ATLANTA — The arc of some players’ progress can change with the preseason opener. It can provide an opportunity that was lacking during training-camp practices, or it can bring a player who flourished outside of the bright lights back to reality.
Either way, the Broncos could have a slightly better idea of their hand when it comes to the depth of the roster by the time Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium concludes.
For the three players highlighted here, the goal is simple: Continue on the path they’ve taken over the last fortnight since Broncos training camp began July 31. Edge rusher Que Robinson, running back Jonah Coleman and left guard Kage Casey have flashed in practice. If they play like they’ve worked in recent weeks, they have a chance to earn a greater role than initially projected.
BRONCOS EDGE RUSHER QUE ROBINSON
As consistent as he’s been at generating pressure off the edge during Broncos training camp, Robinson heads into Atlanta focused on what he could be doing better in his second NFL training camp after spending 12 of 19 games last year inactive.
“Honestly, not necessarily concerned about the good things that I’m doing. More concerned on tweaking those bad things,” Robinson said this week. “Just trying to get some inconsistencies out of my game and just be more dominant, more reliable for the team if they need me.”
Specifically …
“I think I still have some rookie things to fix,” he said, “like, just hand placement, timing the ball (at the) snap, making sure I learn my plays, to know them back of my head.
“Just small things like that that can help me be more consistent and more dominant.”
Despite having plenty to work on, he’s been as effective in pass-rush situations as the Broncos’ returning rotational edges, Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman — which says quite a bit, as they’ve been frequent playmakers in training camp, too.
No wonder Elliss is impressed.
“Oh man, he’s been great,” Elliss said of Robinson this week. “Not only has he excelled on the field, but man he’s out there and it feels like he’s a vet.
“I come off the field, maybe had a bad rush or maybe had a bad rep in the run game and he’s telling me what he saw and really just really just trying to elevate the room as a whole. So, Que’s been great both on and off the field and helping everyone grow in the room and just making a competitive room.”
Robinson isn’t the only young Broncos player who’s playing beyond his years as he prepares for the preseason opener.
RUNNING BACK JONAH COLEMAN
To the surprise of no one who studied him pre-draft, Coleman’s pass-protection abilities have stood out at training camp, giving him the aura of a veteran. As Broncos coach Sean Payton has said multiple times during camp, Coleman doesn’t seem like a rookie.
Quarterback Bo Nix attributed this in part due to the coaching and schemes in which Coleman played at Arizona and Washington.
“He did a number of things on tape or was exposed to certain protections that maybe that a lot of college backs weren’t,” Payton said.
“So, you feel an older player or a veteran player, and you saw that on tape.”
But it’s not just pass protection where Coleman stands out; his patience has led to some solid runs, and he’s emerging as a target in the passing game. Coleman should get an extensive opportunity Friday with J.K. Dobbins limited to individual work in the most recent typical-camp practice last Tuesday.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN KAGE CASEY
Selected by the Broncos three draft picks after Coleman last April, Casey has impressed in one-on-one drills. He has a strong base that makes him difficult to push back with a bull rush, while also displaying quick feet to adjust to a pass rusher’s second move.
But good in the drills is one thing — even though it’s a healthy sign. For Casey, the next step is to take it to the team work in a game situation. But so far, he’s impressed his teammates — including right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
“I think Kage has done a great job,” McGlinchey said this week. “I think Kage has a hell of a future.”
If he plays like he practices, he could be on track to push for a starting job a year from now, given left guard Ben Powers’ expiring contract. In all likelihood, if Casey must play extensively this season, something went wrong with injuries. So, these three games represent his first, best chance to show the potential to be in the team’s long-term plans.
For more, watch the video report from Atlanta.
