Training camp is where roster battles get loud, and for a few Denver Broncos, the silence has been a little too noticeable.
That doesn’t mean these players have been flat-out bad. But in a setting built for separating yourself, standing still is its own kind of problem. A handful of Broncos have either been slowed by injury or simply haven’t popped the way they needed to, and that matters when the rest of the roster is making noise around them.
Here are four Broncos players who haven’t done nearly enough to stand out so far at camp.
Troy Franklin has not been described as struggling, but his camp footprint has been smaller than expected. Reports have pointed to a reduced role compared with players like Pat Bryant and, before his injury, Marvin Mims Jr.
That’s part of what makes this feel underwhelming. Franklin is entering his third NFL season, and the hope was to hear more about his growth as a complete receiver.
Instead, the conversation has centered on Bryant.
Even with Courtland Sutton sitting out three practices during the first week of padded work and both Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims Jr. dealing with soft tissue injuries, Franklin still hasn’t had the kind of camp days that force attention. He was second on the team in total targets last season and looked like he was trending toward a top-three role at receiver.
Right now, though, that spot appears to belong to Bryant. Franklin needs a run of strong practices to remind everyone what kind of playmaker he can be.
Jahdae Barron’s situation carries a different kind of pressure. As a first-round pick, expectations were already high.
Add in the fact that Denver passed on other players and positions to take him at what was described as its most loaded spot, and the spotlight gets even brighter. The Broncos may be thinking long term, but it’s still disappointing that Barron isn’t in a real fight for a starting job entering his second season with the team.
He has started to stack some standout practices, but the early stretch of camp was quiet in terms of big plays. For a first-round corner entering his second training camp, the ideal storyline is simple: he’s pushing for more.
Instead, Barron looks capped behind Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, and he doesn’t seem to be challenging Ja'Quan McMillian in the slot either. Denver doesn’t need to apologize for strong depth at corner, but Barron’s draft status demands more noise than this.
The backup safeties have also been easy to overlook. Devon Key, JL Skinner, and free agent addition Tycen Anderson all bring value on special teams, and that part of their game is proven.
The problem is that they haven’t offered much on defense. Behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, the group has been part of a second and third unit that has given up a lot of big plays through the air.
So far, these safeties haven’t done much to change the conversation.
Dondrea Tillman’s case comes with an asterisk because of the hamstring issue that has slowed him down. Even so, the timing isn’t ideal.
While he’s been dealing with that, several edge defenders have surged. Jonah Elliss is looking like one of the strongest breakout candidates on the roster.
Que Robinson has taken advantage of his chances. Johnny Walker Jr. has been consistently generating pressure and is a former UDFA to keep an eye on in the preseason.
Drew Sanders has also flashed more than expected.
Tillman has been a useful part of the rotation over the past couple of years, but the competition is getting crowded. With young pass rushers making their case, and Que Robinson also bringing special teams value, Tillman may be slipping in the battle for that fourth OLB spot.
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