Finding Broncos: The Top Edge Defenders

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

The 2023 NFL Draft is rich with talent at the edge position, and the Denver Broncos should be looking into the class to find a depth player for their roster. Denver’s edge unit has a rather lengthy injury history. It cannot set a firm edge in the running game, so finding a guy that can be available and reliable against the run has to happen to upgrade the defense.

Derick Hall | Edge | Auburn

© John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• Good frame and is packed full of power.
• Explosive first step that he transfers through his hips and into his shoulders, converting speed to power relatively easily.
• He sets up blockers with his first step, then crashes across the face to put them in conflict moving laterally.
• A high-quality run defender that stands well on the edge and sheds blockers easily to make plays.
• He has incredible length that he plays with very well.
• He plays with good leverage and has consistently low pads.
• He has a great burst and is relentless in pursuit.
• He can transition from a power rusher and retrace his steps back to the quarterback as he steps into the pocket.
• He dropped into coverage a lot, showing versatility in that aspect.
• Multiple reports about his leadership being a significant asset in the locker room.

Cons:

• He lacks a pass-rush plan and has limited counters.
• He can get lost when identifying in the running game and let blockers get into his frame.
• Lacks the desired bend as a speed rusher around the arc.
• Inactive hands as a rusher that needs to develop.
• He needs to have that quick first step and be uninterrupted to unlock the power he plays with.
• He is not great in coverage, though he will likely see fewer opportunities at the NFL level.

Fit with Broncos:

Derick Hall is a high-quality fit for the Broncos as a stout run defender that plays with great power. The Broncos have a bunch of speed rushers on the outside that don’t drop anchor and set a firm edge, which Hall brings to the table. There are some inconsistencies in diagnosing the play in front of him, but he still does well to keep the play from getting outside of his shoulder. Hall has good production as a pass rusher as well.

Will Anderson Jr. | Edge | Alabama

© Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• Arguably the best player in the draft.
• An absolute freak show of an athlete.
• Insane movement skills.
• Ridiculous length and leverage with good power conversion.
• Super explosive off of the snap and gets into striking distance almost immediately.
• Lower half agility and burst leave you in awe when watching his tape.
• He has a handful of counter moves and crosses the face of the tackle well.
• Attacks with powerful and accurate hands, shocking blockers easily.
• Flattens the angle to the quarterback with an incredible bend.
• Highly productive player on a high-quality defense.

Cons:

• Struggles with power in the running game.
• Inconsistency in his motor at times.
• Not a refined run defender.
• He relies more on his speed and athleticism rather than using all of his techniques.
• He could use a little more mass on his frame.

Fit with Broncos:

Will Anderson should not fall out of the top six and is projected to go second overall. That would give Denver absolutely no shot at drafting him. That being the case, they would do well attacking him with longer, more powerful blockers at the tackle position. Tennessee’s Darnell Wright handled Anderson rather well and constantly displaced him in the running game. Tackles that have good lateral agility to mirror back to the inside and ride him into the guard also have some success against Anderson.

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B.J. Ojulari | Edge | LSU

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• First step explosiveness works well to put the tackle on their heels quickly.
• He has hyperactive hands as a rusher that are constantly working to keep blockers out of his frame.
• Speed rusher with a good twitch in the lower half to counter across the face of the blocker.
• Naturally bendy player that can flatten the angle to the quarterback around the arc.
• Good length and uses a quality long-arm technique to generate leverage.
• More power than given credit for.
• Great pursuit player that shows good speed chasing down ball carriers.
• Incredible leadership qualities at LSU.
• Brother of Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari.

Cons:

• A thin frame that needs to add mass.
• Not great as a run defender, showing a lack of effort at times to maintain the edge.
• Lacks nuance in his pass-rush plan.
• He allows blockers to move him around as a run defender.
• Inconsistent pad level coming off of the snap.
• Can get caught watching the play rather than attacking with aggression.
• Not natural in coverage and doesn’t get to depth quickly enough when asked to.
• He needs to play from a standing position as he is late off the ball coming out of a three-point stance.

Fit with Broncos:

BJ Ojulari will likely be taken in the first 50 selections, so the Broncos would have to move up to take him if they so choose. Ojulari doesn’t make sense for the Broncos because they already have several players in this mold. 

Lukas Van Ness | Edge | Iowa

© Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• Prototypical build for an edge rusher with insane length.
• Explosive speed to power conversion through his hips.
• Tons of upside as a pass rusher.
• He has enough bend in his lower half to come around the arc, but it isn’t a strong skill for his frame.
• Uses leverage to generate a bunch of push into the pocket.
• Hyper athletic for the position and relative to his size.
• He can slide inside and use length and power as a two-gap defensive lineman.
• He disengages from blocks well by using the twitch in his lower half and his long arms in conjunction with each other.

Cons:

• Not naturally bendy around the arc.
• Super raw as a prospect with limited experience as a full-time player.
• Top heavy rusher that ends up on the ground a lot.
• Lacks counter-rush moves and hand-fighting skills.
• Inconsistent when shedding blocks and attacking the football.
• He lacks twitch in the lower half and is a laboring mover on twists and stunts.
• He runs into blocks too often rather than trying to shoot the gap.

Fit with Broncos:

Lukas Van Ness is likely a top-20 pick in the NFL Draft, so the Broncos probably won’t be able to take him. However, should they face off against him, attacking him with pulling blockers should be somewhat effective. He doesn’t recognize blocking schemes very well yet, and he can get driven toward the sideline by pulling guards and centers. He also lacks nuance in his pass rush plan, so tackles that can provide powerful hands and re-connect with pop to his frame can nullify his power and control the rep.

Tyree Wilson | Edge | Texas Tech

© Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Pros:

• He is an incredible player with a massive upside if he continues to develop his game.
• Inside and outside versatility as a pass rusher.
• Power conversion through the hips to shock blockers and put them on skates easily.
• Great frame and length for the position and has a massive wingspan.
• He plays with good power and can control tackles and tight ends at the point of attack.
• Crashes down as a run defender with good power and finishing ability.
• Active hands and counter moves with a quality club-and-rip move.
• Slashing player that penetrates gaps very well on stunts.

Cons:

• Still a touch raw as a player.
• Bend is lacking around the arc.
• He has a higher pad level and allows blockers into his chest plate too often.
• He loses contain as he gets upfield too quickly.
• Lacks high-end speed as a pass rusher.

Fit with Broncos:

Tyree Wilson is likely a top-10 selection, so the Broncos will probably have to play against him at some point. Wilson can play the edge position, but a lack of burst, speed, and stiffness could limit him at the edge. He has good power and slashes into gaps easily, but he lacks awareness and can over-pursue ball carriers and lose contain. In addition, misdirection running plays and bootleg passing plays to his direction can get him caught in the wash, as he doesn’t have the change of direction ability needed to keep contain.

This year’s NFL Draft has one of the better edge classes in recent memory. However, several different archetypes and skill sets are available this year, and the Broncos need to take a hard look into several of these players.

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