Position battles, what to watch

The Broncos open their 15th consecutive training camp at their Dove Valley headquarters Friday when veterans report. The first practice is Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Thirty of the 90 players are new (33.3 percent) to the roster, including quarterback Case Keenum and as many as four other Week 1 starters. Here is a primer for the next month:

CAMP OBJECTIVES 1. Get/stay healthy.

Unable to participate in any part of the offseason program or out during minicamp were linebacker Shane Ray (wrist), left guard Ron Leary (knee), right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot), tight end Troy Fumagalli (groin), receiver Jordan Taylor (hips), defensive lineman Clinton McDonald (shoulder) and receiver Kenny Bell (hamstring). The Broncos must be smart about how they manage those players, chiefly projected Week 1 starters Leary and Veldheer.

2. Readying rookie receivers.

Sure, the Broncos have veterans Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to lead the receiving corps. But to make this offense markedly better, they need contributions from rookie receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. Look for offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to challenge Sutton and Hamilton by giving them regular snaps with Keenum.

3. Prepare Chubb for everything.

Fifth overall pick Bradley Chubb will work at strongside linebacker and defensive end. Because of Ray’s injury history, the Broncos need to prepare Chubb for every-down work. When the pads go on, it will be interesting to see how Chubb operates in space (zone coverage) and how he moves backward (if asked to play man coverage).

4. Figure out offensive line.

Obvious? Yes. Important? Very. The Broncos will say they have time to get a starting five figured out, but in reality, they have until Aug. 20, when they start preseason game week No. 3, the time when things should be buttoned down.

POSITION BATTLES 1. Starting tailback.

Third-year man Devontae Booker is expected to take the initial snap during team drills, but this spot is wide open. The Broncos added Royce Freeman (third round), David Williams (seventh round) and Phillip Lindsay (undrafted free agent). They also return De’Angelo Henderson. Drafting a back in the third round means the Broncos were equal parts unhappy with their pre-draft depth chart and expect Freeman to contribute right away.

2. Right guard.

Connor McGovern started the final four games last year and split firstteam snaps with Menelik Watson, a converted offensive tackle, during the offseason program. Max Garcia, the left guard in 2016-17, could be added to the mix if Leary is good to go at left guard. Deciding on a starter will then begin the process of deciding on a backup.

3. Punt returner.

Isaiah McKenzie struggled as a punt returner last year (8.7-yard average and big fumbling issues). He could be challenged by Lindsay and rookie receiver DaeSean Hamilton. Taylor will enter the fight when he is healthy. New special-teams coordinator Tom McMahon has an interesting competition to assess.

4. Entire tight end group.

Based on how he looked during the offseason program, Jake Butt should be the Week 1 starter, but Jeff Heuerman will get every chance to lock down the starting spot. But the entire tight end depth chart has a crapshoot quality to it. Do the Broncos keep three or four? Do they feel rookie Troy Fumagalli is healthy enough to stick on the roster?

PLAYERS WITH MOST AT STAKE 1. OLB Shane Ray.

Not having wrist surgery last month will allow Ray to be ready for camp. But that doesn’t mean his injury issues are behind him. A free agent after the season, he will be paid by another team if he approaches double-digit sacks.

2. QB Paxton Lynch.

The No. 2 quarterback job is Lynch’s to lose. He took all of the second-team snaps in May-June and needs only to be functional to stay ahead of Chad Kelly. But Lynch should treat this preseason as a career saver.

3. S Su’a Cravens.

Broncos fans can’t wait to see him play in pads. At 224 pounds, he is able to play close to the line of scrimmage and downfield, two attributes that should allow him to make big plays. But he sat out last year and needs to show the coaches he is back in football grind mode.

4. RG Connor McGovern.

Is he a career reserve guard/center or can he become an established starting right guard? Training camp will go a long way toward answering that question.

Key dates

Saturday: First practice (9:30 a.m.).

Aug. 11: Preseason opener vs. Minnesota (7 p.m.).

Aug. 15-16: Joint practices with Chicago. Aug. 18: Preseason game vs. Chicago (7 p.m.).

Aug. 24: Preseason game at Washington (5:30 p.m.).

WHAT TO WATCH IN PRACTICE 1. OL vs. DL drills.

The best part about a padded practice is watching the one-on-one pass rushing/pass protection drills. Fans are able to see which defensive linemen have more than one workable move and which offensive linemen are best at handling those moves.

2. Core special-teamers.

For the back-ofthe-roster guys, this is their chance to make an impression. When the Broncos run specialteams drills, take note of who is with the first kick return/coverage and punt return/ coverage units.

3. Red zone periods.

This is the most competitive part of 11-on-11 practice because the offense wants to score and the defense doesn’t want to let that happen. The Broncos’ offense was last in red zone touchdown percentage in 2017 (39.6) and the defense was 23rd (58.7 TD rate by opposing offenses).

4. QB Case Keenum.

Not because he is in any kind of competition, but Keenum is worth watching during practice to see how he throws and also how he leads. Aug. 30: Preseason finale at Arizona (8 p.m.).

Sept. 1: Roster must be cut down to 53 players by 2 p.m.

Sept. 2: Players can be claimed off waivers, and a 10-man practice squad can be signed. Sept. 9: Season opener vs. Seattle (2:25 p.m.).