As players almost never play a full game in the preseason, it’s hard to truly get a good read on any of the teams’ rosters, and even some individual players. That being said, every year a handful of players shine in the preseason and immediately insert their names into households across America, as players primed to make an impact.
Here are four Broncos that fall into that category according to Pro Football Focus’ grades:
Dalton Risner: The Colorado native and rookie out of Kansas State was named one of Pro Football Focus’ ten best preseason players following Week 3, coming in at ninth overall. Risner flashed the talent that will make him a Day One starter on the offensive line, as he earned a grade of 76.0 overall, 76.8 in pass protection and 71.8 in the ground game. Risner has been even better than his grade would indicate in pass protection, as he has yet to allow even a single pressure on the quarterback this preseason.
Mike Purcell & Demarcus Walker: Journeyman defensive lineman Mike Purcell has been one of the Broncos’ most pleasant surprises of the preseason. Purcell has not only earned the highest grade of any interior defensive lineman on the Broncos, but for any defensive lineman in the league (Min. 60 snaps). Among Denver’s most pleasant surprises is another defensive lineman, Demarcus Walker, who was on the chopping block until his stellar preseason performances. Those outings earned him the second-highest grade among defensive linemen in the league, second only to Purcell (Min. 60 snaps).
Of all interior defenders this preseason with at least 50 snaps, Mike Purcell has the highest grade so far with an 89.8, the player with the 3rd highest grade is Demarcus Walker pic.twitter.com/reT8nhrWtC
— PFF DEN Broncos (@PFF_Broncos) August 28, 2019
Bradley Chubb: Dynamic second-year pass-rusher Bradley Chubb was named among Pro Football Focus’ list of the top ten players in the second week of the preseason with his remarkable performance against the 49ers. He ranked second overall with a grade of 94.2 overall, and 94.4 in pass rush, ranking behind only Logan Ryan and his overall grade of 97.9.
Crazy stat of the day: Chubb managed to record his two quarterback pressures, two tackles, three defensive stops, sack and forced a fumble in just 16 snaps on the field against a former six-time Pro Bowl left tackle in Joe Staley.
Isaac Yiadom: Yiadom struggled consistently his rookie year, leading many members of Broncos country to fear that John Elway had just whiffed on drafting a cornerback in back-to-back seasons (Brendan Langley in 2017). However, early returns in this year’s preseason suggest that he is on the right track. His overall grade of 92.5 against San Francisco was among the ten best from the second week of preseason play, and he also earned a grade of 98.5 in coverage.