Patrick injury, Bolles best day and Ojemudia’s confidence on Day 6

The Denver Broncos were in full pads for the first time this offseason. The day began with some great energy, as things just felt different with the team in full pads. Then, an injury to one of their best players took the air out of the event.

The Broncos kept practicing after the injury to Tim Patrick, but things didn’t seem the same. It’s like the tempo and the pace was different, and the offense – which had momentum early in practice – was a shell of their former selves.

Here are some of my notes from day six of training camp.

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Tim Patrick Goes Down

I think Tim Patrick is one of the best players for the Broncos – on either side of the ball. During the course of training camp so far, Patrick had caught nearly everything thrown his way. He was quickly becoming a trusted target for Russell Wilson. Then, on Tuesday, he suffered what is being reported as a season-ending, torn ACL.

Patrick went up for a deep catch, hauled it in on the right sideline, and came down with the ball. He took two steps and was falling out of bounds when we saw the ball pop out. A defender did not knock the ball away. Patrick likely dropped the ball out of pain.

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Next Man Up

If Patrick must miss significant time, the Broncos have a few options to replace him. First up, Jerry Jeudy gets a chance to be the clear-cut No. 2 in this passing game. In fact, Jeudy does have the talent to be a No. 1 wide receiver in this league, but currently Courtland Sutton is in that spot for the Broncos. Jeudy has improved as camp has gone on. He seemed rusty to start camp, but over the last three days – with spiders, shells, then full pads on – Jeudy has improved his game.

K.J. Hamler has returned to practice after beginning camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, but he’s not yet doing much. Hamler has the speed to blow by defenders in a hurry. He has a skill set unlike any other Broncos receiver on the roster, and his speed makes him a threat to score anytime he’s on the field. When healthy, Hamler could attack defenses from the outside or from the slot – rotating with Jeudy at those positions. He should be ready to go by Week 1 of the regular season, but don’t expect to see him do much in camp or the preseason.

Behind Jeudy and Hamler, the Broncos have a good group of receivers who will get more time to impress with Patrick down. Rookie Montrell Washington has been looking good as a returner and as a receiver. He’s crazy fast like Hamler, but I don’t think he’s as polished a route runner. Kendall Hinton is the type of player ever team needs on their roster. He’s versatile and can be moved around the formation. Seth Williams is a big-bodied player with the wingspan of a two-car garage, making him a great target when you get near pay dirt. Tyrie Cleveland is inconsistent, but he has the tools to do more if asked. We’ll see which one of these receivers breaks away from the pack with more exposure.

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Bolles Playing Inspired

I’m watching Garett Bolles closely in this training camp. Regardless of what some think, Bolles did take a step back in 2021 after his breakout season in 2020. He played a career low in snaps last season, yet Bolles gave up a career high in sacks. There were fans last year in stadiums, unlike the COVID year in 2020, so Bolles saw his play come back just a bit. Add in a new offensive line coach in Butch Barry, and you can see why I’m watching Bolles closely.

I thought Bolles had his best day of camp when full pads came on. Everyone knows he’s athletic, and with pads on he did a great job of mirroring Bradley Chubb (who is looking great in camp). Bolles was able to redirect Chubb, and he’s set up to regain himself after the first move is attempted by whatever pass rusher he’s going against. Bolles had at least one false start on Monday, so it was good to see him up his game and bounce back with a better day on Tuesday.

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Quiet Confidence

I thought the Broncos got a good player when they selected Michael Ojemudia in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s a physical player who looked like he could be a good fit in the Vic Fangio system. Ojemudia did flash at times as a rookie, starting 11 games, and finishing the year with 62 combined tackles, six pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Even though Ojemudia did some good things, the Broncos continued to add talent to the position and that pushed him down the depth chart in 2021.

Last year, Ojemudia only appeared in two games, starting one of those contests and missing most of the season due to injury. He was placed on Injured Reserve to start the season but was activated near mid-December. Coming back from the hamstring injury that plagued him last year, I think Ojemudia has had a good camp for the Broncos. He’s playing with confidence, and it seems like when the ball is thrown his way Ojemudia is in position to make a play. Not many people are talking about Ojemudia, but I think they should given his performance in camp… and the quiet need at cornerback behind superstar Patrick Surtain.

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Finding Talent from the CFL

I can always tell when a player is having a good camp because I will get an abnormal number of questions about them. That’s what I’m getting this year with defensive end Jonathan Kongbo. He’s wearing No.90 for those watching camp at UC Health Training Center and he looks good for a reserve player on a deep part of the Broncos roster.

Kongbo comes from the Canadian Football League. Undrafted out of Tennessee in 2019, Kongbo was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the fifth round of the CFL draft. He played for the Blue Bombers that year and spent some time battling injuries but was part of the team that won the Grey Cup (the CFL’s Super Bowl) that year.

In 2020, Kongbo was released as part of a predetermined agreement to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, and the San Francisco 49ers gave him a futures contract. He made it through training camp with the 49ers but was waived with an injury settlement at the start of the regular season. Sitting out some time to get healthy, Kongbo then re-signed with the Blue Bombers of the CFL and won another Grey Cup after the 2021 season.

After that, the Broncos decided to give him a shot on a futures contract. I like his length and hustle at the defensive end position. Kongbo has long arms to control his man, and that length helps him make up ground when he’s getting after the passer. Kongbo plays with good power, and I know he’s turning heads on the field because fans are constantly asking me questions about him.

It is going to be a long shot for him to make the 53-man roster. But if he keeps up this performance through the rest of camp and the preseason, I could see the Broncos finding a spot on the practice squad for Kongbo.

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