5 surprise standouts early in Denver Broncos training camp

The Denver Broncos have been going at it in training camp for seven practices at this point, and players have started to stack days. Some of it has been expected, but some unexpected players are starting to turn heads.

We've been discussing undrafted free agent rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin at length at this point, and his name certainly bears monitoring going forward, but McLaughlin has already gotten a lot of publicity. There are other players that maybe came into camp as "forgotten" players or just underrated in general.

Which players have been surprise standouts for the Denver Broncos so far in 2023? Let's take a look at five who have been making waves.

1. Ben DiNucci, quarterback

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton may have joked about Ben DiNucci after he threw an interception in front of owner/CEO Greg Penner, but DiNucci has actually impressed since coming up to the NFL from the XFL on a tryout basis. Here's what Payton had to say near the start of training camp about what he likes about DiNucci so far:

"I think the one thing is—we talked about it in the meeting. His ability to get in the huddle, out of the huddle, execute the play, get to the right receiver, and distribute the ball. [There is] nothing really flashy. He’s a good decision-maker, and he’s pretty accurate. You know exactly what you’re getting, and his decisions and football IQ are really strong. Those are some things that sometimes you can’t appreciate until you have a preseason game, and you have a young quarterback and the clock’s ticking. There’s a calmness, a demeanor, and a little bit more experience with him—although he’s still young. I do see the arm talent and the athleticism, so [he is] someone we want to work with."

Sean Payton (via Broncos PR)

Nobody endears themselves to a third-string quarterback as quickly and as passionately as Broncos Country, and DiNucci will likely become a fan favorite over the course of training camp. You may even have some fans clamoring for him if Russell Wilson struggles.

All kidding aside, DiNucci seems to have made an impression throughout the offseason and has made some standout throws early in training camp.

2. Nik Bonitto, EDGE

The Denver Broncos desperately needed someone in their pass rush unit to emerge over the course of training camp, and quite frankly, they desperately needed it to be Nik Bonitto. The former second-round pick out of Oklahoma was a slight disappointment as a rookie despite not being picked until the 64th overall selection.

Expectations should have been tempered, but even with that being said, Bonitto was still a second-round pick and you expect a bit more from a player with that kind of draft status.

So far, it sounds like Bonitto -- who became somewhat of an afterthought in the pass rush group -- has looked really good.

We all know Bonitto has big-time speed off the edge, but the ability to play the run consistently will likely make or break his opportunity. He has to be able to set the edge consistently. If he can do that, then his pass rush repertoire can really be a weapon in regular season NFL games.

Sean Payton stated after Wednesday's practice that this is a "big training camp" for the second-year pro:

"We have his college coach. Obviously sometimes there’s a bigger learning curve for guys. It’s a production position, right. It’s one in which you’re getting to the quarterback, you’re affecting him—doesn’t mean you have to be sacking him—and then you’re holding up in the running game. This will be a big training camp for him."

Sean Payton

Imagine for a moment that Bonitto can be a factor for the Denver Broncos this season. The team eventually will get Baron Browning back, and with the emergence of Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper behind veterans Frank Clark and Randy Gregory...the Broncos might have something really cooking off the edge.

3. Montrell Washington, wide receiver

Is it time to rev the Montrell Washington hype engine again?

It might just be. Take a look at this from Andrew Mason's latest practice observations:

"Hardly a day goes by now that Montrell Washington doesn’t make something happen. And after a cloudy rookie season that ended with two healthy scratches after the Broncos replaced head coach Nathaniel Hackett with Jerry Rosburg, it seemed that Washington’s days could be numbered.

Right now, the only numbers standing out are the ones that reveal the big plays he’s making.

A 70-yard catch from Ben DiNucci earlier on Tuesday. A 40-yard catch despite tight coverage during Wednesday’s practice. And increasing confidence as he fields punt after punt after punt, with punt periods becoming a key point of emphasis this summer."

Andrew Mason, Denver Sports

Last year, Montrell Washington was arguably the star of training camp for the Denver Broncos, doing much of the same as we're now hearing about in 2023. He was making one play after another, and that continued into the preseason. That's going to be critical once again this preseason as Washington fights for his roster life.

This is a player who was benched late last season when Jerry Rosburg took over. Rosburg is a longtime NFL special teams coach and expert. He's been replaced by the likes of Broncos new special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica, and a guy who literally wrote the book on special teams -- Mike Westhoff. Talk about pressure for Washington, who was already facing long odds to make the roster.

As unfortunate as KJ Hamler's situation is, and as bleak as his roster chances may have seemed anyway, that situation may have given new life to Montrell Washington's roster chances. Especially because there's no clarity right now in the punt return department, the developments with Washington lately are notable.

4. Ja'Quan McMillian, cornerback

The Denver Broncos suddenly might have issues figuring out which cornerbacks to keep on their 53-man roster.

Unfortunately, Sean Payton revealed rookie Riley Moss suffered an injury that could keep him out up to four weeks, but the Denver Broncos have some depth at this position. Depending on how long you've been paying attention and following along, Ja'Quan McMillian may or may not be a surprise standout early on in training camp.

McMillian can play inside or outside at nickel or corner, and he's showing out on special teams drills as well. McMillian has added some bulk to his frame this offseason, and in an interview with Cody Roark of Mile High Sports, he noted that he spent all last season preparing for the moment he got when he started the last game of the year against the Chargers.

That preparation obviously paid off as McMillian played a great game vs. the Chargers in which he shold have had a pick-six, ruled incomplete and not overturned.

Entering his second season, McMillian now becomes one of those players who should get a ton of run in the preseason, and at multiple positions. He will look to solidify his standing on the 53-man roster by carrying a good training camp into the first preseason game in Arizona.

5. Taylor Grimes, wide receiver

Alright, it's time to talk about Taylor Grimes. It might be past time.

If you were to rank the Denver Broncos' roster 1-90 before training camp, Grimes might have been in the late 80s or 90. Nobody knew much of anything about this guy going into training camp because he's playing in a position group where the Denver Broncos traditionally carry a lot of players going into camp.

He wasn't given the biggest signing bonus coming out of (checks notes) Incarnate Word.

With all due respect to the Incarnate Word football program, this year was the first in all my years of covering football that I've ever heard of it. Grimes was actually one of a handful of players from Incarnate Word's program to get picked up by NFL clubs this year, and he has been turning heads and raising eyebrows at Denver Broncos training camp.

Grimes has been consistently winning in one-on-one situations at camp, and he's catching passes from both Ben DiNucci (3rd team offense) and Jarrett Stidham (2nd team offense).

I mean, you get the point, right? The picture is being painted clearly enough. Taylor Grimes, wearing no. 13, will be a player to watch as the Denver Broncos progress toward the preseason. What he lacks in size or athletic measurables, he more than makes up for with the ability to run routes with tremendous quickness.

If this guy can return punts? There might be something there.