Today marks the beginning of training camp for the Denver Broncos, with the veterans showing up to Dove Valley, and Saturday is when the team takes the field for the first time this summer.
For the Broncos — coming off a 5-11 disappointment of a season — this year springs hope eternal. There’s finally a new quarterback in town, and Case Keenum is hopeful to lead at least a decent offense where we’ve seen an awful showing for the last three years, Super Bowl 50’s winning season included.
Outside of Keenum, Bradley Chubb is the highlight when it comes to newcomers, specifically drafted players. But the Broncos will need multiple other draftees from April to step up if they want to get back to the playoffs, or even, back to .500.
And then, there have been some key offseason additions in terms of free agents as well. Jared Veldheer is likely to be the starter at right tackle and he must be consistent to help that offense flourish. Su’a Cravens is a wildcard on the defensive side, as he’ll play both safety and linebacker, while Clinton McDonald could provide much-needed depth in the inside of Denver’s D-line, but only if he’s healthy.
Let’s take a look at who the key players for the Broncos in a fun way here:
Breakout guy: DaeSean Hamilton
Hamilton, the fourth-round pick out of Penn State, will not only be the No. 3 receiver by the end of training camp, he’ll also be the team’s breakout star this year. If the investment in Keenum is going to pay off, he must have more than just Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to throw the ball to. At 6’1″ and 205 pounds, Hamilton’s got the perfect size to be the No. 2 receiver, outside with Thomas, while Sanders plays the slot. That would be deadly.
Comeback kid: Jared Veldheer
The Broncos traded a sixth-round pick for Veldheer, which could be a steal if he’s able to regain his play from a few years ago. At 31, he should be in the prime of his career, but playing in the trenches has worn on Vedlheer; he’s played only 21 games the last two seasons due to multiple injuries. In 2016, he tore his triceps and missed eight games. Last year, he was placed on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury and missed the last three contests.
According to Pro Football Focus, Veldheer’s 54.3 overall grade last season was the second-worst of his career, and five of the previous six seasons, he was graded at 79.6 or higher. If Veldheer can play like he did in 2016 and before, he’ll bring the consistency at right tackle Denver’s missed for years.
Rising star: Shaquil Barrett
Shane Ray is healthy, or should be when the season kicks off, but Shaquil Barrett will be the rising star from that outside linebacker spot. Last year, Von Miller was the second-best edge rusher in the NFL per PFF, and the second-best on the Broncos was Barrett. His 82.1 overall grade was 33rd in the entire NFL, and when Shane Ray was injured, there was Barrett to step in and start nine games for Denver.
Though he only registered 4.0 sacks last year, with 30 total tackles, we know the veteran can do more. In 2015, he had a career-high 5.5 sacks, and 2018 will be even more special. Now entering his fifth year, Barrett already proved his worth by making the team after going undrafted in 2014, and he’ll become a legitimate star this year, proving the Broncos smart when they signed him to a second-round tender in April for $2.9 M.
Don’t forget about: Brandon Marshall
Outside of his outspoken protests against social injustice, Marshall is a quiet leader of the Broncos defense. He led the team with 75 solo tackles (106 total) last year, including 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and he even scored a touchdown. There are so many stars on the Denver D, Marshall can get lost in the mix, but his constant professionalism is key.
Needs to rebound: Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders, battling that ankle injury last season, went through his biggest struggles as a professional since his second season. His 555 yards and only two touchdowns were giant drops compared to his 1,000-plus yard seasons and at least five scores per year in his three previous years with Denver. Simply, he’s the go-to guy when the Broncos need a first down or huge catch down the sideline, and Sanders needs to be that valued receiver again.
Dark-horse MVP: Bradley Roby
Roby will not only win the No. 2 cornerback position opposite of Chris Harris Jr. in camp, he’ll be the dark-horse MVP. Roby, as the full-time starter this year, will enjoy a career season and will be in contention as the MVP of the defense, if not the entire team.
Under the radar: Shelby Harris
When it comes to specifically training camp, it may be more important for a guy like Harris to prove himself than nearly anyone else on this list (outside of Hamilton). Harris was a stud last year, with 5.5 sacks while starting six games at defensive end for Denver. Sure, Derek Wolfe and Bradley Chubb should be the starters at those spots, but Harris will at least make a push and will almost certainly earn playing time this year. Chubb coming in and practicing lights-out isn’t a guarantee, and if Harris is still at the same high level he was at last season, he could win that starting spot over Chubb.
Broncos training camp opens Saturday, July 28 at 9:30 a.m. MST — just 24 hours from now — so make sure to head down to Dove Valley and watch for yourself to see these guys make impressions on their coaches and teammates.