Broncos Former UDFA Earning Praise in Training Camp

“He’s very smart. For a second-year player at a position like that, it’s night and day where he is at today and a year ago as an undrafted free agent where he was at. Special teams will be important," Payton said (h/t SB Nation). "All those things where he could get on the field. We’ve been impressed and I’m glad we have him."

Bailey's confidence throughout camp has grown because of the preparation he put in this offseason. He spent a lot of time studying, so when he was on the field, he could make plays.

The Broncos' cornerback is also leaning on the fellow linebackers around him. He explained how Singleton and Strnad have helped him grow in the film room.

“Preparation, getting your body right and learning the playbook. Knowing what I’ve got to do but learning, really, what the whole defense is about and why we’re doing it. Then just studying what the offense is going to do. That gives me confidence to really fly around and make plays," Bailey said (h/t Denver Post). “Last year I didn’t sit next to Alex in the meeting room, but this year I am. Even when coach is going over film, if Alex sees something little, he’ll bump me and whisper in my ear, ‘You see what I was talking about’ with this or that.

"Justin (Strnad) does the same thing for me in the special teams meetings. Having those type of guys that want to see me grow as a player and as a person in general and want to drop those gems for the younger guys, that’s really helped me.”

The studying in the offseason and film room advice Bailey's received from his teammates has translated to the practice field. But, in addition to that, Bailey did some conditioning on his own during the six-week off time between minicamp and training camp.

Bailey worked on conditioning and eating more nutritious meals, and he was able to shed 2-3 percent of his body fat, getting his weight down to 225 pounds. The Broncos' young cornerback said the reason was because of a conversation he had with Greenlaw and Singleton at the end of minicamp.

“They said you got to run because the game’s changed. You got to win with your speed. They know I’m an athletic guy who can cover inside and out," Bailey said (h/t The Denver Gazette). "They basically told me to make sure you come back in shape and make sure you are able to run. If you’re a linebacker, you should have the ability to tackle. But if you can’t get to the play, then there’s no point.”

The advice may have seemed blunt at the time, but Bailey worked on the advice he was given, and it's paying off. Bailey has always liked the play style of Greenlaw since he was in San Francisco playing alongside Fred Warner with the 49ers.

Bailey's stoked to be playing with Greenlaw now, and when the veteran offered him a chance to get better during the break between offseason activities, the young corner jumped at the opportunity. Now, he's turning heads in training camp, making the most of his opportunities.

“There is going to be a game where we are depending on [No.] 56 to step up," Broncos' defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said (h/t SB Nation). "You keep showing us what you’re showing us on this field, we’re going to have the utmost respect and faith in you to come out there and do it."

With the Broncos' linebacking core banged up in training camp, Bailey has had the opportunity to step in and display the growth he's made this offseason. He's already gaining the trust of his teammates and coaches, and if his impressive play continues, he could find himself with increased playing time in 2025.