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Grading each rookie’s performance in Broncos’ 3 preseason games
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- Grading each rookie’s performance in Broncos’ 3 preseason games
The Denver Broncos have completed the 2026 preseason, finishing the slate with a 34-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings . The Broncos went 2-1 in the preseason and will next take the field on Monday, September 14, against the Kansas City Chiefs to kick off the regular season.
But between now and then, the team will have to make some difficult decisions in getting down to the 53-man roster before the 4:00 pm deadline on Sunday. Those decisions will involve many of the team's rookies, as only a few were considered locks to make the team.
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Here, we will look back at the team's draft class and give a report card grade for each of their preseason performances. A handful of undrafted free agents will be mixed in as well.
How many of these guys will make the initial 53-man roster? Those answers will come soon.
Broncos ' rookie preseason grades
Tyler Onyedim, DE
Preseason stats: 4 tackles, 1 QB hit
The Broncos' first pick in the 2026 draft, Tyler Onyedim, had a fairly quiet preseason and it's questionable as to how much of an impact he'll have on the team as a rookie. The Broncos hope he can develop into a player who can add to the team's vaunted defense.
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Grade: C
Jonah Coleman , RB
Preseason stats: 7 carries, 33 yards, 1 reception, -2 yards
Jonah Coleman was given a light workload in the preseason and didn't even play in the preseason finale, but that's mostly because the Broncos are quite comfortable with what they have in him as a player. It would have been nice to see him make some more plays, but the hopes for his future are high.
Grade: B-
Kage Casey, OL
The Broncos found a future piece in Kage Casey, one of the team's fourth-round picks. He was given extensive work in the preseason and he shined. Kasey had as many offensive snaps as any player in the preseason and made the most of them. He could enter the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
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Grade: A-
Justin Joly, TE
Preseason stats: 5 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD
Justin Joly was having a quiet and mostly disappointing preseason and there was even some talk of him not making the team . That all changed with one play in the fourth quarter of the game against the Vikings.
Joly really needed that play and while it was highly unlikely he was going to be cut, this was a huge moment for him, even if it happened due to some horrendous defense by the Vikings. Joly has a bright future with this team.
Grade: B
Miles Scott, S
Preseason stats: 7 tackles
The Broncos have some decisions to make at the safety spot and the release of Taylor Rapp changes things in a big way, but it seems that the rookie Miles Scott could use some more development as a practice squad player. He just didn't show enough this summer.
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Grade: C
Dallen Bentley, TE
Dallen Bentley was not targeted in the passing game during the preseason, which was a bit of a disappointment. The Broncos took a look at him as a blocker and will almost certainly bring him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers, but he won't be on this year's 53-man roster.
Grade: C-
Red Murdock, LB
Preseason stats: 20 tackles, 1 forced fumble
It was said from the moment the Broncos selected Red Murdock with the final pick of the draft that he wasn't your typical "Mr. Irrelevant", and he proved that on the field.
Murdock was in on seemingly every play when he was on the field. He led the Broncos in tackles in the preseason and capped it off by forcing a fumble in the late stages of the win over Minnesota. He's gone from the last pick in the draft to a lock to make the team.
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Grade: A+
Taurean York, LB
Preseason stats: 6 tackles (1 TFL)
Taurean York was a trendy pick to make the team as an undrafted free agent, but he competed behind several other players vying for a roster spot at inside linebacker and he didn't do anything to stand out. He will likely be an addition to the practice squad if he's not snagged by another team on waivers.
Grade: C
Cam Ross, WR
Preseason stats: 5 receptions, 29 yards, 2 carries, 21 yards
Cam Ross was given more opportunities than many of the Broncos' rookies this preseason and it was his attempts to run the ball on end-around plays that showed the Broncos wanted to see what he could do. One of those plays went for 28 yards; the second resulted in a loss of seven. Much of that could be attributed to who he had blocking for him, but the fact that the Broncos called his number on these plays is a good sign for him.
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He won't make the 53-man roster, but he could still be in the team's future plans.
Grade: B
Gavin Ortega, OL
Undrafted out of Weber State, Gavin Ortega was given basically no chance of making the Broncos' roster, but that isn't the case on the eve of roster cuts.
The Broncos gave Ortega an extended look in the preseason and it seems that the coaching staff really likes what he can do. He could defy the odds and steal one of the 53 spots on the roster.
Grade: B+
Kolbe Katsis, WR
Preseason stats: 1 reception, 15 yards, 6 kickoff returns, 187 yards, 3 punt returns, 48 yards
Kolbe Katsis is a wide receiver by trade, but the undrafted free agent out of Northern Arizona made quite an impression returning kicks this preseason. He averaged 31.1 yards per kickoff return, which is terrific, and his 16.0-yard average on punt returns is nothing to sneeze at.
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The decision on whether or not to keep Katsis will be one of the more difficult choices facing this Broncos coaching staff, especially because he likely won't clear waivers. Letting him go would be extremely difficult to do after the way he played in these three games.
Grade: A
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Grading each rookie's performance in Broncos' 3 preseason games
