2021 Broncos' Season, Linebackers

 


The NFL Draft is over, so it's time to re-visit the Broncos' position groups and see where the team is heading into the season. Today I'm continuing with the linebackers.

The Broncos may have their best defense in years and one of the best in the NFL in 2021, and a big piece of that is the linebacking corps. This is the teeth and heart of the defense in this system, and a unit that features some of the Broncos' biggest contributors, beginning with Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller. Miller was brought back, but this may be his last dance in Denver. I hope not, but if it is, he'll play a crucial role in whatever this unit can accomplish. He's a star and the backbone of the defense, as he has been his whole career.

Aside from Miller, the Broncos have a budding star in Bradley Chubb. This is Vic Fangio's third season as Head Coach. In his first season, Chubb tore his ACL in the first game. In his second season, Miller was injured and lost for the year just prior to the season. I'm hoping in year three we finally get to see what Fangio can do with both these great players and pass rushers on the field at the same time all season. That's the hope, and if it happens there is no telling what this group can accomplish.

Those are the biggest pieces, but what about the rest? The biggest question is the middle of the linebacker group. Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell are returning, and the Broncos brought in Baron Browning during the draft. That gives a few options over the middle. Johnson has been great, and a surprise since coming in. Jewell started strong as a rookie but hasn't seemed as great a fit with Fangio's scheme. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Browning, a Third-Round selection, working into the starting group. Training Camp and the Pre-Season will tell the tale of who starts in the middle.

Barring some unexpected changes, I think those five players are on the 2021 Broncos' roster, but who else makes it? Let's look at the candidates. That next wave begins with Malik Reed, the talented, young pass rusher who is a vital part of the depth and attack on the outside. In addition, second-year linebacker Justin Strnad is a candidate to take time and starts in the middle and should have a great shot to make the roster and take a step forward in year two.

Beyond that, the Broncos have a group of players that could be contributors to make the final roster. The Broncos figure to keep eight or nine players, and with Reed and Strnad combined with the group above that's seven. So likely the rest are competing for one or two open spots.

That group includes third year player Josh Watson and second year man Derek Tuszka. In addition the team brought in veterans Pita Taumoepenu and Peter Kalambayi, as well as undrafted rookie free agents Andre Mintze and Curtis Robinson. Those six players will be the ones to watch to see who rises up and makes the squad as camp progresses.

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