Game overview:
The preseason has a lot of meaningless data and scouting (because of certain 1st-teams blowing away 3rd-team defenses, and vice-versa with team faltering running too many backups/no starters ever, etc.), but I do think, for what it is worth, that the Broncos had the best preseason in 2024. Looked the best to my eyes...and they went (3-0) and scored 34-27-38 in their three games, winning their last two games by 25 and 26 points. That type of offense, up-and-down the depth chart with 1st-2nd-3rd teams producing is not normal in the preseason.
When I say they ‘looked the best’, I mean played the cleanest, most effective football...not that they are the best in the NFL now. And what I really mean is – they were the most energized, aggressive, highest-effort team that I saw this preseason...so, a great coaching job...and nice personnel moves in 2023 mid/in-season and 2024 offseason with them adding (and cutting) talent up-and-down the depth chart.
The Packers were also one of my preseason ‘bests’, but Denver dismantled Green Bay in preseason Week 2 (27-2).
On the other hand, I think Arizona has been a big disappointment this preseason. They don’t look like ‘that team’ that is taking another step ahead...the team that people think/hoped Arizona would be this year, I think it’s the Broncos who will be ‘that team’ – the scrappy upstarts that everyone loves and thinks they might sneak into the playoffs...and then really loves them hard for 2025.
What a difference a head coach and franchise QB can make...
It’s just that simple, Carolina. Why do you butcher it so?
Did you know Denver finished the season (8-6) after their Miami massacre loss/(0-3) start? Did you know they (7-4) in their last 11 games? All with Russ and mass roster changes. Midseason they had a 5-game win streak, including beating GB-KC-BUF right in a row.
Scouting Notes from the game:
-- Broncos RB report...
I think the Denver backfield goes this way for 2024:
Javonte Williams (DNP) begins as the lead in a split, but it slowly drains out to more sharing with others. A true RBBC.
Jaleel McLaughlin (DNP) is maybe 65/35 (Jaleel the 35) with Javonte but could work 50/50 with him if Javonte is not showing any juice. His FF power is a 50/50 split upside and he’s the pass game back for PPR.
Rookie Audric Estime (5-18-1) started this game and will be the #3 RB...lightly used at first...put in safe spots. Just a straight-ahead power runner that’s not amazing by any means...just fine if he keeps his feet going, and dead when he stops for any reason. Very slow to get back up to speed. Serviceable but not a 3-down lead NFL back at this stage.
Rookie UDFA Blake Watson (11-38-0, 1-8-0/1) actually made the 53-man but was the #3 RB in the game here...Tyler Badie (10-32-0, 3-19-0/3) was in ahead of him here. I thought that meant Watson was doomed but...
Watson has impressed me a little bit his preseason, but not like he’s a hidden gem...just good, quick enough...quicker than Estime...and Javonte...maybe on par with Jaleel. He’ll likely be inactive early on.
I’m not impressed with any of these RBs this preseason, but together...they can be a serviceable/plausible duo-trio-quad.
-- This was the best 2nd-year QB Clayton Tune (12-18 for 119 yards, 0 TD/1 INT) has looked in his two years in the league. He looks more confident...under control...rolling out/scrambling with a purpose, reading defenses a little better and making confident throws. Last season, he looked like a frightened feline thrown into action vs. CLE and got swallowed up. He got Desmond Ridder fired last week as he won the #2 job behind oft-injured Kyler.
As a reminder: Football Outsiders, which I think still exists somehow...their #1 QB from that draft was Desmond Ridder. They LOVED him and told the world all about it.
-- ARI rookie WR Tejhuan Palmer (2-23-0/6), who I am a fan of, finally started to show why I like him here. He didn’t make the team, but you haven’t heard the last of him yet, I have a feeling. Hopefully, it’s with another team...but Arizona did draft him.
He’s like what the Chargers think Brenden Rice is...a taller, outside WR who just makes plays...but Palmer is without the paternal legacy boost. Is there anyone like that on the Cardinals, let me think...
-- Denver LB Nik Bonitto had 8.0 sacks last year and 13 TFLs, a nice season...but he’s not starting this year and was playing with the to-be-cut guys here. He’s been in Payton’s doghouse all camp.
