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Broncos camp: Three key goals and top battle

The Sports Xchange

July 22, 2018 at 6:49 pm.

May 12, 2018; Englewood, Denver, USA; Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (37) participates in drills during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

May 12, 2018; Englewood, Denver, USA; Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (37) participates in drills during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Three goals:

–Find the third options. The Broncos’ top two wide receivers and cornerbacks are set with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on offense and Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby on defense. But beyond that, it’s wide open. Rookie Isaac Yiadom and second-year players Brendan Langley and Marcus Rios could push veteran Tramaine Brock for the No. 3 cornerback spot, while rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton should battle to be the third receiver.

–Settle the right side of the offensive line. Jared Veldheer is expected to start at right tackle, but he missed all of the offseason work while recovering from a foot injury. Last year’s season-opening right tackle, Menelik Watson, worked at right guard during OTAs, but season-ending starter Connor McGovern is a known commodity at guard and has a chance to reclaim the spot.

–Get Bradley Chubb ready. With Shane Ray on the shelf after another wrist surgery, Chubb could find himself as an immediate starter if he can beat out Shaquil Barrett.

Top battle:

–Running back. The battle to replace C.J. Anderson should be fierce. Devontae Booker has by far the most experience in the room, but has lacked explosiveness, with no runs of 20 or more yards in his first two seasons. Third-round pick Royce Freeman, second-year veteran De’Angelo Henderson, seventh-round pick Dave Williams and undrafted signee Phillip Lindsay rotated liberally into the lineup throughout OTAs and could leave the Broncos in a committee situation.