The Denver Broncos have had three days of training camp, but some players are standing out more than others. Who needs to be making more noise?
Through the first three days of Denver Broncos training camp, plenty of players are making an early impression.
Unfortunately, there are also some out there that are just not quite catching the eyes of practice onlookers and that will need to change for them rather quickly.
There are plenty of days left for guys to stack practices together, and there are still all three preseason games for everyone to make a lasting impression.
It’s early, but let’s take a look at some of the players that aren’t making enough noise so far in training camp.
Alex Singleton needs to make some more noise at Denver Broncos training camp
Let’s be as fair as possible here — the Denver Broncos are currently not allowed to wear pads. Hitting is limited. Tackling is pretty much not happening unless by accident.
It’s not overly fair to say that a linebacker is not making enough noise at this point.
With that being said, Jonas Griffith has still made quite the impression through the first three days of training camp, and is apparently running away with the starting linebacker job next to Josey Jewell.
When Singleton was signed in free agency, the move was pitched as starting competition which many (myself included) scoffed at a little bit.
Singleton has accomplished plenty early on in his NFL career but through the first handful of days at training camp, it’s Griffith looking like a breakout defensive star and more like Singleton’s biggest role will be on special teams.
Caden Sterns not making enough noise at Denver Broncos training camp
After his rookie season, you would think that Caden Sterns would be vying for the starting safety job next to Justin Simmons here in 2022.
Sterns was one of the Denver Broncos’ most effective players last year on a per-snap basis, grabbing a couple of interceptions, racking up two sacks, five passes broken up, and two tackles for loss.
Unfortunately for Sterns, the great publicity hasn’t extended into 2022 just yet as fellow former Texas Longhorns defensive back PJ Locke is the guy grabbing all of the attention.
On day one of training camp, Locke had a couple of passes broken up. That strong start to camp came on the heels of OTAs where it was Locke — not Sterns — that was next to Justin Simmons during Kareem Jackson’s absence.
Is Sterns not taking that next step?
What does he need to show to get more of a prominent role on the field again?
The Broncos had to like what they saw from Sterns last year and many had high expectations for him this offseason, even going so far as to project him as the starter next to Simmons.
Up to this point, we haven’t heard enough from Sterns and while it’s great that Locke is practicing and playing well, Sterns has to get back in the mix ASAP.
Albert Okwuegbunam not making enough noise at Denver Broncos camp
After the blockbuster trade that sent Noah Fant to the Seattle Seahawks, everyone seemed on board with Albert Okwuegbunam at least getting the first crack at TE1 duties.
The Broncos didn’t go overboard to replace Noah Fant, and that’s completely okay.
Albert Okwuegbunam has plenty of upside and athleticism and has shown enough on the field to warrant a look as a possible starter.
The Broncos did use a third-round pick on Greg Dulcich in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Dulcich was looking like he was on his way to the starting role as of OTAs prior to a hamstring injury just before the break.
First, it was Dulcich stealing all of the headlines at tight end, and now it’s Eric Saubert.
Saubert is looking like the guy Russell Wilson is building the most chemistry with through the first few days of training camp, but where are all the Albert Okwuegbunam tweets?
Where’s all the Albert O. hype?
Just because he’s not generating a ton of hype doesn’t mean he’s out there looking bad or anything, but that TE1 job is not set in stone.
It may be Okwuegbunam’s to lose, but as of right now, it seems like the other guys are making more of an impression.
5 Denver Broncos players showing breakout signs early at training camp
The Denver Broncos just started training camp, but some young players are showing signs of breaking out very early on. Who is standing out?
We’ll see what changes in the coming days, and especially as the pads come on. There’s no doubt that Okwuegbunam is a talent, but the kind of headlines Eric Saubert and Greg Dulcich have made are the kinds of headlines we expected from Albert O.