Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - CHANCE: Denver Broncos' Jahdae Barron Can Make Strong Case at Broncos OTAs

Starting point is 00:00:00 Debra Brocco's cornerback, Jada, Barron can perform throughout OTAs in a way that makes him impossible to ignore as the team gets ready for training camp. You are Locked-on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. What's up, Bracko's country, Cody Works, Sarah Bendinger, and on today's episode of the show, OTAs officially begins today.

Starting point is 00:00:30 And we'll go through and tell you why there are going to be a handful of players that, based on how they perform in OTAs, could make things impossible to ignore about their potential, how they fit in the depth chart. We'll go through the undrafted rookie free agent class in a year. It seems very stacked. Seems unlikely that an undrafted rookie will make the team. But as we've seen in recent history, anything is possible. Also, it's another opportunity for the Broncos young tight ends like Dallin Bentley, Justin Jolie, and Caleb Loner to stand out as the Broncos look to upgrade the overall ceiling of the tight end room. We're going to kick things off by talking about Jaday Barron as he enters year number two,

Starting point is 00:01:04 how he can perform, how he can rotate into different positions, which might make his role impossible to ignore as the team gets ready for training camp. Sarah, I'm excited. Today is the day. I'm sure the Broncos will post some photos of certain practices going on here. But as OTAs kicks off officially, Denver is the last team in the NFL to take the field. We're going to get our first look at a handful of players this week. But I think it's a great thought exercise here to go through and talk about which

Starting point is 00:01:31 players can maybe stand out here in OTAs, which makes things a little bit tougher. to ignore as they get ready for training camp as all these guys are trying to make the best case for a roster spot. But for Jaday Barron in a deep cornerback room, he can make things impossible to ignore for other reasons to have nothing to do with a roster spot. Yeah, we're really talking about the time of year where it's best shape of my life season, right, where every player is going to come out and be like, yeah, I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. They're feeling good after having all this time off. But I think what we're also doing in this kind of thought exercise, like you mentioned, for this episode of the show is almost manifesting like future headlines, right?

Starting point is 00:02:09 For Jada Baron, that future headline that we want to see is that he looked so good out there on the practice field that it's undeniable that he deserves a role in the starting lineup. And that's not to say anything negative about Riley Moss or J-Quan-McMillan or anybody else, but really to be able to see even without pads on. think for the coaching staff, especially like we talked about on yesterday's episode of the show, new defensive backs coaches, to be able to see that progression from him in year one and year two, man, that's what we want to hear about from Jaday Barron. Because I think up to this point, he's kind of gotten unfairly criticized as a first round pick, which he didn't choose to be

Starting point is 00:02:51 the Broncos first round pick last year. That's the situation that he was drafted into. So it's down to the team to make sure that they maximize his talent. And, And it's up to him to be the best version of himself to be able to be an asset to a Super Bowl contending team. And yes, we're all trying to figure out, well, how do the Broncos do this if they add this player to the roster? Or how are they going to figure out, you know, getting playing time for all these guys at cornerback or safety or whatever it may be? I think with Jaday, what we want to hear is that year one to year two, he looks like a completely different player in terms of he looks really good out there. He looks disciplined. He knows the defense exceptionally well.

Starting point is 00:03:30 he's playing with confidence wherever he's lined up. Those are the types of things that we want to hear about Jaday going into and out of these OTAs. Yeah, and I think that when we have the opportunity to watch practice, when they are going through some seven on seven stuff, even 11 on 11, no contact. Is he making plays on the football? How is he also? Here's another thing to consider too, Sarah. I don't know exactly where he's at. Jaday is one of those five players that Sean Payton was talking about during rookie minicamp when talking about injuries.

Starting point is 00:04:00 had scheduled procedures. Now for Jaday, this offseason, he had, I believe, a meniscus operation. And I know he's been going through his rehab process. So this is also maybe something to watch, too. Like, is he ready for the start of OTAs? Or is he just going to be one of those guys that is there at mandatory minigab? I believe the players that had those operations there, I believe J.L. Skinner was another with the torn labrum that he played all of 2025 with Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper. I don't know who the other player was necessarily. Bo Nix ended up being the sixth player, as Sean had said. But I don't know who that fifth guy is specifically here for Denver. On top of that, though, for today also, it's not only overcoming some of the, I'd say, unfair critiques that people

Starting point is 00:04:45 had on him last season just because he was a first round pick. He didn't play as many snaps, I think, comparative to what other first round picks do, though I think people constantly forget this and it drives me crazy. The expectations for him were different. Yes, he's a first round pick, but the circumstances as to where he was, he wasn't drafted to be a day one starter. He's going to compete, right? But obviously, his role is going to be rotational. And he proved to have a valuable and impactful role, especially as a tight end coverage guy, the aspect of being able to cover some of those guys play underneath while you have two safeties over the top.

Starting point is 00:05:18 They like what Jaday can do in that regard, but also being able to flex them to the outside. Nobody in my opinion, Sarah, had a harder job than Jaday. coming in as a rookie to an already deep cornerback room, having to learn not just one, but three or four different roles here for Denver defensively. Outside corner, inside the nickel slash dime, but also at times having to learn maybe that nickel, dime linebacker position,

Starting point is 00:05:42 and even having to know some of the safety stuff there just in case. Like that's what was all on his plate last year. And I think so many people ignore that about him. So for me, I think he is going to come into this upcoming season, and more confident into OTA's training cap. I think he's going to turn heads. He's going to definitely look more comfortable this year,

Starting point is 00:05:59 I think, than he was last year. And now with that is can he make those opportunities count in the regular season when he gets on the football field? That's what we're looking forward to see it. Well, the plot definitely thickens with the idea that he's had an offseason procedure as well. I think that a lot of the unrest from the fan base with Jaday stems from the fact that he was a bit older when he was drafted, right? So you expect, I guess, the team, if they're going to draft a player at a position that you're deep at,

Starting point is 00:06:28 to be a younger guy and to be somebody that, hey, down the line, when he takes over as a starter, he's still only going to be 22, 23, maybe even 24 years old. That's why there's urgency, I think, from the fan perspective to see Jaday on the field is he's going to be, you know, older than most guys that you would typically see coming out who aren't immediate starters. And so the clock is ticking in many different ways, I suppose you could say, with Jaday Barron. But I think also, you know, there is a reasonable level of expectation as a first round pick. I mean, there is inherent pressure with that that, you know, fair or not, given the situation, you're a first round draft pick.

Starting point is 00:07:07 So you've got to live up to that billing and then some. You got to prove what is the old quote from Peyton Manning, right? He's like, now that you've been picked number one overall and you got your contract from the Colts, what are you going to go do? He's like, I'm going to go earn it, right? and make, you know, the same logic, I guess you could say, can apply as a first round pick because, hey, what are you going to go do now that you're a first round pick of the Denver Broncos? I'm going to go prove them right. I want to prove them right for taking me,

Starting point is 00:07:32 regardless of whatever the situation is, regardless of what my role is. And so I just think for Jaday, you got to prove out there, man, you're able to not just learn all these different positions, drinking through a fire hose as a rookie. But now you're at such an expert level that you can teach those positions to other guys. So I'm excited to hear about his progression. I'm excited to hear about from the coaches, and maybe Sean will expound on this a little bit. What is the vision for him now going forward?

Starting point is 00:07:59 I mean, is it as an outside corner? Because Vance, Joseph alluded to that last year in the interview that he did with Peter Schrager. So I think we all want to hear good things about Jaday. We want to hear good things about everybody on the team, but especially because this is, I mean, the team hasn't had many first round picks in recent years. I mean, Pat Sertan in 2021, Bo Nix in 24, and then Jadae in 2025.

Starting point is 00:08:21 Those are over the last five plus years. So I'm looking forward to hearing good things about him because he's going to be important for this defense. Yeah, he is. And I think his role regardless, right, even if it's the same as last year, I think it's going to be more important because now he knows the defense a lot better than he did as a rookie. And I think last year, his film, his tape, man, there was so much, there was so much good that, stood out about it. There wasn't a ton of bad. Like, that's the thing. Like, of course, there's rookie growing pains. There's moments where you can learn. But I felt like for him to get thrown into the role, really coming into games often at times cold and to make some of the plays

Starting point is 00:08:59 that he did, I'm like that. That's why he was a first rounder. There was a lot to like about his game. And now it's just about going out there and taking more, putting more on your plate and doing well with it. I think he can. I'm excited to see how maybe he responds. And we'll find out maybe the vision that Sean Payton and the team has for him going into this upcoming season. or not that will reveal any potential competitions during training camp. It will be interesting. We'll get that obviously this week as the Broncos take the field for OTAs. We get one day of practice this week.

Starting point is 00:09:25 The media is allowed to. So I'll ask Sean if I get the opportunity to do just that. But coming up next, the young tied-in groups like Dallin Bentley, Justin Jolie, Caleb Loner, they all have an opportunity to turn heads here in OTAs, which could make things very interesting for training camp. We'll highlight that here on today's episode of the show. Today's episode of the show was brought to you by friends over there at Indeed, folks workplace chaos can throw everything off you got deadlines that are stacking up you got your

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Starting point is 00:10:27 with Indeed sponsored jobs with less stress, less time, and more importantly, more results. So when you need the right person to cut through the chaos, this is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. And listeners to the show, you get a $75 sponsored job credit that will help give your job the premium status. It deserves it. Indeed.com. podcast. Just go to Indeed.com slash podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indyde.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply. I need higher. This is a job for Indeed. Sponsored jobs. OTAs will be the perfect training ground for Broncos's young tight ends to stand out, especially with some veteran presence at the position. We're going to talk about that. And much more coming up on today's episode of lockdown Broncos. in Broncos country, we appreciate you so much for tuning in rocking with us every single day. You can get your daily Denver Broncos fixed completely ad free by joining the everydayer club today. And you can even start a seven day free trial right now and get closer to your favorite team,

Starting point is 00:11:25 the Denver Broncos without any interruptions. So click the link in the show notes or check out locked on Broncos. That supercast.com. Cody, let's talk about the young tight ends. I think a lot of the discussion this off season has been centered around the same positions that we kind of talked about last year, right? linebacker, tight end, running back. We're all wondering, how are the Broncos going to get better at these positions? They didn't necessarily figure them out last year to the degree to which everybody's

Starting point is 00:11:53 super comfortable with, right? I mean, the Drey Greenlaw signing, that was kind of a failure ultimately, right? They cut him after just one season. The Evan Ingram signing, well, they brought Evan back or they're, you know, at least we believe he's going to be back for the whole season. But there's young players now at that position at tight end. So you've got Evan, Adam Trotman, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins, these guys that are kind of established in the NFL or in Sean Peyton's offense. And now you'll be able to contrast those guys very directly with fifth round pick, Justin Jolie, seventh round pick, Dallin Bentley.

Starting point is 00:12:29 And then, of course, last year's seventh rounder and a guy Sean Peyton just talked up, Caleb Loner. Yeah. And look, I think it's a great opportunity to always try to figure out if you can upgrade your room, you want to do it. right? And if you can upgrade a room at a cost effective approach, but also your banking on development with some of these younger guys, this is the approach there. And so much of that development is what you mentioned. Let's go to Caleb Loner, last year's seventh round pick. Didn't play much last year. Obviously didn't play in the regular season. Did get one. I'd say game day call up. I think that was more so to reward him financially for all the hard work he did on the scout team, practice squad. He did a lot of things behind the scenes there. But as we saw in training camp, you know, he had good size. But he wasn't necessarily catch. a ton of passes in the preseason. You know, he had a couple of catch passes here and there, but he had penalties. He had some missed blocks and he just looked like a guy who didn't have a lot of football snaps in his repertoire at college level.

Starting point is 00:13:23 54, I think to be exact there at the college level for him. So not a lot. But now it's about carrying that over into this upcoming season. Now, certainly Sean getting him a little bit of a nod here at rookie minicamp is a vote of confidence for him. He looks bigger here. And now for this tight end group, as we see the veterans and the veterans and the rookies take the field for the first time together beginning.

Starting point is 00:13:43 Obviously, today, to me, it's what can you do when you get into some passing situations, right? I want to see these guys making plays not only a seven out seven. I want to see it in the 11 on 11 periods. But it's also hard to evaluate because the tight ends, John loves them as blocking options, you cannot physically, there's no physical contact allowed. So that element of this potential room is going to be hard to measure here. But how do they do in the passing game?

Starting point is 00:14:08 How do they do as route runners? Those are things that I'm going to be keeping an eye on as I'm writing down on my notepad every single play that's happening on a play-by-play basis and whatever notes of who stands out. I want to see that from the Titans. I want to see Caleb Loner up the seam catching a pass. I want to see Dallin Bentley catching passes. Justin Jolie catching passes. I mean at rookie minicamp, Jolie had this incredible catch there where he's running across the field. He's running almost a drag.

Starting point is 00:14:34 Quarterback throws it behind him. He adjust, body adjusts one hand and grabs it. I want to see plays like that. Now, obviously you want to see quarterbacks put in the ball where it needs to be for these guys. But you want to see these guys create. To me, that's the most important thing. And this also applies to Evan Ingram. We want to see creation at this position.

Starting point is 00:14:53 We do. And we want to see the involvement of what that's going to look like. I know we're not going to get the full picture of it with Davis Webb calling the plays. But it's to the point that we discussed about Evan Angram on yesterday's show that we want to know that he's going to be properly utilized. and that goes for all the tight ends. And that's where I kind of come back to the point about being able to sort of have a contrast of, well, we've got the veterans, Adam Troutman, Evan Ingram, these other guys who have been around for a couple of years now with Adkins and Kroll.

Starting point is 00:15:23 And then we've got the young guys who they haven't been around. They've never been in this offense or like Caleb Loner, he's only been here for just one year. And so we're going to get a chance to see with these young guys and their talent and Loner and his progression. what do they look like directly compared against Ingram and Troutman and Crowl and all these other players? Because that's going to help inform your roster decisions. That's going to help inform what are we going to do in terms of dividing snaps?

Starting point is 00:15:50 What are we going to do in terms of mixing and matching personnel? When you get a chance to see these guys on the same practice field together, it gives you that opportunity to very directly say, man, this is where like Joe Lee is looking like he's on the same level as these guys. Bentley is looking like he could play right away because you're able to compare them to guys who have a lot of NFL experience or a lot of experience in your offense. And it's no longer just about talent or it's no longer just about the scouting reports that are put out there by the NFL draft experts. What it's now about is applying that talent to how you've been diving into the playbook and really learning every little nuance of whatever you possibly can to be able to stand out in that. that way. And so that's where we talk about kind of becoming impossible to ignore as the theme here is how much can you put yourself on the same playing field as those veteran guys.

Starting point is 00:16:47 Also, when the Broncos transition into their special teams periods, these guys, like, you want to see them going out there and end reps because they're going to have to compete against Nate Adkins. They're going to have to compete against Lucas Crowe guys who have played valuable special team snaps here for Denver. I want to see these guys get in line first. I want to see after they complete one rep, go back to the front of the line and go do. it again. Like there are some guys that take pride in that. I mean, it's different. Like, you know, you want to do that. I'd say the competitive nature is like, if you can't do that, do that. But ultimately, you also want to be smart. You don't want to overdo it. You don't want to try to do too much and end up making a fool of yourself. Most of these guys don't do that. But in that situation, sometimes you see certain guys that try too hard and it sometimes ends up backfiring.

Starting point is 00:17:27 I don't think that's going to be the case with guys like Bentley or even Jolie at that point. And even, I would even say the other guys that they have in this mix that are competing. with the Nate Adkins. Like, Nate, as you mentioned earlier, he's proven. He's solidified as a guy that Sean Payton knows exactly. And Sean will say this himself. You know exactly what you're going to get from Nate Adkins. Right there, that's where you have to kind of embrace, like lock in competition.

Starting point is 00:17:51 It begins now. And look, it's not going to be the determining factors to like what makes or breaks your spot on this roster. But you need to make an impression here early. And you need to carry that momentum going at the training camp. And obviously, when you get to training camp, you got to carry it over there when the pads come on. that's really going to be what ultimately determines it. But right now, OTAs, the underwear Olympics, as we call it, it's all about making a good first impression.

Starting point is 00:18:14 And that's exactly what these guys have to do. Broncos country, let us know your thoughts here on Denver's Young, tight-end group, what you think that they need to do in order to stand out here to maybe challenge some guys like Lucas Kroll and Nate Adkins for a potential roster spot this upcoming season. But coming up next, we've talked about it. The Broncos history of drafting undrafted rookie free agents has been storied with this franchise, but that streak could be in danger unless one of these guys turns heads.

Starting point is 00:18:39 We'll talk about the pressure and how one of these guys can make it impossible to ignore going into training cap. Brockos Country, today's episode of the show was brought to you by our friends over there at Fandual. Folks, the NBA finals are here. Every possession in this series that you're going to see between Victor Webb and Yama and the Spurs, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks, it's going to matter. It's going to be very important.

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Starting point is 00:19:26 They have really good depth, especially off the bench. I believe that this game won, the over under in terms of point projection combined for both teams is 218.5. I think this is going to be a very high scoring NBA finals. I'm going to take the over 218 in this matchup specifically. And you can do them put together player props as to who you think is going to score 20 points amongst both teams and so much more. Even who scores the first basket and the final bassist. Give it on the action over there at Fandul here today. Head to Fandu.com to get started. Fandu, play your game. History has a way of repeating itself. And for the Denver Broncos, history means undrafted rookie free agent.

Starting point is 00:20:04 Jim standing out and making the team. And it all begins, as we mentioned, with first impressions. The Broncos have a great opportunity to do just that. Thank you once again, all the everydayers out there in Broncos country, tuning in making us your first listening on the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network in the country where it's also your team every day. We appreciate you so much. Sarah, we've talked about this with Denver's roster being what it is with 71 plus players from last year's roster being back. You have your rookie class and you have your undrafted guys. It makes it a lot more difficult. for these undrafted guys to make the roster theoretically here. But there are a few names that we've obviously highlighted. I feel like one player we should talk about in terms of standing out to a point

Starting point is 00:20:45 where it makes him hard to ignore. I want to see Tori in York. I want to see him go out here and stand out making plays in 7 on 7, 11 on 11, whether it's tip passes, whether it's going out there and intercepting something, just make some standout plays, read and react. I want to see that. That's where these guys who have the most unlikely path to make in the 53. This is where they can really start to turn heads a little bit.

Starting point is 00:21:08 And this is where they start compiling their data profile in terms of having practice film and reps where the coaches can go back when OTAs a mini camp are finishing. They can say, you know what, going to the camp, let's do a little bit more with this guy. Let's see if he can respond to a little bit more. Let's put a little bit more on his plate here. And let's see how he responds. This is the opportunity for guys to make cases for themselves that make them impossible to ignore.

Starting point is 00:21:29 And Tori and York is the Broncos most expensive undrafted free agent pickup. Right. I mean, the priceiest that they've ever had when you talk about overall guaranteed cash given to an undrafted player, $325,000. The Broncos have never given that much to an undrafted player. And you could talk about the inflation or percentage of the salary cap over the years and things like that. But that is a substantial investment that is on par with a high sixth round draft pick. If you look up what sixth round picks are given in terms of overall contract guarantees. So the Broncos believe that they're going to see the best. out of York and he's in a unique situation because he's playing at arguably what I think from the outside looking in, we would say is one of the weakest positions on the roster. But how about guys on the undrafted free agent, you know, talent pool who are playing at the deepest positions on the roster, right? Because there's a couple of guys who stand out in terms of the money they were given, their productivity at the college level, at the cornerback position, Cody, I'm really interested by the fact that the Broncos brought in two guys after the draft,

Starting point is 00:22:36 Amari Harvey out of Georgia Tech and Brent Austin out of Cal. Both of those guys were given over 100 grand in terms of their overall contract guarantees. There were six undrafted free agents this year who were given over 100 grand in contract guarantees. That is uncommon for the Broncos. That is not something that this team normally does. So what that says is after the draft, there were, as Sean Peyton said, a number of players that they felt they had draftable grades on these guys. Money talks. Money will tell you. And I think it's interesting for a player at the cornerback position to stand out at OTAs,

Starting point is 00:23:13 how meaningful would that be, Cody, their first opportunity, even without pads on, their first opportunity on the field with players like maybe Pat Sartan, Riley Moss, Jada Baron, Jekwon Macmillan, Chris Abrams Drain. if you're a rookie undrafted corner like Amari Harvey or Brent Austin, and you can find a way to stand out with those guys on the same field, that is going to speak volumes toward maybe carrying on this unbelievable tradition that the Broncos have. Well, and I think when you mentioned that position specifically, you mentioned a guy who went through that already. Jayquan Macmillan was an undrafted rookie free agent.

Starting point is 00:23:53 Now, initially he didn't make the 53-man roster. He was a practice squad guy. got us called up. But, you know, for him, he was the guy that just went out there and made plays. You know, nobody knew necessarily who he was. I'd say for the most part going into these practices, but coming out of it, you're like, who's number 35? Because that was the number he was wearing initially at the, at the start of everything was number 35 in practice. Like, this guy's, he's got an interception. He's knocking the football away. I mean, he's got really tight coverage on guys. He's playing on the outside. He's playing on in on the inside. Like that's our first

Starting point is 00:24:24 impression of Jayquan in these practices was that. Now, Now, did we think Jayquan was going to emerge to be one of the best young nickel guys in the NFL at the time? No, but I think it's a testament to saying, hey, if you think that this guy has the traits and can perform, stay patient, right? Even if he makes the 53 somehow, that's a blessing in disguise. But if not, there is a ploy here to make it to where that guy can stay on the practice squad and develop further. That's why I think too, Sarah, when you see sometimes this money, you know, more money going out to some of these undrafted guys in terms of guaranteed money in terms of when they sign, I think that's one of those things that tries to convince those players, hey, it's not a guarantee you'll make the 53.

Starting point is 00:25:04 But even if you don't, it shows that we still want you to be here. We believe in you and somewhat and you're going to have your work cut out for you. But if you don't make it, we plan on bringing you back to the practice squad. I think having that money and a little bit more guarantees thrown to these guys, I think sweetens the pot to where these guys are like, you know what, they're building something special here. And obviously these guys are going to see it in the meeting rooms. But I think it also entices them to stay.

Starting point is 00:25:26 Now, you do run the risk of waivers, but the unlikely scenario of your players getting claimed off of waivers, especially some of these guys, is a little bit lower in comparison. So you have a better track of doing that. But it just, I think, creates a sense of stay loyal to stay patient with us. And the selling point is, look at what J-Mac has done. Historic Local Chris Harris Jr. did and all these other guys. I'm excited to see Amari Harvey. I'm excited to see Brent Austin getting some opportunities as we talk about a deep cornerback room with PS2,

Starting point is 00:25:52 Riley Moss, Jerez, Dray, Chris Abrams, Drane, Jaden Robinson. and undrafted guy from last year, like the competition is going to be pretty sweet at this position across the board. And it is an opportunity now, I think to go out there and make a name for yourself. And the same is true at wide receiver, right, where the Broncos, we've talked about it, their top five at the position, maybe even their top seven if you want to include practice squad or we'll see where Lil Jordan Humphrey kind of lands in that discussion. But you've got your top five guys that we've discussed all off season. And then you've got Lil Jordan Humphrey and you've got Michael Bandi already on this. team and those guys are pretty well solidified. Like with this coaching staff, those guys are

Starting point is 00:26:31 pretty well trusted at this point. So if you're the undrafted free agents, you've got to find a way to set yourself apart. I did a bonus episode last week, Cody, and talked about Joseph Manjack, who was the Broncos highest priced wide receiver on this year's undrafted free agent heap. And I just think it's little, little things. Like the fact that he doesn't wear gloves, right? It's like, you guys all out there at practice are going to see this one dude. who has no extra equipment besides his helmet. And it's like the dude who has no gloves is catching everything, right? I can already see that being a situation.

Starting point is 00:27:04 And then it's like now it becomes a big deal. And now it becomes a situation where he's getting mentioned in all these articles. And I'm not saying that's for sure going to happen. But I'm saying that's kind of where these, it's the exodus of these guys' stories, right? Or the genesis of their stories, excuse me, like the beginning, right? It's the first time that we're getting to see these guys. on the field going up against legit NFL defensive backs. And we know when it comes to practices without pads,

Starting point is 00:27:33 the two position groups that really do get evaluated the easiest are wide receiver and corner. So this is an opportunity where those two position groups can really make themselves undeniable because we've seen, even in what is perceived to be very deep position groups, like I don't think everyone had Devon Vele making the team right before his first rookie OTAs, right? I think we're kind of like, oh, yeah, he's going to have a real uphill battle to even get on this roster.

Starting point is 00:27:59 And then he ends up playing a significant role as a rookie. And so those types of things can happen where year over year, you're like, man, I just don't see a path for this guy. All of a sudden, Jalen Virgil makes the team or, you know, Devon Bailey makes the team. Or it's all these different players throughout history who you're just like, it's going to be tough. It's going to be hard. But, I mean, there's, you know, you never say never. and that's where it begins for all these guys at OTAs and standing out, and I can't wait to hear how they do out there.

Starting point is 00:28:28 I think their undrafted class of players has some really good talent there and even some other wide receivers too. Michael Woods, he's a third year player that's not an undrafted guy. He stood out initially earned. He was on a pro tryout basis. He earned an invite off seat to this even further. But I think another guy, Cameron Ross, number 87, he stood out during rookie minicamp. We'll see if he can fit into the mix as well. Devin Key's brother, Dane Key, had a nice catch down the left sideline, tightly contested.

Starting point is 00:28:52 the coverage from Amari Harvey, one of those jumpball situations where he made the play. Like there's just a lot of good competition for these back-end guys. Or I think guys that will challenge some of the guys that have been around like Michael Bandy for quite some time. Little Jordan Humphrey challenged those guys for potential practice squad opportunities. And as you mentioned, you never know. There could always be a path that opens up to the 53. Right now it's hard to see with the wide receiver position.

Starting point is 00:29:16 It's hard to see a cornerback. But anything is possible. We've seen that historically over time here in Broncos country. We're excited to get our first look at the Broncos as they take the field this week. Obviously beginning here today, OTAs kicks off. And then we'll have one access to practice this week, one of the practice days for Denver. And we're excited to bring all that coverage to you. So if you want to know what's going on, boots on the ground coverage,

Starting point is 00:29:36 Lockdown Broncos is the place to be with Sarah and myself. And Sarah's got a bonus episode coming out for you guys later about three Greenlaws contract coming off the books, what the Broncos could do maybe with that extra salary cap space and so much more. Make sure you check it out. We'll see it tomorrow for a brand new episode. Locked on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - CHANCE: Denver Broncos' Jahdae Barron Can Make Strong Case at Broncos OTAs

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