Every training camp, a player emerges who captivates fans. Two years ago, Jordan Taylor flashed his potential in training camp. In 2016, it was Kalif Raymond who shined.
Though training camp is only five days in, three players have already made noise in Denver. Rookies De’Angelo Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie along with second-year fullback Andy Janovich have all drawn praise from their coaching staff throughout camp. Their performances this summer certainly warrant breakout consideration.
De’Angelo Henderson
When Henderson was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, his path to playing time on the Broncos this season looked nonexistent. The team’s leading two rushers from last season, Devontae Booker and C.J. Anderson, were returning while veterans Bernard Pierce and Juwan Thompson both slated in above Henderson after the draft. To make matters worse for the rookie, the Broncos brought in a former All-Pro back in Jamaal Charles.
But things happen in camp. Booker went down early with a wrist injury and Charles has been eased back from his knee injury. In their absence, Henderson has taken off. Henderson’s 5-foot-8-inch, 208-pound frame is similar to that of Anderson, but his quickness and agility for a player that size has drawn praise from head coach Vance Joseph.
“He’s a quick, explosive, marks out runner,” Joseph said. “For a shorter, stockier guy, he can get narrow through holes. He’s quick through holes. As a defender, it’s hard to see the guy. He’s behind [T] Menelik Watson, and he makes a cut, that’s a surprise for a linebacker. It’s a surprise when he’s in the A, B, and C gap, but you can’t see the little guy. He’s fast through the hole.”
If injuries continue to hamper other Broncos running backs, Henderson’s camp performance could land him a role in 2017.
Isaiah McKenzie
Drafted just one round before Henderson, McKenzie offers the Broncos something they have not had in far too long: A return specialist. Though his role was fairly defined as a punt returner coming into camp, his performance at the position has caused comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs weapon Tyreek Hill. That’s impressive for any player, let alone a fifth-round rookie.
“I’ll tell you where it starts, it’s with the confidence,” special teams coordinator Brock Olivo said. “He wants the ball in his hands and he likes the fact that there is a Tyreek Hill in our division, a guy that he can strive to be as good as or better someday. That’s the kind of kid he is. I know he’s thinking that in his head because he’s very confident and I love that about him. You see that, the quickness, the lateral movement, the burst, the toughness to stand in there.”
Though he still has to prove himself in real game situations, McKenzie’s progression as a return man cannot be ignored.
Andy Janovich
Unlike Henderson or McKenzie, Janovich came into training camp as a known commodity. Last season, Janovich made noise in Week 1 with a 28-yard touchdown run. His performance this summer has caused Olivo to salivate.
“Jano – love Jano. Jano to me, if we had 22 Jano’s we would be alright,” Olivo said. “He’s tough, he never says a word and never complains. He just does his job. He’s the first one in the meeting every day. He’s on it X’s and O’s wise. He knows what to do, he’s tough and he finishes. I love the guy if you could tell. He’s going to be a four-phaser for us. He’s a really good football player.”
Football player is the exact term that comes to mind when describing Janovich. He’s a prototypical, gritty fullback who has virtually secured a roster position in 2017. The heavy praise from Olivo goes to show just how much he could mean to the Broncos come the regular season.
