Broncos Player Grades Are In: Who Shined, Who Didn't in SNF Win vs. Rams
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Broncos Player Grades Are In: Who Shined, Who Didn't in SNF Win vs. Rams
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) celebrates with wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) after a two-point conversion against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In the first, theBroncosdidn't show up, while the Rams seemed poised to coast to a big win, going up 16-0 before the half. However, the Broncos put up 30 points to the Rams' 10 in the second, which was enough to give Denver the edge and a 2-1 record on the year.
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It was a wild contest filled with dramatically different showings between the two halves, but the grades don't fully reflect that difference. For the most part, the Broncos players graded out over 50, which is where they start out each game, with a few under it.
So with that all out of the way, let's get into the player grades:
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Nate Adkins (45) runs to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Adkins was the best tight end on the Broncos' roster in 2025, which isn't saying much, but he has carried on as the best tight end through three games.
He does a great job as a blocker and keeps showing up when as a receiver. Against the Rams, Adkins looked like a legit, starting-caliber tight end in the NFL.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) intercepts the ball against Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Hufanga was a weapon on defense against the Rams, doing everything they needed him to do, and showing up in a big way when they needed a splash play to shut down the Rams' momentum.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Despite closing the game strong, Nix was a big enough disaster in the first half to keep his grade low.
And no, the first-half issues weren't all Nix's fault. But he is lucky he didn't throw four interceptions instead of the one he did, which came from being hit as he threw. His first-half grade was a measly 13.2, but his second-half grade was 81.8.
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The Positive
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) and linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) tackle Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What's more, Bonitto showed some good power-based pass-rush moves to mix in with his speed, which is making him even more of a threat on this elite Broncos defensive front.
Denver needed another player besidesZach Allento step up on the defensive line and Roach was that guy.
Roach generated six pressures -- the second-most on the Broncos' defense behind Allen -- but also did a great job against the run. Denver still had issues against the run, but it wasn't Roach's fault.
Bolles has had a really good start to the season in both pass protection and as a run blocker on the Broncos' offensive front.
The issues with the run game have fallen more on the interior or tight ends than on Bolles, who is executing at a high level, which was the case against the Rams, outside of three or four plays where he really got beaten.
While Sutton only caught three of seven targets for 46 yards, all three receptions were first downs. He made himself a viable target a few more times, but Nix either dealt with pressure or went elsewhere with the ball.
Statistically, Sutton has been MIA, but his impact on this offense has gone beyond the stat sheet.
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The Negative
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch against Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Robinson is quick and explosive, and was able to generate three pressures from that explosiveness.
However, when that aspect of his game gets shut down, Robinson really struggles. On top of that, he doesn't have a lot of power to his game to keep tackles guessing, as Bonitto has developed. If Robinson can find some power-based moves or counters, then he could be something special.
Surtain made some bad decisions in how he handled certain routes, and some where he plainly got beat. Surtain tends to have one or two bad games per year, and this was one of them. There should be no doubt he'll bounce back next week.
Engram should've had a good matchup, but the Rams were smart with how they covered him, and he couldn't adjust to get open.
When he was asked to block, it was almost like he wasn't even on the field. There were some good moments, enough to lift Engram's grade, but it was a bad game overall.
The Broncos need to find some mass on the line. Jones is a good run defender when the Broncos can force him into one-on-one matchups in the run game, but duo runs and double teams take him out of the game, and that's been the case for multiple years.
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The Rams were able to exploit Jones's lack of size and length and turn it into success in the run game.
J.K. Dobbins | RB | Grade: 46.3
Dobbins's vision was questionable with the ball in his hands, even with consistently bad blocking up front and the Rams' great run defense.
Still, he left yards on the field with poor vision and questionable run-lane decisions throughout the night.
While he wasn't terrible against the Rams, Trautman wasn't great either. His play should see him lose reps to Adkins, but his pay will keep him in the same role.
