What We Saw: Preseason Week 2

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Packers @ Broncos

Final Score: Broncos 27 – Packers 2

Writer: Darian Hudock (@DarianQB_List)

Without the Packers starting lineup playing in today’s game, the end outcome was far from competitive. Bo Nix and Denver’s offense started by scoring on their first two drives down the field, with Nix showing tremendous poise and ability with the presumed starters for Denver, delivering multiple strikes downfield and showcasing great mobility. A small rookie mistake saw Nix move out left and roll past the line of scrimmage before delivering an illegal forward pass to Javonte Williams that otherwise would have been a touchdown. After the Broncos starters left the game, the defense was dominant, forcing three 4th down stops and holding Green Bay’s offense to zero points in the game.

Three Up

Bo Nix – All but solidified the week one starting role
Tim Patrick – Played every snap with the first team offense and led the team in targets
Greg Dulcich – Showcased the terrific athleticism that made him a sleeper in the past

Three Down

Zach Wilson – Looked very uncomfortable in the pocket and was sacked for a safety
Marvin Mims – Zero snaps with the first team and no targets until the final drive

Packers

Quarterback

Sean Clifford: 6/10, 43 Yards, 1 Int | 1 Rush, 11 Yards

Sean Clifford played a solid yet unspectacular game for the Packers. Early in the game, he delivered two nice deep throws down the sideline that unfortunately fell incomplete. The first was a catchable ball that was dropped, the second was a terrific play by the defender to force the breakup. He did miss a throw over the middle that was intercepted by the defense.

Notes

Went through his progressions well and wasn’t afraid to throw the deep ball.
Showed decent mobility and intelligence to avoid taking hits.

Missed Opportunities

I would like to see Clifford move around in the pocket better. He made a few throws more difficult than they needed to be due to his positioning.

Michael Pratt: 10/16, 52 Yards | 1 Rush, 7 Yards

It was difficult for Pratt to do anything against the Broncos defense. Every dropback he was met with pressure and did his best to navigate the field.

Notes

Played under extreme pressure every possession.
Showed a good willingness to check down if the play wasn’t there.

Missed Opportunities

He needs to show better ball security, lost a fumble trying to scramble with the ball away from his body.

Running Back

Emmanuel Wilson: 13 Carries, 41 Yards | 1 Reception, 11 Yards

Wilson played a vast majority of snaps for Green Bay in this game. He displayed a strong running profile with a willingness to take what the defense gave him. He also showed strong pass-catching capabilities on an 11-yard catch and run.

Notes

Strong between the tackles running.
Decent pass-catching skills shown

Missed Opportunities

Got taken down in the open field by a corner trying to bounce the play outside, you would like to see him break that tackle.

Ellis Merriweather: 8 Carries, 18 Yards | 2 Receptions, 4 Yards

Lots of inefficient touches from Merriweather tonight. By the time he entered the game, it appeared the Packers’ offensive line had given up, providing the RB with no room to run.

Notes

Took what he could get despite O-line struggles

Missed Opportunities

Needs to do more in the open field, couldn’t break away even with multiple receptions.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Malik Heath: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 22 Yards

Heath was by far the most active WR on the Packers tonight, playing a majority of snaps with both the first and second teams. He showed decent footwork and the ability to get open down the sideline, and route running savvy getting open in the zone.

Notes

Showed good route running and footwork
Was able to create separation on a few missed throws by the QB

Missed Opportunities

Got open on a deep Sean Clifford pass that went off his fingertips, need him to make that catch

Bo Melton: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards

Bo Melton played a large number of snaps for the Packers but, like the rest of the offense, was not able to produce much of anything against the stout Broncos’ defense.

Notes

Played with the first-team unit, but did not sit when the rest of the starters left the game

Missed Opportunities

No real separation ability was shown, was caught immediately after both catches

Samori Toure: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards

Toure played a majority of his snaps today with QB Michael Pratt, and like most of the offense at that point found it difficult to find success.

Notes

Played with the second-team offense
Showed strong hands on a contested catch opportunity

Broncos

Quarterback

Bo Nix: 8/9, 80 Yards, 1 TD | 3 Rushes 12 Yards

Wow. What a showing Bo Nix has had in the pre-season to this point. Whether it’s standing in the pocket and delivering strikes as his WR makes cuts or using his legs when the play breaks down, Nix has shown the chops of an NFL starter and probably has solidified himself as Denver’s week one starter.

Notes

Showed terrific mobility both in the pocket and out
Delivered a couple of great throws on the run
Made decisions quickly and delivered accurate passes

Missed Opportunities

Missed out on a touchdown on the first drive where Nix rolled out left and passed the line of scrimmage, being called for an illegal forward pass.

Jared Stidham: 7/11, 65 Yards, 1 Int | 1 Carry, 9 Yards, 1 TD

A decent showing from Stidham capped off by a 9-yard TD rush that saw him bulldoze a defender at the goal line. The interception came on a batted pass where WR Marvin Mims was bullied out of the way by the defender for the interception.

Notes

Proved he should be the backup to Bo Nix
Powerful rushing TD showed mobility most fans probably don’t know he has

Missed Opportunities

Had multiple passes batted at the line, including his interception

Running Back

Javonte Williams: 3 Carries, 17 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards

Javonte looks to be the leader in the Broncos backfield. He played multiple first downs in the Broncos’ first two drives. Javonte was also used decently in the passing game, including catching a 15-yard TD from QB Bo Nix that was called back due to an illegal forward pass.

Notes

Shared the first-team reps with Jaleel McGlaughlin
Played on 3rd down and showed good pass-catching

Missed Opportunities

Two big plays were called back, one a 15-yard receiving TD, the other was a 22-yard rush

Jaleel McLaughlin: 3 Carries, 17 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards

Jaleel McLaughlin showed what we’ve come to expect from him against the Packers. His explosive ability flashed on a 12-yard rush he took straight up the gut before any defender could react. He was also present in goal-to-go situations, which bodes well for his touchdown-scoring upside in the upcoming season.

Notes

Split first-team snaps with Javonte Williams
McLaughlin took both snaps in Denver’s first goal-to-go situation

Audric Estime: 4 Carries, 14 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards

Estime is a player a lot of fantasy managers have been watching for in the 2024 pre-season. Tonight’s game versus the Packers should make them feel good. Showed powerful running, decent pass-catching ability, and surprisingly strong pass-protection abilities.

Notes

Made a terrific pass block on a 3rd down conversion with Jared Stidham
Didn’t play any snaps with the first-team offense

Missed Opportunities

Needs to be more patient in letting his blocks develop

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Tim Patrick: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 30 Yards, 1 TD

If Tim Patrick hasn’t been on your draft board in 2024 he needs to be moved up. He played almost every snap with the first-team offense and QB Bo Nix, leading the team in targets during that time and catching the first TD of the game.

Notes

If you were worried about his health you do not have to be, he is healthy and figures to start alongside Courtland Sutton
Looks like Nix’s favorite target

Courtland Sutton: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 23 Yards

Sutton again looks poised to lead the Broncos in snap percentage from the wide receiver position. Again tonight he was present on all of the first-team offensive snaps and showed a nice connection with QB Bo Nix on a deep ball that was delivered right as Sutton started his cut.

Notes

Played almost every snap with the first-team offense
Showed great connection with the quarterback on a deep in-cutting route

Greg Dulcich: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards

While Dulcich may not have received a lot of work with the first-team offense, as he split those snaps with Adam Trautman. However, his elite athletic ability was on display with QB Jared Stidham on multiple plays where he was able to run after the catch.

Notes

Showed great athleticism with catch and run opportunities.

Missed Opportunities

Got beaten pretty badly on a run attempt when the defensive edge overpowered him

Marvin Mims: 1 Target, 0 Receptions

Yikes. If you had high hopes for Mims it is time to start pumping your brakes. He did not step on the field with the first team, and despite playing almost half the game was unable to generate a target until the team’s final drive.

Notes