Denver Broncos Preseason Game 2 Player/Position Grades

Aug 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Lerentee McCray (55) and outside linebacker Nate Irving (56) warm up prior to the start of a scrimmage at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers:

Brandon Marshall: A

Nate Irving: B

Lerentee McCray: B

Lamin Barrow: B-

Corey Nelson: C+

Shaquil Barrett: A-

Steven Johnson: B+

Jamar Chaney: C+

Jerrell Harris: B-

L.J. Fortt B-

Overall: B

The linebacker play by the Broncos was good. There is room for improvement, as there always are. Brandon Marshall was excellent. He had one noticeably bad, when he dropped into coverage and a TE split him and Irving for a catch. Irving had that play against him, and had a couple of run plays. One where he misread it and plugged the wrong hole. McCray kept showing off his pass rushing skill, but was exploited a bit in coverage and in the run game. Nelson is real quick to the ball, but lost his cover assignment a few times. If Nelson gets engaged in the run game, he won’t get off the block. Barrow had a rough game, before it ended with a leg bruise.

Barrett looks like a complete package at LB. He can rush the passer, defend the run and drop into coverage with good to great success. Steven Johnson added another interception this preseason and looks really good on defense and special teams. Chaney, Harris and Fortt all played solidly, but are looking to be out of a job in the coming weeks. They are young and have a lot of room to grow, they just need to find somewhere they can do that.