Broncos second-round draft pick Drew Lock has looked OK through the first 11 practices of training camp. The quarterback has looked like what one would expect from a rookie; he’s still learning how to play the position in the NFL.

The biggest test yet will arrive on Thursday when Denver faces the Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game. Even though it’s just an exhibition contest, Lock will face a tough challenge in Atlanta’s defense.

“[That] style of defense, the Atlanta Falcons, what it originates from is completely different than what we practice against,” Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said after practice Tuesday. “It will feel very foreign to those young guys. It will not be an easy transition. You can’t explain it. We’re not game-planning him or preparing him for that stuff.

“He has to understand that and that’ll be a process for him. That’s part of his journey, because you’re going to see that from the L.A. Chargers and different teams during the year. It’s great that we get a different style of play, but it’ll also be a challenge for him and all those guys to do something different than they’ve faced and go out there and be efficient. It’s a journey.”

Denver’s coaching staff plans to throw Lock into the fire and let him learn by experience.

“You’re going to do what you’re going to do,” Scangarello said. “Once you’re on the field, you go play the game, but in the end, it takes time to mature as a quarterback in the NFL. There are no shortcuts.”

Thursday will be a big test for Lock but he should be up to the task — he was a second-round draft choice for a reason, after all. Even Kevin Hogan, who is competing with Lock for the backup QB job, can see that Lock has potential.

“He’s very talented and eager to get better,” Hogan said Tuesday. “He’s a great guy to have in the room. The talent’s there, it’s just about getting reps and experience. He’s going to be around for a long time.”

Hogan will start against Atlanta and Lock will get to play against (and with) second- and third-string players. Despite being the No. 3 QB on the depth chart, Lock is still pumped up for his NFL debut.

“I’m excited to be able to go out there,” Lock said Tuesday. “Of course, when I go out there, I am going to be a little fired up.

“[I’ll] show people what I can do and definitely bring the juice that I’ve brought through college. . . . I’m going to prove to people that one day I should be starting those games.”