The Lead
As we previously noted in this space, the Broncos' 2021 draft class earned high marks from Nick Shook as he and other NFL.com writers analyzed each team's group of rookies.
With that division-by-division project completed, Shook and Gennaro Filice pooled all the draft class grades to create an overall ranking. The Broncos' group came in at No. 2.
"Well, the Broncos certainly knocked their first two picks out of the park," Shook wrote previously. "Surtain quickly validated Denver's selection with his first career interception in Week 2. He finished with four picks, made the PFWA All-Rookie Team and was PFF's 41st-graded corner in 2021, just behind Colts Pro Bowler Kenny Moore. Williams is Denver's long-term answer at running back, having averaged 4.4 yards per carry while scoring seven scrimmage touchdowns and breaking 1,200 scrimmage yards."
The talent throughout the class also earned accolades from Shook, but it's no surprise that Williams has been one of the team's rising stars. Recently, Pro Football Focus selected him as a top candidate for a breakout second season.
"This one may be cheating a little, considering Williams went for 903 yards already as a rookie," Michael Renner wrote. "But that pales in comparison to what he could do in 2022."
Below the Fold
Following Tuesday's introductory press conference for the new coordinators, much of the spotlight has fallen on the team's new leaders on offense and defense, but it's also important to put some focus on Special Teams Coordinator Dwayne Stukes.
In the press conference, he spoke about his vision for the third phase of the game:
"As far as special teams, we want to have an attack mentality," Stukes said. "We want to play fast, we want to be physical, and we want to dictate to our opponents the tempo of the game. That's our goal. Other than that, we want to capitalize on the return opportunities we get to give the offense the best field position possible, and then on the cover units, we want to give the defense the long field. That's our objective [and] that's our goal. [Me] and [Special Teams Assistant Coach Mike Mallory] 'Mal' — we're in the process of identifying players that we think can contribute on special teams and play at a high level. That's what we're looking for."
