Denver Broncos: Rookie performance grades vs. Raiders

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos stands in a group of players before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos stands in a group of players before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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Denver Broncos
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 18: Linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with defensive back Justin Simmons #31 and defensive back Will Parks #34 after a tackle in the end zone for a first quarter safety against the Chicago Bears during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Bradley Chubb, DE

Against the Raiders, Chubb racked up four tackles, two for no gain or a loss, and one pressure on the quarterback.

The Raiders made it tough for the Denver defensive front to get any sort of pressure throughout the whole game, so the fact that he was even able to get one is impressive.

If the Broncos’ defense had played more press-man, players like Chubb may have been able to get in Derek Carr’s face a little bit more. The defense was unable to adjust properly to the Raiders’ quick-strike passing attack, and the pass rush was almost rendered useless throughout the game as a result.

Still, the Broncos matched up extremely well in the run game against a team that is very tough up front on the offensive line in Oakland, and Chubb held his own.

One potentially critical error Chubb made was a lapse in judgment dropping in coverage on the Raiders’ failed 4th-and-game attempt. The pass from Carr was luckily dropped by the fullback, so Chubb was let off the hook, but he completely missed the fullback running in the flat and took a really deep drop in coverage instead. Had the Raiders’ fullback caught the ball, the Broncos might have lost the game.

Grade: B

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