Denver Broncos training camp day two reactions and observations

Depth chart shuffling

Defense

With Todd Davis out, all eyes were on the inside linebacker position to find out which player or players would be picked by the coaching staff first to step up.

The first one off the ‘bench’ to take reps with the first-team defense was Alexander Johnson, a second-year player who was an undrafted free agent of the Broncos in 2018.

Johnson spent part of last season ‘stashed’ on the Broncos’ active roster and another part of it on the practice squad, and wound up coming back to compete for a position this year. He’s got a good physical skillset and is one of the biggest inside linebackers on the team at 6-foot-3, over 245 pounds.

While Johnson was the first to replace Davis, he wasn’t the only one. When the Broncos went into their nickel defense with the first unit, it was rookie Justin Hollins, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon, who stepped in at ILB.

Hollis was even following tight end Noah Fant around quite a bit in Friday’s session.

The Broncos, at some point or another, rotated Joe Jones and Keishawn Bierria in with Josey Jewell at inside linebacker, but the lion’s share of reps went to Johnson and Hollins.

Offense

The first team offense looked similar to what it did on day one, but the Broncos again experimented with a variety of skill players around Joe Flacco.

Juwann Winfree once again caught the first pass of the initial 11 on 11 period of the day, continuing his strong work through two days of camp showing an impressive catch radius and ability to get open against the best corners on the team.

The Broncos rotated Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, and Devontae Booker in with the first-team offense today.

At tight end, Noah Fant got a substantial amount of work with the first and second offense. He was lined up everywhere, going in motion everywhere, and doing a little bit of everything. The Broncos, at one point, matched him up with Justin Hollins.

Kevin Hogan took most of the second-team reps, but Drew Lock got two snaps with the second unit at one point.

Newly signed RB Dave Williams was working with all of the second, third, and fourth offenses in his first practice back as a Bronco.

The Broncos had Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt working with the top offense throughout the day.

Jake Brendel stepped in at right guard for Ron Leary when Leary was taking a rest as he continues to slowly re-incorporate himself after an Achilles injury last year.