As the off-season started, many felt that inside linebacker was a big need for the Denver Broncos. Free agency passed without acquiring a new dominant middle backer, so surely John Elway would snatch one up in the draft. The draft came and went with no linebacker taken by the team at all. This caused a lot of uneasiness in Broncos Country. However, based on the current roster Denver could be set up with one of the best linebacking groups in the NFL.
Denver Broncos Linebackers Can Be Among NFL’s Best
Denver typically has been a club that builds from within. They make late round picks, take talented undrafted free agents and add them to the practice squad, where the coaching staff can hone the skills needed to be a successful player. Brandon Marshall is the most recent example of this trend. A virtual unknown in 2014, Marshall became an integral piece of the Denver defense last year. He finished the year with 101 tackles (second on the team) along with 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. With the loss of Danny Trevathan in free agency, Marshall should fill that void nicely.
There are three other linebackers on the current roster that will look to impress and make huge impacts this coming season. Todd Davis, a third year player from Sacramento State, worked his way up from the practice squad and contributed in a few games last year. He recorded 14 tackles on defense along with seven more stops on special teams. This will be his second year in Wade Phillips system which will make Davis all the more comfortable. That confidence combined with the work put in over the course of the last couple seasons will aid in the third year backer helping the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Another young man who will be competing for that mike linebacker spot is Corey Nelson. The former Oklahoma Sooner has participated in all 32 regular season and four post season games for the Broncos over the past two seasons, recording 23 total tackles. Selected in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, look for Nelson to become a much bigger part of Phillips defense this year.
Last, but certainly not least, is Zaire Anderson. Anderson signed with the Broncos as a undrafted free agent in May of 2015. In his senior year at Nebraska, Zaire led the Cornhuskers with 103 tackles. The time spent last year on the practice squad has helped Anderson to improve his footwork and pass coverage techniques. Don’t be surprised to see this young talent in the starting lineup come September.
Even though Denver didn’t acquire any new inside linebackers during the off-season, it is clear that they have some talented individuals. Individuals that are working hard and learning in hopes of capturing that covered starting role. This group alongside the likes of Von Miller, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett could make Denver’s linebacking corps one of the NFL’s best.
