Throughout the entire 2017-18 season, BSN Denver will be giving you game grades from every Denver Broncos contest. In the preseason, with so many different players on the field, we’re focused on the starters but also gave out grades to every unit’s backup group, allowing us to highlight some of the more notable performances of the night.

After a tight win against the Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos move on to 3-0 on the preseason, keeping Vance Joseph undefeated as a head coach. Here’s who stood out and who didn’t in the third preseason game.

Defense

Domata Peko: B+

Peko stood out most for his pursuit to get back and hit Martellus Bennett to the ground while he was being stood up by two other Broncos. He won’t create much penetration, but he holds his ground and is just about impossible to move off his spot. Another solid outing for the veteran who looks ready to go.

Zach Kerr: N/A

Kerr was partially guilty for the Packers’ first big run of the game as he wasn’t able to disengage from his block. His game ended shortly afterward, though, as he suffered an untimely injury for the Broncos defensive front, which is thinning out quickly.

Adam Gotsis: B-

Gotsis looked fairly stout against the run and had probably his best game in taking on double teams. The motor is there, he’s just not creating enough pressure so far. His one stand out negative play was on the goal line, where he was blown up on the Packers’ touchdown run. He did play a lot and mostly did well, while also getting credited for a sack on a hustle pressure where Brett Hundley gave himself up.

Backup defensive line: A+

Shelby Harris is probably the game’s MVP. He had a nice tackle for a loss against the run in the second quarter. Then created a great sack off a bull rush, showing his power later on in the quarter, and created another pressure shortly there after. He was then crucial on a stop on 4th-and-1, penetrating and closing on the play in a hurry. His ability to generate pressure consistently stood out. With the depth on the front-three lacking he’s made a strong case for himself.

READ: Shelby Harris’ teammates all but declare his spot on the 53-man roster

Tyrique Jarrett has looked competent this preseason and did again. He’s a solid nose tackle who can plug gaps with his size, but has actually shown some decent mobility and intriguing talent in creating penetration. He would make for a nice addition to the practice squad if he doesn’t make the 53 and can clear waivers.

Shakir Soto made a great play down in the red zone forcing a run for no gain.

Von Miller: A-

In his first actual game of the year, Von was unable to get pressure on his first big chance on 3rd-and-6, where he was isolated one-on-one against Packers right tackle Kyle Murphy. He quickly made up for it three plays later on a spectacular spin move that led to a sack. The beauty of his spin gives him an A. He might not have looked his absolute best, but for preseason, he looks plenty ready to go off of what we saw in only two drives.

READ: Von Miller has big plans for his “30, maybe 32” sack dances

Todd Davis: C+ 

Aside from his scuffle with Talib, Davis was himself, staying in the mix against the run while playing primarily as a two down backer.

READ: Here’s what went down between Todd Davis and Aqib Talib

Brandon Marshall: C+

Marshall was partially guilty for the Packers first big run of the game, not being able to step up and clog the hole. Aside from that, it was nice to see him on the field again as he was around the ball a lot and made his presence felt in limited time. He looks ready to go despite maybe being a smidge rusty.

Kasim Edebali: B- 

Edebali created pressure when attacking the inside on a few separate instances. He might not have had too many splashy plays, but he’s been good and doesn’t look out of place when starting on this defense. He also forced a hold on David Bakhtiari that was inches away from being in the end zone and forcing a safety.

Back up linebackers: B-

Vontarrius Dora forced a pressure resulting in a sack as soon as Brett Hundley was on the field. He stood out for his effort and could be a competent, if unspectacular backup.

DeMarcus Walker created pressure on the opening drive of the second half and forced a flag on a holding call. He was consistent in his ability to hold the edge and not allow anyone to break contain.

Deon Hollins had a costly series on the Packers final drive with some youthful penalties.

Darian Stewart: B

Had himself three tackles in a game in which he wasn’t tasked with much beyond helping out in underneath coverage. With T.J. Ward out, Stewart just needs to stay healthy for the regular season while the young guys get more playing time. So far, so good.

Justin Simmons: B+

Looked stout and quick to react against the run, where he’s already a reliable last line of defense. He also keeps flashing in coverage where he’s simply solid. He added a big tipped pass and stood out for his instincts in coverage against one of the best in Aaron Rodgers.

Chris Harris Jr.: B+

Harris played good coverage on Rodgers’ first deep attempt on 2nd-and-7 and was around the ball several other times. He was arguably Denver’s best cornerback. The ‘No Fly’ is more than ready for Week 1.

Aqib Talib: B- 

Talib read the opening bootleg to perfection, holding it to a short gain. He was called on a hold on third down on the Packers second drive, though, that ultimately didn’t cost the Broncos.

Backup defensive backs: A

Bradley Roby almost tipped a pass on a great contest of Davante Adams, holding him short of the first down sticks on the games opening third down, resulting in a stop.

Will Parks had a nice tackle on third and long but was sidelined shortly thereafter.

Brendan Langley made his mark early on special teams with a nice return and did a great job pinning the Packers within their own five on a punt in the second half. He then had a pass deflection on a route he jumped and almost picked off and contested a crucial throw on 4th-and-4 at the very end of the game. Finally a big game from the rook.

Jamal Carter had a nice tackle for a loss while playing right up on the line later on in the game and read and reacted well against the run. He hit gaps quickly and made a few plays around the line of scrimmage. He keeps on being used as a backer-safety hybrid and looks like an intriguing sub package player. 

Lorenzo Doss made a spectacular interception, showing great ball skills. The play was overturned from a flag for offsides, but Doss still looked athletic and competent in coverage.

Offense

Garett Bolles: C

Bolles allowed pressure too easily on 3rd-and-7 at the beginning of the second quarter and really didn’t put up much of a fight on Siemian’s one sack. He was also probably the main culprit on a 3rd-and-1 missed conversion as he got pushed back on a run play to his side. Those two big blemishes aside, he did create push as a run blocker for the most part and handled himself when out on an island having to pass block one on one.

Max Garcia: D+

Garcia was bull-rushed to the ground quicker than you could say “LG competition” early on, forcing quick pressure on Siemian resulting in an incompletion. He was also beat another time later in the opening quarter forcing a quarterback scramble. His struggles in pass protection continue. He did look good run blocking on Anderson’s touchdown.

Connor McGovern: D+

McGovern allowed pressure up the middle on the interception pass and had another mishap in pass-pro, where he struggled at times. Run blocking, he got out in space on a pull on a nice run for Charles on the second drive of the game and progressed as the game moved on. He’s not perfect, but he has his moments, both good and bad.

Ronald Leary: C+

Leary stood out on a nice kick-out to open up a running lane for Anderson and get the Broncos ground game going on the first touchdown drive. The starting right guard also got out in space opening up a nice hole for Jamaal Charles. He’s been solid all preseason, and he’s starting to get to the second level where he buries people to the ground.

In what was another solid performance he did allow a pressure up the middle on Siemian’s one sack.

Menelik Watson: B- 

The Broncos other new tackle helped open up a big hole for Anderson on the opening touchdown and generally was good as a run blocker, opening up holes for the starting unit that ran the ball pretty well. Watson also allowed an easy pressure on 3rd-and-7 at the beginning of the second quarter and is as guilty for the one sack on Siemian as anyone.

Back up offensive line: C+

Allen Barbre had another good game. McGovern and Bolles seem more at ease in pass protection when he’s between them, and the push up the left side seemed to be more consistent when he was on the field. He also got out in space on a pull to open up some a hole on a nice run for Charles.

Donald Stephenson was the culprit on the sack that injured Paxton Lynch, though, in fairness, it was as much Stephenson’s fault as it was Lynch’s for holding onto the ball too long.

C.J. Anderson: B

Anderson ran well with physicality and power between the tackles. He showed good burst and always runs low to the ground. It was discouraging, though, to see him unable to convert the 4th-and-short, as he seemed to have blockers to his right but bounced it out to the left.

All in all, he ran well and has progressed nicely this preseason. He might not be the C.J. of old, yet, but seems to have found his form, a key for this offense.

Backup backs: B+

For once, it isn’t DeAngelo Henderson who got all the accolades, as most of the night was about Jamaal Charles, who looked impressive. He had a nice early run that got the crowd excited and then was targeted on a pass on third down on the opening drive that had no chance.

Charles’ lateral quickness still looked good, as did his ability in pass protection, where he did a great job picking up pressure from the interior. He was able to break a few runs to the outside and showed his elusiveness and lateral mobility in the open field. A very nice outing, he should have earned a roster spot if fully healthy.

READ: The Jamaal Charles show has only just begun in Denver

Andy Janovich wasn’t targeted, in the passing game at all in this one but did have some highlight blocks in the run game. He looks ready to be a contributor this season.

DeAngelo Henderson had a nice run to open up the second half but fumbled the ball out to the sideline. He again looked explosive but had defined ball security issues with yet another fumble.

Stevan Ridley looked slow and stiff. His worst outing of a fairly lackluster preseason thus far.

Demaryius Thomas: N/A

Thomas had one crucial reception on 3rd-and-6 early on, picking up the first down. A groin injury ended his game shortly after Siemian targeted him on a throw that sailed over his head for the interception.

Emmanuel Sanders: C+

Sanders had a frustrating game, as he was targeted several different times but just couldn’t connect on the majority of them – most of which were not his fault. He did, however, drop a deep sideline throw that we’ve seen him catch in the past and might have even been six points if it connected. No. 10 had another good route and run after the catch on 2nd-and-16 picking up about 15 yards, but he could have done so much more.

Backup wide receiver: B+

The receiver group didn’t see too much action as the attack was balanced with only 31 pass attempts to 31 carries. Despite the limited opportunities, we did see a couple of nice performances from these two backups.

Jordan Taylor had a crucial reception down the sideline on 3rd-and-10, which led to the Anderson touchdown on the very next play. The catch was tough and contested, allowing him to leave his mark on the game. He had two more grabs on just as many targets. Taylor made a strong case for himself to stay on the 53 man roster.

Hunter Sharp had himself a couple of big catches, including a touchdown that ended up being the difference in this game. For a guy fighting for a roster spot, he did his best to stay in the mix despite being an outsider. He’s definitely a guy worth watching in the fourth preseason game.

Virgil Green: B

Green had by far his best game of the preseason and was targeted much more often than usual. He caught a bullet from Siemian at the beginning of the second quarter, beating a linebacker to gain inside leverage, and then couldn’t hold onto a tough pass in double coverage. He ended up with another short grab and was, as usual, a factor as an added blocker. An encouraging game for a player who might just have a bigger role in this offense than expected.

Backup tight ends: C-

Jeff Heuerman had very few opportunities to leave his mark in the passing game, and he was unable to create separation on a target on 3rd-and-7 halfway through the third quarter, his only meaningful opportunity as a receiver. He did a nice job blocking for the rest of his time on the field.

A.J. Derby had himself an uneventful game as well, being used mostly as a blocker in limited time.

Trevor Siemian: C

Siemian’s accuracy in the short-to-intermediate passing game wasn’t the sharpest early on. He completely overthrew Demaryius Thomas, sailing the ball over his head on an almost pick-six. After that, he got things going with a nice run on a scramble and looked more in control from there. He wasn’t spectacular but got kept the chains moving and looked in control for the most part.

He made a nice, tight-window throw to the sideline finding Jordan Taylor and almost had Sanders deep on another nice pass, while also zinging a pass to Green for a 22 yard gain. He certainly had his flashes, but can’t have bad plays like the interception.

All in all, a fairly encouraging outing for the preseason, though there’s still lots to work on.

Backup quarterbacks: C

Paxton Lynch looked unimpressive and tentative to pull the trigger in the short time he was on the field before taking a nasty hit and injuring his shoulder.

Kyle Sloter, after starting off a bit cold, warmed up quickly and made two throws that ultimately won the Broncos this game. Maybe not a special talent, but he’s been a joy to watch this offseason.