August 26, 2008 11:53 PM

Broncos Inbox for Aug. 27

The Broncos Inbox is open and leading off . . .

Q: Could you give us your take on how the Broncos' rookie class is looking this year? We've heard all about Eddie Royal, and the team seems to be happy with Ryan Clady. We heard how Ryan Torain was running well before his injury, and how Josh Barrett has been a surprisingly big hitter in camp. Other than those four, I have not heard a lot on Kory Lichtensteiger, Jack Williams, and Spencer Larson. How are these players doing, and do you see them making a contribution this year or even making the team?

A: Most personnel guys I know around the league are always hoping to get at least some production throughout a given draft class in that first season. Especially now with a just a seven-round draft, the expectation is you can find starters early and quality depth players that are easy on the salary cap in the middle to late rounds.

For their part, the Broncos got plenty of pop early since they inserted Clady in the starting lineup immediately at left tackle and he has been everything they hoped. He will be there as long as he is healthy and they can keep re-signing him.

If you're building a franchise to compete for big trophies, you have to have a quarterback, a left tackle and a big-time impact player at defensive end to start. Clady can be that guy for the Broncos on that list.

The thing I've liked the most is the way he rebounds from a tough play at a position that, other than quarterback, is also the most difficult for a rookie to play in the league. He has great quickness and agility - which put him in the upper half of the first round - but it's his demeanor and the ability to cope with what comes at him that will make him difficult to deal with for opposing defensive ends.

He really matched up well against one of the best power/speed guys in the league in DeMarcus Ware. Ware is spectacular at shedding blocks, even those of much bigger players, and watching Clady go at it with Ware in 1-on-1 drills when the Cowboys were in town was the best part of that week.

Royal is the returner the Broncos expected, but the question is whether he will eventually play his way out of that role as Darrent Williams did. Royal is already a starting receiver having launched himself up the depth chart.

Some scouts say he's still going to have to show he can consistently get off the bump at the line of scrimmage because of his size, but he explodes in and out of his breaks so is a tough cover for cornerbacks once he does get some space.

Great hands too. I said on draft day he would play in the Broncos offense more quickly than people expected him to and he has only proven that to be true.

And you're correct in that Torain likely would have been the starting back had he not injured his elbow and Barrett has made some impact plays against offensive reserves in the preseason.

At over 220 pounds Barrett will be an intriguing prospect to watch. He moves well and is already one of the biggest safeties in the league.

Beyond that the Broncos certainly like what Kory Lichensteiger has done thus far. He's just playing a position - center or guard - where the Broncos have their starters ready to go.

But he plays with a nice edge to him, a little nasty streak, and has shown the ability to pick up the offense and make progress. He plays clean too - he only had four penalties that I counted in his entire college career.

He'll watch and learn for a time, but he projects as a potential starter at some point, if he continues to work.

Cornerback Jack Williams will be around as well. He's a bigger hitter at the corner spot and will, I believe, force some fumbles in his career. He too is at a position where the Broncos have plenty of veterans, but he doesn't back away from tough matchups in 1-on-1s.

Linebacker Spender Larsen has dabbled at fullback as well and also had some emotional things to deal with in camp. His brother's daughter drowned in a swimming pool earlier this month and his wife had a baby as well so he hasn't been able to compete as much as he could have if he did not have those things to deal with.

But he's a sharp, young guy who will get plenty of playing time Friday at Arizona - he's also from suburban Phoenix.

When he's had a bobble on the field so far it's because he didn't get his feet under him to make a tackle - or "come to balance'' as the coaches say - so he has been knocked over on a couple plays not having the leverage he needed to make a tackle.

He is a quality practice squad candidate right now because the Broncos would likely have to cut one of their special teams regulars - Jordan Beck or Louis Green - for Larsen to make the roster if the Broncos keep six linebackers as they traditionally have.

And as far as their final pick this past April, we go to ...

Q: My question concerns Peyton Hillis. In addition to his nice catch-and-run on third-and-8 by the goal-line, it appeared that the Broncos ran quite effectively on that 99-yard drive behind his blocks. What role do you envision for him this season, and will he be the de facto starter soon? His size and skills -- he returned punts at Arkansas for one -- remind me of Dallas Clark somewhat, even though they play different positions. Finally, why was he available to pick at all in the seventh round? I read the scouting reports that said he didn't project to be much of a blocker, but given his receiving skills and his ability to step up in big games like the upset of LSU last season . . . I believe this was a major steal for the Broncos. What do you think?

A: Some teams saw him as an H-back, some a fullback and some a tight end. So when a player is considered for that many things, he usually is pushed down the board because he isn't compelling at any one thing.

And for all the talk about takings risks before the draft, few teams actually do it.

Hillis had a hamstring injury that kept him out of several practices early on in training camp, but he has rebounded nicely. The Broncos have kept two fullbacks before, so he has a good shot to make the roster.

He did, indeed, return punts for the Razorbacks in '05 and '06 for the most part and last season also rushed for 347 yards while catching 49 passes. He's a quality receiver and showed good strength in his workouts so he is a potential "starter'' at fullback, though the Broncos don't always open games in their two-back look.

Not only did that third down catch-and-run capture your attention, it got the Broncos' as well. That's just the kind of play they look for from the fullback.

Philip, via the website, asked . . .

Q: Are Nate Jackson and Eddie Royal worth drafting in fantasy football?

A: Philip wanted concise so here is the concise: Royal is going to get plenty of action, but Brandon Marshall will be the No. 1 receiver when he returns from his suspension. Royal will have more opportunities during the suspension, but he's also going to get more attention from secondaries.

So don't take him as your front-line guy, but he's going to get some chances in the starting lineup.

Jackson is going to be in a three-player rotation at the position - with Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler - so his opportunities are going to be limited, unless one of the other two gets injured.

Also, a Broncos tight end not named Shannon Sharpe hasn't had at least 50 catches or six touchdowns since Desmond Clark in 2001.

And in an effort to give the people what they want a few folks asked the difference between being released and being waived . . .

A: This time of year it's an indication of experience level. A player that is fully vested - having accrued five seasons - is released. That enables him to sign with anyone he chooses - a benefit afforded veterans players by the collective bargaining agreement.

A player with less experience has to go through waivers, which means every other team is allowed to claim him without the player having a choice. If multiple teams claim the player, he goes to the team that finished with the worst record of the group the season before.

That's why wide receiver Samie Parker was released this week while defensive tackle Josh Mallard and wide receiver Lorne Sam were waived.

If the player is not claimed within 24 hours, then he is free to sign with any team.

Now, there is a waiver period for veteran players during the regular season - it usually starts a month into the season.

That's it and thanks.

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