Minicamp Day 2: Sutton is back, RBs shine and the defense attacks

The Denver Broncos continued their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. It was a little chippy out there today with players jawing back and forth after big plays on offense and defense.

Things were fun but serious on the practice field, plus there was a great back-and-forth between the offense and the defense. While the defense won the day on Monday, it was at least a draw if not a win for the offense on Tuesday. The competition now only signals what the Broncos could be when they’re beating up on other teams in the regular season.

Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero understands it’s a process.

“Where we are is where we should be, and I think we’ll get better in training camp,” Evero said.

#BroncosCountry LIVE: DC Ejiro Evero meets the media after Day 2 of mandatory minicamp https://t.co/YSCHLDVb7q

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 14, 2022

Here are my three biggest observations from the second day of mandatory minicamp.

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Sutton is Back!

I have always been a fan of Courtland Sutton’s game. When the Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, I called him the “steal of the draft.” He certainly played up to his potential in his second year, snaring 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six receiving touchdowns. The sky was the limit for Sutton entering year three, but that’s when disaster struck.

In 2020, Sutton suffered a knee injury early in the season and was limited to just three catches for 66 yards. He spent that year recovering, but Sutton didn’t look like himself when he returned to the football field in 2021 – with a big knee brace. Last year, Sutton did play a full 17-game season, but he only had 58 catches for 776 yards and two touchdowns. Sutton had two 100-yard games in the first five weeks of the 2021 season but failed to reach the century mark in a single game after that. He was on the field, but Sutton did not look the same and was not as explosive and not as able to reach high for passes he would normally get.

I think Sutton has regained his top-notch ability this offseason. He is showing an extra gear after the catch, and Sutton is moving smoothly when changing directions in his route tree. However, I think it’s his ability to play ‘above the rim’ that has returned with a vengeance. Sutton is certainly not thinking about his knee anymore, and he will sky high to get catches that others – especially those defending him – cannot get to. Having a healthy Sutton is great for this offense, and he looks to be the favorite target for Russell Wilson this offseason. That is great news for the Broncos in the regular season.

I KNOW SUTTON IS BACK because of the way he adjusts to the ball. He wasn't doing that as much or as good last season as he wasn't *quite* himself. Now, you see him go after passes high/low/in stride/behind him and take off with another gear. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 14, 2022

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Pass Catching Backs A-Plus

The Broncos offense under Hackett is going to feature the ground game, but the running backs will also be asked to catch passes out of the backfield. Javonte Williams, a second-year pro, should be the lead back for the Broncos this year. He’s a tough runner inside who will break more tackles than almost anyone in the NFL. However, it is his receiving ability which is getting highlighted during mandatory minicamp.

I can tell that Williams has worked diligently to improve his game as a receiver. Not only is Williams a good outlet receiver for Wilson, but I’ve seen him catch passes in the open field that some receivers would struggle with. In addition, I think Williams could be used to run routes at times! Williams doesn’t need to come off the field because of his three-down ability, but when he does there is an explosive back behind him who could make a lot of plays.

Mike Boone was not used correctly last year by the Broncos coaching staff. To the surprise of no one, former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur didn’t know what to do with a player like Boone. This was even after Boone was arguably the best player in training camp last year at any position. Boone has speed – a ton of speed – and he can change direction on a dime without losing any speed. He’s not a big back but using him in space can lead to big plays. I like what he’s shown as a trusted receiver out of the backfield or out wide for the Wilson-led offense.

I CAN TELL that Javonte Williams emphasized working on his receiving skills in the offseason. Catches cleanly, is actually running routes and more than just an outlet guy. I'd make him the unquestioned bellcow but we'll see what the #Broncos do @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 14, 2022

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Check/Whoop Ass

I wonder how pass-rusher Randy Gregory is going to fit into the Broncos defense. We don’t get to see him until later this summer in training camp, but watching the other pass-rushers on the Broncos makes me excited about the potential of this defense.

Bradley Chubb is in the final season with the Broncos (most likely) and he looks as dangerous as he did when he was a rookie and had double-digit sacks in 2018. Malik Reed is starting opposite of Chubb, essentially filling in for an injured Gregory.

Chubb and Reed play with a ton of discipline. They maintain rushing lanes on their way to the quarterback, and they are sound in their gap assignments. This prevents the offense from gashing the defense on a draw play designed to take advantage of the rushers getting too far up field or out of their lanes. In fact, Chubb and Reed look very natural when it comes to the responsibilities given to them by Evero’s defense.

Gregory comes from a defense in Dallas that was all about “check/whoop ass.” That means he would basically improvise or freestyle at many times when he was getting after the quarterback. This is a style that has no discipline and is a big hectic at times – both for his teammates and opponents tasked with blocking him. How will Gregory respond to this system? It’s too bad he’s injured right now, because I would love to see him out there harassing Wilson on a regular basis. Instead, we have to wait – perhaps well into training camp – before seeing what Gregory can do when he’s not running “check/whoop ass.”

CHECK WHOOP ASS is not what these pass-rushers do. Bradley Chubb/Malik Reed working as starters (Gregory still banged up) and they play with great discipline. Makes some wonder how Gregory fits in b/c CHECK/WHOOP ASS is how DAL ran their D. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 14, 2022

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