The Denver Broncos took the field for the fifth day of training camp, but it was their first day wearing pads, and the defense had their way with the offense. Is there any level of concern brewing after the first day of pads, or is it all part of the process?

Denver Broncos defense smothers Bo Nix, Broncos offense on first day of padded practice

Day 5 of Denver Broncos training camp saw players throw on the pads for the first time as they continue to build up to their first preseason game on Aug. 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. One of the hopes going into Monday’s practice was seeing how the battle in the trenches would go for the offense when they took on the defense.

Denver’s defensive line, led by D.J. Jones, Zach Allen, and John Franklin-Myers, swarmed Bo Nix and the Broncos’ first-team offense consistently on the afternoon. The offensive emphasis for the day was run-heavy, with the pads coming on for the first time, but Jones, Allen, and JFM were disruptive on almost every play. Allen, in particular, shot through the offensive line quickly on two plays, stuffing Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield. Jones would do the same thing on the final play of the first series.

In recent memory, the first day of pads has usually led to the defense winning the day to start. For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, he acknowledged that could typically be true but that the offense needs to clean up some of the presnap operations.

“I think there is to some degree,” Payton said. “What I think begins to take place is that you begin to see days where one side of the ball or the other gets the better in practice. The thing you have to balance as the head coach—regardless of whether you’re a head coach involved in the offense or the defense—is growth on both sides of the ball. We had some snap count and we had a handful of things that we have to get cleaned up, but that can be true early on with pads.”

Even with some of the offensive issues today, Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson did a good job of protecting the football. Nix used his mobility on a couple of plays when the pocket broke down, breaking off a big run on one play in particular. On some plays, it looks like the defense would have gotten a sack or you could argue they got a sack, but Payton wants his players to play through the series here in camp.

“Yes, because you waste a rep if it’s just that,” Payton said. “Quarterbacks are taught to flush, the receivers are taught to move with the QB. There are scramble rules for both sides of the ball, so let’s gain something from each one of these plays. Then the fans sometimes, you look at it and you wonder, ‘Is that a sack?’ We can tell on film there are times where the quarterback is going to get out. There was a play where Nix steps up and I think he’s going to have a pretty good gain. We try to get something out of each play.”

While it wasn’t the best day for the offense operationally, the key is seeing whether or not the offensive line bounces back tomorrow for the second day of pads.

Broncos news and notes from Day 5 of practice

Wide receiver Tim Patrick and safety Brandon Jones were working on the side field during Monday’s practice. Jones continues to go through his treatment process with the hamstring injury that’s been impacting him, while Patrick’s day was a scheduled maintenance day.

The veteran receiver should return to practice on Tuesday in full capacity.

Competition at punter heats up
Something that’s flown under the radar this offseason is the fact that the Broncos have a competition at the punter position between veterans Trenton Gill and Riley Dixon. Both players have had opportunities to boot the ball during the various special teams periods Denver has conducted, but the real endgame will likely come in the form of preseason performance this summer.

“Both of them are very experienced,” Payton said. “They both can hold exceptionally well. Both of them are hitting it pretty well. Today we had an extended punt period, and I think the competition is good. It’s healthy.”

Nik Bonitto growing more confident
Since returning back to practice this week after dealing with a lower leg issue to start camp, Nik Bonitto has flashed off the edge and is somebody Payton is high on as he continues to grow and develop as a pass rusher.

“He came into his own a little bit last year,” Payton said. “He practiced well. I think he’s sudden. He’s someone who really plays the edge well. I think setting the edge in the run game is something that he’ll continue to work on with his added strength, but I also feel like I’m seeing a more confident player compared to this very day a year ago, and that’s encouraging.”

Two undrafted players stand out on Monday
The Denver Broncos had two undrafted free agents stand out during Monday’s practice. This year’s undrafted rookie linebacker, Levelle Bailey, and last year’s undrafted offensive tackle, Alex Palczewski, had notable days on the afternoon.

Palczewski had a big pancake block on cornerback Quinton Newsome, springing Williams free for a big run. He did a great job of playing tight down the line of scrimmage, analyzing any near threats off the edge. He was able to get to the perimeter, where it was him and Newsome in a one—on—one, clearing the way for Williams to pick up a first down.

Bailey’s athleticism and instincts flashed consistently well on Monday. He’s quick to read the guard and fill his gap in run fits, but also has the lateral quickness to track the football when it’s going away from him. Bailey had a couple of plays where he assisted in a tackle or would have had a tackle for a loss behind the line of scrimmage.

The Broncos will be back at on Tuesday, practicing in pads for the second day in a row.