ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos open training camp on July 28 at the UC Health Center in Englewood, Colorado. Here's a closer look at the Broncos' camp:
Top storyline: The Broncos' ability to rebound from last season's 5-11 finish will hinge on two questions: Is quarterback Case Keenum the solution, and has the team done enough on defense to take full advantage of Von Miller in his prime? Keenum was the centerpiece of the Broncos' work in free agency, and the team's decision-makers believe his career-best season with the Vikings last year (3,547 passing yards and 22 touchdowns) will not be an anomaly. On defense, first-round pick Bradley Chubb has the potential to be the kind of pass-rusher who can absorb some of the almost constant attention offenses direct at Miller.
QB depth chart: From the moment Broncos general manager John Elway announced Keenum was the team's "top choice" among the available quarterbacks in free agency, Keenum has been the starter. That leaves any intrigue at the position, for the first time since Peyton Manning's retirement, with the No. 2 spot. Paxton Lynch is a former first-round pick who lost back-to-back training camp battles with Trevor Siemian. He now finds himself trying to fight off Chad Kelly for the No. 2 job. Kelly was the final pick of the 2017 draft and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. And if the Broncos don't see everything they need to from Lynch and Kelly, there is always a possibility they bring in someone with more experience at some point.
Bubble watch: Wide receiver, where the Broncos have used four combined picks in the past two drafts, is suddenly a crowded position. Rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton can work themselves into backup roles behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders if they keep their offseason momentum. Jordan Taylor's work in the return game as well as his reliable hands on offense makes five receivers. That could put either Carlos Henderson or Isaiah McKenzie -- both 2017 draft picks -- on the roster bubble.
This rookie could start: Not could -- will start. And that's outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. The Broncos have big plans for Chubb, who was the No. 5 overall pick in this past April's draft. Chubb was already trending toward the starting lineup with his combination of size, athleticism and technique before Shane Ray continued to seek medical opinions about his injured wrist.
Rookie rebound: After back-to-back rookie classes that had minimal impact, the Broncos are poised to see several first-year players carve out significant roles in the season to come. Start with Chubb, Sutton, Hamilton and running back Royce Freeman, all of whom were either working with the starters or the second team regularly during the Broncos' organized team activities and minicamp. Freeman, a 239-pound back with 4.5 speed, has shown quality vision and footwork during non-contact work. If that form holds true during training camp and the preseason, he will push Devontae Booker to be the team's lead back. Freeman has also shown quality hands in the passing game, so he has the potential to get playing time on third down and other longer-yardage situations. Linebacker Josey Jewell is another player in the team's rookie class who could carve out some playing time.
Big shoes to fill: Few players, other than Keenum of course, will carry more pressure to replace a starter from last season than Bradley Roby. A big reason the Broncos traded Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason was they believed Roby was ready to move from defensive regular to full-time starter. Or as cornerback Chris Harris Jr. put it "the difference between 600 plays and a thousand plays ... it's what you do on those other 400 that will show if you're ready for that." Talib was named to four Pro Bowls during his four seasons with the Broncos and often found himself locked up on the opposition's best receiver, especially if it was one of the bigger wideouts in the league. Roby has been an opportunistic playmaker -- he has three career touchdowns off turnovers -- but now has to be a consistent presence in a defense that expects to be one of the league's best.