fangio to pull the plug on Flacco at any point during the 2018 season if things go astray.

If Lock lights it up and the season doesn’t go awry for Flacco and the Broncos, it will still be easy for Denver to crown Lock the guy after this year unless the team finds postseason success.

If, however, the promising second-round pick struggles in camp, Flacco will be much more comfortable in his role as Denver’s starting signal-caller, not just for the entirety of 2019, but beyond.

Andre

How healthy are the top skill players? — On paper, with everyone at full strength, Denver’s offense should be able to do some things this year, but that’s a pretty big if.

With injuries on the offensive line and the tight end room seemingly always banged up, there are some concerns that’ll need to be eased in training camp.

More importantly, the two most dynamic skill players, Emmanuel Sanders and Phillip Lindsay, need to prove they’re back at 100 percent.

Sanders’ speed, quickness, versatility to play outside or in the slot, and ability to get open on key downs are all essential for the passing attack to succeed. Without him, Denver’s receiving corp is really green and could struggle if they don’t have that veteran presence raising the level of play and forcing defenses to key in on him, which in turn will open up space for the young receivers.

Lindsay’s big-play ability both as a runner and receiver make the Broncos offense much more dynamic. If Lindsay’s wrist isn’t 100-percent though, there will be legitimate concerns about his receiving ability which would hinder a lot of his value, as his diminutive size will limit him from getting tons of carries as a runner. Given the Broncos lack of depth at running back, Lindsay needs to be a featured weapon.

Sanders and Lindsay being healthy completely changes Denver’s offense, how they progress through camp should be the storyline in camp.

MOST INTRIGUING ROSTER BATTLE

Ryan

Issac Yiadom vs. De’Vante Bausby — To be honest, the intriguing camp battles are few and far between, but I’m interested in this one because I think there’s an upset in the making.

While Yiadom has the advantage as a former third-round pick, Bausby played very well during OTAs in the absence of Chris Harris and Yiadom.

As the all-time leader in AAF interceptions, Bausby has a nose for the ball and intriguing length. Don’t be surprised to see him find his way onto the field.

Zac

Von vs. Chubb — Nothing is at stake in this battle, per se. But during the offseason, outside of the building an intriguing competition has brewed among Denver’s two star pass rushers.

It’s the up-and-coming Bradley Chubb battling for the top defensive spotlight with future Hall of Famer Von Miller.

Last year at this time, there was no question which player was better and was poised for more sacks. But now, with a full season under his belt, many believe Chubb is pushing Von for that heavyweight belt.

Vic Fangio’s comments praising Chubb and challenging Von have only added fuel to this fun fire.

Both players looked stellar in OTAs and mandatory minicamp. During the season, all eyes will be on which of the two has more sacks.

If both push each other, that will only mean great things for Vic Fangio’s squad. Training camp will shine a significant amount of light on this oh so exciting battle.

Andre

Can anyone supplant Davis and Jewell? — I wrote extensively about the underrated options at inside linebacker in this film breakdown, and while no one out of Justin Hollins, Joseph Jones, or undrafted standout Joe Dineen is a proven entity, they’re all fairly intriguing, especially the first two.

When you look at Vic Fangio’s defense, the two things that are missing for the unit to become elite are a stud interior penetrator and a trustworthy cover linebacker. Hollins and Jones, in their own unique ways, could be the missing piece at inside backer making Denver much harder to beat over the middle.

Jones’ athleticism and instincts are enticing, and Hollins has the combination of length, speed, and IQ to make an impact sooner rather than later.

Todd Davis and Josey Jewell aren’t bad NFL players they’re just limited athletes, a limitation that especially shows when they need to turn and run in coverage. If they remain the starters, it’ll be very telling as to how Fangio plans to alter his defense and the duties linebackers have in coverage.

THE TRAINING CAMP DARLING WILL BE

Ryan

Juwann Winfree — Back to back Buffs, baby.

After Phillip Lindsay stole the show last season, it may just be Juwan Winfree who makes a grand impression this year.

The Broncos took a flyer on Winfree in the sixth round after he dealt with a plethora of injuries in college, but his talent is undeniable. The rookie is a tactician with his route running and boasts fantastic hands to go along with that.

With the fourth receiver position up for grabs, Winfree may make a run at playing time in year one.

Zac

THE BAUS — On the field, De’Vante Bausby can flat out play ball.

Before signing with the Broncos earlier this year, the 26-year old led the AAF in interceptions. Once with Denver, Bausby was exceptional as a cover corner, locking down Courtland Sutton on multiple occasions.

It would be no surprise whatsoever if Bausby has a Lorenzo Doss-type training camp—when Doss was picking off Mark Sanchez left and right during the 2016 camp.

However, as common with training camp darlings, Bausby’s stellar success might not lead to impactful playing time.

During the offseason, Fangio publicly questioned Bausby’s effort level and consistency. If that maintains, regardless of his success during camp, Bausby could very well be known as nothing more than a training camp darling.

Dre’Mont Jones, Troy Fumagalli and Drew Lock were also finalists for this prestigious nomination.

Andre

Joseph Jones, the next unheralded starting linebacker — I’m sticking with one of my guys here and really think Jones will start to turn heads once camp begins.

For starters, Jones is such a valuable special teamer on kick coverage that he’s close to a lock to make the roster. His contract is also so modest that the team has no incentive to cut him and save money, like they would with a veteran like Todd Davis.

Jones has just been really good in the flashes he’s shown. He’s instinctive and flies to the ball with a tremendous motor, making the 25-year old an asset against the run despite being slightly undersized at 6-foot and 240 pounds.

His athleticism stands out sideline-to-sideline, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder, which you’d expect from an undrafted special-teams stalwart, a nice quality to have in a linebacker.

More importantly, the Northwestern product is smart and mobile enough to be the go-to inside backer in Fangio’s scheme, a position that’s very much up for grabs. Jones seems poised to be the next unheralded middle linebacker to follow in Wesley Woodyard, Danny Trevathan, and Brandon Marshall’s footsteps.

Dre’Mont Jones would be my runner up here, especially with Denver’s need for more interior pressure. I’m also intrigued by some of the undrafted weapons on offense, starting with Kelvin McKnight but just need to see more before the hype train begins.