The Denver Broncos are officially the last team in the NFL to report for OTAs as they take the field today.
There are several young players who will be under the microscope when the media is allowed to attend practice on Thursday.
Denver Broncos take the field today for start of OTAs
It’s finally here. The Denver Broncos will take the field today for the start of OTAs after they were last on the field in January for the AFC Championship.
While we’re certainly keeping our eyes peeled on Bo Nix, there are a handful of players we’ll have our eyes on.
Broncos young tight ends looking to make strong first impression
Justin Joly, Dallen Bentley, and Caleb Lohner are three young tight end prospects who are aiming to make a strong first impression behind Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and Lucas Krull.
Joly’s role as an F-type, move around tight end is similar to Engram’s. Despite not being heavily utilized last season, Engram’s leadership and attitude never wavered. He’ll be a valuable asset in helping Joly understand the role, and if Denver’s rookie can pick up the offense quickly, there are opportunities for both players to be on the field together in certain packages offensively.
Bentley and Lohner both project as in-line Y options at the tight end position, where they’ll have to work and compete against Krull and Adkins.
How they establish roles for themselves on special teams will also be a factor that ultimately determines who makes the roster at the end of August.
Broncos linebacker youth could be exciting to watch
Red Murdock, Taurean York, Jordan Turner, Karene Reid, and Levelle Bailey will all be competing for spots at linebacker this summer, and all the action begins today.
Murdock is the only player among the bunch who was drafted, while York received a three-year deal worth $325,000 and a $25,000 signing bonus. His $325,000 is the highest deal Denver gave to any of their undrafted signees.
After revealing Jonah Elliss would be getting snaps at off-ball linebacker, it creates more competition across the board at the position, as Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad project to be the two starters for Vance Joseph. Elliss getting snaps there doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be making a full-time switch, but if he does, he’ll be the likely No. 3 option behind Singleton and Strnad.
During rookie minicamp, Murdock and York were the two guys on the field together at the Mike and Will positions, and both appeared to play well alongside one another, with Murdock relaying the defense for Joseph’s unit.
How they mix in with Bailey, Reid, and Turner will be interesting to watch, considering those players have more time in the playbook.
Undrafted skill players looking to stand out in crowded rooms
The Denver Broncos wide receiver and cornerback rooms are loaded with talent coming into OTAs. At receiver, the Broncos have Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims as solidified names. Lil’Jordan Humphrey is another name, but undrafted receivers Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key, Joseph Manjack, and Cameron Ross are looking to make an impression.
Katsis is a crisp route runner and offers upside as a potential kick return option. Key made a nice grab during rookie minicamp a few weeks back, and Ross caught a downfield bomb from Nathan Peterman during rookie camp. Third-year veteran Michael Woods II is another name to keep an eye out for after impressing as a pro tryout player last month.
At cornerback, Ahmari Harvey, Paul Manning, and Brent Austin enter as newcomers, while Jaden Robinson enters his second season with the team after spending 2025 on the practice squad.
With Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, and Kris Abrams-Draine headlining the premier names at the position, they’ll have a chance to compete and impress the coaching staff. At this position, it feels like the path is unlikely for any of them to make the 53-man roster, but historically, ‘never say never.’
McMillian didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2022, but he earned a spot on the practice squad and prepared and developed in season and shined in his first regular season game, and from that point forward, he’s emerged as one of the NFL’s best young nickel defenders.
Make sure you stay tuned here at Mile High Sports for boots on the ground coverage of OTAs.
