When Denver agreed to acquire Zach Wilson from the Jets in April, head coach Sean Payton saw a player that the team would “love to work with.”
“We felt the investment was worth it relative to his skill set and talent,” Payton said.
Yes, Wilson’s arm strength is noticeable. But the overall body of work has been inconsistent. During the Broncos’ last open viewing of organized team activities, Wilson took reps with the first team and struggled to find a rhythm.
When Denver was doing 11-on-11, cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian blitzed Wilson. The rattled QB threw an interception to safety P.J. Locke. Wilson had nowhere to go and might’ve been better off holding on to the ball or throwing it away. Instead, he tried to make something happen and Denver’s defense took advantage.
Earlier in practice, Wilson’s short pass to running back Javonte Williams was underthrown, then his attempt to wide receiver Brandon Johnson was broken up by cornerback Damarri Mathis.
His best throw of the day was a completion near the sideline to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. on a comeback route. Before the completion, he tried to find Mims for a deep pass, but the ball was overthrown with Mathis in coverage.
Mistakes aside, Payton insisted Tuesday that the former BYU standout has done well learning the offense, even suggesting he’s been able to pick things up quicker than backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham did last year due to Wilson’s experience with the Jets offense.
“When we got Jarrett, there was a pretty significant iPhone-to-Android adjustment there,” Payton said. “Whereas Zach’s case, there’s a little bit of similarities relative to how things are called. These guys (have) picked it up quickly.”
Here are six more observations from the team’s practice on Tuesday:
• Stidham, who worked with the second-team unit, was consistent, relying heavily on underneath throws. During 7-on-7s in the red zone, Stidham completed an impressive touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Bandy, who made the catch in the corner of the end zone. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was solid while working with the third team.
• New Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers practiced in front of reporters for the first time. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton, running back Audric Estime (knee), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and cornerback Levi Wallace were not in attendance. Payton, however, said he expects Sutton to be at mandatory minicamp next week.
• Cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Brandon Jones did not participate during the team period of practice, as they were on the adjacent field with Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Greg Dulcich. Surtain hasn’t scrimmaged as much in front of reporters over the last three weeks, but Payton doesn’t seem concerned. “We are being smart with the rotation,” Payton said. “He’s healthy (and) I think he is doing well.”
• Payton said outside linebacker Baron Browning is “further along” compared to last year when he had offseason surgery. He added that Browning’s personality reminds him of former Saints and Ohio State defensive end Will Smith, who passed away in 2016.
“(Browning) is in good shape and has been working hard,” Payton said. “I’ve enjoyed coaching him.”
• Payton is “anxious” to see how inside linebacker Jonas Griffith plays when the team puts the pads on during training camp next month. Griffith missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL during practice last August. He has been a full participant during OTAs and has a chance to carve out a starting role.
• Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach is viewed as a glue guy in the locker room. Payton has not only been impressed with Roach as a player, but also the energy and vocal leadership he brings to the team. “It’s contagious,” Payton said.
Roach and Franklin-Myers, who was traded from the Jets, were among the additions the Broncos made this offseason to fix their defensive line. Payton called Franklin-Myers a “powerful” player who won’t be able to show his true potential until the pads are on.
“It’s hard to bull rush a guy out here,” Payton said. “When you look at his pressure statistics over the last four to five years, it’s pretty interesting.”
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