Training Camp Roundtable: The most exciting Rookies

MHR is celebrating the return of football as the Broncos’ 2019 Training Camp opens this Thursday at Dove Valley. In anticipation of the long offseason news drought ending, the staff got together to talk about which rookies have us most excited for training camp/preseason and why. There’s a lot to be excited about as the season approaches- which rookies have caught your eyes, Broncos Country?

Noah Fant

It’s only right that the discussion starts with the Broncos’ 2019 1st round pick:

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Sadaraine: Noah Fant is the guy I’ll have my eye on. The Broncos have had nothing but smoke and promises at the tight end position for a few years now and are in need of an infusion of play making there. Fant has all the hype in the world behind him, so I’m excited to see what he’s all about at the pro level.

Adam: I’m like most fans, and I want to see Noah Fant. He was the first round pick for a reason. He also could end up being Joe Flacco’s security blanket, which means watching them get on the same page over camp is going to be important to the offense. Watching the first round pick seems like a copout, but he wouldn’t be the first round pick if he wasn’t the best player the Broncos drafted.

Jeff: Noah Fant. Denver has been missing a difference-maker at the tight end position since Julius Thomas left, and it looks like they finally may have one in Fant. I’m super excited to see the combo of him and Flacco in Scangarello’s offense.

Dalton Risner

It’s no surprise that Fant draws so much interest, and it’s no surprise that the staff’s other popular pick got a lot of attention either. Compared to his local connection, his aggressive style, and an important and immediate starting role on the offense, being the team’s 2nd pick of the draft almost seems like a footnote for Dalton Risner.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ian St. Clair: One could give a Laurie answer here (all of them) and they would be right. I go back and forth between Dalton Risner and Justin Hollins, but for this roundtable, I’ll go with Risner. Is he able to carry over his remarkable play at Kansas State to the Broncos? How much will working with new offensive line coaches Mike Munchak and Chris Kuper help Risner in that regard?

Perhaps the biggest question: Does Risner, coupled with Munchak and Kuper, at left guard aid Garett Bolles in taking the next step(s) to become the left tackle the Broncos expect? I’m excited to see Risner bring a level of competitiveness, nasty and talent the Broncos offensive line desperately needs. As important as the quarterback position is, if the offensive line doesn’t do its job nothing else matters.

Joe M: Risner, but I played OL in college, so I’m always curious to see how well rookie offensive lineman adjust.

Taylor: This is a class that may be significantly more impactful in its second season than it is in its first, with guys like Fant, Lock, and Hollins potentially needing a year to really get their feet under them. So for me it’s Risner. A local kid, lifelong Broncos fan, and a nasty aggressive blocker to boot? What’s not to love?

Drew Lock

Of course, there’s one more name everyone’s expecting to see here. Fresh off of four years of cheers from fans who root for one of his new team’s biggest rivals, this list wouldn’t be complete without the Broncos’ potential future franchise quarterback.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Just_JoRo: Drew Lock. I’m tired of watching Denver held back by subpar quarterback play. Despite John Elway’s best spin attempts, I doubt Flacco is more than a 1-2 year answer. Lock could be.

I want to see if/how he’ll grow with Rich Scangarello coaching him. The Broncos OC helped an undrafted rookie QB post a 176/274-2277-13-10 line over 8 games last year. He’s also gotten a lot of credit from Kyle Shanahan for his work with Jimmy Garoppolo back in 2017. I have hope he can refine Lock’s mechanics.

Still hope Lock gets a chance to sit and learn this year, but I want to see how he looks in the preseason compared to his Missouri tape.

Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Dre’Mont Jones

An intriguing prospect in the middle of the defense, the big question for Jones is whether he’s strong enough to compete against NFL guards. If he can develop some weaker areas of his game, though, he might just be the best interior pass rusher Denver has had since Malik Jackson left town.

Kyle B: Most excited about Dre’Mont Jones, gives Broncos flexibility at defensive end and could flash in the wake of Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett departures. Not sold on DeMarcus Walker

Who are you most excited to watch throughout training camp, Broncos Country? There’s no shortage of intriguing players, including draft picks that didn’t get mentioned here (LB Justin Hollins, WR Juwann Winfree) and undrafted guys like QB Brett Rypien, EDGE Malik Reed, and FB George Aston.

Keep an eye out through the rest of the week as well. We’ve got more roundtable discussions coming your way each day.

Just 3 more days until Training Camp!