Finding Broncos: The Top Interior Defensive Linemen

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft by breaking down the best interior defenders in the class.

The Denver Broncos roster has holes all over the place, including the interior of the defense. However, with only one quality starter on the roster on the defensive line in DJ Jones, Denver adding a big space eater in the middle is a possibility.

Bryan Bresee | DL | Clemson

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Pros:

• Strong and long interior A gap defender from mostly 1-4i techniques.
• Stack and shed ability is above average.
• Quick first step and lateral agility to slide across gaps in the running game.
• He uses his hands well to clear gaps and penetrate the backfield.
• Uses leverage well as a penetrator.
• Gap sound defender that opens lanes for linebacker fills.
• Stunts are effective with burst to get home when asked to peel around the edge.
• Showed incredible ability as a pass rusher early in his career.

Cons:

• Lacks high-end production at the college level.
• Shorter arms for the position.
• Relies on strength more than technique.
• Can get overpowered by double teams.
• He isn’t a true playmaker, as he holds his assignment a bit too long and lacks range.
• No proper pass-rush moves.
• He can get out-leveraged at times and get pushed downfield.
• Stiffer in the hips and lacks bend.
• He suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and had shoulder surgery in 2022.

Fit with Broncos: 

Bresee has shorter arms for the position and can struggle against double teams against more powerful blockers, making power schemes effective against him. His pad-level inconsistencies and lack of length are the way to attack and neutralize him.

Jalen Carter | DL | Georgia

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Pros:

• Immense play strength and physicality.
• Lateral quickness and agility are off the charts.
• Super freak of an athlete with great size for the position.
• His first step is explosive and powerful.
• He plays with good leverage and uses his arms to drive linemen into the backfield.
• Has a nice push-pull technique that shocks blockers easily.
• Incredible upside as a pass rusher with multiple hand-fighting techniques.
• He does a great job sinking his hips to drop his anchor in the running game.
• He eats up space and handles double teams incredibly well.
• Arguably the best player in the class regardless of position.

Cons:

• Major red flags off of the field, including maturity concerns.
• Conditioning issues show as his motor slows to close the game.
• He is a little lean in his lower half, causing issues against true power players in the running game.
• Could stand to be more nuanced as a pass rusher with a better plan.
• Relies more on his athleticism and play strength than technique.
• Allows counter punches to land into his chest too often.
• Has some pad-level inconsistencies at times.
• Only one year as a starter.

Fit with Broncos:

There's pretty much no chance that Carter falls to where the Broncos will be able to target him, so they will have to figure out a way to defend against him. Carter moves laterally well, but keeping him running all over the field with stretch zone runs could quickly run him out of gas. When that happens, Carter lifts his shoulders higher off of the snap, opening himself up to powerful punches that can land in his framework. With some mass issues in the lower half, he can get moved around against true power players. 

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Keeanu Benton | DL | Wisconsin

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Pros:

• A four-year starter with loads of experience.
• Explosive and accurate hands that are packed with power.
• He has good length and leverage for a player with his massive frame.
• He has a relentless motor and is very competitive.
• Strong rip-club move that jars blockers and allows him to re-direct.
• Has a strong base with good balance and rarely goes to the ground.
• Has high upside as a penetrating pass rusher with his bull rush.
• Rock solid anchor against double teams in the running game.

Cons:

• Lateral agility is lacking.
• Inconsistent play speed off of the snap.
• The first step burst is just average.
• A lot of reps come to a stalemate between him and the blocker.
• Slow mover on stretch zone runs.
• Hip flexibility is lacking, and he doesn't play with good knee bend.
• A linear player that will likely be limited to the A-gaps at the next level.
• Range as a tackler is lacking as a pass rusher and in the running game.

Fit with Broncos:

Keeanu Benton would be a welcome addition to a defense that desperately needs quality run defenders along the interior with upside as a pass rusher. Mike Purcell is a potential cap casualty, and Eyioma Uwazurike and Matt Henningsen didn't inspire much confidence in their showings last year. Benton has starter upside as a 1-3 technique defensive tackle.

Gervon Dexter | DL | Florida

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Pros:

• Pro-ready frame with a frame to add more mass if desired.
• He can penetrate well if he times the snap right.
• Able to stack and shed against single blockers fairly easily.
• Has a nice swim move as a pass rusher.
• He plays with good speed as a pass rusher.
• He chases down quarterbacks after getting too far upfield.
• He can retrace his steps relatively easily.

Cons:

• Inconsistency shows in every facet of his play.
• Initial hand placement lacks accuracy and power.
• The first step is super slow and always late off the snap.
• Double teams blow him to smithereens.
• He has terrible pad level as a run defender and constantly gets moved off his spot.
• Is incredibly raw, with no plan of attack.

Fit with the Broncos:

Vance Joseph likes his interior defenders to be able to eat up space in the running game, allowing linebackers to flow to the ball while being able to penetrate as a pass rusher. Dexter fits in the pass-rush mold, but his inconsistency with his pad level and lack of play strength will be an issue at the next level.

Calijah Kancey | DL | Pittsburgh

© Kimberly Moss-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• Explosive first step with the ability to slide into gaps quickly.
• He plays with good leverage due to his size.
• He turns his upper body well to split the gap quickly and draw penalties.
• Oily hips to move laterally with a good burst.
• High motor as a pass rusher.
• Highly effective on stunts coming around the edge with speed.
• Great athlete for the position.
• His swim move is above average.
• He has a handful of counter moves with his hands to keep linemen detached from his body.
• Incredibly productive in 2022, with 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.

Cons:

• Incredibly small for the position with outlier length concerns.
• He is shoved around often as a run defender.
• He lacks a true position for the NFL, though his best fit is as a 3-technique defensive tackle.
• He will be limited to a pass-rush role only unless he can build more strength.
• He lacks the bend and length to become an edge defender if desired.
• He loses sight of his target too often due to dropping his head.
• He has to win the first step, or he gets latched onto easily.

Fit with the Broncos:

Calijah Kancey isn't necessarily a great fit for the Broncos due to his size and position limitations. He fits as a 3-technique defender, but he isn't good enough in the running game against guards and lacks the desired measurables and bend to slide outside as a true edge defender. However, should some team decide to use him as a 5-technique defender, Kancey could become incredible on stunts and twists as a pass rusher. 

The interior defensive line class has a lot of versatility to it, with many guys that have high upside as pass rushers. It’s more top-heavy than deep in overall talent, but there are a handful of quality players that the Broncos could have their eyes on throughout the second and third days of the affair.

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