Day 1 of Broncos Camp is FINALLY here!
The Denver Broncos hit the practice field today for the official start of Broncos Camp. The fans were in attendance and made their presence known on Day 1, and the offense gave them a show. Nix and the rest of the Broncos quarterbacks came out firing and had multiple deep completions today. Is this a sign of things to come in Davis Webb’s offense? The defense didn’t go down quietly, though. Pat Surtain II did Pat Surtain II things, Riley Moss had a few PBUs,
and Karene Reid had a forced fumble that could have gone for a touchdown.
It was a solid first day from Broncos Camp.
In today’s piece, we have more on the Broncos’ hot start on offense, Bo Nix looking sharp, Jaylen Waddle looking smooth and unguardable, Evan Engram standing out, news and notes, injury updates, notable quotes, and more
Offense starts camp HOT
In the past decade or so, the Denver Broncos offense would typically start camp slowly. We would hear “the defense has an edge early” or that “it’s early,” and it would take a week or so before the offense would “win” a practice.
That’s not the case this year. They looked good in their first acclimation practice on Wednesday, according to reports, and today showed off how explosive this offense can be.
It all started early on with quarterback Bo Nix. He looked sharp, according to reports, and did not look like a quarterback who missed the vast majority of the offseason practices. He started the day with multiple chunk plays in 7-on-7s and continued that into the team period. When team drills started, his first completion was to Jaylen Waddle on a slant route. Something we will likely see a lot of this upcoming season.
However, Nix wasn’t the only quarterback looking good today. During team drills, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham made the early “play of camp” when he hit veteran tight end Evan Engram for a 50+ yard touchdown (More on Engram later). Third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger shined some today as well when he hit Hakeem Butler for a touchdown.
Then came the Marvin Mims portion of practice. First, he caught a 35-yard gain from Jarrett Stidham, and then he had the biggest play of the day and camp thus far. He hauled in a 50+ yard bomb from Bo Nix with Riley Moss in coverage for a touchdown. He also had two catches in the final move-the-ball period.
Head Coach Sean Payton was asked if they hope to open up the passing game with more explosive pass plays. He said they are always trying to stretch the field and added that Bo Nix is really good at getting the ball deep, and players like Marvin Mims Jr. have been a consistent down the field deep threat for them.
“I think we’re always trying to stretch the field. I think that it’s something that [QB] Bo [Nix] has been really good at with his arm strength. [WR] Marvin [Mims Jr.] has been very consistent. If you just looked about when we’ve called on him for those opportunities, he’s come down with a lot of plays. To answer your question, I think there’s always that mindset within the framework of a game. What are our explosives? Then when we watch the tape, some of those are coming off of scrambles, some of them realistically are going to be getting up… Some might be the defense laying off a sack, so you just have to look at the tape, but it was good to see the ball get down the field.”
The defense did have its moments, including winning the final team drill, but the offense was the overall winner of the day. They made a lot of big explosive plays and looked sharp and in control early on in camp, which is new. Overall, Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims, and Evan Engram were the standout players on the offensive side of the ball.
Good news overall, and hopefully it is a thing that continues throughout the remainder of training camp.
Engram has a big Day 1
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the team is their tight end production. Evan Engram was a big addition last season and was a standout player during camp/preseason, but didn’t live up to expectations during the season. However, on Day 1 of Broncos Camp, Engram was once again a standout player.
Today, Engram was arguably the Broncos’ best pass catcher and could be on the verge of flourishing under offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Keep in mind, Engram and Webb have a close personal relationship and were former teammates with the Giants, so Webb may unlock Engram’s potential in this offense.
He was heavily targeted during today’s practice and had a long 50+ yard reception from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. So, it was a solid first day of Broncos Camp for the veteran Evan Engram, and hopefully, something that continues throughout the summer.
After practice, head coach Sean Payton was asked about Engram, and he told reporters that he believes he can “definitely be a big asset for us” and that one of his strengths is that he can run.
“I think he can definitely be a big asset for us. I think one of his strengths is he can run, and I think it’s good that he’s getting these reps along with the younger guys.”
Engram showed off that strength today with that 50+ yard completion, and hopefully we see more of that running ability this upcoming season.
Payton was also asked about the Davis Webb factor when it comes to Engram and if he has any new ideas on how to use the veteran tight end. He told reporters “yes to some degree” but added it’s about executing and that the ball is going to be spread around and those touches need to be earned.
“I would say yes to some degree. I think he’s trying to find different ways where he might have a matchup, and I think that’s a good thing. Now it’s just executing, and it’s ball security, catching, the landmarks, some of the nuances. He’s one other piece where you’re trying to spread the ball around. Who’s going to earn those touches? Those have to be earned.”
The Broncos do have a lot of mouths to feed on the offensive side of the ball. They have three backs who can all contribute on the ground and as pass catchers, five wide receivers including Jaylen Waddle who will likely get a heavy workload, and multiple tight ends including Engram and rookie Justin Joly. So, like all the other players, Engram will need to earn these targets, and hopefully, he can continue to do that as we progress throughout the summer and into the regular season.
JK Dobbins promises that he won’t get hurt this season
One of the big question marks surrounding this team heading into the season is the health of veteran running back JK Dobbins. He has dealt with injuries throughout his career, including multiple significant lower body injuries and unfortunately suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury last season while with the Broncos. Now, in his second season with the team, Dobbins is vowing to stay healthy.
Dobbins told reporters he pinky promised the team that they won’t regret bringing him back and that he will be out there for them. He then joked with the media that he would buy them a drink if he does indeed get hurt and told them to remember this day. He also added that he’s going to lead the NFL in rushing and be there for all 17 games this season. So, we shall see if Dobbins’ promise to stay healthy this season does indeed come true.
Dobbins is coming off a serious Lisfranc injury that ended his season and has some serious injuries in his past as well, which include an ACL and Achilles injury. He was asked today if he is proud the way he has come back from these serious injuries.
“Yes, first it’s the Lord, Jesus Christ. He blessed me with some type of stuff inside of me that I can’t stop. I just can’t stop. I can’t lose. It’s just I don’t want to let myself down either. I’ve had the three big injuries, the knee first, which took like a couple of surgeries to clean up and get back to myself, I had the Achilles and then I had the foot last year. I never really care about it because I’m going to come back, and I’m going to be better. I’m going to keep doing it. Whatever life throws at you, you can’t give up, right? It’s a thing that I learned for the long-haul, not just football. You get knocked down. Just keep getting back up ’til I go home to my Lord, Jesus Christ. I’m going to come back, and I’m going to be better this year.”
Head Coach Sean Payton was also asked about Dobbins and how the veteran looked so far and about their decision to re-sign him. He told reporters that “George and I” had strong opinions about bringing him back and that Dobbins was a big part of why they won 14 games last season.
“Good. There’s a lot to him, and when you’re evaluating the type of injury he had, how it happened and what he brings to the team, we had strong opinions, [General Manager] George [Paton] and I and the rest of the group about re-signing him. He was a big part of why we won 14 games last year, and sometimes that can get lost in the narrative. Certainly he’s been injured, and yet what we were able to do when he was healthy had a lot to do with where we ended up, so it was unfortunate. I believe in the player a lot. That room has gotten markedly better from what I remember in 2023.”
If Dobbins can stay healthy AND lead the NFL in rushing, the Broncos and their offense are going to have a lot of success this upcoming season. I love his confidence, and even though his promises will be hard to keep, I like that he’s setting these goals and wanting to do well for this team. I will be rooting for him, and hopefully he can finally shake that injury bug.
Injury Report
- Guard Nick Gargiulo remains on the PUP due to a knee injury he suffered last season, and LB Jordan Turner remains on the NFI for unknown reasons
- TE Caleb Lohner missed his third straight practice after undergoing offseason cleanup surgery on his knee
- Edge rusher Drew Sanders and UDFA WR Joseph Manjack did not participate in practice – no reason given for either player
News and Notes
- Broncos officially announce that they have signed veteran DB Sam Webb and have waived CB Blake Cotton – Source
- QB Bo Nix started 7-on-7’s hot with chunk plays to Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant
- First play of team drills was a slant pass to Jaylen Waddle – expect a lot of that this season
- QB Jarrett Stidham had a LONG 50+ yard touchdown to Evan Engram
- CB Riley Moss had multiple PBUs today
- LB Karene Reid stripped Michael Bandy and could have taken it for a touchdown
- Marvin Mims had multiple long completions and showed off a diversified route tree
- WR Hakeem Butler had a long touchdown from QB Sam Ehlinger
- UDFA CB Brent Austin has had multiple days with nice PBUs – potentially a sleeper name to watch
- QB Bo Nix hit Marvin Mims for a 50+ yard catch with Riley Moss in coverage
- Sean Payton said they view LG Ben Powers as a starter, but did note there is always competition
- RB JK Dobbins promised reporters that he won’t get injured this season and told them to “remember this day”
- Sean Payton said there is no decision made on whether or not Davis Webb will call plays from the sideline or up in the booth.
Tweets from Camp
Quotes from Camp
Head Coach Sean Payton on what factors they look at when shifting offensive formations year-to-year
“I think it’s player-centric, but then it’s also scheme-centric when you’re looking at what you’re trying to do, whether you’re under center or the gun. I always am going to have an under-center presence, and I’m always going to want to have a fullback on the roster. There are certain things that may be different than some teams, a lot of teams. What we’ve done, let’s say his [QB Bo Nix] first three years is entirely different than maybe what [Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Drew] Brees was doing in those later years. The offense moves in the direction of the strengths of the players and the way they play.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on WR Jaylen Waddle’s ability to stop
“There are two ways to separate. You can run faster than everyone, and he has really good speed. Then if you can stop fast, and he’s able to match speed and then sink his hips. That is unique. That’s why you see coverage that ends up being it looks like three yards off because there’s that threat of speed. Then his ability to sink his hips is unique.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on if he wants quarterbacks to treat practice like a game and throw balls away or stay aggressive and force throws
“Good question. Yesterday in the red zone, you get into a competitive period and you’re trying to make every play count. There was a point where I mentioned, ‘Hey, train yourself to play it.’ An incompletion there is a good thing. There’s only one time in a game where you’ll say, ‘You have to go to the end zone,’ and that’s the got-to-have-it last play. I think if you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself forcing it, so training yourself to be patient came up yesterday. So good question.”
Head Coach Sean Payton on where things stand with installation compared to last year
“I think you have to be careful that they don’t tick up because that would indicate we’re just picking up where we left off. I think you have to look at the fundamentals. We have to look at why aren’t we taking the ball away enough defensively? We have to look at the return game specifically, some of the things in the kicking game, offense… I think that’s one of the things I’m trying to guard against is that nature to [say], ‘Well now we can add this,’ when maybe there are some things that we weren’t doing well a year ago fundamentally.”
RB JK Dobbins on why he feels like he was meant to be a Bronco
“Where I went to high school, we had pee-wee football. I didn’t have enough money to play. My parents didn’t have enough money. So the pee-wee football team was the Broncos, and I always wanted to play for the Broncos but I never got to. All my friends, all my cousins, they would be playing for the Broncos. I’m like, ‘Man, I want to play for them. One day I’m going to play for them.’ Then as I grew up, I never really thought about being a professional athlete, so I just loved playing the game. Sure enough it just fell into my lap. I would always watch the Broncos, and I loved the logo. When I got to the Ravens, I got the nickname in Spanish, ‘El Toro.’ That’s a bull. That’s a type of animal. I feel like the horse is kind of like the bull. Here in America, the horse is probably like the bull in Spanish. It symbolizes strength, beauty or whatever. I’m not saying I’m beautiful. (Laughs) I’m just saying the animal. It symbolizes strength and something that’s strong. I just think it was supposed to be like that. All the stuff that was happening when I was with the Chargers, it was just meant to be. Even this offseason, it was meant to be. I knew I was going to be here. I know a lot of people probably saw… I got told by my teammates that there was some article out about the Jacksonville thing. I knew I was going to be a Bronco, even in that moment. I always knew it. When I got here, it just feels like home.”
LB Alex Singleton on what he expects playing with ILB Justin Strnad this season
“Man, everything. Obviously, the first eight games last year, it was us two. We’ve played together in camps now for five years, so what you need to be able to play together, we already have. So it’s really easy to get out there and just kind of be in a rhythm. I feel like the whole defense is really that way. There are young guys that are stepping up, but they’ve been here too. So it’s just a lot of us perfecting. No one’s out there learning the defense today. It’s guys perfecting the defense. We’re seeing stuff that [Offensive Coordinator Davis] Webb is implementing. Those little nuances that are different that we can say, ‘Hey, when we see this later in the season…’ We’re talking about season adjustments today. We’re not just talking about camp adjustments, which [being] with ‘VJ’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joesph) for four years and [ILB] Justin [Strnad] for five years and all these guys that we’ve played with for so long, that’s how it feels. It’s not that we’re installing cover three today, we’re installing things to be better for this season to go do what we want to do.”
LB Alex Singleton on keeping an edge in a veteran defensive team
“I think it’s having that beginner’s mindset. ‘Rizz’ (Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi) says it all the time, it’s coming in here wanting to learn and enjoying this process. I tell guys… The first thing I always say is, ‘Be where your feet are.’ Right now, I’m not even worried about the next meeting. I’m going to go sit in a hyperbaric chamber and just relax. I might take a nap. And so, that’s my next thing for the day and that’s the next thing I’m thinking about. I’m not thinking about the walk-thru tonight or practice tomorrow, yet. Every one of those things will come as the day comes and it’s really just finding however you enjoy that process. Yes, we know the defense, but when we’re installing, take those notes again. Re-write the little basics of the calls because then when the intricate stuff happens and stuff happens during the game… The basic stuff is easy. That’s the stuff that’s already locked in, that’s muscle memory. Now you’re learning the nuances and all the stuff that really will define what we are this season on the critical plays during season.”
