Broncos 'Like' Nigerian-Born DL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi

In early May, the Denver Broncos were allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi via the International Player Pathway program, a move that flew under the radar amid a slew of new 2023 arrivals.

But more than a month into the offseason workout program, which has included nine Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices, Ndubuisi is acing the early tests, doing what's asked of him in a largely controlled environment. And it hasn't gone unnoticed.

“He’s doing well," Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters last Thursday. "The biggest challenge [is that] no one’s got shoulder pads on or anything yet. He looks good. He’s smart and I like him. I like that we have him. I think it’ll be easier for me to answer that question seven days into training camp because they’re the ones that are challenged with this type of practice. One guy is in charge of the ‘A’ gap on defense, and there’s an offensive lineman in charge of the ‘A’ gap. There has to be somebody acquiescing. That will sort out once we get the pads on.”

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Born in Nigeria, Ndubuisi, 22, has relatively little football experience — he discovered the sport on YouTube about five years ago — and even less NFL know-how, save for a stint with the Arizona Cardinals last season. The 6-foot-7, 323-pounder converted from offensive tackle upon his foray into the IPP.

The measurables, as you would expect, are unmissable.

“The guy’s got some length. He’s very strong. He looks good out there, though," said inside linebacker Josey Jewell. "I’ve seen some great things from him and I love to see that."

Per league protocol, Ndubuisi won't count against Denver's roster limit until final cuts are made later this summer. He will, in the meantime, continue to compete for a backup spot on a defensive line that's wide open behind locked-in starters Zach Allen and DJ Jones.

"This is … a dream come true and also a sign of hope that the best is yet to come," Ndubuisi said after joining the Broncos.

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