Denver Broncos 2019 Rookie Predictions: The follow up

As the NFL now begins to move full steam ahead towards the draft, its a good time to look back at what the Broncos' 2019 rookie class accomplished, and how far off I was in predicting their stats.

Noah Fant
Predicted: 50 Targets, 38 Catches, 489 yards, 5 TDs
Actual:  66 Targets, 40 Catches, 562 Yards, 3 TDs
Middle
I was nearly spot on for catches, but Fant ended up with a lower Catch rate than I had expected. He had been able to get the starting job rather quickly from Jeff Heuerman, and he found a pretty good rapport with Drew Lock to end the season after some real early struggles.

Dalton Risner 
Predicted: 16 Games Started, 4 Penalties, 2 Sacks allowed  
Actual: 16 Games Started, 3 Penalties,   3 Sacks allowed
Hit
The Native never really had issues as a rookie, looking like the best lineman the team had essentially all season.  This play against GB I think encapuslates his season and drive pretty well

Drew Lock 
Predicted: 15 Attempts, 9 Completions, 100 yards
Actual: 156 Attempts, 100 Completions,  1020 yards, 7 TDs 3 Ints
Miss
The plan had been for Lock to sit this season as an understudy of Flacco's.  When he injured his hand in the preseason, this was looking even more likely.  But Joe's miserable play and an injury essentially meant the Broncos season was headed for another losing season.  Denver I think had to get a look at what Lock could do as a starter.  And it looked pretty good, with growth in each game.


Dre'Mont Jones 
Predicted: 15 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 5 Tackles for Loss, 10 QB Hurries
Actual:  14 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 3 Tackles for Loss, 1 QB Hurry
Middle
Jones played a larger role than I had expected due to Derek Wolfe's injury, and the poor play of Adam Gotsis.  He provided a solid pass rush, and I think if Bradley Chubb had been healthy he could have had a few more Hurries to his name. 

Justin Hollins
Predicted: 62 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 5 Tackles for Loss, 2 Pass Defensed. 
Actual: 21 Tackles,1 Sacks, 1 Tackle for Loss, 2 Pass Defensed
Miss
A big oof on this one.   Hollins bounced around a bit playing EDGE and ILB this year, but was outperformed at both spots.  He got a lot of work against the Chargers in Von Miller's absence, but was beat out for snaps all season by Jeremiah Attachou and Malik Reed.  We'll see what sort of role he takes on this year.


Juwann Winfree 
Predicted: 25 Targets, 18 Catches, 212 Yards, 1 TD
Actual: 0s
Miss
I had thought Winfree might be able to take some snaps away from the bottom of the receiver roster, but knew he was facing an uphill battle.  He had some nagging injuries, and it looks like the Broncos decided to just redshirt him this season. 

Overall not a great year, as I hit 1, middled 2 and missed on 3. I think the playing time expectations is what got me, especially with Lock and Hollins.