The initial stock report of the preseason after the Broncos’ 17-7 win Saturday night over the Dallas Cowboys:
Stock Up
OLB Baron Browning
Making his debut at outside linebacker after finishing 2021 as a starting inside linebacker, Browning had three tackles, one sack and one pass break-up. The Broncos’ edge-rusher group is led by Bradley Chubb, but if Randy Gregory (shoulder) isn’t ready for Week 1, Browning could be a good choice if he can supplant Malik Reed.
Stock Down
CB Michael Ojemudia
Ojemudia had a tough go of it Thursday against the Cowboys’ first-team offense (in place of an injured Ronald Darby) and he had an up-and-down game — the up being a pass break-up and the downs being a pass interference penalty and leaving the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Stock Up
Young receivers
Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy were healthy scratches and KJ Hamler (knee) is working his way back from last year’s injury. That left a ton of opportunities for the Broncos’ back-of-the-roster receivers and they delivered. Brandon Johnson and Seth Williams had four catches apiece and Jalen Virgil and Kendall Hinton three catches apiece.
Stock Down
Inside linebacker depth
Jonas Griffith was one of only four current starters to play against Dallas and he departed on the second play with a left elbow injury. If his status for Week 1 is in doubt, it leaves Alex Singleton or Justin Strnad as the base-down starter next to Josey Jewell.
Stock Up
Montrell Washington
Washington was drafted to spark the return game and he did that against Dallas, posting punt returns of 27 and 18 yards to help the Broncos’ field position. As a receiver, he caught two passes for eight yards.
Stock Down
The running game
Granted, the Broncos didn’t play their first-team offensive line (save for right tackle Calvin Anderson) and didn’t play Javonte Williams. But coach Nathaniel Hackett wasn’t pleased with a running game that produced only 39 yards on 22 carries (1.8-yard average) and didn’t have a carry of longer than six yards.
