It happens every year like clockwork. The throng of media gathered at Dove Valley starts to gravitate toward an unknown player on the Broncos roster, looking for a diamond in the rough that they can talk about during training camp. One thing leads to another, until eventually everyone is raving about the same unheralded prospect, hyping up his chances of making the roster.
Sometimes, this camp standout turns into a bona fide player (see Davis, Terrell). But more often than not, his stock fizzles once the games start for real (see Kasper, Kevin). At that point, the reporters have moved on to other topics, forgetting all about the guy they once trumpeted as a rising star, and the former player moves on to his new career as an insurance salesman.
Who is going to fill this role in 2015? It’s time to find a spot on the grassy hill, watch a practice or two, and see who emerges as this year’s diamond in the rough. Here are five candidates to be this year’s training camp darling:
1. Jordan Norwood – He’s bounced around the past six seasons, spending time with the Eagles and Browns before joining the Broncos last year. An injury ended his 2014 training camp; this time around, this little-used wideout will be hyped as the Broncos “solution” on punt and kick returns.
2. Chuka Ndulue – As the Broncos transition to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense, there will be plenty of talk about how they’ll adjust in the trenches. A lot of the focus will be on who is going to play nose tackle. Don’t be surprised if this undrafted free agent from Oklahoma gets a lot of attention; Phillips likes him.
3. Lamin Barrow – Barrow was a 2014 fifth-round pick who did very little as a rookie. The Broncos have been trying to push their recent draft picks on the media for the past few months, blaming John Fox for their lack of development. This linebacker will get the hype treatment during training camp.
4. Omar Bolden – He was one of the few players who shined in last year’s playoff loss, which already endears him to the fans. And he’s had an offseason in which the team heavily promoted his off-the-field efforts, a sign that he’s in the mix. He’ll be considered at returner, and don’t be surprised if he competes at free safety, Denver’s thinnest position.
5. Conner Rains / Kyle Roberts – It’s no secret that the Broncos are rebuilding their offensive line, a fact that became even more apparent when left tackle Ryan Clady was lost for the season during OTAs. So any able body will get a look, including these undrafted free agents from Wyoming and Nevada, respectively.
This story appeared in the July issue of Mile High Sports Magazine.