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Denver Broncos: Five players that could turn heads at training camp

By Patrick Chiotti

Denver Broncos LB Justin Strnad #40. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos LB Justin Strnad #40. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 15, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Case Cookus (15) hands the ball off to running back Javonte Williams (33) during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Case Cookus (15) hands the ball off to running back Javonte Williams (33) during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Could Javonte Williams push Melvin Gordon for carries in camp?

Another rookie looking to turn heads in this year’s training camp is second-round running back Javonte Williams. After the team made the tough decision to let Phillip Lindsay test the free-agent market, it was apparent that George Paton and the Denver Broncos coaching staff was ready to go in a different direction with their running back room.

The team still had Melvin Gordon, Royce Freeman, and LeVante Bellamy in the group, but still added more depth in the form of Mike Boone, the former Minnesota Vikings running back. Then the team traded up in the second for Williams, a talented, all-around back out of North Carolina that seems poised to be the future for the offense.

Williams’ hard playing style and explosiveness will almost certainly turn some heads at camp, but the bigger question is can he push the veteran Gordon for the lion’s share of carries? It’s entirely possible, but not likely. Gordon is in the last year of his current contract and the team will likely get the most out of their 2020 free agent signing and save Williams for the future.

If Williams continues to showcase his impressive abilities to run the ball, catch passes out of the backfield, and pass block (one of the biggest reasons they made the investment in him), he will do a lot more than just turn heads at camp.

Assuming he starts training camp splitting reps with Gordon, we will see a lot of Williams against the first-team defense, which will be the ultimate test for the rookie.

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