Broncos Camp | Day 9: A Sleeper Pass Rusher is Emerging

Englewood, CO — When it rains, it pours, as the Denver Broncos announced that linebacker Jonas Griffith would miss the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in Monday's practice. Griffith's injury was suffered the day after Tim Patrick tore his Achilles during a non-contact play, sidelining him for a second consecutive season as well. 

Although injuries are a natural part of this league and business, Broncos Country has expressed some anxiety over two big ones happening out of the gates, but that hasn't stopped fans from sending an outpouring of support for the two playmakers.

Thursday’s training camp practice was not open to the public, and only select media members were invited to attend. As I mentioned in my last camp journal, Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s strict media policy doesn't just limit media access, but it also narrowly restricts what can be reported out of training camp. The best way it’s been described to me is this: if Coach Payton talks about it at the podium, then it’s open season to report.

On Friday morning, Broncos Country filed into Centura Health Training Center for practice, beginning Week 2 of training camp. What did I observe? 

Let’s review three key takeaways from Friday's practice. 

Jonathon Cooper is a Hero, Not a Zero

It’s hard not to root for a player like Cooper. I first laid eyes on the former Ohio State standout in my 2021 Senior Bowl coverage for Mile High Huddle, where his raw potential and drive to be special truly stood out among the nation’s best.

After being drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round that year, Cooper underwent three separate procedures on his heart to correct an irregular heartbeat. With one week of training camp under his belt this summer, he has utilized the same heart that sidelined him early in his career to make some outstanding plays.

The first thing fans have noticed about Cooper this year is his jersey switch to the No. 0. Wearing that jersey number, the man sticks out like a sore thumb at 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds, lined up across from massive offensive linemen. But perhaps that was intentional because Cooper has been raising hell for veteran tackles Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey.

One of the reasons why Wilson has thrown those interceptions that everyone is freaking out about is because Cooper is consistently collapsing the pocket and breathing down his neck. On Day 9, Cooper logged two sacks within four plays, coming from each side of the edge.

Cooper is quite literally playing like his hair is on fire out there. Not in the sense that he’s an unleashed junkyard dog, wildly attacking anyone that he can get his hands on, but more like a cerebral assassin, utilizing his pass-rushing techniques, athleticism, and explosive style of play to frustrate his teammates on offense.

Cooper has clearly been in the lab working on his hand-fighting technique to combat larger and stronger O-linemen while also studying the demands of Coach Joseph’s defense.

The 25-year-old's road through the NFL has been longer and bumpier than most of his teammates, but instead of leaning on his medical history as a crutch, Cooper has embraced his journey wholeheartedly (pun intended) and is playing with reckless abandon on the Broncos' practice fields.

Jonathon Cooper, folks, coming to a backfield near you. 

Justin Simmons Continues to Disrupt the Offense

Simmons has translated his 2022 momentum into this year's training camp with authority. The eighth-year safety consistently gets the better of Payton's offense. 

Simmons has notched three interceptions off Russell Wilson in three days against the first-team offense, which hints that the All-Pro safety has seemingly figured out a piece of the greater puzzle this summer.

Simmons has been homegrown since joining Denver as a 2016 third-round pick after initially making his bones on special teams, where he earned opportunities with the starting defense. The 29-year-old has since become a fan favorite and demonstrates an elite level of preparation exemplified by his production on the field. 

Time and time again, Simmons is continually putting himself in the position to make impact plays that include pass break-ups and takeaways. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Boston College product hasn’t lost a step in terms of his agility, athleticism, and ability to fly around the field. 

If anything, this is the best I’ve seen Simmons look in training camp ever, and I’ve covered nearly all the camps that he's participated in. The locker room leader is prepared and seems to be enjoying the prime of his career. 

I can also appreciate Simmons' mentorship of fellow safety Caden Sterns, who has earned starting reps alongside him in Vance Joseph’s defense. Simmons makes it look easy, and clearly, he's having fun playing football for the new Broncos coaching staff.

Sure, Simmons gets bested in practice, as does every player in the NFL. But I can’t help but feel Simmons is going to take the term 'ball-hawking safety' to a whole new level in 2023, based on what I’m seeing out here at camp. 

Don’t be shocked if No. 31 has double-digit picks this season because every year, the man’s level of play and production significantly increases.

Samaje Perine is a Perfect Fit

When a journeyman running back arrives on his fifth team, there usually isn’t a lot of tread left on his tires. But tell that to Perine, who’s been an absolute joy to watch practice at training camp. 

Denver's RB1 Javonte Williams is in the middle of an unbelievable comeback after shredding three ligaments in his knee last fall. Perine was brought in on a two-year deal to supplement Payton’s run game and serve as insurance for Williams' recovery.

The first camp observation with Perine is his jersey No. 25. While it appears that Perine has grown out his dreads, you won't mistake him for former Broncos fumbler Melvin Gordon, who never found success in Denver, and is fighting for a roster spot with the Baltimore Ravens.

The 5-foot-11, 235-pound Perine was a 2017 fourth-round pick in Washington. He's a bruiser who always runs north/south with a punishingly familiar style that Broncos Country loves. 

It’s also interesting to note that Perine can catch the football as a security blanket in short passes as well and be a veteran presence. He had four receiving touchdowns last season in Cincinnati.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was skeptical of the Perine signing, especially with other backs on the market, but there’s no denying that the seventh-year player has plenty to offer this new Broncos offense. He consistently runs the ball with aggression and a low pad level that allows him to attack the line of scrimmage. 

During team period, Perine has received the lion’s share of second-team reps, and when Williams is forced to take a veteran day, he takes all the starting reps with Wilson and company.

Where Perine shines the brightest is during 9-on-7 drills. After all, this drill is based solely on the premise of the offense running the ball and the defense stuffing it. 

Perine not only understands how to read blocks and find the right holes but when to attack defenders and run through contact as well. Not to mention the fact that he’s mean as a rattlesnake in pass protection.

While Perine has found some modest success in his previous NFL stops, I can’t help but feel excited that his best days lay ahead of him here in Denver.