Broncos outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley and rookie Justin Hollins have developed a routine.

Staley leads the position group meeting that includes Hollins and starters Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Afterward, Staley and Hollins meet 1-on-1 to go over the inside linebacker duties.

“It’s really unique what he’s doing,” said Staley, who joined the Broncos after working with coach Vic Fangio in Chicago. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the NFL that’s a rookie that’s playing two different positions, but he’s been great mentally. He’s really sharp. He’s really bright. Athletically, he can do both jobs.”

Hollins, the Broncos’ fifth-round pick, is playing his natural outside linebacker spot in the base defense and learning inside linebacker in sub-package personnel.

Hollins was primarily an outside linebacker at Oregon, but moved inside for parts of the East-West Shrine Game practices. His defensive coordinator last year was Jim Leavitt, who coached in San Francisco with Fangio and Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

“From a systems standpoint, there is some carry-over,” Staley said. “That gave him a head start as far as (learning) outside linebacker.”

The Broncos met with Hollins at the Scouting Combine and he made a pre-draft visit.

“You were able to see how his mind works and we knew that this guy can see the whole picture,” Staley said. “There are some that can and some that can’t. He just showed that capacity to learn.

“It’s been a lot of extra work for him — he’s basically learning two different things so we’re studying twice as much together, but I’m really pleased with his progress and certainly, training camp will be really beneficial for him. But he’s shown he can do the job out there.”

Around the Broncos

Ellis praises Greek. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis had the pleasure of calling director of sports medicine Steve “Greek” Antonopulos last month to tell him he had been selected to present owner Pat Bowlen at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug. 3.

“It was great,” Ellis said. “He was overcome with emotion, no doubt about it — speechless. And flattered. He wasn’t expecting it at all. It was a nice surprise.

Bowlen’s seven children chose Antonopulos to be their father’s presenter. Ellis said he viewed it as a “pretty easy choice.”

“He loved Pat and Pat loved him,” Ellis said. “They started their day together (in the trainer’s room) and I think Pat trusted him as much as any employee he’s ever had.”

Lock No. 37. Former NFL quarterback/current analyst Chris Simms is ranking the league’s top 40 quarterbacks this month, starting with Nos. 33-40. He slotted Drew Lock at No. 37, one spot behind Baltimore’s Robert Griffin III and one ahead of Washington’s Dwayne Haskins.

“I see big-time talent,” Simms said of Lock in a provided statement. “I know there were a lot of teams in football who had Drew Lock as their No. 1 quarterback on the board. … He kind of has that John Elway-, Aaron Rodgers-type vibe and Patrick Mahomes as far as when it comes to backyard/school-type football.”

Playing with confidence. Receiver Tim Patrick entered training camp last July as an unknown long-shot to make the team. But he made the roster after a strong preseason and then caught 23 passes in the regular season.

Entering camp next month, it’s assumed Patrick will be off the bubble.

“Honestly, just making those plays built my confidence even higher than it was already,” he said. “Going into this season, now I know I can play. This year, I’m going to take over.”

Around the NFL

Frustrated with Beckham. Browns receiver Odell Beckham skipped a voluntary minicamp in April and all but one of the team’s organized team activity workouts (also voluntary). Hat tip to coach Freddie Kitchens for finally not gritting his teeth about Beckham’s absence. Asked what Beckham is missing, Kitchens said: “A lot – – the offense.” Per reports, the Browns expected Beckham to be around more often, which certainly contributes to Kitchens’ disappointment.

Williams’ big chance. After the 2017 season, running back Damien Williams was released by Miami. When the 2019 season begins, Williams will be Kansas City’s starter, armed with a two-year, $8.1 million extension. “We expect him to excel in that role,” offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy told reporters. Upon Kareem Hunt’s release last year, Williams rushed for 203 yards in three regular-season games, 129 yards against Indianapolis in the Divisional Round and three touchdowns in the AFC title game loss to New England.

Barkley’s workload. As a rookie last year, the Giants’ Saquon Barkley had 352 touches (261 carries and 91 catches). Probably not ideal to approach that total this year, right? “I don’t think any number is too high for me,” Barkley told reporters. “I know I sound like a broken record, but for as long as I’m in the NFL — as long as I take care of my body, my body will take care of me. Whether it’s 350 touches, 400 touches or less touches, whatever I have to do to have this team compete for a championship, I’m going to do.”