The initial stock report of the preseason after the Broncos’ 18-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night.
Stock Up
OLB Nik Bonitto
Bonitto was arguably the Broncos’ best defensive player Friday night, with the second-year outside linebacker notching three tackles, a split sack and a quarterback hit while using his speed to get in the backfield. Bonitto’s best play of the night happened in the second quarter when he charged toward Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune before changing direction to stop running back Corey Clement on third down. Bonitto left the game after the play due to a hip injury, according to the game broadcast. Outside linebacker was one of the biggest question marks heading into training camp. However, Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper have shown that Denver’s edge rushing depth might be better than expected.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin
McLaughlin delivered when it mattered most — by preseason standards, anyway. The undrafted rookie running back played a big role during Denver’s 10-play, 87-yard scoring drive late in the fourth, as he caught a 12-yard pass and rushed four yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 1:34 left in regulation. Unfortunately, the Broncos’ defense couldn’t hold on to the lead in the final seconds. McLaughlin has impressed the Broncos’ coaching staff throughout training camp with his speed and ability to break loose for big runs. Itap safe to say he made another good impression Friday night.
DL Matt Henningsen
Henningsen might be another second-year player primed for a breakout season. The Wisconsin product was disruptive at the line of scrimmage, finishing with three tackles, a quarterback hit and a split sack. The Broncos’ depth at defensive line has been a concern, especially after D.J. Jones suffered a concussion in the first quarter. Mike Purcell remains on the active/non-football injury list and Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. If Henningsen can help fill the void, that would be a welcome development.
Stock Down
Broncos’ kicking competition
For those looking for clarity in the kicker competition, Friday night provided very little. The Broncos missed 3 of 4 field goal attempts Friday, with both kickers trading misses early. In the first quarter, Brett Maher missed a 47-yard attempt as he kicked the ball wide right. Denver threatened to score in the early minutes of the second when Elliott Fry missed a 50-yarder. But Fry responded in a big way, booting a 55-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the first half to give the Broncos a 10-0 advantage. Maher got a shot at redemption as well, but his 52-yard attempt in the third quarter was blocked.
LT Garett Bolles
Back on the field for the first time since last October, Bolles showed some rust against the Cardinals. Facing second-and-10 with four minutes to go in the first quarter, Bolles allowed Arizona’s outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck to sack Wilson for a loss of seven yards. In the second, he allowed a quarterback hit that forced Wilson to throw the ball away. Arizona’s pass rush brought the heat, and Bolles couldn’t handle it.
QB Jarrett Stidham
The Broncos’ offseason backup QB acquisition was cringe-worthy in his first game in orange and blue. Stidham completed just 5 of 15 passes for 50 yards and an interception with a 16 passer rating. The former Raider had a couple of passes batted down and he stared down wide receiver Montrell Washington before throwing a pick with more than 12 minutes left in the third quarter. Not what the team wanted to see from a player it invested a two-year, $10 million contract in.
