AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Per KUSA’s Mike Klis, the Broncos gave the following guarantees to their undrafted free agent class:

• RB LeVante Bellamy: $25,000 signing bonus, $35,000 in guaranteed salary
• CB Essang Bassey: $20,000 signing bonus
• WR Zimari Manning: $12,500 signing bonus
• WR Kendall Hilton: $10,000 signing bonus, $5,000 in guaranteed salary
• QB Riley Neal: $8,000 signing bonus
• S Douglas Coleman: $5,000 signing bonus
• OT Hunter Watts: $3,000 signing bonus

Chargers

In a normal offseason, teams would already have gotten a first-hand look at their rookies during rookie minicamp, while the rest of the team would get their introduction during OTAs and minicamp at the end of May. With everything moving to a virtual environment, though, it’s changed how teams like the Chargers integrate players like first-round QB Justin Herbert, who’s coming in as Los Angeles potential future franchise quarterback to compete with veteran Tyrod Taylor. Herbert doesn’t have the benefit of on-field reps, he has to do all of his impressing in the classroom. 

“The quarterback room’s been great, obviously we have Tyrod in there an Easton Stick as well,” Chargers OC Shane Steichen said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “And they were in there last year, you know, so that transition with those two guys has been great. They’re hard workers, they’re pros, Tyrod and Stick. And then Justin coming in, he’s really sharp. We’re just really getting to know Justin in the classroom setting now in the last few days. But it’s been a good transition.”

Raiders

• ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez writes the Raiders made WR Henry Ruggs the first receiver off the board because of his game-breaking speed. Ruggs ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in a blistering 4.27 seconds. 
• Gutierrez adds losing WR Antonio Brown and his big-play threat last season was something the Raiders never really recovered from and it played a role in their decision to pick Ruggs. 
• He points out Ruggs scored on three of the four slants he caught for Alabama last year, and that route is a staple of HC Jon Gruden‘s offense. He also expects Ruggs to be used to take the top off the defense and on quick-hitting passes to get the ball in his hands near the line of scrimmage.
• Ruggs has also worked with former WR Randy Moss to further weaponize his incredible speed: “Just always giving the image that I’m going 100 miles per hour. It’s not that easy moving at that speed to change directions, but it’s also something to give that illusion that you are moving at top speed.”