Denver Broncos: Stock up, stock down after Vikings game

Rookies: Patrick Surtain II, Andre Minzte, Caden Sterns, & Javonte Williams

This rookie class came to play tonight.

Patrick Surtain II not only had a splash play, but he also played solid all around. Before his pick-six was heard across Broncos County, Surtain II was tested on an early slant and he played very tight coverage. Surtain II also used length and body to swat the pass away.

Surtain II looks like he is smothering receivers out there, not illegally either. He looks every bit of the next “franchise corner” for this team. It was a short debut from Surtain, but he looks like he could start in an NFL game tomorrow.

Highly impressed.

Undrafted free agent Andre Mintze looked like the best pass rusher on the field tonight. That is for both teams. While Bradley Chubb and Von Miller did not play, Malik Reed did. Mintze was consistent and was involved in many plays.

He recorded one sack, but he also had several pressures and showed impressive athleticism chasing down speedy Ihmir Smith-Marsette down the line of scrimmage. Like Malk Reed did in his undrafted debut, Mintze shined.

Another solid performance, Caden Sterns had a great night on run fits. Sterns really showed his ability and willingness to step in the point of attack and get dirty. While I’m not saying he is Justin Simmons, his style of play reminds me of how I felt about Simmons coming into the league.

His length and range were impressive tonight, he and PJ Locke II are making their push to become this team’s second unit at safety.

If it wasn’t for Patrick Surtain II getting a house call tonight, Sterns would have been awarded the best defensive play of the night. On a fourth and goal, Sterns and Locke assisted on forcing an incompletion and turnover on downs for the Vikings.

Locke was in tight coverage, but not tight enough. Sterns then stepped in and hammered the intended receiver, cleanly, and jarred the ball loose in the back of the end zone. It was truly a remarkable play from Sterns.

Javonte Williams didn’t score tonight, he also didn’t break a huge run. He still played well in my opinion. On a night where he had 5 carries for 29 yards, Williams ran tough and he ran smart. He read his line well and attacked the hole that was open.

Phenomenal performance from these rookies tonight.