{"id":1313213,"date":"2019-08-05T23:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T05:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/win-winfree-situation-broncos-rookie-receiver-catching-on\/"},"modified":"2019-08-05T23:00:01","modified_gmt":"2019-08-06T05:00:01","slug":"broncos-rookie-receiver-winfree-catching-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/broncos-rookie-receiver-winfree-catching-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Broncos rookie receiver Winfree catching on"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.8843710292249\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-985549-592\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien takes part in NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien takes part in NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-1.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien takes part in NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-2.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Joining fans, Denver Broncos' mascot Miles sits and watches as players take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"14\">\n<p><strong>Joining fans, Denver Broncos&#8217; mascot Miles sits and watches as players take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-3.jpg\" alt=\"Joining fans, Denver Broncos' mascot Miles sits and watches as players take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos offensive tackle Dalton Risner, back, jokes with quarterback Drew Lock as they take part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"15\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos offensive tackle Dalton Risner, back, jokes with quarterback Drew Lock as they take part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-4.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos offensive tackle Dalton Risner, back, jokes with quarterback Drew Lock as they take part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos wide receiver Steven Dunbar, left, tosses a brick to wide receiver Fred Brown as they take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"15\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos wide receiver Steven Dunbar, left, tosses a brick to wide receiver Fred Brown as they take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-5.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos wide receiver Steven Dunbar, left, tosses a brick to wide receiver Fred Brown as they take part in drills during an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-6.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-6.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-7.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/08\/Broncos_Football_86032-46a65-7.jpg\" alt=\"Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/win-winfree-situation-broncos-rookie-receiver-catching-on\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/win-winfree-situation-broncos-rookie-receiver-catching-on\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">ENGLEWOOD, Colo. \u2014 By his conservative count, Broncos rookie receiver Juwann Winfree viewed his game-winning tip and toe-drag touchdown against Atlanta in the Hall of Fame Game about 100 times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Granted, it was one catch in a preseason game. But that one reception told Winfree plenty \u2014 he could hold his own on this level after ACL and ankle injuries limited his playing time at the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI saw what\u2019s possible,\u201d Winfree said Monday after a practice that featured a skirmish between wideouts Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders. \u201cIt\u2019s possible I can help contribute and possible I can do this at the highest level. That catch lets me know I do belong here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The acrobatic catch was the picture of concentration as rookie QB Brett Rypien\u2019s pass was batted into the air by a Falcons defensive back in the end zone. Winfree spun around to track it and hauled it in while dragging his feet with 1:26 remaining to give Denver a 14-10 win in the NFL\u2019s preseason opener.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That play illustrates why Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. stays on Winfree in practice. Harris sees the big-play potential in the receiver who wears No. 15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cHe\u2019s just strong. He\u2019s a strong rookie,\u201d Harris said. \u201cYou don\u2019t see a lot of rookies like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Being a rookie, though, Winfree may be prone to lapses in concentration. Harris has that covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cSome days they might want to take it in and don\u2019t want to bring that full effort in,\u201d Harris said. \u201cBut I am definitely staying on \u201815\u2019 because he has a lot of talent. He can definitely help us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Denver thought highly enough of Winfree to trade up in the sixth round to take him. That caught Winfree a little by surprise; he was hearing the Vikings would use one of their sixth-round picks on him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThat\u2019s huge for me the Broncos had that much confidence in me,\u201d Winfree said. \u201cEvery time I\u2019m out here, I think about that and try to prove to them why I should be out here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">His college career took a winding route. After playing sparingly at Maryland as a freshman, Winfree spent a year at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before showing up at Colorado.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Then, the injuries hit. A torn ACL during camp in 2016 sidelined him for the season. Last season, he suffered a high ankle sprain at Nebraska that kept him out for a month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In two seasons with the Buffaloes, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Winfree caught 49 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns. His best game was on Nov. 11, 2017, against Southern California when he caught five passes for 163 yards and two scores.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The missed games due to injuries were \u201csuper frustrating,\u201d he said. \u201cThe more games, the more experience, you feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI\u2019ve got to catch up,\u201d Winfree added. \u201cBut my whole life has kind of been catching up. Now I\u2019m here trying to catch up with the veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Broncos have quite a stable of receivers, with Sanders, Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton the locks to make the team. Winfree is vying for a spot with the likes of Tim Patrick, River Cracraft, Steven Dunbar Jr., Trinity Benson, Brendan Langley, Kelvin McKnight and Nick Williams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI\u2019m a playmaker,\u201d said Winfree, who dealt with a leg ailment early in camp. \u201cWherever I\u2019m at, special teams, receiver, blocking, I\u2019m just trying to make plays. You\u2019re going to get a selfless player.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Sometimes, the moment seems almost surreal for Winfree. Like catching passes from quarterback Joe Flacco. Or hauling in a reception while Harris was covering him (it happened during organized training activities). Or that winning reception in the inaugural preseason game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI\u2019m happy I made (the catch) and excited for the future,\u201d Winfree said. \u201cBut that\u2019s one game. It\u2019s preseason. Every week, I\u2019ve got to keep adding on and keep adding on, keep showing why I deserve to be here and keep showing why I can help us win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Notes: ILB Josey Jewell left practice with an unspecified injury. \u201cHe kind of tweaked his side a little bit,\u201d Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. \u2026 Fangio hasn\u2019t decided if rookie QB Drew Lock will follow Joe Flacco in Thursday\u2019s game at Seattle. \u2026 Broncos DB Kareem Jackson intercepted two passes in drills. \u2026 The Broncos called a team meeting shortly after Sutton and Sanders got into a scuffle. \u201cCan\u2019t happen,\u201d Fangio said. \u201cShouldn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">AP Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">More AP NFL: <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/NFL\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/apnews.com\/NFL<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP%E2%80%94NFL\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP\u2014NFL<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/win-winfree-situation-broncos-rookie-receiver-catching-on\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree takes part in an NFL football training camp session Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)AP | AP Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien takes part in NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)AP | AP Denver Broncos offensive tackle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1313213","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-21 21:24:17","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1313213"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313213\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1313213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1313213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1313213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}