Denver Broncos Player/Position Grades Post Houston Texans

Aug 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving (56) during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Linebacker

Nate Irving: B-

Lamin Barrow: C+

Steven Johnson: C+

L.J. Fort: C-

Overall: C+

Irving has looked great as the MLB of the defense. He is amazing against the run, and growing in coverage. He was targeted only once against the Texans, but it went for 24 yards. The reason is Irving was aggressive and laid out for the ball, only to fail leaving the receiver in open field. Barrow has been shinning on special teams. On defense, however, he has struggled. He is a college coverage LB that has struggled to adept to NFL coverage duties. In the run game he does well to avoid blockers and snake through them to the ball carrier. But, when someone gets him engaged he struggles to get off. Johnson had two picks in two weeks, neither of which were great plays by him, but more of being in the right place. Against the Texans, he struggled in all aspects, even on special teams, where he is considered an ace by many. He also was the fourth LB to step in at MLB. Fort struggles against the bottom stringers of opposing offenses. He does well against the run, when he doesn’t get blocked. In coverage against the Texans, his struggles were clear. Often he was out-of-place.