The Legend of John Boyett Grows at Denver Broncos Camp
The legend of John Boyett is growing rapidly at Denver Broncos training camp after he played well in the team’s first preseason game.
Boyett, in case you’re not already on board this hype train, is a second year safety out of Oregon who had an injury riddled but productive career for the Ducks. In fact, he got his start at Oregon by replacing an injured T.J. Ward, and from that point on he didn’t look back…until he had to have multiple knee surgeries.
Banged up and on the mend, Boyett was drafted by the Colts in 2013 far later than he would have otherwise been, but was released after a public intoxication incident in which he told law enforcement that they couldn’t arrest him because he played for the Colts.
He was cut before the season started.
Boyett’s run-in with the law was atypical of his behavior at Oregon, and he obviously cleaned up his act and proved to the Denver Broncos that he’d changed enough to be added to the practice squad last year.
Practice squad players come and go, but Boyett was an interesting name because he probably would have needed his rookie year to redshirt and get right medically before putting out an NFL product on the football field.
Now that you’re up to speed, you should know that the product is swiftly rising into the high quality range, and Boyett is turning heads.
Known for his ability to hit, Boyett can also track the ball really well. His name snuck into the notes of Jeff Legwold at ESPN.com and the Denver Broncos’ official report from camp noted that he ‘flashed again’ at camp, day 22.
Watching back the Broncos’ first preseason game, it’s clear to see what kind of range Boyett has. he can play sideline to sideline, deep down the field, up close to the line of scrimmage, and he’s very instinctive. The Broncos’ current group of safeties includes three locks to make the roster in T.J. Ward, Rahim Moore, and Quinton Carter, all of whom are working in with the first unit, but after that I don’t think anything is a sure thing.
Duke Ihenacho is a phenomenal downhill safety, but he really struggles in one-on-one coverage situations. David Bruton is a special teams ace and captain of the team, but he’s a liability defensively as well over long periods of time.
Since the Broncos can’t completely count on either guy at this point, it’s fair to question if one of their roster spots is up for grabs and Boyett can make the most of that.
He is one of the players I had identified as someone who is going to be under the microscope in the Broncos’ game against the 49ers. I can’t wait to see more of him on the field and what he brings to the table as a potential reserve safety. Coming out of Oregon, I felt like a year or two down the road, he’d have starting potential.
He’s now got a prime chance to cash in on a huge opportunity.