6 Players to Watch At Broncos Rookie Camp
DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Broncos hold rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday at their Dove Valley headquarters. Here are some players to watch:
Shane Ray (LB/DE – Missouri)
The first round pick will always get the most attention, but Ray may actually get more attention off the field than on it. The Broncos were able to draft the SEC Defensive Player of the Year/All-American with the 23rd pick after he was cited for marijuana possession just three days before the draft (causing other teams to pass over him). The incident automatically puts him in the NFL's drug program, and because Ray is coming off a foot injury, we probably won't see him on the field much until training camp this summer. So for now, not hearing much about Ray is probably best for everyone. But with that said, we couldn't leave him off this list.
Ty Sambrailo (OL – CSU)
Coming from an in-state school adds an extra layer of interest in Sambrailo, and early indications from John Elway are that the Broncos hope Sambrailo can be the starter at right tackle this season. The question will be, can Sambrailo transition quickly enough from Mountain West to AFC West competition lining up across from him?
Lorenzo Doss and Taurean Nixon (CBs – Tulane)
It's not often you draft two players from the same school in the same year, but what about two players from the same secondary? Well that's what the Broncos did with Doss (Round 5) and Nixon (Round 7). The Broncos seem pretty set at CB with Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, but with Doss they got a former receiver-turned-cornerback who has a nose for the ball (15 INTs in 3 years). And with Nixon they get a guy who can fly (4.3 40 at his pro day).
Darius Kilgo (DT – Maryland)
The Broncos need someone to fill the big void (literally) left by the departure of Terrence Knighton, especially with the transition to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. The Broncos have their former 1st round pick Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin, who was picked in the second round by the Giants in 2011, but neither has emerged as an NFL star. So the 6-foot-3, 319 pound Kilgo should get a legitimate shot at competing for playing time.
Trevor Siemian (QB – Northwestern)
The Broncos were expected to take a quarterback in the 2015 draft, but a seventh rounder who threw more interceptions than touchdowns for a sub .500 team? John Elway praised his technique and understanding of the game, but at this point it seems like Siemian can challenge Zac Dysert for the No. 3 spot, but doubtful as any part of a long term plan to eventually replace Peyton Manning.
Mark Haas is CBS4's weekend sports anchor and sports reporter. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.
