Broncos
- Per Denver 7’s Troy Renck, Broncos GM George Paton said they envision a role right away for sixth-round WR Seth Williams on special teams: “We targeted him as one of the top special teams players for receivers. He’s like a piece of clay. He’s really talented. He’s big and he can run. As a receiver, he just needs to be molded.”
- In college at Auburn, Williams never played special teams, as he was one of their top offensive players, but he sounds game for the challenge, as that’s his best shot at cracking a deep Denver receiving corps: “I am willing to go wherever they put me. I am going to contribute in any way I can.”
Chargers
- The Athletic’s Daniel Popper says the Chargers have had a dramatic vaccination rate turnaround and are now approaching the 70 percent mark. The team believes they’ll hit 85 percent at some point during training camp.
- Popper notes Chargers second-round CB Asante Samuel Jr. will have to beat out veteran Brandon Facyson for the starting outside corner job in nickel packages.
- He also mentions new HC Brandon Staley‘s defense will have DE Joey Bosa dropping into coverage more often than the previous defense.
- Popper thinks the Chargers could keep just five wide receivers, which could leave 2020 fifth and seventh-rounders Joe Reed and K.J. Hill on the outside of the roster bubble.
Raiders
The first two seasons for Raiders former first-round S Johnathan Abram have featured many more lowlights than highlights. Abram has struggled to stay healthy and has been picked on in coverage when he’s been on the field. But new Raiders CB Casey Hayward thinks new DB coach Ron Milus can help turn things around for the young safety.
“I think (Abram’s) a good player (and) has the potential to be a really great player, especially in this defense,” Hayward said via the Athletic’s Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur. “I’ve seen some really good safeties in this defense that made a lot of plays, some All-Pro plays. I feel like he can do the same thing. I think he’s going to peak. I see the leadership role he’s taken on and that’s what we need. We need some leaders in this secondary and on this defense and the team as well. Like I said, it’s my first year, so I see a lot of good similarities to some good defensive players that I’ve seen in the past. I think he’s doing a great job so far.”
Milus comes to Las Vegas as one of the most highly-regarded secondary coaches in football. He’s worked quite a bit with Harris at multiple stops, to the point where the veteran Harris is an extension of Milus on the field, which is exactly what the Raiders wanted when they brought the two on to join a young secondary.
“He knows what to do,” Milus said. “If I’m not able to relay the information, they can always ask Casey because Casey has been doing the same thing for a number of years in this system. Love Casey. … Casey brings some professionalism to the table and he’s going to help our young players because he’s been around the block a couple of times.”
- According to PFF’s Doug Kyed, the Raiders have a vaccination rate near 90 percent.
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