Sean Payton doesn’t need much time to size up an undrafted rookie, and Cam Ross has already put himself on the Broncos’ radar.
Ross popped up in Denver’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons last week, even if the stat line was modest. The rookie wideout was targeted three times and caught two passes for one yard, but he also found a way to leave his mark in the 27-7 win by leading the Broncos in rushing with a 28-yard run.
That kind of usage matters for a player trying to carve out a role, especially on a roster where the top receiver spots are already spoken for. Denver already has five pass-catchers projected for the 53-man roster in Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin, which leaves a cluster of young receivers fighting for whatever comes next - including a spot on the 2026 practice squad.
Ross is part of that group, along with fellow undrafted rookies Kolbe Katsis, Dane Key and Joseph Manjack. Each has flashed in camp in his own way.
Manjack tied for the team lead with three catches for 30 yards against Atlanta, and only Sutton finished with more receiving yards at 60. Ross and Katsis also both logged a kick return of 20-plus yards.
Payton has noticed all of it.
“I think that group in general has had a good week and a half," Payton told reporters following Wednesday's practice, when asked specifically about Ross. "They’re getting reps and they’re getting to play.
They’re all looking at not only roster, they’re looking at practice squad or they’re looking at the unknown of another team that has a vision for them. So I’ve been encouraged [them].”
The Broncos’ head coach also said this week that his starters are expected to play only about 14 snaps in Friday’s home preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. After that, the backups should take over.
That creates another opening for Ross and the rest of Denver’s young receiving group - whether it comes on offense, on special teams as a return man, or in the kind of gadget role that can stick in a coach’s mind. Katsis, Manjack, Key, Hakeem Butler, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Kyrese Rowan and any other pass-catcher with something to prove will get their chance too.
“We knew last week I think Atlanta was going to go 10 or 11 reps and we were going to go 14 or 15," Payton said Wednesday. "I haven’t seen that yet, but it’s good.
Teams have different philosophies. We have a philosophy and I’m sure [Packers Head Coach] Matt [LaFleur] knows what he wants to get done.
Again, the No. 1 goal is still evaluating the right 53. I can’t emphasize that enough.
So that’s the importance of these additional reps and games.”
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