Following a disappointing 35-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are now 0-2 going into a showdown with the 2-0 Miami Dolphins in Week 3.
Here are some quick snap count notes and Pro Football Focus grades from last week before we fully transition into coverage of next week’s game.
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Wide receiver
Courtland Sutton (59 snaps) was the team’s No. 1 receiver, followed by Jerry Jeudy (45) and Brandon Johnson (30). Lil’Jordan Humphrey (21) got more snaps than Marvin Mims (16) on offense despite Mims making huge plays.
Mims (90.1) was the team’s highest-graded WR on PFF, followed by Sutton (77.1), Johnson (64.2) and Jeudy (56.6).
Running back
Despite not getting his first touch until the second half, Samaje Perine ended up leading the backfield with 33 snaps. Javonte Williams (30) was not far behind. Rookie Jaleel McLaughlin made the most of his three offensive snaps by scoring his first NFL touchdown. Fullback Michael Burton played 13 snaps on offense and 53% of the special teams snaps (16). Burton’s PFF grade was 69.7.
McLaughlin was the team’s highest-rated RB on PFF, earning a 63.2 grade. Perine (58.6) was next, followed by Williams (55.7).
Tight end
With Greg Dulcich (hamstring) on injured reserve, Adam Trautman (54 snaps) continues to lead the tight end room. Chris Manhertz got 21 snaps and rookie Nate Adkins got five.
Manhertz (55.8) received a better grade from PFF than Trautman (53.1). Adkins (57.7) was the team’s highest-rated TE on PFF this week.
Offensive line
The starting five linemen played all 66 snaps. Cushenberry (70.5) was the team’s highest-rated player on PFF, followed by Quinn Meinerz (68.6), Ben Powers (66.1), Garett Bolles (52.1) and Mike McGlinchey (47.8). A day to forget for the offensive line.
Defensive line
Zach Allen (59 snaps) was the team’s top defensive lineman against Washington, followed by D.J. Jones (41), Jonathan Harris (39), Mike Purcell (22) and Matt Henningsen (18).
Purcell (70.5) had the best grade on PFF, followed by Harris (70.0), Henningsen (63.7), Jones (52.4) and Allen (51.3).
Inside linebacker
Josey Jewell (65) led the inside linebackers in snaps above Alex Singleton (47). Rookie Drew Sanders played just four snaps on defense, but he did play 60% of the special teams snaps (18).
Jewell was the team’s best-rated defensive player on PFF (87.0). Singleton (54.2) ended up with a worse grade than Sanders (69.3).
Edge rushers
Jonathon Cooper led the outside linebackers with 52 snaps, followed by Randy Gregory (47) and Nik Bonitto (45).
PFF rated Cooper (77.9) as the team’s best OLB, followed by Gregory (67.8) and Bonitto (53.9).
Secondary
Pat Surtain and Damarri Mathis both played all 73 snaps at cornerback and Justin Simmons played all the snaps at safety. Essang Bassey ended up playing 65 snaps in the secondary, filling in at safety after Kareem Jackson (35) was ejected and Delarrin Turner-Yell (29) went down with an injury.
Surtain (69.5) was the team’s best starting defensive back on PFF, followed by Simmons (58.3). Mathis (47.8) had another day to forget.
Special teams
Long snapper Mitchell Fraboni (82.2) was the team’s best-rated special teams player on PFF. Punter Riley Dixon was rated 60.5 and kicker Wil Lutz was rated 60.0 despite going 5-of-5 on his kicks.
