Broncos risers and fallers after preseason win against Dallas Cowboys

The Denver Broncos kicked off the 2022 preseason with a pretty fun victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Russell Wilson warmed up with his teammates but ultimately didn’t play. More than 20 key players for the Denver Broncos did not dress for this game, but unfortunately, Jonas Griffith did and looked like he was hurt pretty badly.

Griffith was ruled out of the game very quickly with an elbow injury but we don’t yet know the extent of it. He was clearly in a lot of pain walking off the field in the first quarter and make no mistake about it — losing Griffith would be terrible news for the Broncos’ defense.

As far as the game, the Broncos mostly dominated on both sides of the ball. The result of the game doesn’t really matter, but the reality is, if your guys go out there and execute, you’re probably going to get a great opportunity for evaluation and win the game.

The Broncos, in the first opportunity we’ve had to see Nathaniel Hackett at the helm of the team, put some really fun things out there for the football world to see. Who were some of the top risers and fallers from this game? Let’s take a look at a handful on either side of the ball.

Denver Broncos riser no. 1: Baron Browning, EDGE

Late in the first half, Baron Browning capped off what would have been an outstanding outing (if it had ended right here) with a sack on Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Browning’s speed rush was just way too much for the Cowboys left tackle, and Browning came through the line with a sack and celebration dance that was very reminiscent of Von Miller.

The great first half by Browning was loaded as far as the stat sheet is concerned, but it was really just the way he played in this game each snap that has everyone buzzing. He was undoubtedly the star of the game for the Broncos defensively in the first half.

Unfortunately, he came out in the second half of the game. I get it, he’s playing a new position and the Broncos are going to have to use him on special teams in the regular season — but let’s get to the regular season. Browning shouldn’t have been playing in the second half after what we saw in the first half. Plenty of other edge players to get snaps.