Noah Fant | TE | Iowa (First round, No. 20 overall)
Noah Fant grew up as the youngest of six siblings in a football household. His brother, Chris, older by 10 years, was Fant’s high school coach in Nebraska. Fast forward to NFL draft night in April and it’s no surprise Fant was surrounded by family the moment his life changed forever.
The Broncos traded back in the first round to select their tight end of the future.
“I went and hugged my mom first, hugged my dad and then hugged the rest of my family,” Fant said. “It was a super special moment for me. I was very emotional. … The stars aligned in a perfect way.”
Fant was nearly unstoppable as a pass-catching Iowa tight end with 1,083 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns. The Broncos need that skillset to pair with quarterback Joe Flacco, who historically leans on tight ends, should Denver’s offense make the strides coaches are hoping for.
Justin Hollins | LB | Oregon (Fifth round, No. 156 overall)
Very few NFL rookies are asked to attempt what the Broncos envision for Justin Hollins in 2019.
Play two positions: Outside linebacker in the base defense and inside linebacker in sub-packages.
“I’m one of those guys who is going to get in and play wherever I am needed,” Hollins said. “Whether that is special teams, inside, outside — it doesn’t matter.”
The numbers back Hollins’ do-it-all attitude. He was the only FBS player in the country last year with at least five sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. That wrecking-ball attitude figures to serve Hollins well in coach Vic Fangio’s defense.
“I’ve seen good progression in that he’s learning two positions, which is hard,” Fangio said. “He’s shown that he can run and he’s got some athletic abilities (being) long and all that. He’s just got to develop the love of hitting people like linebackers in this league have to have.”
Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State (Third round, No. 71 overall)
The Broncos drafted a star pass rusher last year in linebacker Bradley Chubb. Did they find another this season in Dre’Mont Jones? Chubb sees nothing but potential.
“I feel like (Jones) is beyond his years,” Chubb said. “I feel like we got a steal with him. He brings power, he brings speed and his hands are amazing. I feel like for a rookie he is definitely in a league of his own and I’m excited to see what he continues to do.”
Jones is considered undersized (6-3, 281) for an interior defensive lineman, so his burst from the point of attack is critical to his success. And, Jones gives credit to an unlikely source for his ability to burn past offensive linemen. He was a multi-sport star growing up in Ohio.
“I definitely gained some of my footwork in basketball having that quick step,” Jones said.
Drew Lock | QB | Missouri (Second round, No. 42 overall)
Drew Lock attended the NFL draft in April with expectations of crossing the stage as a first-round pick. Never happened. He languished into the second day until the Broncos finally called his name.
“I know the kind of player I am and know what kind of player I’m going to be, and this adds a little chip to the shoulder bigger than the one that’s already on there,” Lock said. “The king-size Pringles, right now, that’s how big the chip on my shoulder is.”
And, it’s only grown since then, considering Lock struggled early in preseason play before suffering a right thumb sprain in his third exhibition game. The franchise still views Lock as their quarterback of the future, however currently unrefined, and heir apparent to Joe Flacco. But Lock’s wait to prove his NFL worth will continue as he heals his thumb.
“To learn from a Super Bowl-winning quarterback,” Lock said, “I couldn’t be more excited to be able to go in there and do that.”
Malik Reed | OLB | Nevada (Undrafted)
The most surprising depth-chart rise from training camp? Malik Reed.
The rookie edge rusher made his introduction to Broncos Country with one sack in each of the first two preseason games. The coaching staff responded by waiving Jeff Holland; once considered a prime candidate to help replace the production of outgoing edge rushers Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray.
“(Reed) likes to hit people, which is job description number one for an NFL linebacker, and he’s got good instincts and good feel,” coach Vic Fangio said. “He doesn’t know everything yet. A lot of it is still new to him. He was a guy that played multiple positions in college, really never had a home there. We’re glad we have him.”
Reed appreciates the familiarity of a single position, too.
“Last year I moved from off the ball to linebacker and I had to learn a whole new system,” Reed said. “But I definitely feel like some of the things that I took from that experience are definitely helping now as far as coverage and how to play the game.”
Dalton Risner | OL | Kansas State (Second round, No. 41 overall)
Everything you need to know about Dalton Risner boils down to his choice of footwear.
Not in pads, of course, when cleats anchor the massive frame (6-5, 312) which is expected to clear rushing lanes and keep quarterback Joe Flacco upright this season at left guard. He’ll swap those shoes for something more comfortable postgame; the same pair of dirty cowboy boots he wears back on the Risner family ranch in Wiggins.
“These are the boots I’m wearing in the corral (and) the boots I’m wearing to feed cattle,” Risner said. “These boots are just kind of who I am.”
Risner has been nothing but tough and gritty through his first NFL training camp as he quickly settled into a starting role.
“He’s doing well,” coach Vic Fangio said. “It’s a credit to him and where he’s come from and his hometown. He is more NFL ready than most players at this stage of their career. I wouldn’t give him his union card yet as an NFL guard, but he’s well on his way.”
Josh Watson | OLB | Colorado State (Undrafted)
Josh Watson endured plenty of football heartache while serving as the heartbeat of Colorado State’s defense.
The Rams finished 7-6 with bowl losses in each of his first three seasons and CSU faltered to 3-9 in Watson’s senior year. And, despite 365 career tackles, he went undrafted. But it seems Watson’s college resolve has blossomed into a real opportunity with the Broncos. Training camp injuries to Todd Davis and Josey Jewell gave Watson the extra practice repetitions needed to make an impression on coaches, although his initial impact will be felt on special teams.
“Being under multiple coaches and defensive coordinators (at CSU), seeing how their philosophies changed or have been the same, the terminology, the rules and game plan; being able to play in that many games have allowed me to see things with a different perspective,” Watson said. “Also, being at a non-Power 5 school, I feel like being able to play the big schools has shown that I can compete with those guys.”
Juwann Winfree | WR | Colorado (Sixth round, No. 187 overall)
Those searching for the best example of Juwann Winfree’s dominance at wide receiver should look no further than Nov. 11, 2017. The CU Buffaloes hosted the USC Trojans at Folsom Field and Winfree had the game of his college life: five catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
A flash of potential through a difficult CU career.
Winfree, a junior college transfer, suffered a torn ACL and endured hamstring and ankle injuries in Boulder. But he made enough big plays for the Broncos to trade up and select him in the sixth-round as a big-body possession receiver with breakaway speed. Winfree’s growth through his first NFL training camp centered mostly on mental aspects of the game.
“Being one step ahead in your mind,” Winfree said. “That’s what changed for me when I got here.”
