Training camp is the perfect opportunity for players to show the strides they've made in their game and make themselves undeniable for the coaching staff for the upcoming season. Some Denver Broncos players have shown significant progress in the first couple of weeks of training camp, while others have frustratingly struggled to stand out in a positive way.
That doesn't mean these players have been bad, but for certain players, maintaining the status quo wasn't their best-case scenario during camp. A number of players needed to make bigger impressions than they have, at least so far, and they need to turn it around quickly.
Which Broncos players have not made nearly enough noise during training camp? We've got our top four picks.
Top 4 Broncos players who haven't made enough noise so far at training camp
1. Troy Franklin, WR
Something important to note here is that Troy Franklin has not been reported as struggling during Broncos training camp, but there have been reports that his involvement has been reduced by comparison to other players like Pat Bryant and even Marvin Mims Jr,, prior to Mims's camp injury.
Entering his third NFL season already, we selfishly want to hear more about the progress Franklin is making as an all-around player. Essentially, what we've been hearing all offseason regarding Pat Bryant is what we've been wanting to hear about Franklin.
And that just hasn't happened up to this point. Franklin has still been making some plays out there during camp, but even with Courtland Sutton essentially sitting out three practices during the first week of padded session, and with both Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims Jr. dealing with soft tissue injuries, Franklin's lack of big camp days are at least a bit frustrating.
He was second on the team in total targets last season. He was seemingly on a trajectory to be one of the Broncos' top 3 receivers, but it appears that spot has been taken over by second-year receiver Pat Bryant.
Franklin needs to start stringing together some big practice to remind folks that he's still one of the most talented playmakers the Broncos have.
2. Jahdae Barron, CB
There's a lot of pressure on Jahdae Barron as a first-round draft pick. There is even more pressure on him due to the fact that the Broncos passed on a number of other players and positions in order to take Barron at inarguably their most loaded position.
Even though the Broncos may be playing the long game, it's absolutely disappointing that Barron isn't competing for a starting job entering his second season with the team.
Although Barron has finally started to put together some standout practices, his lack of big plays through the first couple of weeks of camp was notable.
What you want to hear regarding a 1st-round cornerback entering his second training camp with the team is that he's playing his way into a bigger role on the team, but it feels like Barron has been capped as a backup to both Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, and isn't competing for snaps with Ja'Quan McMillian in the slot, either.
The Broncos don't need to apologize for having great depth at the cornerback position, but even with an outstanding trio of players at the position atop the depth chart, a player of Barron's pedigree and draft status should be making a lot more noise than he has been early in camp.
3. Backup safeties
The Broncos have a handful of quality special teams players among their backup safeties in Devon Key, JL Skinner, and free agent pickup Tycen Anderson. Although those guys are proven in their special teams abilities, they aren't adding much of note when it comes to what they are contributing to the defense.
Even if the Broncos are internally confident about what some of these players can bring to the table when/if called upon, there have been a lot of big plays given up by the 2nd and 3rd defensive units in the passing game.
These safeties behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones haven't done much of note throughout camp, if anything at all.
4. Dondrea Tillman, OLB
Once again, some clarification is needed here. Part of the reason why Dondrea Tillman hasn't made much noise during training camp is because he's been dealing with a hamstring issue.
While he's been recovering from and dealing with that, a number of other players have made some huge strides for the Broncos off the edge.
Most notably, Jonah Elliss is looking like one of the top breakout player candidates on the roster. Que Robinson has made the most of his opportunities. Johnny Walker Jr. is consistently creating pressure and is a former UDFA to watch during the preseason. Even Drew Sanders has been generating pressure and making a little more noise than expected.
While Tillman has been a valuable piece of the rotation over the last couple of years, those young players stepping up in camp could steal his snaps. As good as a player like Que Robinson is on special teams, Tillman might be falling behind in the competition for that 4th OLB spot on the team.
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