Minicamp Day 1 – Wilson’s eyes, a Bolles problem and a weapon at CB

The Denver Broncos began their mandatory minicamp on Monday. Things were lively out at UC Health Training Center, and the energy – which has been high all offseason long – was ramped up with mandatory workouts.

Even though the Broncos were having fun, you could tell there was a more serious nature to things than you get in OTAs. The Broncos practiced with a good pace, and there were good plays for both sides of the ball.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett likes what he saw on Monday. He especially likes what he’s seen from second-year cornerback Patrick Surtain – arguably the best player on this team not named Russell Wilson.

"He's a pain out there."

Coach Hackett on the offense going up against @PatSurtainll: pic.twitter.com/C7g3nwweY5

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 13, 2022

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

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The Eyes Have It

Russell Wilson is one of the most nuanced quarterbacks to ever play this game. He is hard to read as a defender, as Wilson does a good job disguising where the ball is going to go. The long pass is back for the Broncos, and Wilson throws one of the prettiest deep passes you’ll ever see on the football field.

His rushing ability is still there, and Wilson will extend plays when defenders do not expect him to. Wilson stays on time in the offense, and he stays on rhythm as a passer. However, if he sees something he doesn’t like then he will tuck the ball to run – either to keep the play alive to pass the ball or just flat out run to gash the defense for yards.

Wilson’s ability as a passer begins with his footwork – but I think his eyes also play a large role. He does a good job of staring down a receiver, what scouts call “birddogging,” only to turn quickly and go somewhere else. Wilson is brilliant when it comes to moving defenders where he wants them to be with his gaze. He’ll use his eyes to create space to go somewhere with the ball that he knew he was going all along. It’s not fake or robotic, defenders will really bite on Wilson’s gaze only to be fooled when he throws to a wide-open receiver.

THE EYES HAVE IT with Russell Wilson. I've talked to enough defenders around the #NFL that say what makes Wilson so difficult is not his legs but instead his eyes. You can see him manipulate coverage with his eyes at mandatory minicamp #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 13, 2022

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Bolles Problem

We all should be rooting for Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Bolles did not get his fifth-year option picked up only to play his way into a long-term extension with great play in 2020. That season, with no fans in the stands and with officials calling holding less, saw Bolles play better than ever, and things looked bright for the much-maligned offensive tackle.

Last year, Bolles saw his game regress. Many won’t talk about it, admit it or even recognize that it happened, but it did. Bolles’ game did not fall off a cliff, but things weren’t quite as sharp as they were the previous season. Bolles is seen as a high-maintenance player by some, but that was when he was a young player just learning the nuances of the position. He’s a seasoned veteran now, and Bolles is well paid as the franchises left tackle.

On Monday, we saw some bad play from Bolles during team drills – including two penalties that were called on him. After the first team was done with those reps, Bolles went over to Hackett to plead his case. Instead of this on-field drama (slight drama, but Bolles was animated when telling Hackett what happened), I’d rather see Bolles handle this off the field. In the meeting room is a much better setting than right in front of the media for all to see.

I HOPE GARETT BOLLES IS NOT A PROBLEM this year. He regressed from 2020 (when he was great). We all should be rooting for him, and he proved EVERYONE wrong…but that was then and this is now. Protecting Russ is PRIORITY NO1. Had some issues out there today #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 13, 2022

I think Bolles could be a problem this year. I hope I’m wrong, but we are past the time of looking for him to play up to his potential. Now that he’s been paid, Bolles needs to respond with better play – not the regression of play we saw from 2020 (his best year) to 2021.

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Williams World

There is no doubt that K’Waun Williams is a fantastic slot cornerback. Williams is like a blanket when he’s on the field for the Broncos. Very rarely do we see his man pull away from him in coverage, and Williams is there to break up the pass regularly.

Williams is a smart player who stays ahead of the play. He’s not fooled by a quarterback’s eyes or pump action on play fakes. Instead, he will closely watch the body language of his receiver to get any tips on where the pass could go. He understands leverage in routes and does a good job of closing any gap quickly with good burst to the ball.

We can’t see it in practice, and we won’t see it even in training camp, but you can tell that Williams is more physical than most slot corners. He is always around the ball and not afraid to swoop in on a run play when his responsibilities in coverage have expired.

K'WUAN WILLIAMS IS A BLANKET in coverage. If he stays healthy, Williams is easily the best slot corner we've seen since Chris Harris Jr. Great anticipation, good burst to the ball, doesn't let his man get away. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 13, 2022

Williams is going to help lock down slot receivers all season long, but there’s another part of his game that fans should fall in love with – he’s one of the best blitzing cornerbacks in the NFL. New Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is going to call more blitzes than former head coach Vic Fangio.

They’ve got waves of pass-rushers to turn to beginning with starters Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb. Guys like Malik Reed, Nik Bonitto and others are great when it comes to rushing the passer but it’s not just linebackers who are going to get in the mix. Williams could get a small handful of sacks this year bringing extra pressure from the cornerback position.

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