5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

· Yahoo Sports

Following a pair of ramp-up days on Wednesday and Thursday, the Denver Broncos held their first full-speed practice of training camp on Friday.

The club welcomed about 1,000 fans to Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit for the opening practice.

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“Yes, it was good," Broncos coach Sean Payton said after practice when asked about the fans taking in practice. "I don’t think at the time we planned practice in the spring for today, I don’t think we knew which way the fields were going to be running. So initially we moved the practice to the field closer to where the bleachers were, but it was great seeing them.”

The fans add a spark and seemingly add more energy to practice. "It was good to have them out there," Payton said. "You know it’s going to help you with your practice when you have that energy.”

Here are five quick takeaways from Friday's session.

5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

1. Jaylen Waddle looks as advertised: Denver traded first-, third- and fourth-round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Waddle and a fourth-round pick this spring. It's obviously very early, but Waddle has already stood out. He wowed with a one-handed catch during pre-camp acclimation, and he caught the first pass in full-team 11-on-11 drills on Friday. Romi Bean of CBS tweeted that the Nix to Waddle connection "just looks so seamless. So easy and smooth." The Denver Post's Luca Evans added that Waddle is an "exceedingly tough cover" for every Broncos cornerback. "There are two ways to separate," Payton said after practice. "You can run faster than everyone, and he [Waddle] has really good speed. Then if you can stop fast, and he’s able to match speed and then sink his hips. That is unique. That’s why you see coverage that ends up being it looks like three yards off because there’s that threat of speed. Then his ability to sink his hips is unique.”

2. Broncos view Ben Powers as a starter: After returning from injury, Powers agreed to cut his salary from $12.49 million down to about $6 million ahead of the 2026 season. Despite coming off injury and taking a pay cut, Powers remains the team's starting left guard. That doesn't mean Alex Palczewski can't push for playing time, though. “There’s always going to be competition; he’s doing fantastic, and we certainly see him as a starter, and he’s playing well," Payton said.

3. J.K. Dobbins vows to stay healthy, lead NFL in rushing: Dobbins was vibrant in his post-practice media session, pinky-promising reporters that he will stay healthy for all 17 games this season. He also reiterated his goal to lead the NFL in rushing, and he once again noted that he was born to be a Bronco.

4. Evan Engram stood out: Engram was one of the clear standouts from Day 1, with his highlights including catching a 50-plus-yard bomb from Jarrett Stidham. Engram's big day led several media members to point out that the tight end is good friends with former teammate Davis Webb, who now calls plays as Denver's offensive coordinator. Payton didn't brush off the suggestion that Engram benefits from Webb calling plays. “I would say yes to some degree," Payton said. "I think he’s trying to find different ways where he might have a matchup, and I think that’s a good thing. Now it’s just executing, and it’s ball security, catching, the landmarks, some of the nuances. He’s one other piece where you’re trying to spread the ball around. Who’s going to earn those touches? Those have to be earned.”

5. Bo Nix looked sharp: In his first 11-on-11 setting of full-speed camp, Nix showed "great command" and a quick connection with Waddle, according to Evans. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider noted that Nix looked more comfortable on the run than he did during acclimation workouts. Aric DiLalla of the team's official website tweeted that Nix was "dealing" during team period. Evans concluded that Nix was "*sharp*" in the final team period of practice. It certainly sounds like the third-year QB is off to a good start this summer.

Denver's players will return to the practice field tomorrow, followed by a day off on Sunday (view the full training camp schedule). The Broncos will have 14 practices with fans in attendance this summer, but (free) tickets are required. Up next is Day 2 on Saturday morning.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

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