Denver Broncos Rookie Projections

Its that time of year again, where I try to guess what production the Broncos will get out of their rookie class this year.  I did fairly well last year, and not so hot the year before.  So here's hoping its a positive trend.

Noah Fant - 50 Targets, 38 Catches, 489 yards, 5 TDs
Fant is one of the better TE prospects to have come out of college in the last several years. His pass catching ability was on full display at Iowa, but his run blocking effort through camp and in the Hall of Fame game has been excellent as well.  The Shannahan style offense utilizes the TE a lot, but Denver is slightly crowded at the position.  The 49ers last year ran only about 16% of their offensive snaps with 12 or 22 personnel, and essentially nothing else with 2 TE sets.  So Fant's production might be slightly limited if he doesn't win the starting spot outright.

Dalton Risner - 16 Games Started, 4 Penalties, 2 Sacks allowed
This is the first time Denver has picked a lineman that I didn't believe would just end up on the practice squad.  Risner is that perfect story, a Colorado native that grew up a Broncos fan.  Risner is a solid technician and a true mauler in the run game.  As a rookie he'll still have his issues, but he's likely a long term starter at Left Guard.

Drew Lock - 15 Attempts, 9 Completions, 100 yards
Lock is the next in line to try to become the face of the franchise at QB.  Unless the season goes down fast, Lock is unlikely to see much duty beyond mopping up in blowouts or maybe one game started for injury.  I doubt Denver rolls with Kevin Hogan for very long if Flacco is injured long term though, because the team can create a lot of cap space next season if Lock can be the man.  

Dre'Mont Jones - 15 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 5 Tackles for Loss, 10 QB Hurries
Jones is a intriguing player to bring to the Broncos defensive line rotation.  He's much more refined as a pass rusher than a run defender, and he'll likely help to fill the role Malik Jackson did several years ago as an interior pressure source for Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.  He'll likely be a rotational player this season, but he could have an extreme effect in passing situations.

Justin Hollins - 62 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 5 Tackles for Loss, 2 Pass Defensed. 
Hollins is a player a lot of Broncos Country was tuned into before the draft.  I saw him as good depth at the EDGE, a player at Oregon that amassed 123 tackles and 11 sacks his last two years at Oregon.  The fact that he's been playing much more at ILB so far through camp highlights some of his versatility and athleticism.  I still think his best position is at EDGE, but his short area quickness definitely brings some benefits in coverage. 

Juwann Winfree - 25 Targets, 18 Catches, 212 Yards, 1 TD
Another CU product into the pipeline, Winfree was always a stud on the field as a Buff.  He dealt with a lot of injuries though, dropping him in the draft process.  He's already shown some exciting catch ability with a great one to win the Hall of Fame Game, and he'll likely be the teams 5th wideout.  I am guessing though some of his production is going to be limited thanks to the presence of just so much talent on the roster on offense right now.