Preseason Stock Watch Week One: Bryce Callahan
How was cornerback Bryce Callahan’s stock affected by his first performance in the preseason?
Callahan entered training camp in a battle for starting position. Both Callahan and CreVon LeBlanc played in the slot last season. Both of them came back to camp this year with the intentions of retaining their role and increasing it into a full-time situation. Some speculated it would be Prince Amukamara in the slot, with Marcus Cooper and Kyle Fuller on the outside. However, LeBlanc and Callahan had been the names to watch as they battled for positioning.
In the team’s first preseason game it was Bryce Callahan starting in the slot with Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper on the outside. Callahan and Amukamara even switched around where they played based on alignments. Callahan’s performance was not perfect, as he was penalized for defensive pass interference. However, it was offset but another penalty on the Broncos. That aside, his performance was strong enough. He made a few key tackles, one coming on a third down, and had multiple strong moments in coverage.
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LeBlanc finished out the game, but he did not do anything to set himself apart from his peers. Overall Callahan faced tougher competition and fared just as well, if not better than LeBlanc. As of right now, that spot seems to be Callahan’s to lose. Even if Kyle Fuller demands to see the field more, Callahan seems to firmly be ahead of LeBlanc as of now.
After one preseason game, Callahan’s stock is certainly on the rise.