Denver Broncos training camp storylines: Defense

How quickly will the rookies gain trust?

In 2017, the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff had seemingly no interest in playing rookies.

Garett Bolles was a rare exception, as was Isaiah McKenzie on special teams.

Aside from those two players, the most significant impact from the Broncos’ 2017 NFL Draft class came in a week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs that was meaningless in the standings, other than for NFL Draft positioning.

How quickly will rookies gain trust this year? Will the Broncos’ coaching staff be instructed to take some leaps of faith?

Obviously, the Broncos will utilize Bradley Chubb a lot as a rookie. He is likely to earn starter snaps even if he doesn’t run out of the tunnel every time starting lineups are announced.

Behind him, the team was weaving Josey Jewell in with the top defensive unit at OTAs and that could very well continue into training camp. We mentioned in the previous slide that there’s an opening at cornerback which could also be seized by Isaac Yiadom.

Next: Broncos Training Camp battle: Backup QB

If veterans are not clearly separating themselves, it might be wise of the Broncos’ coaches to allow young players to earn their lumps and get valuable on-field experience.

It’s hard to believe having a player like Yiadom at corner would be such a glaring weakness over the course of the season that the whole organism that is the Broncos’ defense would falter.

Training camp will be a critical period for the rookies gaining the trust of their coaches.