Keenum passing all tests at camp

1. Be excited about quarterback Case Keenum. Through five days, he has not thrown an interception in 11-on-11 play. Per our network, even New England’s Tom Brady can’t say that. Most impressive is Keenum hasn’t been saved by a dropped interception. He just knows where to go with the football.

2. “What he demonstrates and has demonstrated his entire career is anticipation and ball placement,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said of No. 4. Some of Keenum’s best plays were when the edge pressure came and he slid up in the pocket to throw a completion.

3. Also be excited about rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton. He has made plays in every situation: individual drills, 7-on-7, 11-on-11, hurry-up, red zone. Sutton is developing so quickly, the Broncos, if they haven’t already, should be committing themselves to being a base “11” personnel (three-receiver, oneback) offense.

4. If it was Tuesday, it was quarterback Paxton Lynch getting run out of town. If it was Wednesday, it was Lynch being praised for his performance. Let’s meet in the middle. Earlier this week, it appeared Lynch was playing uphill — too many batted passes, too many early exits from the pocket and too many poor throws. Wednesday, he looked, well, functional. But that doesn’t change the reality.

5. The reality is Lynch doesn’t need to beat out Chad Kelly for the backup spot, he needs to beat out somebody who is on another team or has no team. The Broncos should play Lynch the entire preseason Minnesota game on

Aug. 11 once Keenum departs. The same for the Chicago game a week later. They must find out if he can be trusted with the keys in case of emergency.

6. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods revealing the Broncos are “playing some 4-3 stuff,” when asked about rookie Bradley Chubb, was telling. The goal for Woods and Co. should be to get the best guys on the field, and Chubb qualifies. Using him as a 4-3 defensive end would create more playing time and make the Broncos’ defense more multiple. Good move if Woods carries that into the Seattle game.

7. Two weeks ago, I thought inside linebacker Josey Jewell was a lock to make the team. But he had better get healthy. Soon. He suffered a hamstring injury during the rookie portion of camp and has yet to practice. His absence allowed Joseph Jones to get first-team when Brandon Marshall (wrist) was held out of 11-on-11 work Tuesday and Wednesday.

8. The Broncos’ linebacker and cornerback depth have been tested this week, and it should be concerning. If Marshall — an every-down player — misses time in the regular season, that’s trouble. If cornerbacks Chris Harris or Bradley Roby get nicked up, that’s trouble.

9. The Broncos’ young cornerbacks have been predictably uneven. Isaac Yiadom is a rookie. Brendan Langley is in his second year. C.J. Smith has played in 13 career games (none with the Broncos). After Wednesday’s practice, Woods and defensive backs coaches Greg Williams and Marcus Robertson worked for several minutes with Langley. They know they have to get him going.

10. Watching Harris work on his craft is interesting. Being a player whose starting spot is secure allows him to work on angles and techniques that may not result in a “win” on the practice field but will make a difference during the regular season. And that is important to note: It. Is. Practice. Harris’ goal is to be ready for Seattle, not to one-up Demaryius Thomas.

11. Right guard figured to be wide open, because Connor McGovern and Menelik Watson split first-team snaps in the offseason program. But McGovern has been with the starters the whole way and Watson’s only first-unit snaps came when McGovern slid to center. Musgrave said McGovern is “playing well.” Sticking with him is safer than going with Watson, who is a converted right tackle.

12. Perhaps the biggest victory so far is that the projected starting offensive line has practiced together all five days. Left guard Ron Leary (knee) and right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot) have not been held out, although they are managed within practice. Veldheer has showed good balance for a big man (6foot-8).

13. The update on the tailsnaps back race: No update. Sure, blitz pickups and receiving skills can be evaluated but this competition can’t really pick up until the games. It was interesting that Musgrave praised De’Angelo Henderson on Wednesday although the guess remains it will be Devontae Booker or Royce Freeman against the Seahawks in the opener.

14. Players to watch when practices resume Friday: Will Parks (has worked as the dime safety), rookie linebacker Keishawn Bierria (taking advantage of Jewell’s absence), punt returner Isaiah McKenzie (was steady until a bad drop Wednesday), wide receiver Tim Patrick (doing good things), tight end Matt LaCosse (taking advantage of Jeff Heuerman’s knee injury) and Smith (playing the slot for the first time).