Aside from the defensive line, the linebacker position is a potential hole on the great Denver Broncos front seven after a disappointing 2016 season.
There is a player signed from the midwest that might see himself on the Denver Broncos 53-man roster on Opening Day. Linebacker Josh Banderas is a contender to move up the ladder quickly if he shows development quickly. Yet, fellow Broncos teammate and fellow Cornhusker Zaire Anderson may have other plans.
An area Banderas excels well is coaching and development. Banderas is the fourth Bronco to be a Nebraska Cornhusker. Comfortability is one reason Banderas chose the Broncos as a UDFA.
“It just felt comfortable making that decision,” Banderas said mulling over many options to play.
Banderas led the Cornhuskers in tackles with 93, but it is the steady improvement in all phases as a linebacker. He struggled in pass defense, but under Mike Reilly, Banderas took a significant step forward in 2016.
Year after year Banderas showed incredible improvement in tackling each year. He registered 28 in his freshman year, 50 in his sophmore year, 61 in his junior year and 93 in the last year with the Cornhuskers.
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If there is one area that translates well in the pros, it is tackling. For Broncos linebacker Banderas he proved to be a reliable machine in the running game. Todd Davis’ lack of production last season opens the door for a free agent or an in-house player to step up. Banderas can be that guy.
The likely candidate to replace Davis if they so choose. However, the team is content over the years letting him be the starter. In my opinion, I just do not see the development. For the Broncos to add punch to the position, their needs to be a change.