3 Denver Broncos that have been too quiet at training camp

As we have officially reached the halfway point of Denver Broncos training camp, we have already learned a ton of nuances between the current roster and coaching staff as opposed to last year's staff, despite only being eight days into camp. As multiple young players compete for a spot on the 53-man roster, we learn many new areas of both strength and weakness in Denver's depth and depict which individual players stand out throughout practices to help create a new identity on both sides of the ball.

While a large number of Broncos have stepped up and shined when called upon, a small portion of players have either yet to have much inclusion in the team's plans or simply have not risen to the occasion during 11-on-11s. Here are three Denver Broncos players that have oddly been too quiet in the opening days of training camp:

3 Denver Broncos players who have been too quiet at training camp so far

WR Jalen Virgil

Signing with the Broncos in 2022 as an undrafted free agent rookie, Jalen Virgil's chances of making an NFL roster had seemed slim to begin with due to Denver's WR room aching of high potential with Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and KJ Hamler. However, after Patrick's unfortunate torn ACL and Virgil's emergence during camp and preseason, GM George Paton and the Broncos had no choice but to save a spot for Virgil on the season-opening roster.

Despite not appearing in the first eight games of the season, Virgil made his NFL debut in week 10 against the Tennessee Titans in which he took his first career reception 66 yards to the house and showcased some serious acceleration. Enough for former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett to give him the opportunity to appear in the final eight games of the season. With injuries to Denver's WR room, Virgil was not given much of an opportunity to be involved in the offense as he was targeted just five times in 74 offensive snaps.

In the 2023 offseason, the Broncos have added multiple WRs to the room including Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Marvin Mims Jr., Taylor Grimes, Michael Bandy, and Nick Williams with Kendall Hinton and Brandon Johnson returning from last season -- all of which are battling for roster spots behind Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. With the added competition though, Virgil has had little to no involvement in 11-on-11 periods, let alone not many targets when out on the field.

Virgil has even been outperformed by rookie undrafted free agent WR Taylor Grimes and last year's fifth-round draft choice Montrell Washington, both of which were considered to have far-fetched chances of grabbing a roster spot. While the preseason will be the main setting for the glorified determining factor of which WRs make the team, Virgil is going to have to stand out in every single opportunity he receives for the remainder of camp.

CB Tremon Smith

One of the more interesting players on this list is free agent addition Tremon Smith who was signed to a two-year, $5M contract in efforts to strengthen Denver's special teams that has been a below-average unit in the NFL over the last five years or so. Not only is Smith a special teams ace, but he also provides key versatility to the CB position as he can insert at both nickel and outside corner.

In regards to Smith's special teams ability, one of the 27-year-old's more valuable assets consists of his return ability as he returned four punts and 19 kicks in the 2022 season with the Houston Texans. However, throughout the first half of training camp, not once has Smith received any reps with the other returners despite returning 94 kicks in his five-year career. In fact, the Broncos have elected to give rookies Jaleel McLaughlin and Taylor Grimes work in the return game during practice, rather than Smith who has much more experience under his belt. A bit of a head-scratcher by Sean Payton and Ben Kotwica. Perhaps we are in for a surprise?

Not only on special teams but in the secondary Smith has been as quiet as a mouse. Perhaps this is due to his sound coverage however, second-year CB Ja'Quan McMillian has been more impressive in the secondary, another corner who possesses versatility to play in the slot and outside. Smith is going to play a key role in Denver's special teams coverage during the 2023 season given the contract he signed however, it is certainly interesting he hasn't received any reps at returner and is being outshined by other corners on the roster that weren't guaranteed a roster spot a week ago.

RB Tony Jones Jr.

Since signing a one-year, $940k deal with the Broncos earlier this offseason, multiple members of the media considered Tony Jones Jr. a lead candidate to win Denver's RB3 battle behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. And at the time, it made a lot of sense considering Jones Jr.'s past experience playing under Sean Payton in New Orleans and his fit in the system. However, Jones Jr. certainly has not had the most exciting camp. In fact, he has been outperformed in almost every aspect by RBs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin.

Both Badie and McLaughlin have played much better to where Sean Payton has given them an increased snap count as opposed to Jones Jr. and thus appears to be in favor of him being released later this offseason. Barring any impressive performances at camp or preseason, Jones Jr. has found himself as the vet looking from the outside in at a young, talented room. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old RB, the competition has been much tougher than initially anticipated as both McLaughlin and Badie have repeatedly exchanged big carries in Payton's run-first offense while Jones Jr. has been very productive.

Tony Jones Jr. has had a few solid catches and carries here and there in 11-on-11s however, it is going to take a lot more to beat out the speedy options ahead of him. Just like for every other position, the preseason is going to determine a lot of futures for numerous players on this roster.