Broncos Neglected a Huge Roster Need & It Could Come Back to Haunt
The Denver Broncos entered the 2023 offseason with a glaring need at outside linebacker. Yet, GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton chose not to address the position in free agency or the NFL draft.
Instead, the Broncos prioritized reinforcing the offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive backfield. Unfortunately, this decision left the outside linebacker position extraordinarily vulnerable, and it could come back to haunt them in the upcoming season.
The Broncos' current options at the outside linebacker position include the veterans Randy Gregory, Jacob Martin, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, and last year's second-round draftee Nick Bonitto. Bonitto will need to rebound after his lackluster rookie performance. Last season, the four significantly underwhelmed with 11 total sacks.
Let's break down the Broncos' projected starters at rush linebacker to get a bead on what this team has at the top of the depth chart.
Randy Gregory
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Gregory is a talented pass rusher with the potential to be a game-changer. He possesses a unique blend of size, length, and athleticism, making him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive linemen.
Gregory's long arms and quick feet allow him to shed blockers and quickly get to the quarterback. In addition, he has excellent instincts and a natural feel for rushing the passer, which makes him an asset for any defense.
However, Gregory's injury problems have been a significant thorn in his side throughout his career. He's missed considerable time due to various injuries. While he has shown the ability to be a dominant player when healthy, the Broncos cannot rely on him to stay on the field for an entire season.
Baron Browning
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The Broncos drafted Browning in the third round in 2021 with the expectation that he could develop into a versatile defender who can rush the passer and drop back into coverage. He possesses outstanding physical gifts, including size, length, speed, and athleticism, that make him an intriguing prospect for the Broncos.
Last season, Browning played in 14 games and showed flashes of his potential as a pass rusher, recording five sacks and 12 QB hits. He has an explosive first step, quick hands, and the ability to bend around the edge to disrupt quarterbacks.
With his size and athleticism, Browning has the potential to become a dominant pass rusher in the NFL. However, he did run out of gas towards the end of last season. As a result, he will need to improve his conditioning to maintain his high level of play throughout the season.
Another area where Browning will need to improve is against the run. He tends to get caught up in traffic and struggle to disengage from blockers, which can lead to significant gains for opposing offenses. While he has shown the ability to make plays in the backfield (he had eight tackles for a loss last year), he will need to become more consistent in defending the run to be a three-down linebacker at the NFL level.
Bottom Line
The Broncos should have addressed their need for reinforcements at the outside linebacker position in the offseason, which could leave them exposed on defense. While some promising young players are on the roster, they are unproven and will need time to develop.
The team made significant investments in other areas, including the offensive line, which should help, but the outside linebacker position remains a big concern. Look for the Broncos to add a veteran to the roster before the start of the season.
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