SEATTLE — Here’s a look at which players improved their stock or watched it decline after the Broncos’ 26-20 loss to the Seahawks in the season opener at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon.
Stock Up
OLB Jonathon Cooper: The fourth-year pro wasted little time in his quest to register 10 sacks or more this season. On the first play of the game, he got to Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith for a 7-yard loss. In the second quarter, Seattle was at its 10-yard line when Cooper got home and took down Smith for the second time in the first half. Cooper finished with six tackles (two for loss) and four quarterback hits — a promising start for a veteran looking to prove a point.
CB Pat Surtain II: On Sunday, Surtain showed why he is one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. He shadowed DK Metcalf on 24 of his 25 routes, according to Next Gen Stats. Surtain was the nearest defender on Metcalf’s four targets, allowing three receptions for 29 yards with an average target separation of 1.1 yards.
DE Zach Allen: Allen had a solid game. He generated pressure on Smith in the first quarter, forcing him to throw an incompletion on third down. In the second quarter, he and Cooper tackled Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet behind the goal line for a safety. The Broncos beefed up their defensive line this offseason in an effort to address a glaring weakness, but Allen remains one of the more important pieces up front.
Safety JL Skinner: Denver’s second-year safety made his presence felt on special teams. He delivered a forceful tackle on wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. on the opening kickoff. In the second quarter, Skinner recovered a fumble at Seattle’s 9-yard line after cornerback Dee Williams muffed a punt return. Later in the quarter, Skinner and cornerback Tremon Smith helped down a punt at the 1-yard line, setting up Denver’s second safety of the first half.
Stock Down
QB Bo Nix: There’s no reason to jump ship on Nix after one game. All rookies have growing pains. Still, his performance diminished his stock, which he built up after a strong training camp and preseason. Nix had two interceptions but could’ve easily had four or five. His mechanics were off, and he constantly threw the ball behind receivers. Sure, protection was average, and Denver’s receivers struggled to create separation. But that’s not an excuse for some of the plays Nix made. Sunday was a big learning experience for him.
RB Javonte Williams: Payton quickly expressed his displeasure about Denver’s run game. The Broncos running backs had 20 carries for 64 yards. Williams highlighted the group’s struggles, gaining just 23 yards on eight carries. During Denver’s first possession, Williams appeared to have a clear path to the end zone but got tripped up on a 9-yard gain. On the following play, Williams slipped for a 1-yard loss. He averaged 2.9 yards per carry and failed to move the needle in Week 1.
CB Riley Moss: Moss had a team-high 12 tackles, so he was far from terrible. But he wasn’t great, either. When it mattered most, Smith wasn’t afraid to attack the second-year cornerback. During Seattle’s third scoring drive of the second half, Smith completed 16- and 11-yard pass attempts to receiver Tyler Lockett with Moss in coverage, setting up a 30-yard touchdown pass to Charbonnet. With 1:54 left, Smith threw the ball over Moss’ outstretched arm before Lockett secured the game-sealing 9-yard catch.
Sean Payton: Denver’s coach was right when he said postgame that he could’ve been better. Even with a new quarterback, the Broncos dealt with the same issues that plagued them in 2023. In Nix’s debut, Payton took a conservative approach in his play-calling, with most of the rookie’s pass attempts behind the line of scrimmage. The problem with that game plan is the Broncos lack dynamic playmakers capable of generating yards after the catch. Since Payton has been in Denver, he has attempted to turn the Broncos into the New Orleans Saints of the AFC West. But Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston are not walking through the door. If he wants to find success in Denver, he may have to change his approach.
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