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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. **– There may be three days until the Broncos report for training camp, but already the halls are buzzing. On Monday, the rookies got a jump start on the veterans and opened their first day of practice.
This may not be the newcomers first practice with the team, considering they had months of offseason team activities and minicamp, but the stakes are much higher for the group now. Especially for the Broncos newest draft class and undrafted free agents out of college, this is when the true competition for a spot on the 53-man roster heats up.
But for now, the rookies have three days of practice before the rest of the team arrives to get acclimated to the training camp regime.
See photos from new Bronco Shane Ray's football career leading up to being selected 23rd overall.
Shane Ray and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hold up a Broncos jersey at the 2015 NFL Draft. The Broncos drafted Ray with the 23rd overall pick in the first round.
Shane Ray, the Broncos' 2015 first-round pick in NFL Draft at No. 23 overall, celebrates after a play in 2012.
Shane Ray sacks Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel in 2013.
Shane Ray, the Broncos' 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, sacks Kentucky's Patrick Towles.
Shane Ray, drafted 23rd overall by the Broncos in the 2015 NFL Draft, celebrates a sack on South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw in 2013.
Shane Ray gets a hand on Indiana's D'Angelo Roberts in 2014. Ray was the Broncos' 2015 first-round pick with the 23rd overall pick.
Shane Ray, the Broncos' first round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, closes in on South Dakota State quarterback Jacob Menage for a sack.
Shane Ray, drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, performs a drill at Missouri's Pro Day.
Shane Ray performs a drill at Missouri's 2015 Pro Day.
Shane Ray smiles as he holds the Citrus Bowl trophy following Missouri's 33-17 win over Minnesota.
Shane Ray and his mother share a moment on the red carpet at the 2015 NFL Draft.
Shane Ray hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Broncos selected Ray with the 23rd overall pick at the 2015 NFL Draft.
"I think it's great," said rookie defensive lineman Darius Kilgo. "They're not just throwing us in the fire, so I think it's great that this gives us a chance just to kind of get our feet wet a little bit before the vets come back. I'm just trying to take advantage of it."
The Broncos first round draft pick, outside linebacker Shane Ray echoed Kilgo's sentiments.
"I think that it helps a lot for me in particular," Ray said. "I've been here the whole month training and making sure that I stay on top of things as far as keeping my body right. I feel like I'm in great shape and I'll be ready to go for camp."
In addition to their acclimation to training camp before the remainder of the team arrives, this also gives the rookies a chance to build some camaraderie.
"This is my first training camp in the National Football League," said rookie offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo, "so, like I said, I'm taking it one day at a time. I think with any level of football camaraderie kind of builds through the grind of camp. I'm looking forward to gaining that with my teammates."
The remaining Broncos will return to head quarters on Thursday, July 30 and then kick-off the first day of camp on Friday, July 31. There will be 14 open practices for fans to attend, free of charge.
