Broncos Camp: Rookie LB Zaire Anderson turning heads

Whoever scouts linebackers for the Denver Broncos should be given a raise.

The Broncos have unearthed a number of gems in recent years, starting with Wesley Woodyard back in 2008 and growing to players like Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall the last two seasons, along with guys like undrafted free agents Steven Johnson and Todd Davis, and late picks Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson.

Scouting (non-pass rushing) linebackers as late round players or undrafted free agents seems to be a skill the Broncos have figured out to a science, and that continues with Nebraska’s Zaire Anderson, who has a chance to make the 53-man roster after a strong camp and some work with the starting unit.

For Anderson to make the Broncos would be incredibly impressive, to say the least.

First of all, Anderson isn’t all that big as far as linebackers go, particularly as a 3-4 inside linebacker. He’s under 230 pounds and to make the impression he has means that his physical limitations haven’t stopped him from limiting the offense.

Second, Anderson is playing in one of the most crowded groups on the roster. The Broncos have not only Marshall and Trevathan at the inside linebacker spots, but they also return Todd Davis and Steven Johnson who started some last season, as well as veteran free agent addition Reggie Walker and 2014 draftees Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson.

For those keeping track at home, that’s seven players who will be on an NFL roster in 2015.

They can’t all be Broncos.

If Anderson is to make the team, he will become the 12th consecutive undrafted free agent to do so. He’s not the only UDFA pushing for a job on this team, but he’d certainly have potentially the most odds to overcome and possibly the deepest position.

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