PFF Reveals Broncos' Most Improved Player in 2022
There were not many Denver Broncos last year that saw 'improvement' in their play from prior seasons. With Denver suffering an insane number of injuries (apparently the second most injured team in the NFL last season and arguably the team with the most quality players lost in 2022 via Man Games Lost), and poor coaching nearly across the board, there weren’t many players who were in a situation even to fit the category of “most improved” in 2022.
Without a doubt, and as has been the case in Denver for over a half-decade now, the coaching and system in place on the defensive side of the ball were significantly better than its offensive counterpart. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that Denver’s 'Most Improved Player' in 2022 played defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Having gone from a 2021 PFF grade of 54.1 to 79.1 this past season, Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton earned the title of 'most improved' player in Denver this past season.
One of the best run-defending linebackers in the NFL in 2022, Singleton produced the eighth-highest run-defense grade at the position over the course of the season. His 62 tackles resulting in a defensive stop were tied for sixth among all linebackers, and he missed just 6.5% of the tackles he attempted.
Previously listed by NFL.com as Denver’s 'Unsung Hero' last season, as well as coming in as PFF’s 77th highest-ranked free agent this offseason, Singleton’s surprising and remarkable play in 2022 will very likely earn him a nice contract on the open market next month.
After signing an unremarkable one-year contract for $1.1 million fully guaranteed with $750K in incentives, Singleton’s rise surprised many across Broncos Country. With Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith expected to be the starters entering the season, Singleton took the starting spot and ran with the opportunity after the latter dealt with injuries.
It remains to be seen whether Singleton will return to Denver alongside Jewell for 2023. While Singleton had a phenomenal season when called upon in 2023, he is not necessarily an overly dynamic player at linebacker.
With limitations in space as a coverage player, as well as not being the most dynamic athlete as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the ability to create problems as a blitzer, Singleton could find another team on the market that will value his skill set more than Denver.
If Singleton and his representation can agree to a contract like the one Denver gave Jewell last offseason (approximately a two-year, $11M deal), perhaps he will return in 2023. Regardless of where Singleton plays football in the future, his improvements shown throughout last season will net him a substantially larger contract and opportunity than the ones he had just one year before playing for the Broncos.
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