In their inaugural preseason contest, the Denver Broncos triumphed over the Atlanta Falcons with a commanding 27-7 scoreline. The assessment of individual player performances, based on detailed evaluations by Pro Football Focus, reveals a mixed bag of exceptional plays and areas requiring further development across the roster.
Highlighting the offensive unit, receiver Courtland Sutton showcased his prowess by successfully catching all three targeted passes, accumulating 60 yards, including a pivotal 40-yard gain that set the stage for Denver's initial touchdown. Other notable offensive contributors included left tackle Garett Bolles, right guard Quinn Meinerz, quarterback Sam Ehlinger, and running back Jonah Coleman, all of whom received high marks for their effective play. Conversely, wide receiver Kyrese Rowan, offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Lucas Krull, running back Jaleel McLaughlin, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey were identified as the lowest-ranked offensive performers, with McLaughlin's fumble directly leading to the Falcons' sole touchdown. On the defensive front, outside linebackers Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson, cornerback Sean Fresch, defensive end Malcolm Roach, and defensive back JL Skinner earned top grades for their impactful presence. Skinner, in particular, made a strong case for a roster spot with five tackles and a pass breakup. However, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, nose tackle D.J. Jones, cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, and defensive end Tyler Onyedim received lower defensive scores, despite the first-team defense demonstrating considerable dominance. Special teams saw strong performances from Reese Taylor, Mitchell Fraboni, Cam Ross, and Jeremy Crawshaw, while kicker Wil Lutz's grades were average, and long snapper Luke Basso struggled, posting the lowest overall grade in the kicking game.
This initial preseason outing offers valuable insights into the Denver Broncos' strengths and weaknesses. The team's victory underscores their potential, while individual performance data provides a clear roadmap for players to refine their skills and for coaches to strategize improvements. Focusing on continuous development and honing team synergy will be crucial as they progress through the preseason and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming regular season.
