The Denver Broncos defense had themselves a day during Friday’s training camp practice after the offense won the day on Thursday. New addition Talanoa Hufanga was somebody who stood out like a sore thumb as the Broncos defense controlled the narrative.

Denver Broncos defense dominates Friday’s practice

So far throughout training camp, the Denver Broncos offense and defense have traded blows on various days, but Friday’s practice saw Vance Joseph’s unit frustrate Bo Nix and the offensive side of the ball.

Talanoa Hufanga started the trend by making the play of the day, with Nix and the offense running an RPO in team period, Hufanga lurked underneath and read it perfectly, jumping up at around eight yards depth high into the air to steal it, causing the Broncos defense to erupt with excitement in celebration.

Hufanga’s play was impressive, but Denver’s pass rush, led by Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Zach Allen, sped up Nix’s clock, forcing him to dip underneath pressure to try and make plays, but Denver’s secondary had tight coverage on receivers all day.

Nix threw a second interception that was nullified due to a penalty on a pass intended for Courtland Sutton, with Patrick Surtain II making a play on the ball downfield. The officiating crew called a defender for illegal contact.

Nix responded with back-to-back completions to Sutton and Troy Franklin on the ensuing plays, but overall, it was Bo’s first real ‘off’ day.

Offensively, the Broncos first and second team units struggled with penalties. There was one point Payton pulled the second team offense off the field during an early team period due to several penalties occurring on three consecutive plays.

Saturday’s practice will be a competitive scrimmage simulation, which will be important for all three phases to get extended looks. We’ll see if Bo and the Broncos offense can bounce back.

Troy Franklin having a strong camp, Broncos standouts

So far throughout training camp and during Friday’s practice, wide receiver Troy Franklin continues to have a strong offseason. It hasn’t mattered if Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, or Sam Ehlinger are throwing him the ball — he’s making plays when it comes his way.

He caught a couple of passes for Nix that would have been chain movers in a real game, and hauled in a 15-20 yard catch across the middle of the field on a throw from Ehlinger. Sean Payton mentioned after practice that Franklin has had himself a strong camp and acknowledged that the second-year wide receiver is currently learning and playing two positions as a ‘Z’ receiver and in the slot.

His release off the line scrimmage, body control, hands, and focus have been strengths of his this offseason, and it’s easy to tell that he’s operating with more confidence and has a strong grasp on the offense compared to a year ago.

Second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine has had himself a quietly impressive camp. During Friday’s practice, he had a big impact on special teams as a gunner, beating Trent Sherfield and JL Skinner downfield, who were the jammers working against him.

Undrafted rookie Joshua Pickett also had some impressive reps at gunner for the punt coverage team.

Broncos news and notes

  • Rookie outside linebacker Que Robinson (knee) observed practice today after missing Wednesday and Thursday with what Payton is describing as a bone bruise. The expectation is that he’ll return to the field on Monday.
  • Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) was observing practice today with a jersey on and participated in team stretch. Greenlaw’s MRI came back clean and Payton mentioned that the team will be smart with how they bring him along and that he’ll be fine.
  • Denver signed inside linebacker Garrett Wallow, who has played in 35 games in the last three years with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.