Three Broncos who are turning heads at training camp

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Now that the Broncos are over a week into training camp, patterns have developed. Players have stacked days.

And while the picture is decidedly incomplete at this point — especially for rookies who have yet to play a regular-season game — when you see players making an impact day after day, that’s the first sign of larger things to come, whether now or in the distant future.

For wide receiver Pat Bryant, the future might be now — or very soon. Once again he delivered with multiple receptions on Saturday, including a grab in the end zone between Ja’Quan McMillian and Jahdae Barron for a touchdown that saw him make a grab and stay in-bounds.

“That was unbelievable. But that’s been all camp. That’s what he can be,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said.

Joseph guided the entire team Saturday while Sean Payton was in Canton, Ohio at Drew Brees’ Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

“I mean, he’s the guy in that room, in my opinion. He blocks, catches the ball in traffic. He can track the ball vertically. He’s great in the red zone. So he’s a complete package. He’s got great size, man. He loves to play. He’s the same player every single day. And it’s been fun to watch him and [Marvin Mims Jr.], catch the deep balls and Troy get behind the defense. every other day.”

With Jaylen Waddle injured and Courtland Sutton missing three days of practice earlier this week, opportunities abounded for the third, fourth and fifth Broncos receivers — however they shake out. They delivered, although Mims missed Saturday’s practice after pulling up during Friday’s work and leaving with a team trainer.

But of equal importance to their improvement is what it does for the defense. They’ve tested the cornerbacks, just as Waddle and Sutton have.

“It’s been a challenge for our DBs, but again, that’s great for our team, right? It’s great competition every single day. It made us work. It made Pat [Surtain II] work harder every single day covering Waddle,” Joseph said. “So, that entire group had a great camp.”

BRONCOS FRONT SEVEN FLASHING, TOO

The same can be said up front on the defensive side, where the Broncos appear to have some potential answers for the question of replacing free-agent departure John Franklin-Myers. Joseph pointed to Enyi Uwazurike, Sai’vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim as pushing to fill that void, and all had pressures during Saturday’s work.

“Obviously replacing JFM has been a big point of conversation for us,” Joseph said. “We’ve got three guys there — in my opinion — with Tyler and Sai’vion and Enyi, so, I feel good about that, replacing JFM.”

Joseph said of both Jones and Uwazurike that each “changed his body,” getting stronger in the offseason. The results are palpable. But Uwazurike has been a particularly disruptive force before leaving Broncos practice early Saturday with a team trainer.

“He’s rushing the passer better, so he’s definitely fixed his body, and that’s changed the player,” Joseph said. “He’s always wanted it. He’s always been a run stopper for us, but now he’s a pass rusher, so, it’s fun to watch him improve. He’s been dominant the last two days.”

Also flourishing in the previous two days, according to Joseph, is inside linebacker Red Murdock, who forced his first fumble of training camp on Friday.

But for the Broncos’ final draft pick of 2026, it’s about more than just getting to the ball and being in the right spot to stop the run — as he is on a frequent basis. He’s making the pre-snap checks and relaying the play call, too.

“Red has had his best two days the last couple days,” Joseph said. “Red from day one has made every call cleanly, but he was kind of over-processing things. But now he’s playing fast again. He’s punching the ball out, like in yesterday’s practice. But, both guys are playing very fast.

“Red’s job is a little different (than that of fellow rookie linebacker Taurean York). He’s making the calls, so, it took him a couple days to kind of get used to making calls and playing fast, but now he’s doing that.

“So, I’m looking forward to Friday night to see him play live action with organic looks. It’s going to be fun to see.”

For all of the Broncos’ camp standouts — especially rookies like Murdock — that’s the next big hurdle.

For more, watch the embedded video.

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