Three things to watch for when the Broncos open OTA Phase 3

Monday, the Broncos begin Phase 3 of their offseason organized team activities.

This is significant, because it marks the first time in OTAs that the team can conduct 11-on-11, offense-vs.-defense work — albeit with minimal contact and no tackling, per collective-bargaining terms.

It’s as much a rite of spring as a late-season Front Range snowstorm. But with Russell Wilson leading the way, it’s a bit different than it has been in recent years.

At this time last year — and in 2016 and 2017 — the primary topic was a quarterback competition. In 2019, it was how long Joe Flacco could hold off second-round pick Drew Lock — and Flacco’s reluctance to take on any kind of mentorship role for the then-rookie. Only in 2018 and 2020 was there clarity … and in 2020, OTAs didn’t happen at all, thanks to COVID-19.

Now, the quarterback duel is the cross borne by Seattle media. In Denver, the focus is in other directions, such as …

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1. WHO IS EMERGING AS WILSON’S TOP TARGET?

Wilson will undoubtedly work with all of his primary wide receivers. At various points in March, he hosted Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Kendall Hinton at his personal practice field. All were steady presences during voluntary-veteran minicamp last month and at Phases 1 and 2 of OTAs.

But in every group, there is a WR1 — and in the process of building trust and chemistry with a new group of pass catchers, one will likely be at least a bit ahead of the rest in terms of being on the same page with Wilson. Who that receiver appears to be could provide a glimpse of what is to come — especially in the early portion of the regular season.

Last year’s OTAs provide an illustrative example. During those sessions, media onlookers saw Teddy Bridgewater and Jeudy collaborate on several downfield connections. Their timing was ahead of other QB-WR pairings, with Bridgewater’s anticipation meshing well with Jeudy’s route-running.

It appeared as if the pair could elevate each other when the regular season arrived. In the first 37 minutes of the season opener against the New York Giants, Jeudy led the Broncos in receptions (7) and receiving yards (72). But on his final catch, he suffered a high-ankle sprain. He missed the next six games.

Jeudy returned 49 days later against Washington, but he wasn’t the same. He finished the season with 10 games played, per-game averages of 3.8 catches and 46.7 yards and no touchdowns. The potential of the Bridgewater-Jeudy pairing is a what-might-have-been epitaph on the 2021 Broncos and the Vic Fangio era.

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2. HOW IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE SHAKING OUT?

Thursday, second-year interior offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz noted that he has been practicing center-quarterback exchanges, although the bulk of the work at center still belonged to incumbent Lloyd Cushenberry.

“I know the center thing will be picking up soon,” Meinerz told media at a May 19 press conference.

Although Meinerz said he wasn’t focused on a competition with veteran Graham Glasgow, offensive coordinator Justin Outten described the two players as “interchangeable at this point” after voluntary-veteran minicamp closed on April 27.

“We want to see where they can fit and their ability to play center and snap the ball as a crucial backup,” Outten said. “You want to have that in your back pocket. Those guys will kind of bounce around, as you’ll see. [It is] just to see them fit in different spots and direct traffic in playing guard and helping the tackles out as far as the interior stuff.

“We’re going to keep moving guys around to find the best five.”

Meanwhile, fifth-round pick Luke Wattenberg is expected to work at center. Outten noted May 7 that he plans to begin the rookie’s work there, to help with him learning to handle the big picture of the offensive line. After that, “we’ll move him around and see how much he can handle,” Outten said.

Drawing conclusions from the first day would be unwise. But what the Broncos show could offer an initial indication into their thinking up front.

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3. HOW IS BARON BROWNING FARING AT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER?

The 240-pounder started nine games at inside linebacker in his 2021 rookie season. Using him at edge rusher went from something that had merely been discussed at the time of the NFL Annual Meeting on March 27 to something that became a plan by the time the Broncos began voluntary veteran minicamp 29 days later.

In the eyes of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, it’s so far, so good.

“He’s done a great job. He did really well in the first minicamp we had,” Evero said May 7 during rookie minicamp. “He really displayed some things, showed some really good rush ability. Obviously, with the transition, he has to get better at some of the fundamentals in terms of hitting blocks and setting the edge and he’s been doing a great, great job.

“He’s been working his butt off. He’s coming along.”

In recent months, Paton and Hackett repeatedly returned to the idea that a team can never have enough pass rushers.

“He did a great job at outside ‘backer this past camp,” Hackett said April 30. “I think he’s going to grow there.”

And Paton sees it, working Browning on the edge allows the second-year player to work at his strength.

“The best thing he did in college is come off the edge and rush the passer,” Paton said March 27, “so, we’re just trying to put players in their best possible spot to succeed.”

Randy Gregory’s continuing recovery from shoulder surgery should provide more repetitions for Browning, Malik Reed, Jonathon Cooper and second-round pick Nik Bonitto. All are eager to prove that they can be worthy of being the next man up on the edge. Being the No. 1 backup could lead to starting assignments if the injury issues for Bradley Chubb and Gregory persist.

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