AFC Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Jaguars

Broncos

Broncos DT Billy Winn said he is ready to compete for a roster spot after missing the past two seasons due to a knee injury. 

“It’s definitely going to be tough, but anybody who knows me knows I’m a competitor and will do anything and everything to get where I want to be,” said Win, via Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post. “If it doesn’t happen, there are 31 other teams I’m building a resume for.”

Winn recalls his knee injury in their 2017 preseason opener when he tore his meniscus, ACL, and MCL.

“I felt all three pops,” said Winn. “It was one of those moments where it’s, ‘Oh, (bleep).’ I just knew something wasn’t right.”

Chiefs

Chiefs HC Andy Reid mentioned second-round WR Mecole Hardman is “getting better every day” and is quickly learning their playbook. 

“He’s getting better every day,” Reid said, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “We’re asking him to do a lot and he’s staying up on it. Sometimes he’s not quite sure and there’s a little hesitation, then the next time he runs it, he’s got it. So that’s what you’re looking for. We’ve been happy with his progress.”

Reid added that Hardman has received “quite a few reps” with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. 

“We’ve been giving him quite a few reps with Patrick and that’s the way you learn,” Reid said. “There are certain things that are finesse on this and there are certain things that you’ve got to really roll on. So, he’s sorting all that out and learning. That’s all part of the learning process. Then we’re throwing eight million coverages at him so he’s got to put that in the computer too as he goes. He’s handling it. He’s a smart kid. He’s just got to learn how we do it.”

Jaguars

Jaguars’ second-year DL Taven Bryan described converting from a three-technique lineman to the “big-defensive end” role this offseason. 

“It’s just a lot more manipulation,” Bryan said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “You got to read it on the fly. If you pause one second, I’m too late.”

Jaguars DL coach Jason Rebrovich explained the difference between the three-technique and big-defensive end positions. 

“From a mental standpoint and from a physical standpoint, it’s harder to play big end,” said Rebrovich. “It’s (easier) to just go vertical and just say, ‘Hey look, here’s your damn gap, here’s your responsibility, here’s your key, and when that ball is snapped, you go there.’”

Rebrovich said Bryan has had an “easier of a process” converting to big-defensive end due to his experience with the three-technique. 

“You can tell with the reps that he’s had out here in these OTA practices,” Rebrovich said. “When we’ve transitioned to a three-technique, it’s been a lot easier of a process for him, because I think he understands it more on what the intricacies are of playing a big end, and now going out and playing three-technique, it comes smoother to him.”