Denver Broncos training camp 2016 rookie report      

The Denver Broncos have a nice collection of rookies practicing each day during training camp at UCHealth Training Center. The scouting department does a good job of scouring the country for talent each year before the draft, and it’s the reason why general manager John Elway was able to quickly build a Super Bowl champion in Denver.

The team does a good job of finding young talent with the draft. They also are one of the best — if not the best — in the NFL at finding quality talent through the college free agent pool. These young players help build the foundation for a perennial playoff team as they develop through their pro careers.

The 2016 class of rookies looks like a good one. Each day at practice, my notebook is filled with rookies at varying position making plays.

Here is a rookie report for the Broncos after 10 days of camp.

Quarterback Paxton Lynch (first round)

All eyes are on the young QB each day at camp. The Broncos moved up in the first round of the draft to select Lynch out of Memphis, and he’s clearly the future of the franchise at the position.

Right now, it’s best to categorize Lynch as a “work in progress” during camp. It’s interesting to note that he looks great when under pressure. When Lynch has to improvise, he can keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Lynch is a real threat to run, and he can quickly gash a defense when running the ball.

As a passer, the rookie is cool under pressure, and he has no problem hitting receivers in stride when looking to make a play while chaos is swirling around him. He’s got a strong arm and can throw the ball with proper bucket accuracy 70 yards down the field.

However, when Lynch needs to simply drop back and make an easier throw his passes seem to be off. Overthrown passes are due to an inconsistent release point. Underthrown passes are mostly caused by a bad throwing angle. The team needs to work with him on his mechanics when making throws within the pocket. This is something he can clean up; it will just take some time to do so.

Lynch knows he can make improvements to his game.

“I think the biggest thing is just coming out here relaxing, just cutting it loose and playing ball,” Lynch said. “Sometimes you get in your own head when you start missing throws, and then you miss more throws. I think the biggest thing here is just coming out here, relaxing and doing your thing.”

Free safety Justin Simmons (third round)

I really like what I’ve seen from rookie FS Justin Simmons each day at practice. He’s a tall player with the range to roam the field from sideline to sideline. Simmons has no problem baiting QBs into bad throws, and he’s a threat to score when he gets his hands on the ball.

He’s a player with shades of Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks) to his game. Like Thomas, Simmons can play single-high safety without being a liability in run or pass defense. Simmons is also a sure tackler like Thomas. Last year at Boston College, Simmons only had four missed tackles and no broken tackles while snaring opponents for 49 solo tackles.

The rookie is not a starter … yet. He could see the field this year as the team’s nickel safety. If the Broncos don’t re-sign FS Darian Stewart this next offseason, Simmons could step into the starting role and shine.

Simmons is excited to get some reps with the first-team defense.

“It’s been great. It’s fun to get out there, play ball and run with the guys,” Simmons said. “It’s good because they’re helping me on the way, so you just keep it going day by day and try to get better.”

Running back Devontae Booker (fourth round)

The Broncos have a three-down-back-in-waiting with fourth-round pick RB Devontae Booker. He fell to the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft due to a meniscus injury, which required two surgeries to properly repair. The Broncos scooped him up as a valuable pick, and he could pay dividends for this team.

On film, Booker has plenty of power in a one-cut system. He gets downhill quickly and does not waste a lot of motion as a runner. Booker is also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield, but he’ll need to prove himself in pass protection if he wants to get on the field as a rookie.

At rookie minicamp, I told Booker it would be best to get into Anderson’s back pocket and learn as much as he possibly can.

According to Anderson, the rookie is doing just that.

“He’s just asking a bunch of questions which is always good. I give him everything I can, give him the tools, especially in our meetings. In our meetings, that’s where he gets all of his questions out,” Anderson said. “I remember being under somebody’s wing like that. It’s good to be under somebody’s wing. He’s under my wing, and I can help him out so he can help our football team.”

Other rookie notes

Undrafted tight end Henry Krieger-Coble has been an impressive player. He shows good concentration when passes are coming in and the body control to make difficult grabs. I’d like the team to put him on the practice squad and add more muscle to his frame.

Fifth-round pick offensive lineman Connor McGovern has really surprised me so far in camp. With the injury to right guard Ty Sambrailo, McGovern has gotten some snaps with the first-team offense. Known as a power player in college at Missouri, McGovern has shown the footwork to thrive in a zone-blocking system.

Undrafted wide receiver Kalif Raymond flashed at the beginning of camp, but his play has trailed off as of late. He could still push for a spot on the 53-man roster as a return man, but it will be difficult to knock veteran receiver Jordan Norwood from that spot. Raymond is lightning quick and a sharp route runner, but his small size (5 feet, 9 inches, 160 pounds) makes him a tiny target as a receiver.

Second-round pick Adam Gotsis is still limited by his knee injury. However, he’s moving well for a player less than a year from the injury and showing the ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. I’m surprised he’s practicing so much right now, but that’s a good sign for his recovery.

Undrafted wide receiver Mose Frazier has a good connection with Lynch. The two were teammates in college at Memphis, and it’s no surprise that their chemistry continues with the Broncos. I feel that Frazier should be kept on the practice squad as a developmental prospect and trusted target for Lynch.

The most impactful rookie on this roster could be fullback Andy Janovich. He’s basically a battering ram with a helmet as a blocker, but Janovich is also showing well as a short-yardage runner and receiver out of the backfield. Having a true fullback on the field should help further blast rushing lanes open for the rushing attack.

Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Kyle Peko seems to make it into my practice notes each day. He’s quick off the snap and looks to be a disruptive player inside. The future of the team’s nose tackle is up in the air since the Broncos didn’t place the fifth-year option on Sylvester Williams. Peko could play himself into a large role with the team in the near future.

I would like to see defensive lineman Eddie Yarbrough make the practice squad. He was picked up undrafted out of Wyoming this year, and he’s a technically sound player with a non-stop motor. I do believe he needs to add more weight to help him on the defensive line, but he could also lose some weight and play linebacker if needed. He’s not ready to contribute this year, but Yarbrough is a coachable player with good natural talent.